Removing dressing after lumpectomy

thanks for checking in on me. I am feeling alone today. I had a tough night last night. After I took off that tape, everything got inflamed and irritated. My breast swelled up and under my armpit hurt like hell. I was up most of the night with ice on the incisions. Ugh. I called the number that they gave me and the Breast Center is closed for the weekend and I did not want to page the surgeon. I don't want to drive 2'hours to Boston today. So, I put a gauze pad with paper tape over the incision under the arm. It looks gruesome, but it isn't bleeding. I am taking it easy today because I am sure I overdid it yesterday !  I am feeling down, down, down. I hate to be unable to take care of things and it has me thinking too far ahead. I appreciate your being there so much!! I think it is ok without the steri strips???  

Thanks! I like the way you are approaching this. I never take pain meds because they make me nauseous. I figure I will call them Monday or if it gets worse, I will go to the emergency room tomorrow. They don't have an after hours number......and I don't want to bother the surgeon on the weekend.

I am sitting here with the ice pack draped across my incisions.  i wish that I could cry, but I am emotionally numb. I can't cry or scream or laugh. I am just still a little stunned that this is happening after fighting the other cancers for years and finally feeling well again for a short time. Cancer is a nasty little sneak and I hate it! 

Thanks, Mesch!!! I hope that your radiation goes well. When do you start? 

Prayers for strength and a cure!

Hi!  What a roller coaster ride this is.  Will someone be with you in Phoenix? I hope so and I hope that the radiation goes well. I had radiation for a GI cancer 6 yrs ago. It was not fun, but doable. Hang in there!  Seems like so much and having to stay away from home for a month just adds to it for you. If you are with someone, maybe you could add in a little sight seeing, depending on how you feel. 

The swelling has gone down today, but the incision under my armpit is really sore and bright red. Is that normal? I have a pad lightly taped over it. I need to slow down. I so want to clean my house and get ready for treatments, etc. Also, Spring is finally here in New England and I want to put winter clothing away and prepare Spring and summer clothing before treatment starts.  I keep starting projects and then I realize that I better slow down! 

I am sending you healing prayers and thoughts!  Thank you for being there!!!! 

Apaugh said:

Dont rush yourself..it is the season to take care of you...

The anxiety and depression after a major surgery is normal.  The time is here for you to take care of you so you will be here later.   ASk for help when you can .  Dont deny someone a blessing by helping you.  My incisions got really red.  As long as they are not oozing pus or smell like infection, dont worry.   I used Dial antibacterial this whole time to keep out germs.  It helped with the healing. 

HUGS

Annie

thanks. I am wondering what the heck an infection smells like? Yuck. The incision under my armpit is painful and of course, because I can't use any kind of deodorant.......not good! 

Hi. The hospital finally called me back and told me to keep the incision covered with gauze. it looks nasty and hurts like hell! Very sore, but I hope it will get better soon. It will be a week tomorrow evening.... ugh. Is that normal. It is not bleeding or wet just very irritated and red. I confess that I went grocery shopping again today. Could have done something to it. 

meschellejensen said:

Hopefully You Can Take It Easy Tomorrow??

I am no expert, but I was pretty sore for two weeks, and back to work full time at three weeks (without lifting) and I have a very active job (first grade teacher).  Hopefully covering the incision will help.  Ice might also help, I know that it was vey helpful for me.

Thanks!  I am so glad and not surprised to hear you are a first grade teacher. I taught HS  for awhile before changing careers, but in my heart I will always be a teacher! Those were very happy years for me and I loved it! You must be almost done with school and then you will have the summer to heal and get well! 

I live alone and it is so hard to stay still because I have to keep functioning. I need to try harder to take better care of myself! Yes, tomorrow is another day. I just hired Merry Maids to come clean for me this week. 

meschellejensen said:

HapB

Merry Maids is a great idea!!  Money well spent!  I bet that you could have them help with some of the organizing that you need to have done to get ready for summer.  I bet there are also some great community volunteers that would love to help as well, maybe through your church?  Tomorrow is one week since your surgery right?  Hopefully by this time next week you will be feeling much better!

Thanks, I feel like a new woman after Merry Maids, they stayed for 5 hours and the two of them got me all squared away! it was money very well spent! I feel better. Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement. I have felt like I was an island in hell for the past week. 

Hi, thanks for checking in. How are you doing?

i finally went to an Urgent Care Center today. I developed a rash all over my chest and some on my back. The doctor took a look at my incision under the armpit and said it is not infected. She thinks the rash is an allergic reaction to a medication that they gave me during surgery. She said it looked like an allergic reaction to antibiotic. I don't know what they gave me, but she says that they often do IV antibiotic during surgery. So! I will call the doctor Monday morning. I had hoped to hear about the pathology report on Friday, but nobody called. I feel relieved that the rash is not an infection. My armpit is very sore, but the incision on the breast is healing well. 

I went out and rented LaLa Land movie for tonight and I am going to try to chill! 

I hope you are doing ok?