Have been getting a fluid build up around the wound site which has been pretty uncomfortable and made moving my arm around really awkward. On wednesday the nurse aspirated the fluid off, but this morning I ended up going back into hospital for some more to be drained off. Apparently this can happen up to six times and then they will involve the surgeon again.......urghh!
It is a sign that my body is trying to heal the wound by sending fluid to the site- but as I have no lymph nodes I am unable to absorb the fluid myself, and it builds up into a large, hard swelling which they call a seroma. It feels much better to be rid of it, despite having a large needle inserted into the incision line and seeing a huge, frothy gush of cream filling a bottle.
I rather hoped they could have combined it with a bit of liposuction...
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Star dazzle exciting news!!
Emily chose the title for this posting!!
Went to the surgeon today for the pathology report.
They got the whole cancer out, and although it was surrounded by some DCIS (a different type of cancer) there was still 10mm of clear margins all around, which is fantastic, and means they don't have to go back in for more!
Also the remaining nodes were completely clear of disease, so the spread was limited to traces in one node sampled in the first surgery.
Tonight we will be drinking champagne and celebrating.
Two massive hurdles over, and only the radiotherapy left......
Went to the surgeon today for the pathology report.
They got the whole cancer out, and although it was surrounded by some DCIS (a different type of cancer) there was still 10mm of clear margins all around, which is fantastic, and means they don't have to go back in for more!
Also the remaining nodes were completely clear of disease, so the spread was limited to traces in one node sampled in the first surgery.
Tonight we will be drinking champagne and celebrating.
Two massive hurdles over, and only the radiotherapy left......
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Eyebrow drama- not very highbrow...
Well, last week my eyebrows decided to wave goodbye, which was a bit bizarre as they had faithfully stuck by me and, although thinner, were doing a great job of giving my face a bit of definition. I seemed to come out of the anaesthetic to discover a desertion had occurred- there was an inky smudge where they used to be, and about eight straggly hairs on each side.
I lamented, and concentrated on arm exercises as, I have discovered, there is always a body part worse off than an other.
Today however they have come back with a vengeance- astounding! It is a truly unbelievable rate of growth. I don't suppose we have any idea how fast hair grows in its normal cycle, so this is quite an interesting event!! I am excited that the actual lack of eyebrows lasted less than a week!
What is also amazing are the things which now excite me- oh, how my life has changed over the last six months!!!
I lamented, and concentrated on arm exercises as, I have discovered, there is always a body part worse off than an other.
Today however they have come back with a vengeance- astounding! It is a truly unbelievable rate of growth. I don't suppose we have any idea how fast hair grows in its normal cycle, so this is quite an interesting event!! I am excited that the actual lack of eyebrows lasted less than a week!
What is also amazing are the things which now excite me- oh, how my life has changed over the last six months!!!
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Home again
Today I was released properly.
I had my drain out this morning, and I am also without my PICC line for the first time since April- which feels amazing! Of course I still cannot have a shower as I now have dressings and steristrips all over me- but hopefully tomorrow I can languish under the hose!
It was quite a humbling experience being washed by the nurse on Sunday- I felt very very old indeed as I hobbled into the disabled cubicle with a tube and bottle attached to my side, and was rubbed down with wet cloths! Hopefully the only way is up from here on......
Turns out I cannot drive for 3 weeks which will be quite disabling, and I have had 2 rounds of physio with some amazingly painful exercises-which I have to do three times a day for at least a year!! I thought she was going to say 6weeks or similar, so was quite shocked by the length of time required, but apparently the radiotherapy can cause everything to tighten up and so I need to keep as mobile as possible in the shoulder joint.
So far, the wound looks amazing- I was expecting to be much more disfigured, but maybe there is a lot of swelling making it look pretty normal.
My pathology results are out next week- wed 17th, so I will know the next stage soon.
I had my drain out this morning, and I am also without my PICC line for the first time since April- which feels amazing! Of course I still cannot have a shower as I now have dressings and steristrips all over me- but hopefully tomorrow I can languish under the hose!
It was quite a humbling experience being washed by the nurse on Sunday- I felt very very old indeed as I hobbled into the disabled cubicle with a tube and bottle attached to my side, and was rubbed down with wet cloths! Hopefully the only way is up from here on......
