Hi Nobby

Welcome to the forum, I had lumpectomies last year, it was very easy and quick recovery time. Have they told you will be a day case or are you staying overnight? 

Hi Magpie, I should be out the same day - in fact, I think I’m the first one down to theatre, I have to be there for 7.15am! But that’s fine, I’d much rather come home than stay in.  How many lymph nodes did you have out?

Hi there ..

I'm another breast cancer lass ... there's lots of us on here ... so your not alone .. I had a grade 3 and masectomy in July 2017 ... nearly two years ago ... and for me the worse bit was waiting and those tests for pre op ... but the masectomy itself was surprisingly not too painfull .. just a couple of paracetamol the next day .. where I was looking forward to a morphine drip .. but really didn't need it ..

Now it was more uncomfortable under my arm where lymph nodes taken... that aches for a while and takes quite a time to heal ... so if you get exercise sheet for that arm, it's really helpfull .. I got given a little heart shaped cushion to put there .. was a god send ..

Keep an eye out for swelling after .. I needed mine drained twice but that's quite unusual... any ways any questions that come up, someone will know here .. just think a couple of days and that nasty uninvited little cancer lump , will be out ... here's to us all kicking cancers butt...

Sending you a vertual hug... Chrissie xx

Thanks for this info Chrissie, I’ve been warned about soreness in the armpit and that the site of the lumpectomy is usually relatively pain-free.  I hope I get offered a heart-shaped cushion!!  

You made me smile about the morphine drip - I’ve always enjoyed a bit of morphine in the past!! (This will be my 8th procedure under general anaesthetic in my lifetime, though never for cancer before).  I have an exercise sheet which I’m going to put up in my living room today so I can’t forget to do them!

Yes, there are a lot of us about these days .....

xxx

Hi Ruth - thanks for replying.  Wires?!! I thought I was having dye put in today! Oh well, all will be revealed later (quite literally!)

I agree that it’s very important to try and keep a lighthearted approach if you can, but I’m also acutely aware that some people are just so freaked out by their diagnosis that they can’t find anything to quip about.  I have experience of this with a very close, dear friend with cancer who I offended not exactly by making “jokes” about her condition, but I was trying to put her at ease by being lighthearted. I was mortified when she told me off, so I try never to appear “flippant” and it goes to show how we all deal with things differently.  Also, I’ve now learnt that it’s fine for ME to make jokes about my condition but I don’t want anyone else to ....

The waiting about has been the worst bit as I’ve been in limbo for 9 weeks now.  Not the hospital’s fault by any means, but they wanted me to have an MRI and, because I’ve always had cysts in my boobs and at the grand age of 55 I’m still having periods, the MRI had to be tied in with after my next period.  With Easter and two Bank Holidays also in the mix we’ve now FINALLY arrived at operation day, at last (well, tomorrow).  

OK, better crack on.  Will report back in due course.  Xx

Morning ..

Well your nearly there .. soonest done... soonest sorted .. get that little uninvited guest out for good ...

I know what you mean about humour .. I've managed to find something to give me a chuckle through everything ..think I was born with a wicked sense of humour... was brought up to laugh after crying ... always find the good in people ... but my that funny streak has got me through .. 

But like you, I know there's lots that can't take things lightly .. so have to hold my self in check ... but all of us have one thing in common ... kicking cancers butt .. so here's to everyone ... no matter how they look at things .. let's all stick two fingers up to cancer ... 

I looked down on the morning of my masectomy at my lump and said "your comming out!!!!"

Will be thinking of you tomoz .. big vertual hug... Chrissie xx

Good that you’ll get home the same day, they took 3 lymph nodes from me.

All done last Friday and I was back home by 3pm.  Took the pressure dressings off on Sunday (ah, sweet relief!). Everything seems to be fine so far, a nice bruise is slowly creeping up from underneath my boob but that’s to be expected.  From what I can see it looks like a nice, neat job.

Because I was discharged early on Friday I didn’t get to see my surgeon before I left as she was still operating so I don’t know how many lymph nodes were removed etc.  I’ve been told I’ll have a follow-up appointment next week some time so I’ll quiz her then.

Doing my exercises religiously. Taking it easy but still doing lots of “stuff”.  Feeling positive if a bit drained. All good.  

Glad it all went well, take it easy as it is a big operation to have. It is a relief to get it all over with isn’t it?

Thanks for keeping us updated :)

Yes, it really IS a relief.  But of course now I’m worrying that the margins aren’t clear and I’ll have to go under the knife again in 2 weeks time! I’m guessing if they don’t get in touch with me some time this week then all is well. No news is good news, as they say! X