Day 2 Post-Op
I am day 2 post wide local lumpectomy, 2 lesions removed. I can say that I had an overall great experience so I am counting myself very lucky. I thought I would outline my day as it might help others know what might happen. I had to be at the hospital admissions desk for 0630, which wasn't too bad really - at least the rush hour traffic wasn't too bad. 0745 I had hookwires inserted to both lesions, confirmed on mammogram. Thankfully this mammogram was no where near as squishy as the screening mams are. Just before this procedure I scoffed down a muesli bar as a second breakfast, as my fasting time was from 0800. 0915 Then I had the lymph scan done with radioactive dye to determine the location of the sentinel nodes to be removed. This process took a while for the dye to travel from the breast to the lymph node but sure enough it eventually did. This was completed around 1130. This is also when I had to stop drinking water. From there I was escorted up to the day of surgery area, where I waited briefly to be called through for some pre op checks, changed into some gorgeous paper knickers, TED stockings and gown and booties. Thankfully there were also some lovely fluffy robes to complete the look. Once this was all done, my bags were labelled (like checked in luggage) and they were placed in a holding area to accompany me up to my room post op. I was sat in a recliner chair and allowed to have my phone and glasses to entertain myself while waiting. I think I waited here about an hour. Then transferred to a bed, and that is when it all got a bit real, being wheeled down the corridor (the ceiling lights do really look like they do in the TV shows as the patient is being wheeled down a corridor) I was wheeled into the OR and given a lovely paper hat. My surgeon did a final consent check and got me to confirm the procedure I was having and drew on my left shoulder while I was awake. I had so many marks and tapes on my left breast that It really was obvious which side we were tackling. I remember the anaesthetic mask being placed over my nose and mouth and breathing a couple of times and that's it! Next thing I am waking up, feeling a little sleepy. About 2.5 hours had passed. No pain, just a weird relaxed feeling. I had some water and a lemonade icy pole which was just what I needed. After waking up a bit more I was wheeled up to the room. I remember being spaced out with some strong pain meds. I was able to put on the post surgery bra early and that was a good feeling, so much support in that bra. It was a relief to know this part was completed. Thanks to the resources and experiences of others in this network I felt like I was well prepared for hospital. The morning after I saw the breast care physio and the breast care nurse, both whom gave me some great advice and answered my questions about the immediate post op period. Being at home has been good, although hard to settle in to not being busy (I am used to working full time) . The wedge pillow was a must buy. I got mine from Target for $45. As are loose t shirts that fit my surgery arm in and then I can loop easily over my head, or button up shirts. I am also taking regular oral analgesics. If you are reading this and your surgery is approaching, I wish you love and an uneventful recovery. I am very thankful for this network of support xx
Lipofilling - tips for preparation and recovery please.
Hi everyone. Back in 2024, I was diagnosed with DCIS and subsequently had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I'm now booked for my first round of lipofilling/fat-grafting at the end of July. The thighs are most likely going to be the donor site. I would like to hear from anyone who has experienced this type of surgery and what helped them to recover comfortably. Any tips on what to have in place for recovery? Are there similarities in the recovery process for this, as they are for a lumpectomy? I bruise really easily and dramatically, so it should be interesting to see how my thighs react. I'm also still experiencing daily pain from the lumpectomy and radiation (although I'm under the care of a Pain Clinic). Thank you. Cozycat.
Reacting to prescribed painkillers: Alternatives?
I am struggling with pain management during my B/C treatment. Yesterday I went to day surgery for port insertion and the procedure was fine. To manage post op pain, they sent me home with Palexia (Tapentadol) which is an opioid. In the past, I have taken Endone (Oxycodone), Tramadol, and Panadeine Forte, and all of them have made me vomit a la The Exorcist. I was told that Palexia was similar to Endone but it is less likely to cause vomiting or nausea. However, two hours after I took the tablet I vomited four times and was very dizzy :( I was told to take Olanzapine beforehand for nausea and vomiting. It stopped the vomiting but I had to lie down for two hours because the room was spinning and I felt waves of nausea. My experience does not bode well for my surgery (lumpectomy, lymph node removal, and partial reconstruction: seeing my surgeon again in October) in November. Does anyone else find they react badly to these types of drugs? If so, how does your team manage severe pain?
Nerve Pain before and after surgery
Hi everyone! Before I was diagnosed back in April, I'd been experiencing nerve pain and thickening down my left side (cancer side), mainly the arm into my hand but also down my breast, ribs and into a dull ache in my leg. A few weeks after this was when I found my lump and was then diagnosed with cancer. I had a lumpectomy in May and the nerve pain disappeared for 3 months whilst my surgery healed (I had a nasty infection that delayed the healing process) Since its been healed completely and I've been going through chemo, the same nerve issues have come back. My oncologist seems to think it may be mild lymphedema (I only had 3 nodes removed- all clear) and has referred me to see the physio next week but I'm perplexed as this also happened before my diagnosis. It doesn't bother me a huge amount but obviously any ache and pain in that area now panics me a bit although my oncologist doesn't suspect anything suspicious due to clear margins/no node involvement/tumor removed/smashing chemo. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Could it be that my original breast tumor was pinching a nerve and now the scar tissue filling that void is doing the same thing? Stay strong x
Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome
Dear Sisters.. Has anyone had Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome? 12 years after my first Mastectomy and full auxiliary clearance, I’ve experienced itching; then prickling pain and feeling of inflammation along the scar and near the edge of the scapular under the arm. Most annoying in its suddenness like an attack. Also felt like waves of pain. Relieved mainly with cold pack. .. until the next attack! Anyone else had this experience?
Pain on scar 9 months after mastectomy.
I had a msterctomy (right boob) last year in November and they also removed 2 nodes to chech if it had spread. The surgery went well and the cancer had not spread. About 2 weeks ago I started getting pain around the scar tissue. It feels like tightening of 'mucles' around the scar and I get shooting pains on the incision site... I ve been to the gp, ultasounds done and nothing alarming came up. I have also started experiencing severe hot flushes where I break into a sweat after a hot flush. I am not on any medication except tramadol for pain. Has anyone experienced this? Obviously there is a change in hormone levels, which would explain the hotflushes but not sure if the pain on the scar is related... ***sigh***
Post surgery breast irritation
Hi all I am 2 years post survey and with all clear. Just asking if anyone else suffers from breast irritation post surgery- it was all good for the first years but now my breast gets hot constantly and sore at times - bra (wirefree) gets taken off as I walk in the door from work and I struggle with having any fabric near my breast without it being irritated. Cold creams and cold wash help a bit but open to suggestions. Thanks
Arm nerve pain post surgery
Hi everyone. Just wondering if anyone has had problems with nerve pain in arm after lumpectomy? I had surgery two days ago and they removed 5 lymph nodes but said they didn’t touch any nerves but the back of my arm and armpit are numb and I get horrendous random pain down my arm at random times and all from different movements... was maybe after any suggestions to help ease this (apart from icing?) until I see surgeon next week? Thanks 😊
