Mastectomy without Reconstruction next Friday.

Hi

I am sorry you’re having to face a mastectomy. I can only offer my support and empathy.

I’m in similar situation WLE x 2 plus radiotherapy and boost in 2013 left breast, now have in right breast. I’ve had a large area removed but positive margins, so waiting for mastectomy. I’m waiting for genetic testing to help with whether it’ll be bilateral mastectomy.

Hopefully someone who has already been through this will reply with positive thoughts.

I am trying to keep jumping forward and smiling.

Best wishes,

Karen 

Hi both.  I had a mastectomy  last June and have opted not to have reconstruction.   

The op itself has caused me less problems than the axillary  clearance I had done separately.   Once the healing had happened I used Bio Oil and the scarring is virtually invisible now.  As far as being "boobless" goes I seem tohave just accepted it and if I'm going out I wear the prosthesis I was given (or the softie).  Otherwise because I have had periodic puffiness under my armpit I go braless.  I also have a prosthesis for the swimming costume.  I'm lucky in that I'm now single, 70 and not out looking for a partner!  I hope this helps   .do write back if you'd like more help.  Sending hugs  xxx

Thank you Karen.  Yes, I am trying to stay positive, but I'm having my moments of sheer panic especially after Hospital Appointments.  Hope you don't have to wait to long for the results so that at least you will know what you will have to face.  Take care.xx

Hi Rybarr, sorry to hear that you have had ongoing problems with swelling.  I guess these are the things that are on my Mind.  It's good to hear that you have now accepted that the Breast has gone.  Just knowing that other Women can and are doing this gives me a bit of strength.  How did you manage the pain after your Mastectomy?  Not quite sure what to expect and the thought of Drains in place is a bit worrying.  The District Nurses are apparently not always coming out to Mastectomy Patients due to Staff shortages in this Area.  It's the basics I think that I'm unsure about like what to wear to travel home in?  Leaflet said I won't be able to raise my Arm to dress so buy Front Fastening Tops.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for you response.

Front fastening  clothes.  Not over the head!  I stayed in hospital  for 4 days cos I could (we had single ensuite rooms).  Enjoyed being looked after as I live alone!  I had a drain in when I left and went back after a few days to have it removed.  I was lucky as they gave me a fabric bag which had a long strap so  carried it on my shoulder.  Really useful.

The main thing is that you can't lift your arm too high so Button through jimjams and tops necessary.  They toom the dressing off 3 days after the op and the stitches were dissolvable.   Paracetamol aT home was helpful but in hospital I had 2 doses of morphine.  To be recommended !

Anything else I can help with?  

Ps it was a far better  experience  than I had expected.  I would add that having Tues till Sat in hospital was very beneficial.

1. Hi I had a mastectomy on 17th February its OK I use a softie at the moment waiting to get a prosthesis fitted this week coming then eventually I will have reconstruction, don't worry it be fine 

Hi, I know we're all different but thought my contribution might help?  I had a mastectomy without reconstruction a year ago, I live alone and it was under pandemic conditions so was kept in overnight but left next day and did everything for myself from then on. (I was pleasantly surprised not to need a drain or chemo or radiotherapy.) I wouldn't say I felt pain, just some discomfort, didn't even need much paracetamol. I started the exercises straightaway and still do them, my arm isn't yet back to full stretch.  My dressing was waterproof so was allowed showers straightaway, and managed to wash my hair twice a week.  I wore loose clothes so didn't bother with button up tops.  Both hospital and BCN said to ring them any time with queries and my GP surgery had also offered to refer me for support eg if I couldn't manage to look after myself.  I was entitled to patient transport for appointments for dressing removal and later results from consultant.  I used online shopping but was able to drive after about 4 weeks.  Negatives were having to use a hospital 2 hours from home (due to Covid figures NHS were using private hospitals), and finding they didn't have a softie for me and that patient transport isn't available at weekends (no-one had told me, and we were not allowed to use private taxis due to Covid).  You already have your softie and pillow so no worries there.  I found the heart shaped pillow really great, used it in bed for about 3 weeks, very comfy - and comforting, as made with love by a team of ladies who had had breast cancer themselves.  I found both BCNs and M & S bra fitters really kind and very persistent in getting my prosthesis and bra organised into a comfortable arrangement.  I found Macmillan support willingly and professionally given - both online and by phone if I was concerned about anything.  I hope that helps, I know many of us on here have said that the waiting can be the hardest part so I send my best wishes to you.  

Hi DamBella96.  I'm sorry you have to have a mastectomy.  It is a difficult thing.  I am in my early 50's and following my first routine mammogram, I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS and needed a mastectomy.  I am 9 weeks past the op now.  I opted for no reconstruction.  I wanted to keep it simple.  I had a similar experience to Goldcrest in a lot of ways.  It is a straightforward op.  I was in Day Surgery in the morning and home that night.  I was given a heart shaped pillow which really helped to get comfy.  I was amazed how quickly I physically recovered.  The pain was manageable.  I have been fascinated with watching it heal. I'm am getting used to my new adapted body and still finding my feet in lots of ways.  I didn't have a drain and my surgeon did a good job with a neat scar.  I was very clear that I wanted an aesthetically flat scar and he did well.  I was taken back that after the surgery, I didn't have any dressings covering the wound.  He used glue and dissolvable stiches to close.  As I didn't have a drain, I was then left to my own devices really.  No visits.  I was concerned about my wound at one point and called the BC nurse but it was fine. It was odd how little attention I got from the medical professionals considering it is a pretty big deal, but I managed fine and would have asked if i needed help.  The reality of it in the weeks before can feel so overwhelming.  I tried to stay in the now.  I did a lot of walking.  I didn't let myself think too far ahead and I knew that all I had to do was get myself through the door on the day and people would be there to guide me through it.  The first few days after were very odd but I let them wash over me as I waited to feel myself again.  Sure enough I turned up pretty quickly.  I had lots of box set lined up and did virtually no thinking for the first few days.  This was a good plan.  I found it incredibly helpful to talk on the phone with a woman who had had the same op a few weeks before.  Understanding the practical arrangements made it feel more normal.  Happy to answer any questions or chat further.  Do you have a date yet?  Good luck xx

Hi Rybarr,  this is all good to know.  I think I am staying overnight unless there are any problems.  I am anxious about travelling back and forth to Hospitals so hopefully this will only be to have the Drain removed.  I bought a couple of button up PJ Tops and a V Pillow that someone suggested to sleep upright?  Hope you are well now.  Thank you.

Hello Greatcrestedgrebe, I am having my Mastectomy on Friday 8th so a couple of day's time.  It's  good to hear that you are recovering well.  I think because the Cancer has come back a 2nd time I am more anxious I suppose.  Will have to wait a couple of Weeks for the results from the Lymph Nodes.  Your advice about staying in the now is good so I will try and do that as much as I can.  I am starting to get very nervous now.  My Sister got me a Heart Shaped Pillow which came today and my Bag is ready for my Hospital stay.  I feel I'm getting prepared, but I'm terrified.  I found out that my Husband can come onto the Ward with a prior Negative Lateral Flow so that has eased my Mind a bit.  Thank you for your response.  Best Wishes.