New year surgery

Thanks Robyn & ladies your advice is very helpful & I'm feeling much more confident about my surgery! X

Hi Robyn,

Thank You for talking about your experience.  Its very reassuring to hear how you coped as I feel i am coping well to this point, but having the mastectomy seems to be a very big deal! I will be glad when its all over as it is one more step to recovery.  Its good to hear from women who are going through treatment at present as the only women I have spoken to have finished treatment.

Lyn

I was out of hospital on 13.11.13, flew home that afternoon and attended my daughter's Graduation the following day. I was fine and haven't looked back since. The surgeon kept me in hospital until both my drains were removed. I suppose it's only natural, but I seem to worry about each step and when I get there, I find it isn't nearly as bad as I've conjured it up to be!!! Despite this, thankfully, I really do feel very positive. I hope you do, too.

Thanks Tazza for your advice & all the best for your chemo - I have at least finished all that side of it & that's really not all that bad either - so all the best

Hi Andir,

I am having a left mastectomy and some nodes removed on the 13th so am in similar situation to you.  I am feeling similar emtions to you and found the comments from Deanne to be really positive and reassuring.  Thanks Deanne and thanks Andir for being so honest.

 

 

Thanks Deanne, sounds like you're doing really well& I'm hoping it won't be as bad as I'm imagining. My nurse was arranging my berlei bra etc so it shld be there for me, which will be good. Hope you have a fantastic 2014 x

I had a left mastectomy back in May. I was surprised at how 'neat' the area looked when I woke up from surgery. I had a fair bit of swelling for a while so I almost felt like I still had a breast as the tape dressing covered where my nipple should have been. I was amazed at how little pain I had also. Have you received your free Berlei bra and soft padding that the breast care nurse can organize for you? You can't wear this straight away due to drains etc but it helps you to look 'normal' in clothing once you start to recover and have drains removed. I wore singlets and loose button up shirts for the first week or so, then crop top bras (Aah Bras are perfect) with a bit of padding. I honestly do not feel like a 'freak' and most of the time hardly give it a thought once I am up and dressed. I am sure no one can tell just looking at me. I wear little singlet tops with a shelf bra to bed and pop my 'padding' in when I get up so I feel and look balanced. It is natural to be worried about how you will look and feel but it really is not as bad as you might imagine. Hope it all goes well. Take care. Deanne xxx