Feeling a bit anxious about surgery for mastectomy (R) this wednesday--had 6 lots of chemo already and way too much time to think about surgery--also having axillary dissection. Would really appreciate any feedback from anyone who has been through this--any coping strategies both physically & emotionally---love to hear from others just for support.
Hi Suzie,
Like the others, the mastectomy was not as bad as you may think it might be.I did not have much pain. I had mine in June but have still not got good movement range in my arm due to axillary clearance, so my advice would be to try and do your exercises as soon as you are allowed to as I think I may have left it too long.
Also I am still plagued by pain in the drain site. The nurse just yanked it out and it was soooo painful. So I suggest that you ask for painkillers before they do this.
Good Luck with your recovery!
Julia
Hi SuzieP,
Welcome! It's great to see you took the plunge and shared your first blog post
You have my number but just shout if you need help to find your way around or visit the help section of the website: http://www.bcna.org.au/help
Wishing you the best of luck for your surgery tomorrow.
Cheers, Daina
You poor thing having all that time to dwell on surgery.But I think you'll find it's not as physically hard on you as chemo.I've had breast cancer twice-in the same breast.The first time was in 2003 when I had a lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation.It came back 7 years later in the same spot so had to have a mastectomy and then chemo and am on Tamoxifen.With the surgery you have pain for about 3 days but it's tolerable with pain killers.I think the aux clearance is more painful than the mastectomy.It can take awhile to get full movement back in your arm.You'll have a drain in for about a week and that will drive you nuts cos you have to carry it around.I was driving and back at work after about 4 weeks.I kept getting a fluid collection under my scar(seroma)which had to be syringed off twice a week for 5 weeks- it's not uncommon.When I first saw my mastectomy scar I was surprisingly ok, but I was on painkillers-that helps.You can't really wear a bra for a few weeks so I wore very loose shirts with vests or scarves.After 6 weeks I got fitted for a prosthesis and I felt soooo much better.When I'm dressed you'd never know.I still find it abit hard looking at my lopsided chest in the mirror.I don't do naked anymore.I've had to "doctor"alot of my clothes cos I can't wear low necklines.It is an adjustment but over time you get used to it. We can always have reconstruction later but for now,I couldn't face anymore surgery. I am happy to answer any questions you might have and if I can't then there is bound to be someone here who can. So many lovely ladies on this site who have been through or are going through breast cancer treatments.We all support each other here. All the best for Wednesday and let us know how it all goes.
Tonya xx
You poor thing having all that time to dwell on surgery.But I think you'll find it's not as physically hard on you as chemo.I've had breast cancer twice-in the same breast.The first time was in 2003 when I had a lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation.It came back 7 years later in the same spot so had to have a mastectomy and then chemo and am on Tamoxifen.With the surgery you have pain for about 3 days but it's tolerable with pain killers.I think the aux clearance is more painful than the mastectomy.It can take awhile to get full movement back in your arm.You'll have a drain in for about a week and that will drive you nuts cos you have to carry it around.I was driving and back at work after about 4 weeks.I kept getting a fluid collection under my scar(seroma)which had to be syringed off twice a week for 5 weeks- it's not uncommon.When I first saw my mastectomy scar I was surprisingly ok, but I was on painkillers-that helps.You can't really wear a bra for a few weeks so I wore very loose shirts with vests or scarves.After 6 weeks I got fitted for a prosthesis and I felt soooo much better.When I'm dressed you'd never know.I still find it abit hard looking at my lopsided chest in the mirror.I don't do naked anymore.I've had to "doctor"alot of my clothes cos I can't wear low necklines.It is an adjustment but over time you get used to it. We can always have reconstruction later but for now,I couldn't face anymore surgery. I am happy to answer any questions you might have and if I can't then there is bound to be someone here who can. So many lovely ladies on this site who have been through or are going through breast cancer treatments.We all support each other here. All the best for Wednesday and let us know how it all goes.
Tonya xx
