Mastectomy without reconstruction and lymph node removal- Any advice please?

Hi Sam,

You sound as if you are doing brilliantly and you still sound so positive which makes me feel better. I hope I'm doing as well as you this time next week.

Take care and take it easy x

Glad it all went well Lesley I am more than 2 weeks post op and able to get out for 40mins walks. Dont have any pain from op. Like you having to stop myself doing too much as previously cycling everywhere for work and playing lots of tennis which i am not allowed to do at the moment. 

Its nice when the dressings are removed and you can shower with ease . Amazing what little things make a difference . 

Look after yourself 

Xxx

I was ok for showering as I had waterproof dressings.  I couldn't do 40 minute walks before the op so I doubt I could do them now lol. 

The chemotherapy side effects hospitalised me 4 times with sickness the chemo was ok in itself just the side effects numbness n coldness etc

im trying not to think about it it’s the after the op I can’t get my head around especially as I am big busted so having one big one and none I wanted them to take both away but with COVID they won’t 

Sorry to hear you had trouble with the side effects. That can't have been good. No I can't get my head around it either. It's such a shock every time I realise it's all happening to me. Take care x

I was worried about sleeping with the drain but actually it was much easier than I expected. Drains are a nuisance though, but I had a lot of seroma, which continued to build up for a week or two after the drain came out, so I needed it!

Hi,

Thanks for your reply and advice. Hope you're doing ok.

Lolly P, yep doing great ta, managed to bust out of hospital (they tired of me quite quickly) and am happy to be home being waited on hand & foot.  Yep am uncomfortable  at times and sleep is not what it used to be but am quite mobile and able to bark instructions at the help so who can ask for more eh? 

The medical staff agree with my observations that a positive attitude aids recovery and that's what I'll put mine down to, so you'll be just fine too...and hopefully annoying people (if that's also your thing, it definitely is mine) in no time.

one thing my plastic surgeon did make a point of saying was SLOW DOWN! Can't imagine why he thought he had to tell me that!!??? So take it easy and best of luck for the 17th, you're sandwiched between my zolodex shot and removal of the bandages that adorn Babs frankenboob and where the magician tried sawing me in half.

X

Hi 

  This my way of coping so far.. Positive attitude helps coupled with a bit of denial thinking about what you can do not what you cant.

So far  in this journey just being myself has also helped  not trying  to be brave not trying  be anything. Crying when i  feel like it and accepting it and being selfish. My whole life i have just thought of everyone else and how they feel as do most mothers so this hasn't come easy. But it does help. i guess this is difficult if you have young children.

The other thing that has helped which you cant always do is switch your phone off  all those well wishers asking how i felt just made me stressed so i will now  only answer those messages at a certain time each day. That really helped me. Hope it might be of benefit to others.

Xx

Hi,

Thank you so much for your advice. At the moment I feel as if I'll never get through it and I won't be able to cope but hearing that other people have makes me think I can too.

Take care and keep doing well x