I had a Mastectomy last year and Sentinel Node Biopsy. The mastectomy wasn't as bad as I had imagined, I thought it would be very painful post op, my Surgeon had said to me "you'll be surprised it isn't too uncomfortable post op and some ladies only need Paracetamol", I remember thinking well it's alright for you to say that you aren't having it done, but he was right, for me it wasn't too bad at all post op, the SNB was and still is the most uncomfortable. I do get pain and discomfort in the mastectomy site but I've been told that's due to the Radiotherapy treatment affecting the cartilage, muscle etc.
I was very scared before the op and was glad when it was done, also I was scared to look at the wound area initially but did on Day 2, I didn't have dressings on it because he used glue! It does take quite some time to move forward from the whole Cancer journey, I'm a year on and I never thought I would move forward because I felt traumatised by the diagnosis, treatment plan and fear of the whole cancer thing, I'm not the same person and don't think I will be, I have days when I feel frightened, I worry about recurrence a lot, I think most people do.
They will give you exercises to do post op, do them because they help a lot, I still stretch and do them now when its uncomfortable.
All the best for Monday, I hope it goes as well as possible under the circumstances. Keep posting and let us know how you get on. This site is invaluable, always someone to advise. Best Wishes.
Don’t be scared. I agree with peterawake it honestly is not that bad.
Read my story. I am needles phobic, hospital phobic, blood phobic. I was frightened of staying over. frightened of going homeFrightened of waking up without hubby. Frightened of not waking up. So I hear you. I was a wreck.
On the actual day it was so easy. I think I had built it up so much. I’m 6 weeks post op today and my mastectomy site gives me no issues. My arm and area from snb does tho.
Ask questions. I have a funny story about being in the pre op room, so scared of needle theyput me to sleep with gas first. I kept talking rubbish and they were trying to get me to sleep. Anaesthetist ended up laughing at my rubbish and threatened me with needle if I didn’t put mask on for gas. All were so lovely but please discuss fears so they can understand and help.
I also went to my gp who prescribed propanalol before op to calm. They worked.
