After surgery

Sharron1

It's not been a full month since my diagnosis. I had a lumpectomy on my left breast 10 days ago. Fortunately, the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes so I know that I have been blessed in this regard. However, I am still swollen and the area around the incisions is warm. Being new to all this, I don't know if this is normal or if I should be calling for help. Of course, it's Friday evening after office hours and I'm just beginning to panic a little. OK, do I just wait it out or call the doc at the office hours number? What is normal??? Is there a "normal"? I just registered earlier so this is my maiden voyage into asking complete strangers for help. But I know that if anyone will know whether I am being silly or there is cause for concern, someone out there will. Thanks for any advise on how to handle not only the symptoms but my growing anxiety...

Ellison

Sharron1, call your doctor right now. Don't worry about what time it is. Something in you is saying this is not right. Listen to your gut feelings. Stress and worry is not helping your recovery. I too had the same surgery on my left breast and like yours it did not spread into my nodes. I am greatful for that. Good luck Your are going to be ok... just make that call

janet21

Hi Sharon,

I'm a Breast Cancer Survivor. I have had numerous surgeries (had Hodgkin's when I was 12 too). Anyway, I'm with Ellison, you should at least call your doctor tonight. I'm sure if you're not running a temperature, he/she will say you are okay until tomorrow or so. But, if you see any type of red streaks, or redness in the warm area, be sure to tell him/her. Again, if you had no temp., it may not be the start of something bad.

KarenKL

I had a lumpectomy also on the right side back in June. Same lymph nodes neg. now I didn't have any warm feelings or swelling that far past surgery.
Not everyone is the same on healing, but that doesn't mean you should just take it and wait cause it is Fri. Call your Dr. have them page him they are there for that reason. If you yourself feel something is wrong then go with it.

Sharron1

Ellison said:

Sharron1, call your doctor right now. Don't worry about what time it is. Something in you is saying this is not right. Listen to your gut feelings. Stress and worry is not helping your recovery. I too had the same surgery on my left breast and like yours it did not spread into my nodes. I am greatful for that. Good luck Your are going to be ok... just make that call

Thanks for the quick feedback. If things are the same in the morning, I'm calling even if it is Saturday morning.

Sharron1

janet21 said:

Hi Sharon,

I'm a Breast Cancer Survivor. I have had numerous surgeries (had Hodgkin's when I was 12 too). Anyway, I'm with Ellison, you should at least call your doctor tonight. I'm sure if you're not running a temperature, he/she will say you are okay until tomorrow or so. But, if you see any type of red streaks, or redness in the warm area, be sure to tell him/her. Again, if you had no temp., it may not be the start of something bad.

I had signed off and was in bed by the time you wrote. There is a little redness in one area around the stitches so I'm calling the doc this a.m. Thanks for pointing out the indicators to look for. I've had no temp so I don't think it's gone too long.

Idalia

Sharron1, hope everything goes well with your treatment BUT insist they check you for cancer outside of your breast and lymph nodes. I was diagnosed stage 2 breast cancer last year and my lymph nodes were clear. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation, but no follow-up tests except blood work and my annual mammo. Now, I have cancer in my spine, pelvis, lungs and possibly thyroid - all while under several doctors' care! Be paranoid - it can save your life!