Hi. How are you coping? I have my mastectomy scheduled for Monday 20th Dec so I'm just a couple of weeke behind you. I'd love to know if you have any tips or advice on what to expect. Wishing you well x
Hi , I’m now 5 weeks post mastectomy and had my drain in for 13 days. To be honest it didn’t worry me too much . I was just glad it was coming out and not all building up inside. Hope you’re feeling ok. It’s early days, so make sure you’re having lots of rest. X
Hi. Mine was in for 18 days so do not despair (although I wish everyone hadn’t told me 3-5 days and got my hopes up!). The pain reduces enormously once it’s gone - I didn’t realise how much I’d my pain was to do with the drain. And I really couldn’t do much movement until it went. But getting in much better now.
Pangles - it’s not fun but it was nowhere near as much pain as I thought initially. I found weeks 2 & 3 the worst but everyone is different.
I found the following useful.
a heart shaped pillow (or two of them) stops pressure under armpit. I had lymph nodes removed and it is still sore
wear tops inside out - choose soft ones with wide/baggy sleeves. The seams feel like razorblades initially
ice packs were super helpful
I also got one of those claw things so I could reach down and up and not be asking people every single time I dropped something!
good luck. Everyone is different but hope those things are helpful x
Haveacuppa...I thought something was wrong with me as I kept dropping stuff! Obviously I have mas on my right and that is my dominant hand. Sigh...it has since eased up....how are you in recovery? Any treatment needed?
Great tips...I started to use some bio oil and moisturisers in the underarm as it was puffy and sticky! I think that helped!!
And physio exercises to help keep your movement! I get my partner to help me stretch as it pulls and I stop...but his massages does help me to get full movement back!
