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• Annk

  

  • 2 posts
  March 17, 2012 9:01:11 AM WATime

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  Hi, Glenys, Annk talking. Thank you for getting back to me. I do have a question that is worrying me. I havent started chemo yet, still waiting to hear from chemo nurse. Had a bad dasy Yesterday,so tried to call her, but Friday is her day off. Lucky me. Anyway, l called the cancer council and Wayne got back to me. I have a lung infection at the moment, (opposite side of surgery), and i have been coughing a fair bit, but my left breast is so painful, l don't understand it. I think that it is the muscle as the lump was very deep and very close to the muscle. Being on my own that day, caring for my soon to be 94 year old Mother with dementia, heart and kidney ploblems, l felt very low for the first time and my active mind took over.I took Waynes advise, rang the Dr and been put on another course of antibiotics as l still have the infection, but don't know what if anything to do about this pain. I am trying to deep breathe every now and again, but it hurts so much. Could this be scar tissue already, or could l have just pulled the chest muscle on one side only? Sorry that this is so long winded, (wish l was right now :). ) But that's me. I am completely in the dark about the whole Cancer thing. No help groups close to home, all the others are at night time avout 40 mins drive away, and l am not keen on night driving.

  Regards Annk.

  Hi, I am 62, diagnosed with stage 3 dcis. Had surgery 19/1/12. Only one lump in left breast. Waiting for chemo. 

• Glenys

  

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  • 162 posts
  March 17, 2012 12:52:47 PM WATime

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  Hi Annk.
  
  I'm really sorry to hear you have this pain and do not seem to be able to get relief or to find the cause.
  I gather from your signature that you have had breast conserving surgery fairly recently (within the last few weeks?) to your left breast. Certainly if you develop a chest infection and are coughing a lot, the healing wound will be aggravated. Healing takes at least 6 weeks for the tissue to knit together, then scar formation continues for a year or more.
  
  What you describe sounds like aggravation to the healing wound from coughing, or possibly pulled muscle to chest wall, or a combination of both! Do you have any swelling or signs of bruising that may indicate a possible bleed into the wound (haematoma)? Was the doctor you saw your GP or the surgeon who did your surgery? Do you have a Breast Care Nurse? (or is that the chemo nurse you spoke of - sometimes the roles are combined). I would hope the doctor covered the aspects of healing and possible bleed when you were reviewed.
  
  Antibiotics to improve the chest infection is important (which you are on), and good pain relief is also important. I hope you were given advice on this, if not: Paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory like Nurofen (Ibuprofen) both taken regularly should ease the discomfort. If not sufficient, then taking Paracetamol and Codeine will be stronger. These are obtainable from a Pharmacy, and advice from the Pharmacist would be beneficial in taking them. **Of course any allergies or sensitivities to medications needs to be considered. If you still were in pain and could not take a deep breathe with ease, you would need re-assessment with your doctor. Taking deep breaths is very important for improving your chest infection.
  
  Clearing all this up needs to happen before you start chemotherapy - as this cannot be given if you have an infection.
  
  Please let me know what else I can help with as far as the cancer. The Cancer Council should be able to let you know what services are in your area - including Breast Care Nurses, Counsellors, etc.
  
  Anything else at all I can help with, or anyone on this site, we would be very happy to help and 'be there' for you in any way we can.
  Please let us know how things go, and wishing for a speedy recovery.
  Love Glenys xx

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• Annk

  

  • 2 posts
  March 18, 2012 8:09:23 AM WATime

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  Annk here. Thanks for your welcomed advice Glennys. I had the surgery on 19th January, that's why l didn't think that it may have been scar tissue. You are right that l have probably aggravated the chest muscle. Will be talking to the chemo nurse Tomorrow and or find out if l can be in touch with a cancer nurse. Thanking you, Annk.

  Hi, I am 62, diagnosed with stage 3 dcis. Had surgery 19/1/12. Only one lump in left breast. Waiting for chemo.