Hey, @mrs_h If you aren't having any reconstruction, I'd bet that you will have very little pain in your chest. The armpits and drains, well, that may be a different story. It's all doable
The drains are a pain, it's like being connected to an octopus--multiple tubes and sucky squishy bits on the end. Eww. The good thing is someone will eventually come along and pull them out (which sounds worse than it is) Make sure you take a couple of decent sized shoulder bags/fabric sacks so you can shove your horrible little friends out of sight while you get out and about. Which you will be able to do very quickly
Take pain pills if you are the sort to do so. Just don't martyr yourself--if you are in pain get on top of it early. I think for most of us, the pain in the armpits gets better quitter quickly but it is the most lingering discomfort of the whole process (at least it was for me)
Take a thermo mug and your own teabags. The day before is the worst, after that you will be fine. Marg xxx
