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1 Week Post Op Lumpectomy & Sentinel node biopsy
WARNING: This post contains an image that may be triggering to some members and is possibly NSFW. -BCNA
WOOHOO 1 week post op! This time last week it was all happening and I was fast asleep in lala land. Today, I got the dressings off. Fanbloody tastic! I havent had too much trouble with pain. I notice some nerve type issues in the area below the armpit towards the elbow, and in the armpit itself, but nothing to complain overly about. Check up today with the doctor/boss and I'm right to get back to work on Monday. Thankfully I only work half days as I think a full day would be too much.
My surgery review is next Thursday so I'll have all the results then and they will hopefully work out the treatment plan. Fingers crossed for no deviation and its just radiation therapy.
Sending all you lovely ladies sun shiney thoughts and hope you're all having a good day :)
EDITED TO ADD THIS POST SCRIPT. I hadn't stopped to think about adding the photo of my lumpectomy scar in this post, and that it may cause a trigger for some. I work in a gp surgery, and i have been around horses and a few injuries, so I'm often intrigued by the healing of wounds. What I should have also put, was that i was so pleased with how minimal the incision lines were and how little distortion they made to the breast. I am 50. I had already had scars due to severe mastisis 24 yrs ago, so while i was prepared for some mishaping, it was still nice to see the neat job done. I also had hoped that for those who might be in the initial pre surgery stages, it may help for them to see this. I do hope that I havent offended or upset anyone.
Donna.
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14 Replies
Good advice on not wearing rings. I had swelling on a couple of fingers due to lymphedema but it only seemed to come on bad during chemo. After chemo everything started healing up very nicely and the swelling is gone.
Thanks for your feedback Donna xx
P.S. I can hardly see the scars now :)
Hi Leila, I work only half days, so it wasn't so tiring for me. (Having said that, I could come home and rest in the afternoons) I do work in a gp practice so my boss was keeping a close eye on me. I had to be careful with lifting files (only used my left arm). Having said that, I did find it a bit achey. Talk to your surgeon, let them know what you do physically in your job. I only had 3 sentinal nodes removed during the biopsy so I wasnt as great a risk of lymphnoma compared to having more or a full auxillary clearance. I did and still do though, be careful. I dont wear rings on my right hand. Can you talk to your work place and if you find it a bit much physically, see if you can cut the first week hours back? Good luck for Friday. In my journey, I can honestly say that the lumpectomy was the easiest part.
hi Donna,
Just wanted to say, I really appreciated seeing your pic. I'm having a lumpectomy on Friday and am getting very anxious the closer it gets. Great to see visually what I can expect. I saw you mentioned going back to work about a week after, how did you find that? I have scheduled to have the week off following my surgery, but a little worried about going back after that (I work in reception, 8am - 4.30pm) did you cope ok?
Thanks again, Leila xx
Thanks for all the lovely comments guys. I appreciate your positivityness (if that's even a word) While usually a private person I have made the decision to be very public about this adventure (as I choose to call it) My friends and horse club have been strong supporters of Breast Cancer Awareness and so I decided to make an public album on my personal facebook page to show other women this process. Sometimes though, I do forget that others aren't as curious, or that something I may write may cause discomfort for others who have already been through their journey. But I do think it might be helpful for those yet to face certain parts of the treatment to see those who've gone before them. Everyone handles this journey differently and there's no right or wrong way I believe. There's only your own way.
I hope you're all having a happy and peaceful day xx
Oh! for those who don't know what NSFW means, its "not safe for work" - that means your boss's might now appreciate the photo of my 50 yr old wrinkly boob on the office computer ;)
Hey Paulan, you'll be fine. I found my anxiety levels crept right up there prior to the surgery, and I kept saying it wasnt the surgery I was worried about it was the result afterwards. The funny thing is, that the minute the surgery was done, I was no longer anywhere near as stressed. I think I realised I was trying to overthink the outcome, but I cant control the outcome. Whether I've given it all over to the lap of "the gods" or what, I'm much more at peace with it all.
Lol lets hope I'm the same calm person come Thursday when I do get the results!
Good luck Paulan. All the best for your surgery.
THANK YOU for posting a photograph of your physical progress after surgery, I've found it extremely comforting. <3
Hi Donna I'm glad you're feeling so good. I'm having my surgery on the 3rd & am nervous as hell. No about the surgery but getting the results after. I think showing your wounds is good, its certainly made me feel better now I know what to expect
Paula
I have been wondering how you were going a week later. Going great by the looks. Well done! xxxx
