Mastectomy

Hello Sands

I'm facing a bilateral mastectomy after Christmas so I would like to join your group. 

I've had two lumpectomys one with full node clearance. The first one ment I had a drain on and was in hospital for five days ,till the drain was out. Not a luxury we are given these days.

You ask about being active or to rest. Going on what I was told a bit of both. We were given a range of exercises to do and were encouraged to do them a few times a day. The lumpectomy was to be followed by radiotherapy so it was very important that we could move freely to get in the correct position. This may be something you may need to consider. The views have changed over the years and everyone is encouraged to be as active as possible because that aids healing, however that doesn't leave you free to lift a huge turkey in and out of the oven. 

My view is be kind to yourself, don't try to tough it out.pain relief means a greater freedom of movement which is important. Being active little and often, recovery is more a marathon than a sprint. One piece of advice I was given by a BC nurse was, your nightie and dressing gown are a useful tool. Sometimes people forget about what you are going through. That's when the nightie a dressing gown come in. They act as a visual reminder that you are still in recovery and need to be cared for. The fact that they are comfy when your body is sore is a bonus. Obviously this doesn't work if you normally go shopping in your pyjamas. 

I am sure you will be given lots of guidance before you leave hospital. There's bound to be a leaflet or two. Take care of yourself wishing you love and luck.

Thanks Silverberg, it's really good to hear from someone else going through similar experiences, although I wish for your sake you weren't. Stay strong and your response is greatly appreciated. Xxx

Hi, I had my left side Mastectomy a year ago.  Like you I felt like I needed more information about what the after would be like so I  spoke to my Macmillan BCN. I had a f2f chat with my BCN, my daughter came along too.  I was shown what the drains would look like, given a bag to carry them in, given some leaflets and shown a softie ( I had no reconstruction).  It was scary but helpful.

I was kept in overnight and allowed home around 24 hours after surgery.  I remember having terrible indigestion overnight,  should have asked for something for it but just suffered!

Practical advice,  front fastening clothes are useful as arm movement can be difficult, I had  axillary lymph node clearance at the same time. Do the physio,  3 times a day I was told. The hardest thing for me was the drains, forever forgetting them or getting tangled up with them.  Not easy to sleep with either. 

No showers or baths as you need to keep the dressings dry also wasn't much fun, I needed my husband or daughter to wash my hair for me initially. 

My surgeon told me it can take over a year to fully recover,  I still have fluid around the scar and area's of numbness but I have full movement,  am cancer free and can go swimming with my prosthesis. 

Sorry I hope that isn't all too much, any special questions feel free to ask, and I hope it all goes well for you.

Sending hugs x