One day post mastectomy and lymph node clearance - what to expect

 Hi you are out of hospital & at home which is probably the best place for you at moment.

Firstly, if you can get yourself propped up and support the crook of your arm then nap when you can.  If you have a V cushion then great, otherwise just firm pillow as possible.  If hospital haven’t given you a drain bag to hook over your shoulder then a woven type bag or something similar will stop you worrying about rolling over it.  300ml is normal in the first 48 hours, the more the better in the early days as less chance of issues further down the line.  Not a time to brave the pain, take what you need to get through, remember paracetamol needs to be taken regularly to get in to your system.  Sore tongue & throat is as you said from the tubing, this will go fairly quickly. Just remember gentle week one exercises WHEN you can, don’t push it! 

Such early days & you will be great in no time at all. 

Much love xx 

Thank you so much. That’s so reassuring to hear. I will take your advice. Thanks. I was just hoping I’d be able to sleep myself well in the first few days -expecting too much I fear!

 All of this has been such a shock to me, always having considered myself as a fit, healthy 45 year old until my diagnosis in early Feb. One day at a time .,,,,

it definitely will help to have the support of others on here

Thanks again

Nicky
xxx

Nicky xx

Hi

Sorry to hear you have had a rough night, but it’s not surprising given that you have just had major surgery.  I had a mastectomy and total axillary node clearance in January, and spent one night in hospital (where the nurses advised me to sleep on my back on a V- pillow, using a small heart-shaped cushion to support my arm and the tubing from the drain).  My BCN gave me the cushion, and I was also offered one by the nurses on the ward.  This worked well, and I was able to have quite a decent sleep. The nurses also gave me paracetamol every 4 hours during the night, and checked my drain which had to be placed on the floor (or at least below heart level) so the suction worked properly.  It drained 190ml in the first 24 hrs, which four days later reduced to 40 ml and it was taken out.  I don’t know what is considered normal, but if you are worried you could surely ring the ward you were on, as you are still in the immediate post-op period and they have a duty of care to you.  My hospital gave me a number to ring to get through to the ward nurses if I had any questions over the weekend (I was discharged on a Friday too).

I didn’t have a sore throat or mouth, but maybe you could try a mouthwash if you have one, or failing that, a warm water rinse with salt?  I was advised to use salt water rinses by my team if I had a sore mouth during chemo.  It’s something you could ask the hospital too.

All best wishes for a speedy recovery.  

Blackcat20 xx

300ml sounds about right,  but what size bottle do you have, and did they give a spare? I had my surgery on Good Friday,  and ended up in A&E as I accidentally pulled out the tube from the valve when I forgot about the bottle!. The clearance is the  most painful IMO, and when I came round it was nipping so much! They took me up on a ward as some morphine didn't help,  and about an hour later my surgeon (who was in clinic) sent another doctor up to remove the top bandage and the pain vanished! If it's painful take the codeine, as you need to sleep.

Did they give you a heart pillow? I can't say how much it helped me!! I even had it under my arm at the cinema and meal times!

I didn't do much in the way of exercises for about 3 days as  I was scared to pull the stitches,  but did them every day after that. 

Look after yourself,  and don't be scared to contact the breast nurse with any niggles.  Xxx

Hi

I am now just over 2 weeks post op Node Clearance and 6-7 weeks mastectomy, 300ml is similiar to me for the node clearance, it settled to around 100 for a bit before slowly very slowly going down to 40-50ml. For me i had the drain in for roughly 12 days although i am sure it will be less for you. My Doc. said typically they like to remove the drain once it reaches 40-50ml. That said for the mastectomy mine was done at 70ml and similar for my Node clearance. 

No Sleep for the 1st night is typical, i found the general anaesthetic messes with you sleep (even though you have a lovely sleep during the op!), that said at least you didnt get woken every 2-3 hrs for obs. in hospital let alone all the other noises..

Best position for me was on my side , drain tube on top and i places pillows either side of me, one of which i used to prop the bottle on. Lots of people get these V-pillows too.

My advice hang in there. a few days in from the node clearance is when your arm will feel heavy and like lead , its gets better! , be slow with the exercises too , just do a few during the day (i squeezed a few in during normal routine in the  day as and when)

As i was reminded both these ops. are major ops..so take it easy (i didnt), and know there is a ton of support. Any doubts contact your hospital BC nurse , if they cannot answer immediately (especially with how things are right now) they will get back to you.

I wish you a good recovery, it will take time but you'll be ok..just remind yourself sometimes.

Andrew - 49. (Yes guys get BC)..

Thank you xx

it’s a long closed drainage system with a plastic bulb and collection bag. Tubing is far too long

They gave me a heart pillow which I left behind by mistake as I think I was still under influence of anaesthetic at that stage and didn’t have anyone checking up on what I was bringing out (I was taken down to meet my husband as he wasn’t allowed up to collect me due to Covid restrictions!)  So I’m now improvising with a cushion for the time being 

Presume the pain from the clearance will last for a good few days yet?

Thanks so much to all of you for answering my questions.Rrally reassuring and I really appreciate it.

Nicky xx

it’s a long closed drainage system with a plastic bulb and collection bag. Tubing is far too long 

They gave me a heart pillow which I left behind by mistake as I think I was still under influence of anaesthetic at that stage and didn’t have anyone checking up on what I was bringing out (I was taken down to meet my husband as he wasn’t allowed up to collect me due to Covid restrictions!)  So I’m now improvising with a cushion for the time being 

Presume the pain from the clearance will last for a good few days yet?

Thanks so much to all of you for answering my questions.Rrally reassuring and I really appreciate it.

Nicky xx

Thanks Andrew

Have they started to discuss any further treatment for you yet? (Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy?) I’m hoping in my case  some of that might be able to be delayed for a while with current situation?

Nicky x

Hi Nicky.

Last Wednesday i had my last surgeon update (next one  6 month yaa!), all ok i have a slight senoma but i think due to how things are leaving it for a bit to see if it reduces over time , which i am told they do. If not...syringe time...

I am waiting now on another of those NHS letters from an oncologist for me. Surgeon Doc. thinks i will be hormone+ Rads , Chemo is 50/50 (I had 2 nodes infected from 15 removed) ; but what with how things are its unlikely i will be put on  chemo while the peak of this virus thing has not happened. Basically i am back on the flat bit of the roller-coaster again..

It takes a good 4-6 weeks to heal from both ops. Just bare that in mind and also if your worried about movement of the arm or anything (i had some slight cording) ask for physio. I have and its helping a lot , i wouldn't think about the treatment phase for now concentrate on your arm / mastectomy and getting better. Everything always moves forward , and smile because what was inside you is now not!.

I was thinking about what you wrote about the pain...umm.. honest answer is it hurts lol. Some advice previous was to take the painkillers , and i agree. I found the Node clearance the hardest , the pain does subside! but you'll have aches and weird tingling feelings and tightness even its all normal. I am not taking anything now but i have still aches and pains. I found 2 paracetamol in the morning and 2 in the evening (about hour before sleep) worked quite well for the 1st week or 2, But if it hurts take more as prescribed.   

Oh and your mastectomy might be sensitive to touch and as such you may wish to not touch it..The physio reminded me that actually the more you touch the more the body de-sensitises the area so actually (cant believe im saying this) but rub the area with some oil/cream when the bandages are off. It does slowly work. There are plenty here who can advise further for any questions you have as they come to you.

Take time to look after yourself, and as i am reminded a lot by others take it easy and enjoy life...

Wishing you the best 

Andrew