Five weeks ago I finished 6xFEC. It was not plain sailing, however, and I had two 6-night stays in hospital with neutropenia and a neutrophil count of 0.1. And nausea of course …
I am due to have a mastectomy in four weeks’ time (though no lymph node removal or sampling), followed by radiotherapy, followed by reconstruction when appropriate.
I have been very heartened to read others’ comments along the lines that “everything else is a doddle” compared to chemo (and I can well believe that - I would not wish chemo on my worst enemy), but I was just wondering whether any of you out there could kindly give me some hints/ideas/suggestions about getting through the mastectomy - was there anything you found useful that you don’t read about in books or on-line?
I had mastectomy and lymph node removal by two separate operations. Followed by chemotherapy.
I can honestly say that the mastectomy was surprisingly painless…part from emotionally! And I needed hardly any pain medication. Perhaps it is because the breast is a “detachable” organ? I think the operation itself is of a shortish duration (about an hour), so you won’t need too much anaesthetic!
My breasts are quite large on a small frame (32DD) so the scar is relatively long (about 8" from the centre of my chest around to my underarm), but healed well to a long thin line. I came out of hospital the day after the operation with drain attached. I took a cotton across the body bag in with me to carry the drain around in.
You will need some supportive soft sports-type bras to take into hospital with you, and your breast care nurse should equip you with a softee to take the place of your missing breast until you are ready for a proper prosthesis or recon.
I bought some “BioOil” recommended on here, and when healing was complete, used it to massage into the scar to keep it supple.
I found that having as many pillows as you can handle, chewing gum for when you come round (if you need oxygen, it can dry your mouth out something rotten) and face wipes come in handy.
Don’t be afraid to ask the nurse for more painkillers if necessary, if your drugs aren’t right they can change them for something else. Don’t think you’re bothering the nurse if you have to press your buzzer, they are used to it and that’s what they get paid for - looking after you!
I was OK in hospital but found things really painful for about a week at home. The drain sat on my ribs and I could hardly move. The key was to keep the pain killers topped up and not let them wear off. My OH set up a strict timing regime and this worked well. I also couldnt have him in bed with me - with all the pillows and pain, so maybe set up the spare bed in advance rather than 2 in the morning on your first night home.
Its strange having all the paracetamol after it was forbidden on the chemo - so use it.
After 2 days in the hospital I was really low as I couldnt imagine how I was going to walk around looking so lopsided, third day the BCN came with the soft prosthesis and helped me put it on etc. I felt so much better. So try not to despair if you feel lost before they visit you.
Mine was after chemo also, my veins were bad due to epirubicin so they put the i.v. for pain relief in my foot. Although this made getting around awkward it wasnt painful at all.
After the chemo the operation was a different experience and the hospital stay different as I got stonger by the hr and slept like a log, had no kids to look after and could dose away etc. I stayed an extra day for the rest. But I wouldnt underestimate the cummulative effects and give yourself lots of time afterwards to get over things.
On the bright side as I had so littlle hair in hospital I didnt have to worry about how it looked.
Hi Bubs I had my mastctomy last December I was in for 6 days the operation was not as bad as I thought I was taken down at 10 and was back sitting up in bed at 2pm I was looking for something to eat as I was starving I didnt have any pain at all I had a big dinner at 6 oclock and I was then sitting up waiting for my visitors(with all my makeup on) After visiting I got up and went to the toilet on my own I had a good nights sleep with the help of 2 sleeping tablets I did ask for them. I did have a little problem the next day with the 2 drains that they had put in as they were very tight so I did have to take some pain killers that day but after that I was OK On the morning I was getting home the BC nurse came up to the ward with about 6 different sofftees to see which one fitted and then I was off home feeling quite well. I did rest up for a few days afterwards and by the end of the next week there was no stopping me I started my chemo 3 weeks later 8 sessions one every 3 weeks after the 2nd one I got my prostesis which is great as I am not having any reconstruction as I am a bit of a coward its a 9 hour operation and I dont want to go through the recovery period. If I was in my 20s or 30s I would but I am 48 so I wont be wearing a bikini again. I finished all my treatment the end of July and I have all my hair back now and I started a new job 3 weeks ago and feel really well. I go tomorrow for my check up and that will be me for 12 months. I do hope everything goes well for you and you take care Love Linda xxxx
hi bubs good luck with the surgery!! I had my mastectomy in nov last year and have to be honest it was not too bad. the drains are a bit of a pain but bearable. I bought one of those v- shaped pillows and took it into hospital with me and it was great. could not have done without it. buy a good one you will find it invaluable when you get home. i have since had chemo yuck!! and radiotherapy. finished treatment ten weeks ago. i am feeling great hair growing back curly which is strange i had the straightest hair on the planet before. take care and wish you well for the future. Stay positive what does not kill you makes you stronger xxx
Thanks for all your helpful advice. In particular I shall take in a “V” shape pillow.
What about clothes to come home in? What sort of dressing/bandage(s) can I expect to have? I am small enough to go bra-less and could get away with wearing a vest type top. Any advice?
Hi Bubs,
I took in a load of vest tops to wear in hospital (the type with the built in support) and I lived in them for about 4 weeks afterwards. I had my mastectomy and an immediate reconstruction at the end of July.I was absolutely fine and was in for a week-in fact the day after I was discharged I was ironing!
Good Luck with your op
Katyx
If you are having a straight forward mast the dressing will be quite small so normal clothes will be ok but nice stretchy T-shirts or front opening tops are best as the movement in you arm may be quite restricted. Also you will probably have drains so a small cotton shoulder bag or ‘bum bag’ to put them in is a good idea because it allows you to get around without having to carry the drain bags. I also took cropped vest tops in to hospital with me (I didn’t need any extra support!) and in fact still wear them on a day to day basis instead of my cleavage enhancing underwired bras!!
Advice is rest, rest and more rest! (really hard cos usually over active)
All around me said I looked well, probably because I rested - my surgeon told me to rest for 1 month and my partner made sure I did just that with an afternoon nap (luxury).
Now six weeks on I am able to start not resting…perhaps!
I did heal really well, and also it helped me to ‘sail thro’! (especially important to rest for healing?)