Hi I'm back from hospital where I had my mastectomy for ‘pleomorphic invasive breast cancer’ and had an expandable implant fitted. The hospital were fantastic despite devastatingly low staff levels and patients having to support each other best we can. When I left there were just 3 nurses for 32 seriously Ill patients (manager on the phone pleading for more). So I feel better that I’m home now and can manage my own situation. I feel very lucky that I got my implant as it was touch and go literally until I got the thumbs up from my plastic surgeon 30 seconds before they knocked me out. But please ignore the media who make out hospital staff have a callous disregard for cancellations and delays - I’ve seen first hand how demoralised they are. Nevertheless they kept me safe, I got my treatment and am home now.
I have a compression bandage on for two weeks, antibiotics to prevent infection (making me really sicky) and I have to take life very easy indeed for several weeks until the muscle knits. My implant is under the muscle which is why I feel like I’ve been kicked by a mule. I have to wear a surgical bra for 2 weeks, 24/7.
I was on morphine for three days but now I’m on paracetamol and ibuprofen, and I’m doing my exercises carefully- no lifting anything heavier than a cup of tea for six weeks. I have to sleep slightly sitting up which is fine but I look forwards to side sleeping again. I also look forwards to having a shower and hair wash but that’s a way off. Of course most of these precautions are to spare the implant not because of the mastectomy. In order to heal with a foreign body intact my body has to be treated very gently.
I’ve still got to get my pathology from last Friday and find out if the cancer us in the lymph nodes, and then I’ve got to have radiotherapy on the left side, but hopefully the major surgery is now done.
Welcome home, Anabrock! 
