Mastectomy

Surgery apart from being nerve racking waiting for it to get started it isn't that bad. Take your bag for the drains to hospital with you and the little pillow for under your arm. I found the pillow to be a nice little comfort as I was terrified of halls and doorways that I might bump myself on that side.

I was released the next day and looked a million bux while I still had the painkilling hospital drugs in my veins but those wear off and I only had Nurofen and Panadol to take at home which almost didn't quite cut it for me. Sleeping was the worst for me as it was operated on the side that I usually lay on to sleep.

I have another op coming up Monday week for a auxiliary node clearance so this time I think I will get a script for something a bit stronger in pain killing to take home. It didn't help that the op is the same side as my main writing and do everything hand either.

I mostly showered with my back to the water and tried not to wet the operated side too much. When I got out I used Wet Ones antibacterial wipes to swap around the site and under my armpits.

Little tip for the bathroom, use a smaller towel not a huge bath sheet as you are going to be doing things one handed. Also put a seat in there to sit on for putting pants on while holding the drain bag out of the way. Hang the towel on a lower rack as it will be difficult hanging up on a high one with one hand.

In terms of the oedema thing they warn you of, I met a nurse today who knew quite a bit about it and said its not as common as you imagine with various ratings of affect. She told me to do my exercises they tell you to do and don't try to do too much too quick and I should be fine.