Hello, whilst I had a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy, I hope you don’t mind me sharing my experience. I am 19 days post op.
I worried myself sick as the time approached and boy did I have many worries! Some of the worries were ‘sensible’ and some totally irrational but they were my worries. I worried about being in hospital, being under general anaesthetic as I had never been before, I worried they would get the wrong breast, I worried about things going wrong, I worried about my other health issues going on… I shared those worries with my surgeon and the rest of the team, including my GP who eventually prescribed something to calm me down. I shared my worries with family and also on this forum and the support and reassurance I got was incredible.
I was in good hands with the professionals, everything turned out well in the end. Don’t get me wrong, I still have worries now as I am waiting for the results to come back, it’s normal and it’s ok.
I picked up a lot of practical advice in preparation such as getting the right bras ready, preparing meals to freeze and the biggest for me was accepting help from friends and family.
I am certain there will be more people to share their experiences with you on here.
I arrived at the hospital at 7am and was discharged about 8pm, as I had a few bouts of vomiting. Other than that I was ok. I used paracetamol and codine for pain every 4- 6 hours for the first week and gradually reduced in the second week as the pain eased off.
I hope you've managed to get back to sleep now because there's nothing worse than being awake all night worrying. Worrying at this stage is also so normal because the operation tomorrow is ' the unknown.' You can only imagine at this point what things might feel like and how much pain or stiffness you might feel and it's terrifying. I didn't have a mastectomy mine was a lumpectomy, but I was equally afraid. Afterwards, I realised that the fear had been unnecessary. In fact getting over the lumpectomy and sentinel node removal was for me one of the esaier parts of treatment. I had never had a general anesthetic before and had no idea what to expect. I also hadn't quite understood that in my case the radioactive dyes for the node removal would be done in a different hospital so when a taxi arrived at 07.00 to take me there I think I trembled all the way there and back. I think I was still shivering when I was taken down for the actual op but next thing I knew I was in my room and it was all done. I kept up the paracetamol for a few days afterwards and did the arm exercises but it was nowhere as awful as I had anticipated. Three weeks later I was back to have a port fitted under general anesthetic also. This time I was really calm. I knew what to expect.
I know everyone is different but I hope it helps to know your worries are normal. And once it's over, my surgeon always said the cancer has been removed. Further treatments are to keep it away.
It worked for me. My op was in 2015. Still all clear at annual mammogram.
I had a mastectomy without reconstruction and axillary lymph node clearance 6 weeks ago. I was scared but, surprisingly, it actually wasn't too bad.
My husband was with me while the surgeon came and explained things and marked my boob, and while the anaesthetist came. I was then brought to a waiting area, where he couldn't come, but I had a book with me. Everyone explained things well and was reassuring.
I'd had a paravertable block which, with the post op numbing helped with pain, and I'd recommend it if they offer you one. There was a bit of discomfort above the numb line later, but this was easily managed with pain relief. I actually didn't have much pain and reduced pain relief after a few days, but then realised that it was a bit too soon. Like Ruva, I then reduced it after the second week and was good.
Definately do the exercises you are given - it helps with getting your shoulder moving and any later arm pain. Be prepared to feel some very strange sensations, but they do settle. I wasn't expecting an itchy nipple where I had no nipple, but this hasn't happened for a while.
People recommend front opening bras, but I found I couldn't use my arm enough to fasten them, so went back to back opening mastectomy bras.
It is normal to be afraid, but it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. If my job allowed, I felt I could have gone to work a few weeks ago, but I'm glad my work was sensible at managing my expectatuons, especially as I'm about to start chemo.
I wish you all the best with your op and recovery.
Hi I am going in tomorrow for a mastectomy I am so worried I have so much aniexty and don’t know what to do to calm it down I think maybe just talking to someone like you would help me out
Hi DC Corbett, went through mascetomy Sept 22. Nurses were lovely. Kept me in overnight as op was done late in afternoon. Don't worry as staff nurses look after you. After op, District nurses visited each day for 1 week to check on op scar & drainage bottle & changed bandages if needed. Wonderful team as they gave me support & put my mind at peace. It must be overwhelming for you now but you will be ok. Will be thinking of you tomorrow. x
I stayed overnight due to being anticoagulation, but it is usually day surgery. I didn't have district nurses to monitor the drain, but a nurse rang every morning to get the measurement and make the appointment when it could come out. The dressing was waterproof so I could shower after 48 hours. I found I was chilly from the anaesthetic and found keeping my arm on a pillow helped with discomfort and swelling. I was given clear instructions of who to contact if I had problems.
I did find some mindful breathing helped the night before, but it does take a bit of practice. I changed the bed etc and had things ready for coming home and set up the sofa where I would be resting when up.
Hubby also referred to my op day as the first day of recovery.
My op was the day before my birthday, so while everyone was commiserations on being in hospital for my birthday, I concentrated on evicting 'Larry and the boy band' for my birthday.
