Mastectomy

Hi carolab

I also had a RHS mx and full node clearance, all be it at different times unfortunately.  My cancer is also aggressive (have a look at my profile for full story).

Things to be aware of are

- you may well (and I am still unclear as to why this doesn't get mentioned or isn't the same for all) get the nerve in your arm cut to enable the nodes to be removed and this will mean that your armpit & upper arm will feel really odd and numb/semi numb in places, I'd see if this will be the case for you just so you know.

- view of your surgeon re drains, I had one after mx but not after node clearance and can't say (for me) having the annoying drain made any benefit at all...some surgeons do, some don't.  They're annoying as they get in the way and prevent sleep and mine collected very little yucky fluid

- I'll be honest in that I still get some discomfort (and pain at times) from the node clearance, its much more invasive than the mx. 

- I've still got quite a few lumps & bumps under my arm around the armpit which is scar tissue which may or may not change - time will tell.

- One surprise was that you won't need to use deodrant on the side the nodes are removed as it won't sweat again! I suspect ( not an expert) that removal of nodes means so more lymph stuff which is presumably where sweat comes from...but may also be impacted by rads (which I also had and you may also given similar diagnosis, and this will cause armpit hair to pretty much disappear).

- You may well get a seroma (fluid under skin) as most do following surgery.  I was told I had one but have just found out its a collection of fat (not altogether sure where is now thin though!).

- Around my scar became quite red & hot in the week following surgery and was infected so needed antibiotics so keep an eye out.  You'll have a scar from edge of cleavage to below armpit, mine is a very neat line with a bit of a bulge near cleavage area which gives me a sort of mini cleavage.

- check if your hospital give you a drainage bag, softie, heart pillow (see below).  Invest in several mx bras ( I found M&S zip up ones very good), I wear mine still now as much comfier than normal bras and easily keep softie in place.

-my scar did leak (nice!) but settled down after 2 wks...I think it was just my body readjusting where the lymph needed to go (who knows ??).  I had to change my dressings (couldn't be bothered to go back to hospital all the time) so made the hospital give me lots of bandages to do so.

- get one of the nurses on the day of op to put on the sexy compression socks (worn during surgery) for you as nigh on impossible to do yourself

- I made it very clear I did not want to stay in hospital so ensure you tell everyone of your expectations (you may want to stay in?)  Not sure if you've had general anaesthetic before but made me ill (in boyfriends car!!) so allow for a sick bag.

- be prepared to be walking the day following operation as this will aid recovery, if you're like me you'll be very slow though.

I invested in a V pillow which helped me sleep and also a heart cushion to put under my arm to relive some of the pressure of arm on side of body/armpit and also to put on chest when in car to prevent unnecessary jostling when still recovering.  At the beginning I spent quite a long time in pyjamas. I also accepted all offers of help as you shouldn't be doing anything too strenuous with RHS arm ( I was told not to lift a pint of milk), and will struggle to cut potatoes for example even now I do not lift heavy things and struggle to open jars/nail varnish.  I made some dishes which I froze to make life easier after the op (I live alone and you may have a chef at your disposal of course!).

Not sure if you exercise but you'll need to patient with anything other than walking, took me over 6 weeks to get back on bike and have still not yet lifted any weights with arm.  I keep trying new things (planks, exercises on all 4s) to see how arm feels after the event but still quite sore.

Good luck and hope all goes well.

Sam

And (forgot to mention) there's a great discussion thread re surgery set up by West End Girl but with this new site I can't find out what its called as can't see enough history - any idea WEG???

Hi Carolab - I had a black bruise on the side of my breast and could feel a small bump under the skin. Turned out I had two tumours - the one I could feel and one just next to my nipple, but they were connected by a calcium stream (which also turned out to be cancerous). I had a right breast mastectomy plus four lymph nodes removed - two of which were cancerous. This meant I had to undergo six treatments of chemo (every three to four weeks) and fifteen sessions of radiotherapy. 

