Surgery for a double mastectomy tomorrow & I’m so scared

Hi Smart5

I'm sorry to learn you are having to go through with a Double Mastectomy. This site is so supportive and so I'm pleased you have found it. I have had a single Mastectomy, I was really worried prior to the operation and imagined the pain to be quite bad, for me the pain wasn't too bad at all after the Mastectomy and I managed with Paracetamol, my Surgeon told me "you will be surprised the operation is not as bad as you imagine and you will probably only need Codeine", I didn't believe him but he was right.  The Lymph Node area was more sore, I had 4 removed, if they remove lymph nodes they will provide you with an exercise sheet, do follow it as it helps enormously, in fact I still do the exercises some days as the area is stiff and sore.  It is a worry being given an anaesthetic but they do it day in and day out, hopefully you will be fine, and will have had your pre-op assessment. 

Best Wishes. xxx

Hello

l had a single mastectomy, but like you it was my first experience of an operation and an anaesthetic. 

The staff in theatre are lovely. I told them it was my first experience and they said “ We’ ll  make sure it’s a good one then”

True to their word I was in the land of nod before l knew and the next thing someone was calling my name and l opened my eyes

l was soon back on the ward, a cup of coffee and some toast. Home in time for tea, with my drain in a bag, thankful it was over.

Good luck, Trust the staff and get on with those exercises as soon as you can!

xx

Hiya,

Just like over70, I had a single mx. I too told the staff that I was scared and they were wonderful. Make sure you say how you are feeling, they are used to dealing with scared, anxious patients and they know how to put them at ease. 

I worried about not waking up too. The anaesthetist will monitor you throughout the op to make sure everything is ok. Sending you lots of cwtches for the op.

Gay xxx

Good Luck for tomorrow i can only echo what the others have said, it isn't as bad as you think it is going to be. 

I also kept telling myself, this time tomorrow it will be done. Will be thinking of you, let us know how you get on when you can.

xxx

Thank you so much everyone for your support & kind words. I think I’m more worried about my kids & my family how they’ll cope if something happened to me but I guess at this point there is nothing in my control & I can only hope for the best. You are a wonderful bunch of people & I am forever grateful for your support. I’ll update on how it’s all gone once I’m able to. Thank you again xxx

Hi Smart5,

I am 100% with you on this, I had a double mastectomy in February this year, first ever operation, never been put to sleep and never went to the doctors apart from a yearly MOT. You will get through this and come out the other side. There  is so much support and help on this website with lots and lots of caring people who are going through this and more, please keep in touch and let us know how your getting on. I am so much more a stronger person and possibly better person appreciating everyday of my life now from what I have had done and scars to prove it,

xxxx

Hi Smart5 what a big day for you. Hopefully you are back on the ward now and being well looked after, I’m sure you will be in safe hands. 

I hope you are comfortable and you start mending well!, take it easy and let your family spoil you!

I had a single too. You will be fine though, I was worried, however just think about it as a means to an end. An obstacle on the way to recovery whether it’s the start of treatment or not.

Having this done is the best course of action for you.

On discharge you will have your meds, I was sick from the antibiotics so lots of meds. 

District Nurse came out to me everyday for 2 weeks as I had drains in to drain the lymphatic fluid, they dress wound if needed. 

No heavy housework for 8 weeks and only then little bits. Double might possibly be longer.

Washing and showering are difficult. No baths because of the drains, although shallow bathing is ok but it’s a faff. 

I batch cooked so it was easier for me to feed the kids. Keep Everything at waist height as you don’t want to lift your arms. 

I’m sure you will get exercises to do and you might be offered a physio appointment six weeks after your op.

Good Luck, let us know how you get on x

Hi guys

I made it out alive! Lol I was very scared but your help & support was invaluable, thank you so much. 

My surgery was in the afternoon on Tuesday, so plenty of time for me to work myself up but my family were with me so I kept everything inside & didn’t want them to panic. The nurses, the surgeons & the staff were all amazing. Once I was taken in the room to be put to sleep I think I accepted then that there was no going back now & there was nothing I could do from here onwards made me feel a bit at ease. 

You were all right it happens so fast you don’t even realise. The surgery went well thank god & I stayed in hospital for 2 nights, sent home with drains. My drains were removed yesterday & I feel so much better. The nurses come home every day to change my bandages. 

I wasn’t given a follow up appointment or any information on who would be removing my surgical bandages, how many lymph nodes removed, if they were able to remove all the cancer so I might give my breast cancer nurse a quick call on Monday. 

It’s a bit difficult trying to sleep at night with both sides being uncomfortable but I won’t complain I’m just so grateful I’m still here to see another day. I have 4 cycles of chemo before my surgery & was told I’d have the same after surgery, so not looking forward to more chemo. 

It’s such a difficult & scary journey ahead but hopefully with the lovely support from all of you guys & our nearest & dearest we will beat this

Glad it all went well for you and your home and on the way to recovery. 

You will probably get a follow up appointment in the post, I wasn't told my results from my mastectomy or my lymph nodes till 4 weeks later as they need to be sent be looked at under a microscope etc. They can’t tell if cancer is there just by looking. 

Sleeping, treat yourself to a V pillow, I slept on my back for at least 6 weeks and mine was a god send. 

At least you know what to expect from the chemo this time and hopefully once that’s done you will be finished. 

Look after yourself and take it easy xx