Hi @Tasia, When I had my mastectomy I just used back the front hospital gowns (even though I had new nighties in my bag). Staff seemed to encourage this as it makes it easy for them to exam you. Also, you may have some oozing so getting this on your new gowns is not good.
I am sorry that you are in this position as there is a lot of information to decipher. I only had one breast removed and had follow up DIEP two years later. Prior to the removal of my breast, I had ovaries removed. You don't need to have a whole hysterectomy (unless you have other problems you would just have your ovaries removed). Having your ovaries removed by key hole surgery is easy - I could have gone back to work a couple of days later. The surgery is day surgery and the next day I felt fine except for a bit of lower abdomen tenderness. The mastectomy (particularly if you have two breast removed is little more daunting and you will need a few weeks of work. I had to go back into theatre as I was haemorrhaging and need transfusion, so this didn't help with my recover. I found the later DIEP surgery quite easy although had a few weeks of work. I haemorrhaged a bit this surgery too but not enough to have a transfusion so was anaemic for a few weeks. I know plenty of people who work whilst having radiotherapy. So, I think how much time you take of work depends on what surgery you have and in what order etc. If you need to work, you may be able to stage things so that you can continue. Tell the doctors of your financial position and see if they can suggest a way you can keep working. If you have to give up your job, you will be able to get Newstart and they wave the job hunting requirements (eg the 30 odd applications per month) with a doctors certificate because you will be unwell. They don't seem to offer sickness benefits straight off these days - save that for those on Newstart who have been ill for awhile. So all you need to do when you are set up is do you weekly income reports! It doesn't make you feel good, but we have to do whatever we need to do to get by!! Let us know what you decide. xx Lisa
