hi there @Mrs_H I had triple neg last year aged 43 in L boob, stage 2a grade 3 - 3cm tumor, all nodes and scans clear, 8 rounds of chemo then took the other boob off as a preventative 6 months later, post surgery pain for me was minimal had some limited movement to begin with but was still able to shower dress and feed myself, only had lymph nodes taken from the left side (8), you will be given physio exercises to begin with which will help you heaps, the first week i think it was i wasn't allowed to put my arm above 45 degrees, but as i said I still managed and I still go just monthly to physio now for follow up and its great, I had some nerve pain under the left armpit for a while but it was now and again not all the time and I managed it ok with Panadol and nurofen I knew what to expect post op as I'm a nurse and I've seen plenty of mastectomy's so mentally I was ok to be honest I started to think my boobs as a hinderance and just wanted to get them off and I felt better after that knowing that id given myself the best chance at a long healthy life, I'm on the waiting list in Brisbane for my recon wont see the surgeon til at least mid next year and then at least 18 months after that til I get the surgery, I did see a private surgeon Dr Alys saylor in the valley just for her opinion and implants are the option for me as she told me I don't have enough skin for the flap surgery (god bless her)! You've been through the hardest part already I reckon with the chemo, Be uplifted is a charity that can give you some crocheted boobies and help with the upfront costs of prosthetics if you prefer too, where are you having your surgery??? Margie x
