Hello there, I'm having surgery later this week. I've been setting up my home so that I can cope with things following surgery. It's important that I do this since I live alone, have no family in WA and friends are unavailable. Can anyone tell me please what I may expect when I return home following my surgery? I realise my range of motion with my arms will depend upon whether I have nodes removed or not and how many. What position will I need to sleep? I guess I won't be washing my hair for a while! I am experienced with top and tail washing because I have had to do this when my back problem interfered with showering etc. I have moved needed items in my home to waist height in preparation for this event. Can anyone think of anything I may have overlooked? There's bound to be something but if I can feed myself, remain reasonably clean, and entertain myself with videos, ebooks, music and exercises I feel that life will improve over time. Your stories are inspirational. Appreciate any feedback you may give.

Sister - Ah! the wiping of the bum! Been there with my back issues. How annoying is that. I'm ok with that now. I have set up a range of buttoned shirts within reach. Last year (when wiped out by back) I got my tee shirt tangled over my head in my earring. That was fun. The things you couldn't do if you tried.onemargie Another nurse (retired) here. Do my best not to be a shitty patient since I know what they are up against but occasionally become frustrated lol. I was so ignorant about breasts. My hospital says is normal to return home the next day. Not a bad idea to keep away from infection risk. My biopsies meant that at times I had one or the other arm available occasionally. I'm heartened to hear that ROM returns fairly quickly. Shall be diligent with exercises. Have been wiped out with mobility including wheelchair bound on occasion in my home so am set up with dressing and bathroom aids (hand held shower, stool) etc. But this is my arms not my legs or back, so made me think again. It's not that I need the sock aid and reacher to dress now, it's my arms! Became a case of not only not having things too low, but also now not too high for a while. And it sounds like it won't need to be like that for long.You sound a bit like me. I have a range of cable ties! Quite handy with a range of tools etc. I also am stubborn and generally find a way of achieving things using "unusual" methods. I use a dog lead to close the car door after I get in when I can't lean to reach it. This tends to halt people in their tracks when they see this happening. They wear puzzled expressions, I smile and away I go.

Hi, I had a single right mastectomy with full node clearance. I was surprised at how little pain there was. Yes, reaching up was tricky for a while, but I was able to reach up with my left arm as needed. I did the exercises frequently and reaching up improved fairly quickly. I was able to do most things for myself and kids. Lifting anything heavy might be a problem for a bit. I was able to drive after a few days but disliked the feeling of the seatbelt across the wound, so only did quick local drives. You'll be surprised at how you can make do and work around challenges. Of course, we're all different though. All the best for your surgery and recovery.

Don't get too stressed @goingdancing the lead up to surgery is horrible and day 3 can be yuk but the chances are in a couple of weeks you will be fine. Once the drains are gone and the anaesthetic hangover is fading the worst is over. There is every chance that life will be as normal very quickly with some minor modifications. Don't plan to wash your car, chop firewood or prune your fruit trees in the next fortnight, but normal activities are good for you. Mxx

Did I read it right that you are going home the day after the op? That's a bit early, I would think. I only had a single and did find range of movement a bit tricky. I have kids to do things like pull the washing out of the machine and hang it up. Possibly light loads and clothes horses. I have to say that one of the hardest things was wiping my bum - sorry if it's too much info. And, although I only wore very loose t-shirts when I wore them, I got stuck half in half out of one and had to get my 15 yo son to get me out of it. I would certainly investigate any dom care type stuff you may be entitled to. Good luck with the op.

ah AllyJay - multiple issues below the waist and then above the waist. Were you like me with my initial reaction being "I'm so grateful to Breastscreen" verbally expressed, closely followed by the thought "What this now as well? Oh Gee". Love the "dewdrops" and the "around the corner". Last year I contemplated investing in a bum wiper (they exist). It felt like a step too far at age 65. But some of the comments here may encourage me to invest prior to surgery. Yes right knee, left foot, lower leg and ankle, unstable and disabling spasms right sacro-iliac, left shoulder has not appreciated prone MRIs. But we soldier on. I also revert to 1L milks etc when I need to. I sometimes think that anonymous videos of how people manage with challenges might be educational. For example your description of putting on bra and titties LOL. Not everybody has had the privilege of Stockholm Emergency Department from 9pm to 5am. Then 5 days hotel bound in Oslo in wheelchair with no footplates. Then home learning how to navigate the rooms in my home in a wheelchair.You are a wonder and entitled to foul language. Let's face it. They say punch a pillow to let the anger out. You can't do that.

