Freaking out about Mastectomy
Hi Everyone, So, My surgery is booked for 27th March, which is next
Monday. I had no choice, Right mastectomy. The surgeon suggested immediate recon with air inflatable tissue
expander to be repl...
Forum Discussion
Hey Vallerina,
I too went into shock when I was diagnosed, and just three weeks later had a left mastectomy and sentinel node removal. But you know, when I woke up despite the fact I thought I might freak out, I was relieved. In a bit of pain, but okay.
We all go through this, and I arranged for a mental health care plan from my GP and saw a psychiatrist before and after surgery. It really helped!!! And you now have available to you breast care nurses, and social workers, so reach out and go chat. they understand what you are going through.
I'm going to Bluesfest too (just finished chemo!!!) but am staying in an Airbnb house in the hinterland with friends.
I think perhaps you should reconsider the camping component ...
Mind you, this is just my opinion, but what happens after the surgery is that you are sore and if you are like me, you may require seroma drainage...
Seroma is a fluid the body creates to fill empty spaces created by surgery, and mine were where the lymph nodes had been, and I needed ultrasound-guided drainage every 3-5 days for a seven weeks after surgery - it would get swollen and really tight and sore.
I had my surgery in Adelaide Sept 6, and then traveled to Sydney October 1 for a week and then onto Port Macquarie October 8. I had to go to either a clinic where they have an ultrasound machine or the emergency department of the hospital and get drained in all three locations... so you can travel and do things, but you will have a lot less energy and be very tender, and (if you're like me) a bit teary.
You need a safe dry comfortable bed when that is going on. You certainly may need to rest a bit more than usual.
I'd also request a letter from your GP to carry with you, explaining the dates of your surgeries and the likelihood that you'll need ultra-sound seroma drainage, as you may need to present to emergency to get the seroma drainage done while the festival is on. So familiarize yourself with the local hospitals - call up in advance and ask if they can do 'ultra-sound seroma drainage' at Mullumbimby and Byron Bay.
I'd say find an ultrasound clinic too where they can do this, but the festival is mainly over the weekend, so that may be redundant info.
You could also get drained right before you head to Byron which will hold you over for a few days, and if you're lucky the full five days.
So you know - after the surgery I found my side was numb as they cut surface nerves so the drainage with a big needle didn;t actually hurt at all.
And now, eight months later - I am about to start swimming again once my immune system recovers.
Ask them for exercises to do after surgery which helps maintain flexibility, and to tell you about 'cording' too and what to watch out for.
Hope to see you in Byron! and please know - I do understand and what you are feeling - it's completely normal. Do please ask for professional emotional help, as it gives you clarity, and good information plus it also relieves your family and friends from needing to be your only help, when they too are adjusting to the news and impact.
This is a long journey, and help is all around you.
Bug hugs,
Karen B
I too went into shock when I was diagnosed, and just three weeks later had a left mastectomy and sentinel node removal. But you know, when I woke up despite the fact I thought I might freak out, I was relieved. In a bit of pain, but okay.
We all go through this, and I arranged for a mental health care plan from my GP and saw a psychiatrist before and after surgery. It really helped!!! And you now have available to you breast care nurses, and social workers, so reach out and go chat. they understand what you are going through.
I'm going to Bluesfest too (just finished chemo!!!) but am staying in an Airbnb house in the hinterland with friends.
I think perhaps you should reconsider the camping component ...
Mind you, this is just my opinion, but what happens after the surgery is that you are sore and if you are like me, you may require seroma drainage...
Seroma is a fluid the body creates to fill empty spaces created by surgery, and mine were where the lymph nodes had been, and I needed ultrasound-guided drainage every 3-5 days for a seven weeks after surgery - it would get swollen and really tight and sore.
I had my surgery in Adelaide Sept 6, and then traveled to Sydney October 1 for a week and then onto Port Macquarie October 8. I had to go to either a clinic where they have an ultrasound machine or the emergency department of the hospital and get drained in all three locations... so you can travel and do things, but you will have a lot less energy and be very tender, and (if you're like me) a bit teary.
You need a safe dry comfortable bed when that is going on. You certainly may need to rest a bit more than usual.
I'd also request a letter from your GP to carry with you, explaining the dates of your surgeries and the likelihood that you'll need ultra-sound seroma drainage, as you may need to present to emergency to get the seroma drainage done while the festival is on. So familiarize yourself with the local hospitals - call up in advance and ask if they can do 'ultra-sound seroma drainage' at Mullumbimby and Byron Bay.
I'd say find an ultrasound clinic too where they can do this, but the festival is mainly over the weekend, so that may be redundant info.
You could also get drained right before you head to Byron which will hold you over for a few days, and if you're lucky the full five days.
So you know - after the surgery I found my side was numb as they cut surface nerves so the drainage with a big needle didn;t actually hurt at all.
And now, eight months later - I am about to start swimming again once my immune system recovers.
Ask them for exercises to do after surgery which helps maintain flexibility, and to tell you about 'cording' too and what to watch out for.
Hope to see you in Byron! and please know - I do understand and what you are feeling - it's completely normal. Do please ask for professional emotional help, as it gives you clarity, and good information plus it also relieves your family and friends from needing to be your only help, when they too are adjusting to the news and impact.
This is a long journey, and help is all around you.
Bug hugs,
Karen B