in my case it was nowhere near as debilitating as I was expecting
I had my hair cut shorter, since I was expecting not to be able to wash it or brush it, and to struggle lifting my arms over my head.
I didn't have drains, as that's not policy at the hospital I was in.
So I left the hospital after the team had signed me out, after just an overnight stay, the nurses checked the bandages, physio checked I could raise my arms, surgeon said something flippant and that was it. I kept on top of the pain relief for a couple of days but actually felt fine. I was able to shower and pat dry the bandages. I did try to get my daughter to drive but after a week everyone was over trying to help me and I just got on with it.
Technically you're not supposed to drive after major surgery for about a month ...
I had one lymph node removed and the scar for that was way more painful.
Are you having immediate reconstruction ?
Carolyn
xx
real life success stories to remind you that people do survive breast cancer
Thank you for your reply. I am having node removed as well but the doctor says I can’t have reconstructive surgery untill all the treatment is finished. I feel a little better after your reply thank you
no worries, I hang around to chip in, it's good to talk to someone who has been through it
different areas do things differently, some do immediate, some do drains, those are tubes and collecting jars to catch the seroma which builds up after the surgery, I did have seroma but they drained it manually.
Did they say you'll definitely need chemo ?
I had a nice wig and with a bit of makeup most people didn't know I was ill. I just read your son is getting married, congratulations
Carolyn
xxx
by the way if you want to tag me use the @ symbol and type my name
real life success stories to remind you that people do survive breast cancer
Thank you again. They said I’m likely to need chemo and radiotherapy but I should get this all confirmed once the MRI is done. There is so much to take in and worry about, I guess it’s one step at a time.
It is good to speak to someone that has been through it already. X
I had surgery on Dec 5th and was in and out within 12 hours. Quite incredible really. I had a drain for 4 days and then final bandage removed on day 7. Since then I am at home, healing. I haven’t really wanted to drive as yet. Being driven isn’t all that comfy either as the bumps in the road seem to reverberate somehow. Struggling a bit with the seroma and totally agree that the missing lymph node causes me more jip than my mastectomy scar itself. I feel very tired now, 4 weeks on whereas immediately after and throughout week 1, I was almost on a high. Finding wearing my Betty Boob softie can be quite uncomfortable some days, almost as if the pressure is too much. Most evenings I end up pulling it out around 5 or 6 pm as I have had enough of it.
Like you, I am waiting to hear what the next steps will be. Removing the whole breast was supposed to be THE solution but I am waiting to hear if my Dr will want to add in some radiotherapy and/or chemo for the fun of it !!! I am seriously crossing everything in the hope that it won’t be necessary as I have to say the thought of it freaks me out enormously.
Reconstruction was not an immediate option. For the moment, I do not want it but who knows, with time, how I will feel.
That is where I am at so far. I al being treated in France so things may differ to the UK.
And in terms of having someone to look after me, I am able to do most things, albeit slowly. Not lifting. And as I said, not driving. I froze quite a few meals before so it isn’t a case of not being able to cook, more not being able to be bothered. I find my seromq build up is worse when I do too much so snoozing in the afternoons is a must. I have to really pace myself.
I had a mastectomy on 19/12 - it was no where nearly as restricting as I expected. I left hospital the same day (op around noon - discharged 7pm) I had a drain which I was shown how to empty for 10 days. Like others have said the pain from under my arm where the sentinel node biopsy was taken us far more painful than the actual mastectomy. I’ve been doing the exercises - mostly ok - one of them lay on the bed with hands behind the head pushing down with the elbows on the bed is my nemesis at the moment lol! I can get about the house on, reach most things including washing my fuzz (I had chemo first so my bald head is just beginning to sprout) apart from not lifting anything more than a kettle and not hoovering you don’t need looking after - things just take longer to do. good luck Eileen xxx
