Hi there Liliana...... I totally understand your feelings. I was diagnosed last November and had my lumpectomy early January.

The day I had it done I had to be in hospital early morning even though I knew I wouldn't be having the op unril the afternoon. I had to have a wire inserted to locate the area that the surgeon needed to remove as there was no lump in my case. This was done under local anaesthetic. I had the op about 3pm and was on my way home at 8.30pm. I had my husband at home so they were happy for me to go home. I wasn't in a lot of pain but took paracetamol for 2-3 days. I felt a bit sore and I wasn't able to lie on the operated side for a couple of weeks. I was given an appointment at a local wound clinic to have the dressing changed and went there a couple of times. I had no external stitches and the cut was made round the nipple and its hardly visible now. I'd bought post surgery non wired bras (£8 in Asda or Matalan) and wore them night and day til it felt comfortable, My breast care nurse told me to wear them straight away and the definitely helped.

I didn't see the radiotherapy team until my wound had healed and didn't have my planning session until February after the op.

I'm retired so didn't have to worry about work but I was quite well after the op

I hope this helps and wish you luck for the future

I'll be happy to answer any other questions you might have

 Thank you for your reply Irene 70 , You went through chemo or hormone therapy?

I read horrible things about ... well both of them.  How people age after the treatment because of the chemo because of their hormone  treatment and all the side effects of both .  I’m just praying they don’t have to take my lymph nodes out because van it’s a nightmare in itself , the pictures I’ve seen about your arms getting five times the size of your arm  And having to wear a compression sleeve horrible stuff.  Oh my God, I my overdoing it? Are those things in the Internet real ?  I hope not everybody responds the same way because  when I have seen it’s really bad   

I think you're maybe overthinking everything at the moment Liliana and that's perfectly understandable. The internet can be a wonderful tool but can sometimes leave you feeling very confused.

Take each day at a time and try not to look too far ahead. Deal with each part of your treatment as it comes along. I totally trusted my medical team and they were wonderful.

I've been fortunate that I didn't need chemo or homone therapy. Also I didn't need any lymph nodes out.

I prepared my skin for the radiotherapy as advised. Lots of a good double base cream every day. I had little reaction during treatment. Just a feeling of hotness and a bit itchy for a couple of weeks after treatment finished which soon settled down.

I didn't feel the fatigue that sometimess comes with it so you see not all you read about actually happens!

I wish you luck and when you find out just what's in front of you there are always plenty on here, including me, to support you

I had mine in February and then, unfortunately, I was one of the 20% who need another, so had that in March. To be honest, it's not too bad. The worst part for me was the anaesthetic after (I threw up like a fountain!), but they gave me some Omeprosal before the second op, which saved me that fun again!

You go in, there's some sitting around, but grab a good magazine, book, or take advantage of the free TV (If you have that) and relax. You will have non-stop visitors, surgeons, doctors, nurses and anaesthesiologists, so no time to get too bored.

Then you have the fun of passing out and before you know it, you're awake and it's all done. Yes, there is a bit of pain, but what do you expect?! Just take the pain killers they give you. (They gave me strong ones, but I never had to take them).

They generally take the lymph nodes out as standard practice these days, but it's better than risk it.

I did have a seroma afterwards, which burst and was not pleasant, but it does lend itself to a good story if there is a lull at a dinner party...

The worst part for me was the constant bra wearing and the lack of deodorant. :D

I was at Waitrose having a cuppa the next day and went to my daughters play in London a week or so after that. Do the exercises and rest... I hate not doing anything, especially when you feel ok and perfectly capable. You just have to realise that you shouldn't.

Just stay positive, it's seriously not half as bad as I expected and I didn't blink when I was told I needed the second surgery.

You'll be fine, keep positive, positivity is better than any drug.

They don't do anything after this (preventative treatment-wise), until everything is healed, so that won't be rushed.

I have had radiotherapy and hormone treatment, and think I look ok for 46, so I'm not sure where you got the ageing stories from!

I couldn't really go back to work (I am a teacher, so it's very full on) for quite a while (But I did have the second op, which put the timing off a bit. but I did get on with some writing and artwork and I caught up on a load of box sets...  I worked during the first week of my radio therapy, but then had to cut down to part-time and luckily had half term during this time too.

Cx (With perfectly normal sized arms....)

Oh my gosh !!! Thank you ladies For the encouraging words. You don’t know how much I need them everything since last month it’s been nothing but crying about this news and I also live alone so I don’t have anybody to cheer me up I have three daughters but they all work the got kids they do call me but you know how life is everybody has their own things  to do. 

A seroma on the breast? Or arm? How long did it take to go away? Did it go away on its own? Do your arm swells because you have no lymph nodes?

 Thank U thank U 

Xo 

Liliana

 Thank you for your warm and kind reply.  Yes I am constantly thinking about the bad outcomes  and living alone does not help I have a lot of time to think I am physically drained because of the stress I don’t feel like going anywhere I need to pick myself up I just don’t know how to do it alone   . And I consider myself a strong woman I’ve been through many things in my life my husband passed away I had to take over the house payment ,everything, I’ve had rheumatoid arthritis for the last 14 years putting through the pain and swelling not being able to move , a total knee replacement but I’ve been through a lot of things but this ...wow I don’t know how to get over this .  But all these encouraging words are you guys are giving me I going to help me out to get out of this hole thank you I’m sending you a bear hug 

Liliana

It was in my armpit, beside my lymph node scar. It was ok, just annoying really and thatnkgod I was at home when it burst! 

But they just fitted a drain thing for a couple of days and it was great. I even went out with it on, 

x 

One question,my surgeon said to get some sports bras . But they have to be tight??? I read somewhere on this site that they have to be cotton and soft . So I don’t know what to get . Anyone can help me out on this? 

Thank you 

Liliana

Sports bras would be good but my BCN recommended post surgery bras. Must be non-wired which I think they all are. I got mine form Asda for £8 each. Have a look on line. Theyre lacy and not too frumpy. If you go to the high street stores they are three times that price. Just bought my normal size and they were fine. The non wired bras are so comfy that I've carried on wearing non wired now (not the post surgery ones) Matalan do one too for about the same price. 

You've been through a lot Liliana and you will come through this too. Stay strong and don't be afraid to take any outside help. I could not have got through mine without my wonderful family and friends.

xx

Go to Marks and Sparks, I was actually fitted by a woman who had had the same procedure.

They are all trained in this! 

So don’t worry.