Mastectomies this week | BCNA Online Network

20 Replies

Sister
Member
8 years ago
Did I read it right that you are going home the day after the op? That's a bit early, I would think. I only had a single and did find range of movement a bit tricky. I have kids to do things like pull the washing out of the machine and hang it up. Possibly light loads and clothes horses. I have to say that one of the hardest things was wiping my bum - sorry if it's too much info. And, although I only wore very loose t-shirts when I wore them, I got stuck half in half out of one and had to get my 15 yo son to get me out of it. I would certainly investigate any dom care type stuff you may be entitled to. Good luck with the op.
goingdancing
Member
8 years ago
Almost off to bed here.
Afraser - sounds like in my case may be 2 drains each side. Time will tell. Dressing gown has pockets and I thought my "bum bag" might be an option?

primek - at my preadmission appt nurse seemed to say I may be referred through to social worker. I have been a HACC client since 2011 because of disabilities so it may be that the services will be stepped up until I recover sufficiently to become more independent again. Problem is there is often a time lag for that to happen. There was when I was discharged home with a knee replacement years ago. Time will tell.
primek
Member
8 years ago
Contact your breast care nurse and make enquiries about help at home following surgery since you live alone. Someone might be able to do some cleaning. ..hanging out washing etc for up to 6 weeks at least (for instance after a shoulder reconstruction) I know if over 65 it is done through my aged care. Certainly the hospital social worker would know what is available so might be good to contact now. The restrictions are for a number of weeks and I gather you are having bilateral so it might be quite tricky.

This link is also interesting and might be worth calling.

http://www.dialanangel.com/perth
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
I had two drains but stayed in hospital for 4 days, and the drains were removed before I left. When I was in hospital they didn't cause much problem when I was sleeping (far more when I was showering as I tripped over them and yanked them a bit!). How long the drains stay is variable - depends on your surgeon's preference, degree of drainage, etc. I put them in my dressing gown pockets when I was moving about in hospital but many use a small bag. I heal quickly as a rule, and the mastectomy followed suit. Good luck.
goingdancing
Member
8 years ago
Thanks all. I've just found a means of actually getting to hospital. I've been told I will be discharged the next morning at 10:00.
Afraser great to hear you slept well. Was just wondering about the drains on both sides.
iserbrown - what a shame I donated that terry towelling robe to the needy. Would have been handy for drying myself.
Zoffiel been eyeing off the pruning but shall ignore it. Used to be good at chopping firewood.
Have had two phone calls tonight from well wishers which has been nice. It's why I've been so late responding to your kind messages. And being in WA it's now 8:20 pm and I'm hoping eastern staters are enjoying bedtime. Night night
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
Don't get too stressed @goingdancing the lead up to surgery is horrible and day 3 can be yuk but the chances are in a couple of weeks you will be fine. Once the drains are gone and the anaesthetic hangover is fading the worst is over. There is every chance that life will be as normal very quickly with some minor modifications. Don't plan to wash your car, chop firewood or prune your fruit trees in the next fortnight, but normal activities are good for you. Mxx
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago
@goingdancing

Hi! I have included a link here to the Reclaim Your Curves website - in particular their information sheets as there is one that hopefully will help you with the questions you posed - Preparation and Recovery as well as an info sheet on what to pack for hospital

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

I too have had a mastectomy and for me it was more the tiredness from the anaesthetic and the emotional trauma than the actual surgery. Pain relief needed for me was minimal however I am mindful that we are all different

Here's hoping it is smooth sailing for you. Take care and best wishes
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Hi, good to be prepared. I had a single mastectomy and my arm mobility was very good from the outset. I had 17 nodes removed. I didn't really have any difficulty sleeping. I was up and around pretty quickly and had virtually no pain. Best wishes for your op.
goingdancing
Member
8 years ago
Thanks Molly001. It's good to hear that frequent exercises improved reaching up fairly quickly since it will be both arms for me. I'm fairly resilient and resourceful so hopefully will be ok. I really look forward to being able to drive. My car is automatic but shift is beside steering wheel. Will be a grand day when I can reach that. Had to use a pillow thing across my chest following big bruising following a couple of biopsies so have that covered, I think.
Molly001
Member
8 years ago
Hi, I had a single right mastectomy with full node clearance. I was surprised at how little pain there was. Yes, reaching up was tricky for a while, but I was able to reach up with my left arm as needed. I did the exercises frequently and reaching up improved fairly quickly. I was able to do most things for myself and kids. Lifting anything heavy might be a problem for a bit. I was able to drive after a few days but disliked the feeling of the seatbelt across the wound, so only did quick local drives. You'll be surprised at how you can make do and work around challenges. Of course, we're all different though. All the best for your surgery and recovery.

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