Forum Discussion
Still sore
I was diagnosed on 31 October with TNBC. I had one surgery on the 23rd of November. My pathology result showed I require further surgery. I had another surgery done on December 16. I had 15 lymph nodes involved as well as margins. There is another enlarged lymph node above my rib cage. I have had biopsy done but waiting on the result. I had infection after first surgery in my breast as well as hematoma. I was hospitalised for 4 days. It has been 2 weeks since my second surgery. I am still very sore. My breast still feel swollen and very tender. I had drain put in at the time of second surgery which was removed after 4 days. I was told I will have bit of fluid built up and will go away itself. I don't have much flexibility in my arm and I am continuously on painkillers. I try to do the exercises but I find it very painful. I also have a tear in my shoulder on the same side. I suffer from hot flashes and night sweats. My chemotherapy will start next week. It will be given to me every two weeks. I am really worried how am I going to cope with it while coping with all the above. I am generally an optimist and a very calm person but for the chemotherapy I am feeling a bit anxious. Is anyone else going through or have been through all this. I feel like I need reassurance that I will be able to cope.
18 Replies
- Oh NJM you are having a hard time, and you are not alone that you wonder how you will manage. All of us have felt that way at some stage but we are stronger than we think. Some times having a good cry helps clear the head so we can shake it of and focus on what we need to do.
you don't have to be a hero or do it on your own - ask for help, tell your doctors about pain and side effects as there are so many options to help manage all the things that come with treatment.
come back here often to vent or just write down how you are going ant there will always be someone who knows exactly how you fell cause they have felt like that too. It can be so reassuring knowing that you are not abnormal and that others truly understand how you feel.
Hope your treatment goes well and chemo beats the hell out of those pesky lymph nodes.
sending big (gentle) hugs xx
chris - Oh NJM I'm sorry on those results. But glad to here they've got a plan in place already for you. We are here for you when you need. Kath x
- Sometimes it really feels like one step forward and two back. Strength to you, and remember what you know, you can treat !
- Oh NJM, just wanted to send you my support!!! Can only imagine how overwhelming all this must be, but it sounds like you have an incredible team who are onto all of it!! You also sound very determined and I believe you absolutely can do it, just remember step at a time, day at a time. Melinda xo
- Hi NJM
Oh crumbs that is not what you were expecting. Goodness you are in a spin. The exercises will help.
Now that your results have identified problem areas your medical team will get to work.
On this site is the phone number for BCNA. They have great resources and counselling service.
Wishing you all the best with your treatment plan. Take care. Sending you a virtual hug from Christine xx - NJM so sorry to hear about the node involvement but it's so good that the chemotherapy and radiation will take care of it and absolutely fantastic that you are not developing Lymphoedema. I like how you write that you are trying to stay positive and strong and that shows in the way you have worded your post. I think your doing an incredible job of dealing with this and know that we are here to cheer you on. Sending you a big hug. Xx Cath
Well ED at hospital were wrong. I am not developing lymphedema. I went and saw lymphedema physio today. She has given me some exercises to do and showed me how to massage to move fluid built up to good arm. However the biopsy report for enlarged lymph node above my rib cage is not good. This enlarged lymph node is full of cancer cells and now another enlarged lymph node have been found. This lymph node is not operable. The plan is to treat it with chemotherapy and radiation. Hopefully this will take care of it. My cancer is now labelled as advanced breast cancer as it is out of my breast area and in lymph node in my chest. I am too scared to get any more tests done. Every time I have a test done it comes back with bad news. Trying to stay positive and strong. The support I get from all of you is awesome. Thank you.
- Once they get on and sort out the problem it should start to ease, unfortunately with surgery it takes a very long time as the others have said, its mostly nerve pain that continues. I think once you are on your way with Chemo, you'll settle into whatever your routine is. We are all here, so sing out how we can help, especially managing your side effects. A bunch of wonderful ladies here with a wealth of experience!! Hugs Melinda xo
- Lymphoedema is a bit of a pain but manageable. A good trained lymphoedema therapist is worth his/her weight in gold so worth making enquiries. You can get a referral for such therapy from your GP to help with costs. It's the loss of lymph nodes but I always felt that it was better to know sooner rather than later, as lymphoedema sometime bites up to 15 years later. Timely treatment is valuable and who knows what will be available in the future? I do my exercises, including weights at the gym, wear my sleeve, have no pain or discomfort and it doesn't have any real impact. Be good if you don't have it, but manageable if you do.
- Glad we can help that's what we are all here for. Please come back on and let us know how you are managing.
Take care
