Forum Discussion

pinkpeonie's avatar
pinkpeonie
Member
15 years ago

Just starting

Hi

I am 41 years old , married with 2 lovely girls aged 9 and 12.

I was diagnosed on 25 March 2011 with breast cancer!

I had a lump checked at breastscreen at the end of 2009 .

They did a mammogram and ultrasound and sent me home saying it was a thickening of the tissue and to return in 2 years for a follow-up.

I also was going into early menopause at the time so was a bit distracted getting that sortd out but was always concious of my lump.

At the end of last year I became more concerned about it and brought it up with my GP again earlier this year - I went for a mammogram and ultrasound again. This time there were 2 lumps - had a core biopsy of both and they found both to be malignant!

I had a mastectomy and axilliary disection a week ago and am going tomorrow to see the surgeon post op and to get the pathology results I think.

My wound area has been pretty painful I have to say - apparently the wound is very tight so I can only do the level 1 exercises at present.

I have also developed a seroma under the arm which I am holding out for the surgeon to drain tomorrow.

My wound has a clear strip adhesive dressing - like clear packing tape on it so not sure how they take that off eek!!! Has anyone else had that?

This is all very new to me and has been a bit of a whirlwind - Im not even sure it has completely sunk in that I have cancer!

The surgeon has said it is almost sure irrespective of the results tomorrow that chemo is on the cards - so I am on the rollarcoaster !! The breast care nurse told me that I am on a rollercoaster that I cant get off and I just have to go with it!!

Not sure where it is heading at the moment but I know that Im not steering!!!

Quite a few people blogging here seem to have done well pain wise so not sure why I feel like Mike Tyson has been in the ring with me.

Anyway will see how big the battle is tomorrow I guess ......

6 Replies

  • pinkpeonie's avatar
    pinkpeonie
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Tonya

    Thanks so much for replying to my post.

    it is great to have info straight from someone who has been on the road!

    I am looking forward to getting fluid drained as it feels like its about to pop !

    You are right about all the info - it is like learning a new language!

    I will know today what the next step intails!

    Thanks again for your encouragemnet!

    Have a great day.

    DEbsx

  • pinkpeonie's avatar
    pinkpeonie
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi debbie

    Wow that is amazaing that our stories are so similiar!

    I replied on my page but realise that wasn't the way - oops!!

    I am looking forward to getting seroma drained today etc but not looking forward to hearing what has been found!!

    I am going to ask Dr about pain killers as I am only on paracetemol which isnt helping much!

    My drain is out thankfully - so dont have to worry about that !

    Glad to hear that you are on the merrygoround at times as well as the rollarcoaster - that did make me smile!!

    Thanks again for your reply - I appreciate your thoughts!

    Have a great day.

    Debs xx

  • pinkpeonie's avatar
    pinkpeonie
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Debbie 

    Thank you for your message! 

    Sorry to hear that you are a newbie like me but looks like all is going well so far. That is great news!

    I am looking forward to getting the dressing off - feels very tight.

    I haven't contacted the support group in my area it sa somethin i had been thinking about so I should look into that more.

    I was amazed to get 4 replies here - what a wonderful means to communicate !

    Have a wonderful day and keep well.

    Debs xxxx

  • pinkpeonie's avatar
    pinkpeonie
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Sam .

    Thank you so much for your reply! I answered on my page but realised that wasn't the right way to do it - still learning the ropes here! 

    I appreciate your advice re treatment etc and moving forward - my girls have been great through this so far - I feel a bit bad for them though as i wasn't up to much over Easter having just had the surgery the week before so we have just been at home. They are very understanding though. I am just very aware how this is affecting them now but as you say children are resilient thank goodness!!

    I am looking forward to getting the seroma drained today - it feels if I dont I might pop!!

    This is such a great site for information and encouragement.

    Thank you for taking the time to write to me.

    Will let you know how all goes today.

    Debs xx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    You sound shell shocked.You have no time to think about it but go straight into battle.I had a lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation 7yrs ago.Then last year cancer came back in the same breast,same spot!So had mastectomy and chemo. Don't worry about the fluid build up,it's quite common.Your surgeon will drain it and it doesn't hurt cos it's numb.You might need it done weekly for awhile.It takes a few weeks for the pain to settle down.Your arm will be abit hard to stretch up.If your nodes are all clear then that's good news and depending on your type of cancer you might avoid chemo.Just take this journey  bit by bit because it is a mindfield of pathology jargin,treatments,awful decisions,physical pain and emotional pain.But all us ladies here are testimony that you can  get through it. You'll need lots of love and support.Jump on here any time,always someone to talk to.

                                           Tonya xx

  • debbie63's avatar
    debbie63
    Member
    15 years ago

    Pink Peonie,

    When I read your post I thought I was reading my story. When I had a mammogram 18mths before my diagnosis, the Breastscreen doctors told me it was breast tissue/thickening when I had a review. They didn't perform an ultrasound or FNB then, and weirdly I didn't actually have any lumps. It wasn't until May last year when, at 46yrs old,  the next mammogram showed exactly the same area as 18mths before. An ultrasound was performed which found another suspicious area and then FNB on both areas. Both positive and as it turned out both separate cancers.

    I ended up having a mastectomy and axillary clearance too, lymph nodes positive. I remember having bad pain at times, I was told to keep up the level of painkillers instead of letting it get too bad. What drugs are you on? Do you have a drain in still, that was annoying at times. I had a dressing over the drain site, can't remember what was over mastectomy scar line, it mustn't have been too bad.

    I had chemo, radiation and now on hormone tablets.

    Well good luck with tomorrows results. I am now on a slower rollercoaster and feeling pretty good. Sometimes I take the merry go round.  

    All the best,

    Deb