Surgery Date Set

Thanks for your message and encouragement.

I will start writing this down, that's a good idea and try and keep everything together. I definitely feel like there has been a huge shock thing happening with my body as much as I tell myself I'm fine, lol.

Maybe that is the best thing to just accept and not try to work out what is happening just go with the flow, lol.

Hope your day is going well and your coping your end. Smiles to you.

Cheers, Karen :)

Thanks Tracey

A very informative post. I have been funny about taking anyone with me as really only have my kids and they are young adults but don't want to burden them and feel reasonably comfortable with them.

Although having someone to help remember things considering how I've been could be a good thing, lol.

Doing all the pre op meetings tomorrow, so that wil be good.

Things are moving along quickly, surgery been moved to next Friday, but that is okay, only a day's difference.

A lot on your plate Tracey, praying for a easy journey and full healing. Appreciate you taking time to explain so much to me..xx

I think this site is amazing, so grateful for it.

Cheers, Karen :)

Hi Robyn

Thanks for the heads up about the exercises.

I truly am learning so much thanks to all your lovely ladies, so very much appreciated.

Cheers, Karen xx

Thanks Karen.

Good to know that I haven't gone completely mad, lol. Felt a bit better the last 24 hours. I think the more I worry about whether I'm okay with clarity of mind the more I end up struggling as I am adding stress to it I think.

Meet with pre admission nurse and the gp at hosptial tomorrow to go over the upcoming surgery next week.

Thanks for your feedback..

Cheers, Karen xx

Hi Kazza

good luck for Thursday. I had a lumpectomy where they removed 3 tumours as well as the sentinel node. I didn't have drainage either. I was more uncomfortable that painful. I went home the same day as the surgery. I have chemo first (TCH) which started 3 weeks after surgery. I started radio 3 weeks after finishing chemo. 

As far as the fog is concerned, I had to (and still do) write everything down. Your head is so full of everything you have to know and your appointments and thinking about what's happening that there isn't enough room in your brain for the day to day mundane stuff.  Chemo added to this with chemo fog as well.  Add to that the shock of what's happening and it's not surprising that we forget stuff.

hang in there. You will get through this. Karen xox

Hi Kazza

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 13 April followed by a lumpectomy and removal of two sentinel nodes on 5 May.  My most important advice to you is to be informed - read all the literature in the 'My Journey Kit' sent out by the breast care nurse after surgery (or you can order on this website) and another great book is called 'Breast Cancer - Taking Control' by Prof John Boyages MDPhD given to me by my GP on diagnosis.  After surgery, when you get your pathology results your treatment plan may change.  This enables you to be prepared for these changes.  After surgery, my nodes were clear...phew, but pathology determined I was HER2 positive and require chemo and 1 year of herceptin.  They removed the 18mm invasive cancer, but found there was a further 37mm of DCIS that I have only just had removed today 'day surgery' - the wonders of modern medicine and health systems.  I will find out pathology from this op next week and will commence chemo about a month later for 4-5 sessions, then radiotherapy daily for about 4 weeks - of course tbc as things change all the time.  As I had pieces of information confirming my type, grade, clear margins etc... I then referred back to that section of the book to re-read and get more of an understanding as you are foggy in the weeks when discovering your diagnosis.  DO NOT look at Dr Google - only refer to breast cancer website or bcna or books recommended by your GP/breast surgeon/breast care nurse/team.

You should have received a free bra in the mail that came with a pilates DVD for patients that have had this operation.  Or you may receive this in hospital after your surgery with your free pillow.  I have been completing the DVD every day and have had a quick recovery under my arm.  You do get upper back shoulder pain, probably from having your arm over your head for 1 1/2 hours in surgery, plus from bracing and protecting your breast and underarm.  I went to physio weekly to reduce the ache and by completing the Pilates daily it went quickly.  If you don't receive the DVD complete the exercises daily that your breast care nurse gives you - this will speed up your recovery.  The pillow they give in hospital is fantastic for travelling in the car/seat belt, but more importantly great in bed as it sits over your arm (my op was right arm too) and between your underarm and breast and provides a buffer.

See if you can take a close family member to appointments as you do forget things - pathology results etc..  The Mater has a fantastic Support Group that runs for 6 weeks for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.  They have speakers such as medical oncologist for chemo, radiologist for radiotherapy, phsyiotherapist on lymphodema, plus the bonus of meeting and talking with women going through what you are at different stages.  My biggest wish is that everyone has access to this type of support group.

Sorry for the long blog, but my final point is I have bronchiectuses (a lung condition) that has been under control for years by taking Azithromycin 3 x per week - but certainly surgery and radiotherapy (as its near your lungs) can be a worry.  Make sure you exercise - such as a walk every day, breathing meditation or something - keep your lungs active and your body - this will be a huge help in recovery.  Good luck xo

Hello:) I had a sentinel node biopsy the same day as my mastectomy.For me,the recovery was not too bad.There was some stiffness and a stinging sensation under the arm.I only needed Panadol though,so'it wasn't that bad.It is VERY important to do any exercises that you get given,even though it will be uncomfortable.If you don't do them,I think you will find that you have problems with movement as the weeks go on.Stay in touch on here as it is a great place for support.Cheers Robyn xox

Hi Kazza,

All the best for Thursday.  After reading some of the comments, I've had similar responses to the surgery.  My first excision of my lump was like a little smiley face under the nipple and not very painful.   The sentinel node biopsy was more painful and restricting.  The lymphosyntogram (?) procedure you have prior to surgery requires a few little needles to identify the lump and sentinel nodes, it took a couple of hours. 

I can understand the head in a fog scenario. In my situation, I've had to have 2 further surgeries resulting in a mastectomy. So it's been 3 anaesthetics in 5 weeks! I've lost track of the days and if it wasn't for my kids reminding me that it's a school day or soccer game day, I would have no idea.  I also feel like it's still a shock of cancer diagnosis which has fogged up my brain.  Nothing else occupies my mind.  I've always been very fit healthy and as I said to the anaesthetist before the first surgery, "I'm not sick, I shouldn't be here".

Have you got a support network at home, family and friends for cheery laughs, food and driving?.  Surgery under the arm can restricting when it comes to driving. 

Thinking of you Thursday.  Take things slowly.

love Karen xx 

Thanks Hazel. 

Good to know all these things. And it makes sense the part about something's got to give. 

I don't think I've quite let myself breakdown at all. Just had small moments of years which I've shutdown very quickly. I have been saying to people that so feel like my mind understands what's happening but feel like my body, thinking, doing us all a bit wobbly and barely there. Its actually a bit hard to explain, if that makes sense, lol. 

Smiles to you Hazel ??

Hi Kazza, I had my lumpectomy in Oct 2013, I recovered well after the operation. I didn't even have any drains inserted. I had to have chemo first but they started that one month after op, as soon as the wound healed. I would assume they would wait for your wound to heal before radiation. The sentinel node biopsy was quite painful and I still now have some pain around where they removed the actual node. As for your mind issues, I found I was quite foggy after diagnosis, there is so much stress involved, medical appointments, informing family and friends etc. I just don't think the mind can handle so much at once. Something's got to give if you know what I mean. At least you won't have to handle chemo brain, that's a doozy:) All the best for Thursday, hope everything goes well for you, stay in touch, 

Hazel xx