Surgery is on Monday
Hi all, I'm new here, having been diagnosed 3 weeks ago. And what a rollercoaster it's been! So comforting to have this amazing support network of those who have been through all of this before me. T...
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Dear @MrsMercury
Welcome, best wishes for your forthcoming surgery. I had a mastectomy too and managed a shower the next day. The bandages were fine, just avoided getting water directly on them, the problem was the drains. I had two and they are remarkably easy to trip over! So watch your feet. Depending on your arm mobility, you may need assistance with shampooing for a week or so. I had excellent mobility (axillary clearance) and was fine but you may be advised not to lift your arm above your shoulder level for a while. If you can, you might want to get your hair cut very short (no 3 clippers for me) instead of shaving so you can deal with things a bit more one at a time. Very short hair falling out is less messy and upsetting. I found recovery from the mastectomy quite straightforward - my hospital supplied a soft pad for my bra so I could walk out looking much the same as I walked in. I haven’t gone for reconstruction so can’t advise on that but many people here can and there is a special thread on reconstruction if you would like more information. Chemo is a bit of unknown territory until you have started - it can be hard but it can also be much better than feared. Best wishes.
Welcome, best wishes for your forthcoming surgery. I had a mastectomy too and managed a shower the next day. The bandages were fine, just avoided getting water directly on them, the problem was the drains. I had two and they are remarkably easy to trip over! So watch your feet. Depending on your arm mobility, you may need assistance with shampooing for a week or so. I had excellent mobility (axillary clearance) and was fine but you may be advised not to lift your arm above your shoulder level for a while. If you can, you might want to get your hair cut very short (no 3 clippers for me) instead of shaving so you can deal with things a bit more one at a time. Very short hair falling out is less messy and upsetting. I found recovery from the mastectomy quite straightforward - my hospital supplied a soft pad for my bra so I could walk out looking much the same as I walked in. I haven’t gone for reconstruction so can’t advise on that but many people here can and there is a special thread on reconstruction if you would like more information. Chemo is a bit of unknown territory until you have started - it can be hard but it can also be much better than feared. Best wishes.