Good morning Ladies, I am having a left mastectomy and auxiliary node clearance today at the QEH in Adelaide. I am just wondering if anyone can give me any tips or advice following surgery for the best way to move forward physically and emotionally. How did you cope moving forward emotionally? How did you dress, shower, sleep etc? Thank you in advance for any information or support you give, I really appreciate it. Sorry if it is a sensitive issue to some. . Much love, Tameika

Good morning @Peacefuldove...best of my wishes for your surgery today. I had a bilateral mastectomy with full node clearance of the left and sentinal node on the right two years ago. On the phisical and practical side, these things helped me. Open down the front pyjamas (getting your arms up to take off a nightie without buttons difficult). Easy to get on dressing gown with wide sleeves, same reason, easy to get arms in and out. I used both the cushions I received from my breastcare nurse (zonta pillows) and supported my upper arms away from my torso with them. I also used their drain bags to carry the drains when walking about. I had the nurses leave one bedside rail up and used it to help myself into a sitting position, turning over and also lying down. Surprising how strong your hands and lower arms can be. Used bendy straws to drink, so I didn't have to sit up and lie down every time I wanted a sip. Emotionally, I was just glad to be rid of these traitors which were trying to kill me. Afterwards, like weeks later, the permanence of breast loss for me, was more of a thing. I was 58 at the time, and very soon adjusted, and now, two years later, I'm just glad to be sitll well and eager to welcome a new granddaughter in eight weeks time. Life moves on.

I had right side mastectomy and anxillery node clearance three weeks ago. I was sent home from hospital after two days, had first drain removed on day eight and second on day twelve. I have been focusing on my physical healing rather than my emotional. My dressings came off yesterday which is when I had a good look at the surgery site. My first thought was that I was lopsided, but that doesn’t make me imperfect. My BC nurse is all about how to look ‘normal’. This is my normal now and at the moment I choose comfort over being symmetrical thank you very much. Perhaps I should add here, I am a bit of a rebel. All the best for today.

Hi I had left side mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy done 3 weeks ago. As the comments above button up stuff makes life so much easier. Physically and emotionally the first few days are very overwhelming, I think the stress of the build up from diagnosis to surgery are just exhausting so all I did for the first week was sleep. Pain was very manageable but of course everyone’s different. I was very fortunate to get great results and am now on hormone treatment but I’m still very emotional about it all, it is just such a roller coaster through each step and so hard to plan anything as you just don’t know what lies ahead so just take one day at a time knowing you are heading to being cancer free. Good luck with your surgery and fingers crossed for good results

Hi, I had a left mastectomy and axillary clearance six years ago. I had very little pain and good mobility pretty well straight away. Keep up the exercises you will be given, it helps mobility and gives some protection against the possibility of lymphoedema. I had drains removed before I went home, I found putting them in my dressing gown pocket while in hospital was the easiest way to avoid tripping over them. The first shower in hospital was a bit tricky, nearly yanked the drains out! But once they were gone, I was mobile and pretty independent. I didn't harbour any resentment against my breast, was somewhat sorry to lose it but much more keen to get rid of the tumour! Had a good hard look at the site the day after, it was fine (well, very lopsided of course but nothing awful) and I have felt much the same since (I chose no reconstruction). I had a few long term side effects, mainly from chemo but with a bit of professional help, sorted out some long term "I can do anything" stuff (I was 68 and expecting to live/work like a workaholic 25 year old). Cancer can often throw up old foibles!! So far, so good. No evidence of disease, still working, travelling, enjoying my two grandsons I may never have known. We would all prefer not to go through bc, but life's for living, and mono-boobed is OK by me!! Best wishes.

@Peacefuldove I hope you're blissed out on the painkillers. Be sure to do the leg and foot wriggling exercises, and have a walk around every now and then, when you feel able, to ward off clots . Get plenty of rest, as others have said. I found Movicol best for constipation. The Zonta pillow will be your "blankie". xox

Mastectomy and Auxillary Node Clearance

12 Replies

AllyJay
Member
7 years ago
Good morning @Peacefuldove...best of my wishes for your surgery today. I had a bilateral mastectomy with full node clearance of the left and sentinal node on the right two years ago. On the phisical and practical side, these things helped me. Open down the front pyjamas (getting your arms up to take off a nightie without buttons difficult). Easy to get on dressing gown with wide sleeves, same reason, easy to get arms in and out. I used both the cushions I received from my breastcare nurse (zonta pillows) and supported my upper arms away from my torso with them. I also used their drain bags to carry the drains when walking about. I had the nurses leave one bedside rail up and used it to help myself into a sitting position, turning over and also lying down. Surprising how strong your hands and lower arms can be. Used bendy straws to drink, so I didn't have to sit up and lie down every time I wanted a sip. Emotionally, I was just glad to be rid of these traitors which were trying to kill me. Afterwards, like weeks later, the permanence of breast loss for me, was more of a thing. I was 58 at the time, and very soon adjusted, and now, two years later, I'm just glad to be sitll well and eager to welcome a new granddaughter in eight weeks time. Life moves on.
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago
Hi and welcome to the forum and BCNA website - a wealth of information and help

From the BCNA website

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/

I have copied here the Reclaim Your Curves website link - that has information sheets on various topics as well as and hopefully a starting point for you to do some research

https://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/information-sheets.html

Take care

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Mastectomy and Auxillary Node Clearance

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