Home Care after Mastectomy.

Great advice ladies, thank you.

The lovely Robyn has been in touch and has offered very kindly to call in on me as we live quite close and this offer is very much appreciated.

I have also contacted my clinic for a review of my case/file as there seems to be a CT or MRI scan that wasn't read in early December and their decision for me  to have a Mastectomy was thrown at me on Friday after their group meeting.

I felt helpless and in shock at the sudden change of treatment hence my need to take control and make contact through this network. 

A meeting has now been arranged with the Surgeon, whom I have never met, and a Breast Care Nurse for Friday this week as a result of sending a long email late last night. outlining my concerns relating to miscommunication regarding my diagnosis.

I have been sent plenty of  printed nformation but I was reading it with regards to HT and surgery for July/August this year.

I believe I will be having the Mastectomy in the first week of February but this will be confirmed on Friday.

Thank you again for such wonderful positive information. 

I will now concentrate on my work as a gardener, spring clean my flat and organise all my items so they are on the right level, including the tea caddy! 

The hardest part for me will be staying indoors during the day, 

Thanks.

Great advice ladies, thank you.

The lovely Robyn has been in touch and has offered very kindly to call in on me as we live quite close and this offer is very much appreciated.

I have also contacted my clinic for a review of my case/file as there seems to be a CT or MRI scan that wasn't read in early December and their decision for me  to have a Mastectomy was thrown at me on Friday after their group meeting.

I felt helpless and in shock at the sudden change of treatment hence my need to take control and make contact through this network. 

A meeting has now been arranged with the Surgeon, whom I have never met, and a Breast Care Nurse for Friday this week as a result of sending a long email late last night. outlining my concerns relating to miscommunication regarding my diagnosis.

I have been sent plenty of  printed nformation but I was reading it with regards to HT and surgery for July/August this year.

I believe I will be having the Mastectomy in the first week of February but this will be confirmed on Friday.

Thank you again for such wonderful positive information. 

I will now concentrate on my work as a gardener, spring clean my flat and organise all my items so they are on the right level, including the tea caddy! 

The hardest part for me will be staying indoors during the day, 

Thanks.

My advice based on experience is not  wait until you're in hospital & speaking to a  community liaison nurse, re a Discharge Plan.

For people who are living on their own, with not a lot of room for flexible allocation of help when you get home.... we need to know the array of options BEFORE we go into hosptial, so we can plan ahead and also know the 'technical' language of the support & who does it,  for when we are discussing a Discharge Plan while we are about to leave hospital.  Not only is that more efficient but it cuts down on stress.

I've noticed a disrepancy in 'knowledge preparation' between what was made available to cardiac patients and what was available to breast cancer patients.  The comprehensive pre-admission cardiac information  booklet  covered the practicalities of being at home post-surgery as much as it did the details of the surgery & immediate aftermath.  It even specifically referred to those people who live alone & the options they might need to take up,  in terms of home support services.   None of that detail was mentioned in the breast cancer pre-admission info booklets.

Which is why I say I was fortunate to have the cardiac experience before the breast cancer mastectomy.  I was able to talk with the excellent breast nurse... & also the surgeon.... about what I might need BEFORE being admitted.   When the community liaison nurse called to see me in hospital following breast surgery, it was easy to slot in actual services based on how I'd responded to surgery.

Fortunately, two of the best sources of information are this BCNA forum and the service offered by the Cancer Council, where they match you, on request, with another breast cancer patient who's already been through your present circumstances.  I was matched with a woman from Melbourne who'd gone thro' all treatment levels while living alone.  (This support is done via phone calls.)  She was a treasure in support, information & inspiration.

I am going to message you using the private message.

Hello Nay

I am a bit late reading your post and the other ladies have probably answered all your questions but this may help.

Before leaving hospital the 'Discharge Planner' will speak with you re where you live, who with etc.  He/she will be able to arrange the home help from the local council/shire to do the basic chores if you are unable to do things yourself.  He/she will also be able to arrange for the district nurse to come and assist you with the drains if you go home with them in place as I did.  Whilst this is not necessary it would certainly set your mind at rest to know they will check the wound and the amount in the bag.  The cost of home help and district nursing is minimal.

If you feel things are not being done for you please ask to see the Breast Care Nurse and/or Social Worker BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOSPITAL and they can assist with same.

As Robyn says, if you place things at a decent height you will be OK.  (Robyn was my source of info when I needed it - thank you Robyn).  I had three surgeries due to problems and spent 7 nights in hospital, coming home with the drainage bag for a further 5 days but I found the worst problem was getting up to do something and forgetting to take my bag with me - it reminded me, though !

If you feel you may be at risk or too isolated please contact a local church or other group and see if they have a visiting service who can check up on you.  If you have complications the Breast Care Nurse would certainly be able to assist with that as well.

Hope all goes OK for you - keep in touch.

Summer  :-)

Hello Nay

I am a bit late reading your post and the other ladies have probably answered all your questions but this may help.

Before leaving hospital the 'Discharge Planner' will speak with you re where you live, who with etc.  He/she will be able to arrange the home help from the local council/shire to do the basic chores if you are unable to do things yourself.  He/she will also be able to arrange for the district nurse to come and assist you with the drains if you go home with them in place as I did.  Whilst this is not necessary it would certainly set your mind at rest to know they will check the wound and the amount in the bag.  The cost of home help and district nursing is minimal.

If you feel things are not being done for you please ask to see the Breast Care Nurse and/or Social Worker BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOSPITAL and they can assist with same.

As Robyn says, if you place things at a decent height you will be OK.  (Robyn was my source of info when I needed it - thank you Robyn).  I had three surgeries due to problems and spent 7 nights in hospital, coming home with the drainage bag for a further 5 days but I found the worst problem was getting up to do something and forgetting to take my bag with me - it reminded me, though !

If you feel you may be at risk or too isolated please contact a local church or other group and see if they have a visiting service who can check up on you.  If you have complications the Breast Care Nurse would certainly be able to assist with that as well.

Hope all goes OK for you - keep in touch.

Summer  :-)