Hi everyone,
It’s 11 days since my right sided mastectomy, SLNB and expandable implant. I’m still very tired and on regular painkillers, but as is common, it’s my armpit where all the pain is. At first the pain was the pectoral muscle which they dissected to cover the implant, but that bruising healed relatively quickly. I was 6 days in hospital - one extra day because the nurses who’d been gathered from other wards and agencies, didn’t follow the correct procedures for monitoring my drains and there was a bit of a panic when they wrote the wrong amount down (making it look like I was haemorrhaging). Fortunately between myself and the BCN we worked out what must have happened but I still had to stay in - just in case. The staffing levels on the ward were downright dangerous but they all worked so hard to keep patients safe, apart from this incident which didn’t actually harm me.
I was in my own room for three days, dosed up on morphine so that was fine. I got up and about as soon as I could stand it because I kept wetting the bed and the bathroom was my goal. Which worked out well as the physio was thrilled and I’m told it greatly speeded my recovery - I had yet another post op chest infection unfortunately, but that was aided by my mobilising early. Also, I was on IV antibiotics anyway due to the implant, which helped my chest too.
Then I was moved to a 4 bed bay with other patients - all kinds of different surgery and one medical patient for several days. We all banded together with a kind of blitz spirit, fetching bedpans and pressing call buzzers for each other. It was easier with other people around but I didn’t get much sleep.
Once the drains were out and I seemed stable I was sent home. I’m only on OTC pain meds and there have been some rough points. I could get strong prescription stuff but that all cause constipation and that’s been a struggle, so I’d rather not. I’m on strict convalescence - no walking more than a couple of minutes, limited guests, no lifting anything heavier than a cup of tea, no driving. I’m told any exercise could cause the wound to seep risking a seroma - which is a problem when you have an implant covered by a reduced amount of skin. Not much stretch at this stage to accommodate a seroma. So I’m having to be very lazy. Also as I have to sleep propped up on my back, with a tight bra on, I’m not getting the best quality sleep. Hence I sleep a lot in the day. I think I’m going to start getting bored soon.
I’m back at the hospital on Thursday and the pressure dressing will be removed. I haven’t seen my new boob yet but I’m told it’ll be very deflated once the swelling has gone down and the pressure dressing removed. Currently it looks like a healthy D cup but I’m warned that’s an illusion. I’m nervous about the dressings being removed because that’s a lot of plasters and you know how horrible it is ripping off plasters. My plastic surgeon says I should consider this breast a work in progress and this is just step one in the reconstruction.
My appointment with the breast unit is 1st December and that’s when I’ll find out if my lymph nodes are clear.
Currently my armpits hurt and the surgical bra has been cutting into my armpits due to the swelling there. I ordered a larger one, but that was too big in the cups and offered no support, so I’m naughtily wearing an ordinary cotton comfort bra whilst supporting my breast with cushions!
