What to expect after mastectomy?

Hi there, I was told I need a mastectomy last week also so I’m sorry I don’t have answers for you, but just wanted to send you love because it sounds like you are worried. 
Are you having reconstruction? Apparently they can do mine at the same time.

Hi Nif thank you very much for even reading my query. 

Reconstruction? Yes. The plan for now is implant because i might undergo chemo/radiotherapy after. How are you? How are dealing with your news? Im generally fine, i mean  physically but then all of a sudden a tear might come up and i remember i am not 100% okay

Hi 0411 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

Thank you very much for letting me know. If you dont mind can i ask How are you now? How did you feel after the surgery and the rest of the treatments?  

I'm fully recovered and enjoying life now thanks 0411 

I had surgery first, which I quickly recovered from. Obviously felt a bit tired for the first couple of days but made sure I did the exercises I was given. I also went out for a gentle walk, only for about an hour, each day...weather permitting.

Unfortunately one of the sentinel lymph nodes that were removed at the same time as the lumpectomy showed micro deposits of cancer. The oncologist gave me the choice of whether to have chemo or not as I was borderline. I decided that I wanted to throw everything at it so had chemo. Fortunately, I didn't suffer any major side effects.

Once the chemo finished I then had 10 days of radiotherapy which, for me, was the easiest of the three treatments.

I now have a 6 monthly infusion of Zometa, which helps protect your bones from the cancer returning.

Everyone's treatment plan is tailored to their own type of breast cancer so your treatment plan might not follow mine.

Happy to answer any questions you have.

x

Hi nif

i must do the reconstruction for my breast cancer at the same time of my breast surgery.

do you have any experience can help me before the surgery and after that.

my operation is in JAN.

• Thats very good to hear. Im very happy for you and thank you for answering my question. I just had my mastectomy and implant reconstruction done 4days ago and went home with drains. Im hoping the drains will come off before christmas so i could be free to move around. The pain is not the worst, only uncomfortable. 

Hello azar. I just had mine 4days ago. Mastectomy with reconstruction. Before surgery i bought myself a dressing gown with big pockets for the drains. From my experience, It is easier to keep wearing the dressing gown than taking on/off pyjama or nightdress esp if youre on your own. I bought myself a big cup because post operation i was so thirsty and a good lip balm (my lips were chapped and cracked). Day 3 post op i managed to go to town to window shop. I was so aftaid before surgery but overall my experience was so good. The nurses and doctors are so reassuring and supportive. 1pre op nurse even held my hand until i fell asleep from anesthesia. I hope you will have the same surgical experiemce as i did. For now just enjoy christmas and new year with family.

Im a big cry baby but we need to keep telling ourselves we can do this. 

Hi there 0411, glad to hear it was not as scary as you were expecting. Sounds like you prepared brilliantly and are making good progress.

wishing you all the best. X

Thank you so much Nif. I saw my breast for the first time today in clinic. I was emotional to see that something ia missing. I had to talk myself through bittermess that its better to be without it if it means you'll survive. Although it was not easy.