There had been a problem with reoccurring infections I think I've only had 6-8 days without antibiotics since my op last September. I've had repeated scans and repeated drain offs to try and keep the breast from filling with fluid. They took away the Lymph nodes on that side because the cancer had spread there too. Consequently any fluid coming into the breast could not drain away naturally via the lymph nodes.
I had another appointment with the consultant after yet another drain off, this time they'd drained off a blood clot and some fluid. Samples had been taken and sent for analysis so I had to go for the results.
When we got there it wasn't the consultant but a staff nurse who actually asked me what I'd gone for and what could they do for me today! He then had to send for the results, checked them and said there hadn't been anything to nasty in them. Upon examination he said I needed to have the draining off and another scan despite only having this 3 days before. My daughter wasn't pleased and said so, the outcome was that I waited a few minutes and the consultant slotted me into her clinic. She diagnosed straightaway what was wrong and referred me to my local hospice for treatment.
There is a clinic there with specialist nurses trained in a massage that moves the fluid to Lymph nodes in other areas to drain it away. The consultant at the hospice told us the reason I've been feeling so ill and having to have it drained so many times is because it's like putting a bucket of dirty water outside in the garden and leaving it there, just adding more dirty water. Because the fluid is sitting in the breast it's stagnating just as the water in the bucket would do and it gets impacted, it has to be moved.
I take 4 x 250mgs of Penicillin pr day and will do for the next 6 mths. Along with their treatment and the antibiotics things should start to get better. They showed us how to do the massage it's very gentle which I was pleased about I was dreading them touching me because I was so swollen and painful. It can be done with a clean blusher brush it's that light, some breathing exercises to help also. There was a lot of things they told me I had to do to keep other infections at bay, a different cream to use on my skin ect. Not to wash dishes, do the garden or any cleaning without gloves on and to avoid being scratched and to keep antiseptic wipes with me. Not to expose my arm, shoulder or breast to the sun, that's not a massive problem I'm fair skinned and burn so don't sunbathe. As well as them doing the massage I do it at home several times a day I don't need to stand, I have to have someone do them on my back and neck we're aiming to move the fluid to the Lymph nodes on the other side.
Just so you can see what we've been dealing with, this photo is without a bra on and the breast on your left is my Norah Batty one, the one on your right is known as Jordan and shows you how big its has got.
The good news is I'm so happy to say it is working, as well as the swelling slowly going down, it's not as painful I still feel quite sick sometimes but not all the time and I get tired quickly but it's nothing like it was and at last I feel like there's a light at the end of the tunnel. The nurses were rather annoyed because I'm not the only patient this is happening to, they've seen several over the past few months who they've been able to help after being referred to them and each one could have been helped earlier. I could have been feeling a lot better a lot earlier.
I have been slowly getting back into doing some sewing and have things to show you but as you've probably nodded off by now reading through this I'll write another post later with the photos.
Once again thank you for caring enough to get in touch it means a lot.
hugs
Peg xx
5 comments:
Dear Peg,
You've really been through the wringer with this horrible disease.
It's good to read you and know that things are starting to turn around for the better.
I'm glad you feel up to stitching/sewing again and look for ward to seeing your makes.
Take care dear friend.
Margaret
It's good to read that you are at least turning a corner and positive things are happening.
I had never heard of breast drainage till our tai chi tutor told us at a class a few weeks ago, apparently we are all supposed to be doing it and he feels that it should be part of what's taught when they tell you about feeling for things each month. It really is easy to do and such a light touch. There are utube videos about it, I looked after he mentioned it.
Sending you {gentle hugs} xxx
have just found you via 2 bags full, and after reading thought id send you my best wishes and hope you make full recovery soon, am now off to read more of your blog, hugs jannette
It's lovely to read you Peg and so pleased the treatment is finally helping. Take life really easy Peg and you will be. A1 before you know it.
I will keep in touch.
Hugs
Hazel c uk
Thank you ladies it's lovely to feel like writing again, I can't explain fully how much 'lighter' I feel in myself. They had to change my appointment today and bring it forward a couple of hrs so off I trot makeup free! When I went in I asked them to excuse the no makeup look because sometimes I can look ill without makeup but feel fine. They both said I looked a lot better than I did two weeks ago. I will need to do the massage for the rest of my life and I do need a few more appointments with them but it is so worth the results and yet some drs think it doesn't do anything to help. The plus side is I won't have to have the fluid drained off every few days by the drs with syringes. It is very relaxing too. When you think the solution is so simple really gently moving the stagnant fluid across your body to be drained there, next treatment is encouraging it into the groin Lymphnodes too.
Xx
Post a Comment