The mastectomy itself was really quite easy. I felt great (apart from the fact that every so often I felt that someone was stabbing me with a very large pin - suddenly and unexpectedly). I had daily exercises to do and I had to record what drained out into the drainage bottle (which I carried round in my little cotton bag which went over my shoulder). The district nurse came in to see me every other day and check my wound and change the bottle.

One year on, I still have a seroma (fluid collection) - this has been drained four times but it keeps filling again. It's not painful just very uncomfortable and tight. The first time they drained off 520ml of fluid. The last time it had come down to 250ml. I actually look like I've had reconstruction or that my boob has grown back. But please be assured that this isn't the case for everyone.

My best advice is, if possible, take someone with you for your appointments to write things down because you will forget everything they tell you. Make a list of questions you may have - whether they seem trivial or not. If you don't understand what they're telling you, ask them to explain fully in plain English. Buy some loose, button up the front tops because taking the time to get dressed can make you feel brighter in itself. Laugh when the opportunity arises because there will be days when you won't want to or simply can't. You will learn words you've never heard before. You will even form some amazing friendships with the nurses and also the women who are going through something similar.

Sending you much strength to get through the coming months.

Good luck with everything

Karen

I too am awaiting right breast mastectomy and sentinel node removal.  I still don’t have a date even though I was diagnosed a month ago so I am making phone calls every day to try and chase.  GP is also chasing.  I wish you well with your treatment.

 Thanks Sam. There is so much useful advice on here. How long was it before you felt able to use your right arm again? I also live on my own. I have batch cooked for freezer etc. But wondering about the things I won’t be able to manage and what I will need to get help with.

Hi

I think it was about a week before I could wash up properly as challenging with just one arm, most other things (hoovering, ironing) I just used the other arm, you'll become ambidextrous! Worth noting that I am not a domestic goddess at all and generally live in a state of muck so have probably only ironed twice since March op and until recently had been getting the boyfriend to do chores (wish that luxury had lasted a few years longer!).  

The most challenging is cutting butternut squash - think I'd still get someone else to do that.  I also became very good at asking random strangers to help me with a very stiff petrol cap.

Rest assured you'll find a way around most things but will need help every now and then.  I had someone stay over (not the boyfriend - he's rubbish with hospital type things, blood, syringes etc.) for a couple of days after both surgeries to help out & took full advantage of their being there (the kitchen has never been so clean following Mother's visit).

Take it easy & you'll know when you've overdone it as your arm/armpit will tell you! Mine did after some weeding in particular (about 3/4 weeks post op).

Sam

Thanks for all this info Sam. My surgeon said about the drain and I will get a softie but no idea about anything else. As an oldie of 75 loss of any hair under the arm won’t affect me. It stopped growing there ages ago, tends to grow on chin instead. I had a v pillow and gave it to my granddaughter, must get it back! She may we’ll be the one to stop with me to start with as I live alone. She will also be the one to make sure I do the exercises

carol

I think I have been really lucky with the speed of mine. Hope you hear soon. Carol

Hi Karen. I couldn’t feel any lumps in my breast and neither could anyone else. This all started with the lymph node. Turns out I have 3 small tumours and a large calcium stream. Because of my age they are going straight for surgery and looking at other treatments after. Because I live alone my family want to wrap me in cotton wool and someone comes with me to appointments. I am an independent creature though and will want to get on by myself as much as possible. Thanks for the good wishes. 
carol

Hi Sam, great post and you are just about like for like as me! Still feel uncomfortable under the arm, a bit swollen and numb. Had my mastectomy and node clearance mid March.

Can anyone tell me if it’s normal after lying on mastectomy side for a while that when you roll over it is very painful...so painful that I’ve to try to hold in a yell as it’s usually the middle of the night and I don’t want to give other half a heart attack!!  I was going to contact my GP but just not sure if it’s normal or not. TIA. x