Just want to say good luck with your last Paclitaxel on Wednesday. I'm now 5 weeks since having my last one and almost feeling normal! Coffee still doesn't smell like coffee though!?!
I had surgery in January ( bilateral mastectomy). I ordered some post surgery bras from Asda on line. They come in a pack of 2. I found them very comfortable and are front fastening with hooks and eyes. There are 2 rows to enable you to tighten/loosen. They are a sports bra style.
I started to feel better quite quickly after the final Paclitaxel. Although not back to normal my stomach and energy improved faster than I expected and I feel more human. Back to my fave Chinese restaurant food already! Hope that’s so for you. From the stories here I think a short gap to surgery is normal to maximise the benefits of chemo. The idea of surgery terrified me and I was very stressed making the decisions about it. Once I decided what to opt for it was much easier. My lumpectomy was not difficult to cope with. I had a bad week or so with a seroma, a collection of fluid around the wound, which was uncomfortable and made me tired, but it was fine after the nurses drained it. This was in April. Adjusting to my new shape is ongoing but it isn’t as bad as I thought. Everyone reacts differently but the forum will be able to answer any questions you have. There is so much experience here. You can search for key words using the magnifying glass in the green banner at the top of the page, and you can choose which parts of the site you want to search. I’ve used it often. The posts go back years and some of them may be out of date so you have to keep an eye on that. I’ve always wondered why there is no monthly ‘surgery’ thread. Sounds like a good idea. I’ll be thinking of you on Wednesday. xx
Hi BelleStar, wish I had sorted post surgery bras pre surgery. I'm 11 days post surgery now. Initially no energy at all, certainly not to shop. It's only today I've worn a bra as been rather tender. Used a big sports bra I already had. On the community I've come across suggestions of: Sainsbury's, MandS and Nicola Jane. Sainsbury's nice and cheap going to investigate further. M and S will guide you as always re bras so probably worth a visit. Nicola Jane I found on line but looks rather pricy!!
I had a SMX. Got a knitted knocker...Google it. Also Google Jens Friends... Got a heart shaped cushion... Absolute joy. Didn't leave my side. Had really helped in the comfort stakes.
Yes, got answers to my questions... People are sooo helpful it's fantastic.
I had a 6 week gap between chemo and surgery... Awaiting histology result before radiotherapy.
CoffeeFiend - human is a start, and a big improvement on what I am right now! I think interest in Chinese food should be listed as one of the recovery stages - a clear sign everything is absolutely okay! Thanks for the surgery info – sorry you had trouble with fluid - must seem such a long time ago now. It's amazing what we dread, go through and recover from. Friends are trying to work out what sort of support I might need immediately afterwards and for how long so I will use that magnifying glass and get reading. Thanks again X
Hi Iblodwin, thanks for those recommendations, I'll check them out. I don't have any sports bras and nothing front-opening. The hospital team has never touched on practical support so if it wasn't for this forum and advice from people like you I don't know what I'd do. Big thanks again. I hope the tenderness goes away fast and you get your energy back. The 6 week gap is what I was initially told to expect. Have they said how long it will be before RT? Obviously I'm off now to google knitted knockers XX
Waiting on histology results... hopefully Wednesday next week. Then decisions from there re radiotherapy.
For the first few days after surgery I needed someone around just to wait on me hand and foot. Provide and serve food and drinks. But I was able to move around the house, go up and down stairs. You just don't feel like doing anything. Nice to have company too.
BelleStar, I have been wearing Sainsbury's sports bras since surgery in January. They are very soft and comfy. I had mastectomy and reconstruction on the right side and a reduction on the left so both sides were sore and tender. I sleep in the same type of bra. I am now 34D and the large is roomy and comfy.
I ordered loads of different ones but scrapped them all for different reasons.
It depends what surgery you have. I was told for a lumpectomy to avoid underwires but front opening bras etc were only needed for mastectomy. I am using vercella vita bras (the ones with adjustable straps) and they’ve been perfect for me as I’m on the large side. I coped without help post lumpectomy. It’s day surgery but my hospital kept me in overnight because I live alone and because of pandemic restrictions at that time I couldn’t ask anyone to stay. Other than that I was on my own shielding at home and it was fine. This was pre chemo so I didn’t have residual chemo symptoms to deal with. That will add to the challenge for you. I did make and freeze meals beforehand so I didn’t have to cook. You have to avoid lifting anything heavy for a while so it’s a good idea to get non perishable shopping in to cover a few weeks. I had one foci of 6.5cm of DCIS removed and the 7mm tumour and had very little bruising. I needed the maximum paracetamol and ibuprofen for a week and then reduced it. The wounds were uncomfortable but I was never in serious pain. I felt fine to go back to work after 3 weeks. Mastectomy is a bigger op and there are lots of friends here who can tell you about it. xx
That’s good advise Coffefiend. I like you, had lumpectomy of a similar size lump. I found sports bras the best as they are very supportive, wide strapped and generally not under wired. Most of mine are from M&S and tried some on in the shop and then purchased on line. They have been brilliant and am not sure would go back to “normal” bras now!
I am now out of isolation post Covid but have been left with an irritating cough. To be fair I had it as a side effect with EC as well so think that may be a weakness on my part.
