Hello my name is Nicole. I have been reading posts daily but this is my first. About 2pm on 22nd December 2014 I brushed a strand of hair from near my right breast and felt a lump a little smaller than a golf ball I felt sick, sad and scared straight away I just knew it was not right. I phoned my Dr and the following day I had a mammogram and ultrasound then a biopsy the next day on Christmas Eve, then at 2pm it was confirmed to be breast cancer. I still can’t believe why I did not feel it sooner especially when using bodywash on my hand as I shower. My surgery was 13th January 2015 I had a Bilateral Mastectomy and the tissue expanders inserted. I was in hospital for 7 nights, my cancer was 19mm. Each Friday I have a checkup and have my bandages changed. The worst part is the pain and discomfort, my chest aches, tingles, burns, then my body is freezing cold with goosebumps then I feel hot again. I keep cool wet washers under my arms and chest and have found it does relieve a little. Tomorrow I will meet with the Oncologist for the first time to discuss my chemotherapy treatment. I am trying to stay up but I am really scared too and when I wake up during the night I think it is all a bad dream. Thankyou group for support and sharing stories. Nicole xx

So sorry you have had to join us, but this is the best place for comfort and support when you need it, and someone is always here 24/7. We understand because we have been through it - the shock and disbelief, the initial fear, and then warrior-mode as we take up the fight against this rotten little bug. So many of us have found our own lump (search for "who found their own lump?") and you will be surprised at how many stories are like your own - nothing one day and a lump the next. You have obviously found it very quickly which is a great start, and you are over the biggest hurdle already with your surgery done. If you join the reconstruction group, Louise has a mine of information on every topic you could raise or have questions about. On the main site we have all been through chemo, radiation and surgery and can be supportive as you go through any of them. Try to take things one day at a time. Don't look too far ahead or it is overwhelming. Buy a file cover and keep copies of everything - reports and results especially; routines for chemo, appointments, accounts. You are about to be very busy for the next few months. Take care of yourself, and don't be afraid to accept help from friends and family. And try not to be too afraid - it is a scary time, but these days BC is very treatable. I am almost 3 years past surgery and feeling fit and healthy, so life does get better again. And try to stay positive - it really helps - even though we will understand any reactions at all. Sending you a big cyber hug. xxx Michelle

You have come to the best place for support and advice.I had surgery and chemo,and I am 13 months past chemo now.I feel fantastic.However,I can remember being scared witless!! In the early days I had no clue as to how I was supposed to feel,or what I was supposed to do.This network was the best place for me to get support and help.I realised that what I was feeling was pretty normal,and there was always someone who had walked in my shoes!!!I definitely agree with Michelle that you could benefit from the reconstruction group.I have read nothing but great things about it.And also as she says,don't be scared,because BC is treatable these days.We are lucky to live in Australia,where treatment is about the best in the world.Please stay in touch on here,because I think that you will find that it really helps you.Cheers xoxRobyn

Thank you Michelle for your reply.I am positive most of the time just sometimes out of the nowhere the fear and tears come along. I think if there was no discomfort or pain from the expanders it would be so much easier to deal with thank goodness for pain releif medication. Thanks again and Iit is so good to hear good stories and that you are feeling fit and healthy, just reminds me that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Bye for now Nicole xx

