Hi, I’m starting chemo next week but will eventually have mx plus possible anc (left side). In the midst of this, we are trying to buy a new car. Can anyone who has had an mx tell me if there would be any advantage in buying an automatic rather than a manual transmission? Or will it not make any difference in that I won’t be able to drive either for a while?
I don’t think I’d get an answer from the doctors on this as my mastectomy is at least 6 months away, but car purchase must happen before chemo!
Thanks, Joan
It certainly helped my mother-in-law who had some shoulder problems as a result of her left mastectomy and reconstruction. She found driving a (right-hand drive) automatic car much easier than a manual.
I shouldn’t think it’ll make a big difference in the long run. You shouldn’t drive for a while after any surgery/ anesthetic anyway, and you still should be able to use both hands on the steering wheel when you do drive.
I had left WLE and ANC nearly 18 months ago and definitely find it easier to drive an automatic now.
Joan - I switched to automatic after a slipped disc some years ago. With the joint pains I had with Letrozole (and will probably have with the T of FEC-T chemo when I get to that stage) I found having the automatic was great, especially in start-stop (ie commuter) traffic or on the M1- all that leg action on the clutch was doing my pelvis and lower back in! . We also have heated seats which you can turn on or off, up or down, and that can be really therapeutic. My husband now has hip trouble and the car makes the difference between his being able to drive and not being able, which is a bonus for me in getting to chemo and back. Mileage ( we have 2.5 litre engine) is not as low as I feared- it’s all in the driving style I believe. Good luck choosing!
Hi Joan
I swapped to auto earlier this year before my dx as I also suffer from arthritis in my arms, I have an A Class Merc which is high up too, so less problems getting in and out, I had a sproty Toyota Celica before, way too low. Best thing I did to change over to auto.
Trish x
BTW your hair looks fab, suits you 
x
Hi Joan A friend of mine swapped to an automatic after her left side mx. They had a VW people carrier at the time and she said she couldn’t manage the handbrake. Swapped to a very sporty little number - so play your cards carefully!
Agree about the hair…
Tamsin xx
Thanks everyone for your advice - but in the end we bought a manual! Trying to find a car that met all our requirements in a limited time period before I started chemo meant we had to compromise. However, we did get a car with an electronic handbrake so it’s just a flick of a switch to engage it, which may help.
Thanks too about my “hair” - my wig. It looks suspiciously good - people are looking at me in puzzlement!