Surgery

Northerner I've tagged you as you give great advice to ladies preparing for mastectomy and I can see hasn't had any responses.  

Thanks Grogg

Hi V  ,welcome to the community we know you'd rather not be a member but it's the best club to belong to for support and answers .

If you click on my Name you will be able to read my profile where you will see I had right side Masectomy with sentinel node . Ultra sound had not seen any cancer in nodes so they removed 3/4 they were found to be clear so no spread .

The point you are at now is 8 days to op the same point I was at when I received my diagnosis . Yes that's right 8 days after diagnosis I had mastectomy . 

The reason I have  mentioned this is because to be honest I believe you have already got the worst over with . My chemo was after op and in comparison it was a doddle ....I know you don't believe me but it will surprise you how much your imagination has built this up .

On the morning of my op I had gone into overly calm mode ( still didn't quite believe what a rollercoaster I was on ) The routine at my hospital was injection in boob first ..dye / tag . Just a sharp prick as they say . Was asked if I had allergy to plaster my response was does it matter boob coming off in half hour  

I took magazine and iPad to occupy me whilst waiting in little room . Was escorted down the corridor with a chirpy porter and handed over to pre surgery staff . Then went to sleep .

In my hospital you are given a nerve blocker along with the anaesthetic.

Once back in ward and awake I realised that it was discomfort not pain that I was feeling not the horror story I was expecting .At that point my advice would be check your wound area just a quick peep to reassure you it'll most prob be covered anyway but it stops the looking becoming a nightmare in your head .

so in part that is my story but what I want you to know is .

Reality is not as bad as your imagination .

stuff to take to hospital they may have given you a list but something to occupy you prior book magazine etc ( I took iPad but it was pre covid  so hubby took it home ) 

Front fastening tops for ease of access and dressing to come home 

A bra like you I'm well endowed so the very reasonably priced post surgery bras in asda didn't fit . I used M& S then but now use Nicola Jane on line they have a good selection I think they also have an on line fit service . 

One thing that is really useful are bra extenders so you can wear your normal size but expand the band ( online ) 

I had been given my softie before op which fitted in pocket quite nicely ,but believe me nobody will notice if you don't bother with softie just put loose top on .

Wearing bra did not hurt nerve blocker plus as Many painkillers as they wished to give me Although it was mainly discomfort I did keep painkiller topped up .I wore bra every day from about day 4/5  some days less than others 

If you haven't already got one purchase a V pillow you can get them everywhere they are a great help when sitting for support .

More importantly when you go to bed and need to be on your back they are a godsend .

I also had a small heart shape pillow from macmillon at my hospital for underarm and in car against seat belt .They also provided a small material shoulder bag for drain . 

Again the drain is a nusiance but not as bad as you think it would be it's a long tube to bottle so bottle sits next to bed or chair . Remember even in your sleep your subconscious will keep you on back most of time .The main problem I had apart from forgetting it was there was going to loo and getting wrapped up in it . 

Dont forget to do exercises they really do help .

Some other things I found useful were dry shampoo  and water wipes both of which I used to freshen up .

After six weeks I received  my prosthesis which I named Clarissa. She is just part of my dressing routine and nobody can tell the difference which can be funny in the beginning as you can see peop trying not to look lol My humour is such that I would ask if they had met Clarissa.

I gone on quite long enough now I'm sure if you gave any questions feel free to ask someone will always come on to answer and support .

I spent the time cooking and freezing meals ready for when I was back home 

best wishes for op 

Wonderful reply & advice xx

Yep can’t add to that, great post Margaret! x

Hope you ok and are more settled about op 

Thanks so much for your reply you have definitely put my mind at ease especially re bras etc. I’m only in for day surgery so hopefully home by the evening. Our local hospital is sending all mastectomy cases to our local private Nuffield hospital I know I’m having the injection at 10 then off to the Nuffield.I’ll be glad to have the mastectomy and get this part over and onto recovery. Once again thanks so much for your reply. Viv x

Thanks Margaret much more at ease now xx