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Words are not enough to say thank you to my husband , he is my rock .  I feel so blessed to have him in my life. Debbie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Debbie,

Yes,you probably need something stronger like panadiene- panadol not enough. Do you have a drain in?Cos you wouldn't put a bra on if you have .I kept my binder on till I saw my doc.It was supportive and didn't block my drain. After that I wore singlets/camisoles because I kept getting fluid build up.I wore very loose shirts so didn't feel self conscious.It was a few weeks before I could wear a bra.There's no rush Debbie so just be comfortable.

                                            Tonya xx

Hi Debbie

Glad to hear you are out of hospital and recovering. The waiting is hard but Friday will come. On the painkiller front if you can't get to the GP nurofen or nurofen plus(which has codeine in it) are good over the counter painkillers you can get without a script at any pharmacy. You can also take panadol as they work slightly differently. I found sleeping with a big European pillow (those big square ones ) with my normal pillows gave me great comfort and suppport. As Manda mentioned the little pillow for the armpit was invaluable. I was given a pillow by the Zonta group (via the breast care nurse) which you can use like a shoulder bag but it's a cushion and sits just right in your armpit ,it is also good when wearing a seat belt. I have a spare if you'd like it? Just let me know.

I don't know how I got through the first weeks but I did seems a bit of a blur now so I know you can do it one day at a time..........

Love Sarah x

 Thank you for taking the time to help, you have so much going on yourself. Hope all goes well with the chemo.

Rang the breast nurse, left a message for her to ring. Take care Debbie.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Yes talking to to all these amazing ladies, have helped me so much. I can be honest how I feel and there is always somone to help. I still feel it is just one big nightmare and hope I wake up.  Thank you for your support.  Debbie xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Debbie,

Hang in there.  I am 3 and 1/2 weeks out of surgery.  I myself have lots of fluid build up which i have to get drained twice weekly by needle.  I find the fluid more uncomfortable than anything.  I can tell you the pain under the arm is still there but it has improved. 

As for the bra.  I tried to wear mine straight away but the fluid build up made it too painful so my breast care nurse suggested I purchase one of those tank tops from target or kmart which have the band inside the top part.  Not the best bra but I found it gave some support.  I could still insert my padded insert they gave me and it was far more comfortable than the bra.  Am pleased to say I am back in my bra now although some days I still revert back to the tank top.

If you are in too much pain I would go to your local gp and ask for something a bit stronger.  I had something I took mainly at night - just to help me sleep.

Hang in there Debbie.  Like you I am still in a daze by the whole process but am hoping that talking to people such as yourself going through the same emotions etc will help me.

Hang in there.  It can only get better!! 

Wendy xx

Can you get something a little stronger for the pain at night?  I used tramadol for about 10 days just at night and it really helped.  I slept with about 3 pillows and a little pillow I was given to put under my armpit - did you get one of those?  I started wearing my bra straight away but I think I also needed to support the expander - I only had binding across the top of my left side to under my armpit. Give your breast care nurse a call - that is what she is there for. :-) hopefully she can help you out. Also, keep up the regular pain relief - every 4-6 hours - don't wait until you feel pain again.  I was very uncomfortable sleeping for at least 2-3 weeks. 

Amandaxx

 I am really sore and the only pain killers they gave me were panadol. Had a very restless night , kept waking up with pain around my arm pit, but so glad to be in my own bed. Came home with a binder around my chest , should I start to try and wear the bra that the breast nurse gave me?. When I left hospital I was really told nothing , just to see my Dr on Friday. Love to you all. Debbie xxxxxxxxxxxx

 I am really sore and the only pain killers they gave me were panadol. Had a very restless night , kept waking up with pain around my arm pit, but so glad to be in my own bed. Came home with a binder around my chest , should I start to try and wear the bra that the breast nurse gave me?. When I left hospital I was really told nothing , just to see my Dr on Friday. Love to you all. Debbie xxxxxxxxxxxx

 I am really sore and the only pain killers they gave me were panadol. Had a very restless night , kept waking up with pain around my arm pit, but so glad to be in my own bed. Came home with a binder around my chest , should I start to try and wear the bra that the breast nurse gave me?. When I left hospital I was really told nothing , just to see my Dr on Friday. Love to you all. Debbie xxxxxxxxxxxx