How to give mental and emotional support to my mum going through single mastectomy

FormerMember over 3 years ago

1 reply
23 subscribers
226 views

I do appreciate some advice on the best way to support my mum mentally and emotionally.
she had a lumpectomy three weeks ago and today we were told based on the pathology report, she needs to go through a single mastectomy. Of course not we were hoping to hear.
she is in pieces, so am I. Not sure what is the best way to support her mentally and emotionally and give her all the positive vibes in the world.

Thanks in advance

PPK

GodWilling over 3 years ago

Hi how lucky your mother is to have such a lovely daughter.

I didn't need a mastectomy although I did initially ask for one because I just wanted to be sure the cancer was out and wasn't too bothered about loosing a breast (I'm 52 years old) and figured I'd probably have a reconstruction anyway.

We are all different though and if your mother is struggling with the idea then she would probably benefit from joining this forum and connecting with other ladies who have had a mastectomy. They on the whole generally don't seem to mind it once it's done especially if they plan to have reconstruction with an implant. Some choose just to stay flat. The main bit of advice I've read is that if you don't have reconstruction immediately is to try and look at the scar as soon as possible so that you don't have time to build it up to be this huge scary thing you can't bring yourself to look at.

You would probably benefit from joining the carers only forum (click HERE) as well as chatting here.

Wishing you and your mother all the best x