I think I had success

These are the things that helped me before my mastectomy.A mastectomy is surprisingly pain free,however you do have a lot of tightness after surgery.At home,you can put things down on the bench that you would usually reach for,like maybe tea,coffee etc.That way,you can still do some things,but it is so much easier.Maybe a chair in the shower if it fits,for a couple of days,or at least in the bathroom.Shower time for me was very confronting in the beginning,and I had a lot of tears on my plastic bathroom chair!!Also,comfy pillows because in the beginning,you have to sleep sitting up,so it helps if you can prop yourself up.Front opening shirts,or really loose singlets,because it is almost impossible to lift your arms over your head to start with.And the most important thing,when you get exercises to do after surgery,make sure you do them,even though it is hard and uncomfortable.I really think that you save yourself a lot of trouble down the track if you try to do them every day. All the best:) xoxRobyn

It feels like so much has happened in the last 2 months!! I guess it has only been 4 weeks since my WLE... I am going to ask about SNB as I feel it's almost like a bit of security... Given that my mother had IDC and my niece DCIS and IDC - I am just concerned that there is something else they have missed... I also want to ask about genetic testing... My gut tells me that it would probably be negative - but it would provide so much more peace of mind for my daughters and grand daughters... They are the two key things I can think of at the moment other than the details of surgery/ recovery... Is there anything else I should think of? I have been able to remain really detached till now - my analytical brain has been operating - my emotional side is starting to kick in now that it is getting close and it's more "real"... And scary!!!! Tears seem to be a lot closer to the surface now.... I am trying to get lots of cuddles with the grand kids as I am going to have to be really careful after surgery!!! I'm thinking I will make lists and laminate them and put them in appropriate places around the house for hubby... Like step by step instructions for the washing machine... Feel free to suggest stuff... Chris xx

It feels like so much has happened in the last 2 months!! I guess it has only been 4 weeks since my WLE... I am going to ask about SNB as I feel it's almost like a bit of security... Given that my mother had IDC and my niece DCIS and IDC - I am just concerned that there is something else they have missed... I also want to ask about genetic testing... My gut tells me that it would probably be negative - but it would provide so much more peace of mind for my daughters and grand daughters... They are the two key things I can think of at the moment other than the details of surgery/ recovery... Is there anything else I should think of? I have been able to remain really detached till now - my analytical brain has been operating - my emotional side is starting to kick in now that it is getting close and it's more "real"... And scary!!!! Tears seem to be a lot closer to the surface now.... I am trying to get lots of cuddles with the grand kids as I am going to have to be really careful after surgery!!! I'm thinking I will make lists and laminate them and put them in appropriate places around the house for hubby... Like step by step instructions for the washing machine... Feel free to suggest stuff... Chris xx

It feels like so much has happened in the last 2 months!! I guess it has only been 4 weeks since my WLE... I am going to ask about SNB as I feel it's almost like a bit of security... Given that my mother had IDC and my niece DCIS and IDC - I am just concerned that there is something else they have missed... I also want to ask about genetic testing... My gut tells me that it would probably be negative - but it would provide so much more peace of mind for my daughters and grand daughters... They are the two key things I can think of at the moment other than the details of surgery/ recovery... Is there anything else I should think of? I have been able to remain really detached till now - my analytical brain has been operating - my emotional side is starting to kick in now that it is getting close and it's more "real"... And scary!!!! Tears seem to be a lot closer to the surface now.... I am trying to get lots of cuddles with the grand kids as I am going to have to be really careful after surgery!!! I'm thinking I will make lists and laminate them and put them in appropriate places around the house for hubby... Like step by step instructions for the washing machine... Feel free to suggest stuff... Chris xx

Really glad things are working out as you had hoped.

Paula x

Hi Chris,

You certainly are having a rollercoaster ride.  That's a good result to get an appointment so quickly.  Good on you for being so proactive.  It still gives you time to make a list of questions to take with you.  Are you able to take someone with you to write out the answers?

On the top of your list should be the question of a sentinel node biopsy.  As you previously pointed out, if it hasn't been done before mastectomy, then not possilble after.   I'm not a medical expert - but seems to be alot of information out in cyberspace that recommends this action. 

Don't stress too much about the gap between surgeries - my first WLE was 9th Dec 13, 2nd on 18th Dec 13 and mastectomy/reconstruction not until 10th Feb 14 - two months between first and last surgery. After each clinic appointment, the ops were scheduled between only a couple of days later to 3 weeks later.  It's good to have time to prepare for the surgery both materially (all those bits & pieces you need while you're stuck in a hospital bed for a least a week if not more) and mentally.

take care

Linda