Turns out I cannot drive for 3 weeks which will be quite disabling, and I have had 2 rounds of physio with some amazingly painful exercises-which I have to do three times a day for at least a year!! I thought she was going to say 6weeks or similar, so was quite shocked by the length of time required, but apparently the radiotherapy can cause everything to tighten up and so I need to keep as mobile as possible in the shoulder joint.
So far, the wound looks amazing- I was expecting to be much more disfigured, but maybe there is a lot of swelling making it look pretty normal.
My pathology results are out next week- wed 17th, so I will know the next stage soon.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Allowed out for good behaviour!!
Surgery went well on Thursday and I was remarkably relaxed which was great. The anaesthetist tried to use my PICC line to send me to sleep, but it was dripping through too slowly for him, so he resorted to a mask. After a few 'what are you going to dream about?' comments, he asked if I was still with him. I opened my eyes wide and nodded- leading him to ask the nurse to turn on the gas!!!
I am quite bruised and sore- unsurprisingly, and have a drain in my wound which drips into a little bottle which I have to carry round with me. I can only be allowed out when the fluid is less than 50ml in a day- today was 120!!
However, they have allowed me out this afternoon for an hour or two- which is great. The kids want to see me, but are bored by sitting in the hospital room, so this is a real blessing- I can sit amongst the squabbling!!
The surgeon is 'reasonably hopeful' that she has got all the tumour. It didn't sound terribly positive, but apparently is actually a confident statement in her books! She thinks there is less than 10% chance of having to have more surgery- I shall find out in about 10 days time when the pathologist has written his report.
I am quite bruised and sore- unsurprisingly, and have a drain in my wound which drips into a little bottle which I have to carry round with me. I can only be allowed out when the fluid is less than 50ml in a day- today was 120!!
However, they have allowed me out this afternoon for an hour or two- which is great. The kids want to see me, but are bored by sitting in the hospital room, so this is a real blessing- I can sit amongst the squabbling!!
The surgeon is 'reasonably hopeful' that she has got all the tumour. It didn't sound terribly positive, but apparently is actually a confident statement in her books! She thinks there is less than 10% chance of having to have more surgery- I shall find out in about 10 days time when the pathologist has written his report.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Farewell dear bath!
Surgery is looming on thursday and I go in tomorrow for an anti clotting injection and to sign all the consent forms.
Last week I had my counselling session which was quite informative, if not a little depressing!
It seems that when my lymph nodes have all been removed I will have to take special care of my right arm to try and prevent infection and prevent lymphoedema (an unpleasant swelling of the arm which would require me permanently wearing a compression bandage from my wrist to armpit- to be avoided at all costs I would think!)
So, I must -
invest in a long oven glove which goes up to my elbow- to prevent burns,
always wear washing up gloves and gardening gloves- to prevent cuts,
avoid saunas, hot tubs and hot baths- as they pump blood to the extremities and cause oozing in the lymph system,
rub cream in every day with an upward motion- to stimulate circulation and drainage,
wear insect repellent- to avoid bites
tell wasps and bees to sting the other arm- they can be encouraged to comply apparently!
and, above all, try not to be paranoid!!
The sad thing is that it is for ever, as obviously my lymph nodes will not be coming back!
I shall really miss my bath, so have had my final one tonight- lots of luscious bubbles, and the water so hot that I came out like a lobster...........
I suppose it is a small price to pay if the alternative is having an arm like a prize marrow!
Last week I had my counselling session which was quite informative, if not a little depressing!
It seems that when my lymph nodes have all been removed I will have to take special care of my right arm to try and prevent infection and prevent lymphoedema (an unpleasant swelling of the arm which would require me permanently wearing a compression bandage from my wrist to armpit- to be avoided at all costs I would think!)
So, I must -
invest in a long oven glove which goes up to my elbow- to prevent burns,
always wear washing up gloves and gardening gloves- to prevent cuts,
avoid saunas, hot tubs and hot baths- as they pump blood to the extremities and cause oozing in the lymph system,
rub cream in every day with an upward motion- to stimulate circulation and drainage,
wear insect repellent- to avoid bites
tell wasps and bees to sting the other arm- they can be encouraged to comply apparently!
and, above all, try not to be paranoid!!
The sad thing is that it is for ever, as obviously my lymph nodes will not be coming back!
I shall really miss my bath, so have had my final one tonight- lots of luscious bubbles, and the water so hot that I came out like a lobster...........
I suppose it is a small price to pay if the alternative is having an arm like a prize marrow!
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