Mastectomy due this month.

Me too. Thanks for asking x

Its difficult I had cancer in both breasts  so in fact I couldn't wait to have them removed. In many ways I think the decision to have one removed is more difficult . Mastectomys are not painful just emotionally difficult best wishes 

Jayne  

Hi 4ever me ,

sorry to hear you are having a mastectomy, it’s something none of us ladies ever expect to go through.

I had a bilateral mastectomy 5days ago , so still in the early recovering stage . Cancer in my left breast but my surgeon agreed to remove them both at my request . 

Everyone copes differently , there really is no right and wrong way to feel or deal with it . I did tell my other half to say goodbye to my boobs the night before the op .

I was very scared before the operation but it really is over  before you know it and next thing you know your coming round in recovery .

They will give you arm exercises to do afterwards , do try to do them as they really do help .The breast nurse also gave me heart shaped cushions to put under my arms and they  are brilliant comfort wise . 

I didn’t have any drains as my surgeon doesn’t use them so can’t really comment or advise in that area , but I’m sure if you will be having a drain some ladies on here will be able to offer advice.

hope this has helped a little,

wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery x

I did kind of say goodbye. I know it's bizarre (and I'm a bit embarrassed about sharing this) but I took a series of photographs of my breast - from before my op, after - with the dressings, some of the scars once the dressing was removed,  and pre-radiotherapy. I've got one radiotherapy session to go and I will be recording any redness etc. which I expect to start being visible in a week or so. Not planning to share the photos with anyone at all and I realise I may not ever look at them again, but it somehow helped me (can't put it into words). Perhaps it was a private way of processing the changes. 

I am 40DD. Last Tuesday (28/09) I had my left breast removed. I nearly ran out waiting for my operation.  I didn't go until 2pm and was in a terrible state. I'm at home now with two drains going into a little cloth bag from under my armpit. Every day I write how much fluid is in the bag and put a fresh one on. I was worried about doing this but it's easy. Listen to your nurse carefully when she tells you how to do it. I stayed in hospital two nights. Please do the same. Take a book and some secret snacks in your case!! I took pyjamas and a front fastening soft bra. One night would have had me scared going home as I'd never seen these drains before. Two nights could have easily been three but I finished my book so decided to leave!

I have had a strip wash and daughter washes my hair over sink. I don't think I could cope with drains and bag in a proper shower. I'm not smelling and am mobile!

Now - the missing boob. My remaining right one looks massive now. On my left side I have a two inch strip of dressing across my chest quite high up. The area is flat. Under this however I stick out like a high up tummy. it's bigger than the right side so must have fluid in it. I don't know when the drains and dressing comes off. I do not think about it, I'm blocking it out. I go back to see my Surgeon on 13/10. I had cancer in breast and lymph nodes so hopefully it's gone. I may have radiotherapy or chemo depending on result. Eventually I can have right side reduction and left side implant.  HOWEVER that is a long way in front of me. For now I'm dealing with my daily drains and enjoying visitors fussing. It's easy to give platitudes - I'm not strong, I was scared witless, I hate having one massive boob and this peculiar body. No doubt you will be exactly the same. HOWEVER (Again!!) I had a lovely tea, watched telly and put a facepack on. I couldn't do that if I'd died of cancer. I'm in bed writing this with a hot chocolate and some painkillers. Tomorrow I'll wake up.

You can do this ladies xxxx

Thanks for your message, yes i think it will be easier to deal with any pain than the emotional side of things. I'll take it one day at a time i think.:)

Thank you for sharing your story, i hope your recovery is going well. Yes I'll do the exercises and i hope I'll get a cushion too i think joining a forum like this really helps me, as it's good to know that people do get through this and there's life after. Thanks again and wishing you all the best too x

Hi, nothing to embarrassed about, i suppose we do what we think will help us, i may take some photos too, i already had a lumpectomy, so i have scars already. Then i can see the before and after. Good to hear you only have one radiotherapy session to go. Is that a painful process, no doubt I'll be having that at some point after surgery too. All the best on your recovery x

Hello, thank you so much for letting me know your experience. I hope your recovery is going well. I must say i was surprised that this Operation is day surgery, i ended stopping one night after my lumpectomy, will see what happens. Good to know you don't smell haha . My surgery is on the 14th, the day after you see your Surgeon, i hope this goes well for you. I, like you won't know if i need radiotherapy or chemotherapy, the tissue from my last Operation was st to America, the result will determine if chemo is needed. I am trying to get organised at home, food shopping, housework etc, so that when I'm home, i don't need to do anything except heal physicay and emotionally. I also think any reconstruction will be way down the line. # WE GOT THIS ladies xxx

Hi Katherine I did the same got a nice picture of my boobs before they were removed. They had let me down by growing two tumors so I'm not at all missing them lol x