My blog posts are getting less frequent now, I guess I have less to say. I’ve just spent the last two weeks isolating post op. Recovery has been little and often. I’m less sore in a morning and gradually the pain increases as I use my shoulder during the day. I have to say I never expected that it would be my arm and shoulder that would be so sore following surgery. I didn’t even ask how or where the lymph node would removed from, I didn’t care at the time – I just wanted that little marble of rogue cells removed from my body.
I supose its unsurprising that the lumpectomy has been little trouble. The wound has been sore, bruised, pretty colours and everything you’d expect, but my boob is not expected to do any chores during the day. Once my boob is safely tucked inside a cup of my bra its causes little concern.
That was, until earlier this week. The steri-strips had been well fastenned and at 12 days it was time to take them off. Two things put me off whipping them straight off. Firstly they were well fastenned down directly over my Areola (yes I had to look the term up – its not really something that comes up in every day conversation is it) which of course is quite a sensitive area and not something you want something that resembles papier mache stuck too is it? And secondly, I really wasn’t sure what to expect to see.
The wide local excision or hidden scar lumpectomy that my consultant performed is designed to hide the scar. I have a semi circular insicion arching around the very outer edge of my Areola. Apparantly I was heard to be having a conversation with myself in the shower, words like “you can do it” and “well done keep going” emerged from the bathroom on Monday morning and floated in Brett’s direction, 2 rooms away. I was relieved. Yes it looked stranged, and accompanied by dry skin and loose scabby dried blood, but nowhere was red or raw and no stitches showed.
I make no apologies for the detail, I’m writing this just in case you’re reading it with intrepadtion and wondering about taking those strips off. I had to ease them gently under warm wet water so it didn’t pull but it really was OK and I was a “good brave girl”.
As for the rest of the week, its been two steps forward, one back. The pain is gradually easing and I always feel so much better at the start of the day with increasing soreness throughout but I know overall I am making progress. I think I have a little swelling in my armpit. I’m not sure if it is actually inflamation, or a little fluid but it will keep until I see the consultant which I hope will be within the next 2 weeks.
I’m looking forward to going out at some point this weekend, maybe visit the Christmas Market in Leek, or a local art fair. At the moment it scares me a little but I’ll get there I know that.
Carolyn Trafford is a Creative Life Coach, supporting others in reaching their own goals in a creative way sine 2010. Author of “Don’t Just Dream It – Achieve It!” (A great way to kickstart those goals). This interactive book is available from her online shop: https://carolyntraffordart.ecwid.com/Dont-Just-Dream-It-Achieve-It-Book-p196854491) . She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on the 20th September 2021 following her first routine screening with the NHS at 51.
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