please help

Oh Sue , I am sorry , I had to leave for a while. I agree with Karyll. I used a small pillow and placed it between my arm and side. That seemed to help. And I also had pain meds. Did they give you any? I hope so. And like Karyll said , take it easy. Don't do to much to soon.

Hi Sue,

It's just after 6.30 am here. I am so sorry you are in pain. The pain levels really vary with mastectomy. Somebody on these boards said recently that if the surgeon cuts the major nerve, you tend to have less pain and more numbness but that if they leave that nerve undamaged, there is a lot more pain. 

Most of my discomfort came from the build-up of lymph after surgery. It seems that in the US they leave the drains in for much longer than in the UK and  Australia. (I had mine taken out on day 2 or 3) It's nice to get them out early but then you have to deal with the lymph. By the end of the first week after surgery, it looked as though I had grown another breast to replace the missing one! My surgeon aspirated it a couple of times then I started having lymphatic massage every week which really helped.

Karyll is spot on about the painkillers - make use of them! They will help you to get a good sleep and that will assist your body to heal more quickly. (But you might need to take laxatives to avoid the usual side effects). And the small, soft pillow under the arm really helps to cushion the area and keep the arm away from your side. 

love & hugs

gb 

Well from a distance, it seems you are well supported, Sue. Do take a look at you're underarm area for swelling, as re-accumulation of the lymph fluid as Karyll said, can really cause pain. If your bandage covers the armpit area and lateral chest wall, you're doctors may consider removing your bandage early to check for this fluid accumulation (called a seroma, and occurs up to one-third of mastectomy patients). They just drain the fluid off with a needle, which you don't feel because you are numb there.



Taking pain medicines on a every 6 to 8 hour basis rather than on an I need one 3 hours ago basis is important too. But if there's something related to the incision, then that needs to be directly dealt with.



Since you're going in tomorrow for your tongue, they can check then. The tongue is thrush, just like you said, from the antibiotics and other medicines. So an antifungal will help, one which you swish around in your mouth and swallow, to coat the throat and stomach area.



Yogurt with live acidophilus, like plain low fat yogurt, will help restore the proper balance of gut bacteria. It's a good food, especially home made.



Goodness, it must be close to 12 midnight in England. Sorry you had a bad bout of pain, and am glad tomorrow you see your doctor.



Sweet dreams, Sue.

Tender

Hey Sue , just a FYI about Sweetest day. It was started by a gentleman in Cleveland Ohio back in 1922. He wanted to bring happiness into the lives of orphans and shut ins. So he would take them candy and such. It just kept going and more and more people would carry it on over the years. It is very popular in the Great Lakes area of the U.S. but other states celebrate it too.So it is really to show appreciation for people you care about. So next Saturday , I will be telling you Happy Sweetest Day!xx

Hi Sue.  I know you're already in bed, but I just wanted you to know that I checked on you today.  I've been cleaning for hours.  Tomorrow I'm having port placement surgery and  I start chemo on Wednesday.  I don't know how I'll be feeling later this week, so I figured I'd better do what I can while I can.

I'm sorry that I can't help much on the topic of mastectomy, but I see these ladies are giving you tons of helpful advice.

Take care and I'll check on you again tomorrow after I come home from the hospital.  Sorry that you were so uncomfortable today.

Love and hugs,

Karen

Sue, I just love reading your posts. And everyone else, your advice is great.  I am preparing for surgery, and all this advice is fabulous! 

Sue, keep that sense of humor so you can keep the rest of us laughing.  Hope you are feeling well! 

Hi Sue.  Hope you're having a good day.  You're constantly on my mind.  Please take good care and let us know how you're coming along with the thrush.  How miserable for you.

Love and hugs,

Karen

Hi Karen , I'm glad your home and all went well. Good luck with your chemo. I will be thinking of you on Wed. What kind of chemo are you having , and how often? I had 4 of a/c every 3 wks. I felt crappy for a few days , but was never on the bathroom floor , and I pray you won't be either! Hugs and Prayers to you , Melody

Love your new avatar Karen!

gb 

Have been sleeping in front of the idiot box. Just have to make the effort to go to bed. 

Hang in there Sue - of course you have the jitters - it's horrible having to wait again. Am already crossing all my fingers and toes for the best possible result next week.

Sheila, Penelope looks like a very sweet dog - I'll bet her eyes melt hearts!

hugs 

gb 

Hi Sue,



Glad you went shopping, definitely therapeutic for a woman. Is it getting cold there at night?



Did your doctor take a peak under the bandage? I don't know why I ask, because she's your doctor. I'm sure she's on top of that underarm pain. Guess I'm just old fashioned curious what she made of it.



I'm glad you're feeling some better. You certainly sound like the Sue we've come to know and admire!



Thinking of you,

Tender

Sue...sometimes, not so infrequently, you develop a reaction to the tape holding the bandage on. Actually, some are allergic to surgical tape, paper tape, any kind of tape and they get redness, burning and skin peeling. I guess that's why I wonder about the bandage.. maybe you could talk with the nurse.



Perhaps some here have had "tape" reactions and can better describe them.



Does it look red where the bandage ends, and the area next to it?



Tender