James_UV
8 years agoMember
Pre- and post-mastectomy care plans
Hi all,
My 71-year old mother in America has just been diagnosed with her second, independent case of breast cancer. It luckily appears to be a minor case and is not currently malignant (according to her doctors), but since she underwent lumpectomies and radiation 15 years ago she has decided to undergo a nonreconstructive bilateral mastectomy in early January. She is otherwise fit and in good health.
I am planning to go back to the USA to help dad care for her, and luckily was already scheduled to be going home for Christmas, so I will be with her for more than a week prior to the surgery. My work is very flexible, and I have plenty of leave options to be away for a while, but of course managing inter-continental travel is always a challenge. I will be speaking with Mom soon about what she would like and what her doctor recommends, but I am curious what an average recovery time would be, so that I can start re-arranging my travel plans and notify my work of exactly what I need for leave. I think at the minimum I would want to be present until the drainage tubes are removed, and possibly a week or so after that. So, should I (at least for now) plan to be with her for a month or so post-surgery? I understand that everyone is unique and I will certainly be flexible to what Mom wants, depending on how her surgery and early recover go, but I just want some numbers to plan for.
Thanks for any advice,
James
My 71-year old mother in America has just been diagnosed with her second, independent case of breast cancer. It luckily appears to be a minor case and is not currently malignant (according to her doctors), but since she underwent lumpectomies and radiation 15 years ago she has decided to undergo a nonreconstructive bilateral mastectomy in early January. She is otherwise fit and in good health.
I am planning to go back to the USA to help dad care for her, and luckily was already scheduled to be going home for Christmas, so I will be with her for more than a week prior to the surgery. My work is very flexible, and I have plenty of leave options to be away for a while, but of course managing inter-continental travel is always a challenge. I will be speaking with Mom soon about what she would like and what her doctor recommends, but I am curious what an average recovery time would be, so that I can start re-arranging my travel plans and notify my work of exactly what I need for leave. I think at the minimum I would want to be present until the drainage tubes are removed, and possibly a week or so after that. So, should I (at least for now) plan to be with her for a month or so post-surgery? I understand that everyone is unique and I will certainly be flexible to what Mom wants, depending on how her surgery and early recover go, but I just want some numbers to plan for.
Thanks for any advice,
James