Pretty personal after-op query...

Hi HAC, don’t have specific experience of this as I had a left side op and I’m right handed but a friend of mine had breast cancer long before me, and she already had a paralysed arm from a long ago accident. The cancer was on her ‘good’ side. She managed everything with that arm as she just had to. So I’m hopeful that you will manage, albeit possibly with a struggle initially. I’m with you on the bum wiping, could probably accept help with anything else but would definitely prefer to sort that out myself. And now I’m thinking about another friend, recently diagnosed. Hers was on her right and she’s right handed. We do discuss nitty gritty stuff so I’m sure she’d have mentioned any such issues. 

I’m sure some other folk will be along shortly with direct experience! Good luck with the op, keep posting and let us know how it goes. Love and hugs, HFxx

Hey thanks HappyFeet1! It feels good to talk about this stuff!  Xx

Im right handed and had a right side mastectomy and node clearance. Pleased to report no problems whatsoever, I didn’t find movement restricted to the extent I couldn’t - ahem - attend to myself. One very relieved husband too…

Hope your op goes well x

Once everything has settled down after the surgery you should be able to back to normal. Until then use your left hand. I had a right mastectomy, and lymphodema in my right arm. Once everything had settled down after the op. I was able to use my right hand. Problem arose when I lost muscle strength in my right arm, and nerve problems, and was unable to use my right hand, so I learned to use my left. Also I’m sure I’ve seen a little gadget in a catalogue, to help with problems like this. If I remember correctly it was a sponge on a stick !!!!!!

Have some practice using your left hand before going into hospital. 

You might find it not so easy to go whilst drugs etc in system . I’ve got diverticula so refused senna took a few days to settle . I had rght hand MX with sentinel node removal no reconstruction . No problem with movement of arm . One thing that might be useful in making cleanliness easier are water toilet wipes . You can get them from Home Bargains etc 

Oh that's a huge relief! Thank you so much NBI! Xx

Yes, I'll start practicing straight away! Thanks for the advice kateandbiz! Not sure I fancy a stick with a sponge...though it would still be better than my family having a go! 

Thanks Northerner, I'll look into the wipes too. Xx

Based on the thread so far looks like things are going to go as you want them in that regard, but in case it doesn't: I have been once in a situation where I couldn't reach my bum comfortably enough, but was able to get the shower head to that area for a nice wash. If all else fails, perhaps you could go with that, and some help from the left hand to then dry things off? I hope it won't come to that, though.

Thanks GreyCats, it's good to have options! Xx