Expanders, Chemo and being scared

Nicole_Helen
Member
11 years ago
Hi Loreto, Thank you for your message. It will be 6 weeks tomorrow post op I am still taking Nurofen and Panadol regularly, the past 2 days have been better because my Dr has put me back on Lyrica medication for 10 days to help deal with the nerve pain which was unbearable. Last Thursday I had my port a cath put, that too was a scary for me and although I am sore and bruised it is one more thing over. Tomorrow I am off to the hospital to Echocardiogram Clinic then Thursday for Chemotherapy Education and meet with Dr again so I guess I will find out then when my chemo will start. I did not have my expander fill last Friday because I was too sore so that is now booked for 6th March and that is done before chemo so it will probably start that week. Bye for now Thank you again Loreto and you too take care and best wishes. Nicole :)
Nicole_Helen
Member
11 years ago
Hi Loreto, Thank you for your message. It will be 6 weeks tomorrow post op I am still taking Nurofen and Panadol regularly, the past 2 days have been better because my Dr has put me back on Lyrica medication for 10 days to help deal with the nerve pain which was unbearable. Last Thursday I had my port a cath put, that too was a scary for me and although I am sore and bruised it is one more thing over. Tomorrow I am off to the hospital to Echocardiogram Clinic then Thursday for Chemotherapy Education and meet with Dr again so I guess I will find out then when my chemo will start. I did not have my expander fill last Friday because I was too sore so that is now booked for 6th March and that is done before chemo so it will probably start that week. Bye for now Thank you again Loreto and you too take care and best wishes. Nicole :)
Ret65
Member
11 years ago
I am five days post left mastectomy without expanders,but had chemo beforehand. Chemo was tough but you just tell yourself it is getting rid of any cancer cells left after surgery. You just get though it one cycle at a time and take any offers of help you can. I am six weeks past my last chemo and I am feeling pretty good. I know the diagnosis of BC is a shock, but once your oncologist gives you a plan of what you need to do to get well again it gives you focus. Hope the pain from the expanders is settling for you. Cheers Loreto
Ret65
Member
11 years ago
I am five days post left mastectomy without expanders,but had chemo beforehand. Chemo was tough but you just tell yourself it is getting rid of any cancer cells left after surgery. You just get though it one cycle at a time and take any offers of help you can. I am six weeks past my last chemo and I am feeling pretty good. I know the diagnosis of BC is a shock, but once your oncologist gives you a plan of what you need to do to get well again it gives you focus. Hope the pain from the expanders is settling for you. Cheers Loreto
Ret65
Member
11 years ago
I am five days post left mastectomy without expanders,but had chemo beforehand. Chemo was tough but you just tell yourself it is getting rid of any cancer cells left after surgery. You just get though it one cycle at a time and take any offers of help you can. I am six weeks past my last chemo and I am feeling pretty good. I know the diagnosis of BC is a shock, but once your oncologist gives you a plan of what you need to do to get well again it gives you focus. Hope the pain from the expanders is settling for you. Cheers Loreto
Robyn_W
Member
11 years ago
I just wanted to tell you that my eyesight was blurry for a few weeks after my surgery.I just couldn't get clear focus on things.I tried different eye drops,but in the end it just got better by itself.I have read since that some people have eye trouble after an anaesthetic.I also wear glasses.Cheers .xox
Hazel_M
Member
11 years ago
Sorry to hear your diagnosis, but welcome to the site. I had a lumpectomy in Oct 2013 followed by chemo & radiation. I was terrified about chemo, it can be a hard road but it's doable. They have lots of anti-nausea medication these days, lots of research has been done, it's not like it was years ago. Take one day at a time and you'll get through this, stay in touch, plenty of advice is at hand on this site, all the best,

Hazel xx
JessicaV
Member
11 years ago
Hi, I haven't had a reconstruction yet after my left mastectomy, (want to get my weight down first to best BMI, and get over my chemo/targetted treatment first). But a couple of friends who have told me a couple of things that you may find helpful. One said that the mastectomy did not really hurt much at all, but the expanders felt like a bad headache on your chest. The other said she found it helpful to think of the pain of the reconstruction process as "good pain" that was just part of the process she had chosen to undergo to to rebuild a sexy body, and that changed how she felt about the discomfort and pain.
Nicole_Helen
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Robyn and yes this is a very good place for support and nice to hear you are feeling fantastic.I will look at the reconstruction group Michelle suggested later shortly as I need to rest my eyes . I am long sighted and do wear glasses for reading and computer only but have found that my eyesite has been quite blurry since surgery I will wait until this is over before I go back to the optometrist as it may just be the medication. Thanks again Nicole xx
Nicole_Helen
Member
11 years ago
Thank you Michelle for your reply.I am positive most of the time just sometimes out of the nowhere the fear and tears come along. I think if there was no discomfort or pain from the expanders it would be so much easier to deal with thank goodness for pain releif medication. Thanks again and Iit is so good to hear good stories and that you are feeling fit and healthy, just reminds me that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Bye for now Nicole xx