Hi ladies, tomorrow I go in for mastectomy and axillary clearance. I'm first up in the morning so at least won't be waiting long. Any tips are welcome. How much pain are you in when you wake up. I'm feeling very anxious as I've never had an operation before. Thanks in advance.

Good luck. There is pain, but the armpit is worse than the boob and the drains are worse than the armpit. It passes. Once those drains come out, life gets better pretty quickly. I'm a great fan of all varieties of pain relief, so I'm probably not the best person to advise you on that (I'd say take everything they offer you, which is a bit naughty if you don't really need it)It's possible you may feel ill and disoriented immediately after your surgery, that also passes. People will ask you all sorts of irritating questions and bother you at odd hours, I'd like to say passes too, but, unfortunately they won't bloody stop. It may all be necessary, but it's terribly annoying. You've come this far, you will cope. BTW, my best advice if you are going to be in there for a couple of days is take a thermo mug and your own teabags/coffee and a couple of treats for yourself. Hot drinks in hospitals are generally shite, be prepared. Marg xxx

Thanks @Zoffiel, I'm prepared for the shit food and coffee thanks to my stay in hospital last year from heart attack and the annoying questions and obs. I'm more scared of the pain factor being such a wuss lol.

Good luck. Just think physical pain passes and just take whats on offer for relief. You can do this.

Thanks @Shorelle, I really got no choice in the matter lol.

My best advice I can give is try and relax, take a deep breath and put faith in the surgeon. I had a watery eye as I lay on the bed in the holding bay listening to the lady next to me rattle off all her ailments and medications. I started to think what am I doing here! Anyhow I closed my eyes, refused a tissue to wipe away the tear as I wouldn't let it drop and relaxed myself as I knew Prof was going to do a damned good job, after all he'd just finished drawing on my chest and he did! I woke, thank goodness!! feeling ok with a nurse asking what I felt were dumb questions hence you have to be careful how you answer otherwise you can get them off side. I found the pain and discomfort soon eased and I only needed Panadol but we are all different in the way we react. Best wishes, willing you along to a speedy recovery

mastectomy tomorrow | BCNA Online Network

LMK74
Member
8 years ago
Hi @Kat09, thanks for the well wishes. I'm home now and have unpacked everything.I'm not in too much pain atm ,just taking panadol. Endone on hand if needed. It's a relief the surgery is over. Will take time to adjust to the look of it all. One step at a time.
Kat09
Member
8 years ago
Hi Lisa, thinking of you and so glad to hear that you're doing well albeit a little tired and battered. I think the emotional part of things sneaks up on us. You've been through a massive year or actually couple of years , let yourself have a good cry. Being home will make things feel a bit better, I hope that you have some friends that will be there for you to help.
Kat xx
LMK74
Member
8 years ago
Thanks marg. Discharge this afternoon.
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
You are a trooper, Lisa. Going home is the next hurdle. It can be hard to go from full on care to your own space. For me, that has always seemed to happen on a weekend or holiday of some sort where you can feel a bit abandoned and uncertain and no-one is available. Set yourself with as many contingency plans as you can--hopefully you will be fine, but please get a few fall backs in place in case you need them.
When you are discharged please get copies of all your tests and reports--if you do need help make sure you have the whole shebang at your fingertips. It's all about you, never lose sight of that.
Well done. Marg xxxx
Romla
Member
8 years ago
Understand @LMK74 - have had 3 GA this year - 2 for bc ops.Its ok to be tired - allow yourself rest any opportunity you get most things can wait - lets others pick up as much of the load as you can.When you are ready may be think about a bc support group or bc activity like Encore provided by YW CA to meet others - this is a wonderful site but also wonderful to see someone you know has bc doing normal stuff around your area and having the occasional chat in the supermarket - made me realise life goes on and so would I.
LMK74
Member
8 years ago
Thank you both ladies.
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago
It is a huge trauma, emotionally, to have a mastectomy. Fatigue and how the, what the, did I get into this predicament dominate thoughts! Be kind to yourself! Take care xx
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
@LMK74 it isn't easy, I think you need to give yourself some time and be gentle with yourself. I had a hard time leading into my Mastectomy but I had immediate diep flap recon so was a massive surgery so didnt have the feeling of it completely gone, it was just different. The other thing my Surgeon said too, there is such a thing as post op depression that can hit, not everyone but it does and he sees it disappear after about 10 days. Lots of things to take in. Take your time xx Melinda
LMK74
Member
8 years ago
@nonkyboy, thank you. I'm feeling very tearful tonight. Didn't think id hate having no boob this much.
nonkyboy
Member
8 years ago
Happy to see you on the other side of the op and coping ok. Sending you healing vibes for a great recovery x Lesley