I had a mastectomy last week and yesterday I tried wearing a bra with a softie for the first time. When I got undressed later the bra had caused a lot of pressure bruising under where my breast was and the side under my arm. I wonder if this might have been because it was an underwired bra? I was just wondering if it would be ok to use some arnica gel/oil on the area to help with the bruises? You may think I was just mad to have even put a bra on but this is all so new to me…I was diagnosed from my first routine mammogram with no signs. lumps or bumps and less than a month later I have absorbed the information that I have breast cancer and had a mastectomy already…I am sure that I am still in shock so I am grateful of any help/support…thank you all xxx
Hi Debbie,
Yeh, it’s a lot to do with underwired and TOO soon. Have you an appointed Breast Care Nurse. If so, they should have advised and helped on this matter. You need a SOFT bra initially. The surgery area is very delicate and still has much healing and settling down to do from ONLY last week. Give it a chance “babe” !! Treat it gently.
Had both mastectomies + lymph nodeectomies 2006 and 2007
Speak to your BCC. If they haven’t appointed you one, get one
Hope thats of some help. Oh, and if they do Arnica GEL, that’d be better than cream at the mo.
Take Care
Delly xxx
Like Delly says most definitely NOT wired bras. I know where you’re coming from. I found a receipt today at the bottom of my handbag from two days before I found the lump. That for me was a massive shock to think that just a few short weeks ago I was wombling on with my life oblivious.
Hey Debbie,
Stop running us Cappies down :smileyvery-happy: I’m a bit older than you (a YOUNG 57), and you may find that slows up as you age!!
I’m really sorry for your diagnosis and treatment darlin’, but . . . you’re in good company on this here Forum. Stay in touch with us, as to how you’re going on.Was it a DCIS type Debbie, as you said no lumps etc.
Have you got a BCC??? Look for some of the softer sports type bra’s, that AREN’T too tight so won’t compress the post surgery area but you can put your softie in.
Dellypoos xxx
Hi Debbie. I am the same age as you and a 34DD monoboob too! I had mx end of Nov '15. I haven’t worn a non-wired bra in about 35 years and hated them, especially with a softie riding up all the time! I wore an underwired mx bra for a meal out in the last week of January, so about 8 weeks post surgery and shortly after I’d been fitted for a proper prosthesis. I was surrised how comfortable it was (just 3 hours) and was ridiculously excited because I felt like ME again!
I’ve had rads since and am just back in a bra (any bra!!) as my skin heals. At home I rarely wear a bra and can’t imagine wearing one all day… as the skin around my scar and under my arm becomes less numb I can manage a few hours, but can’t wait to rip the bra off as soon as I get home! Give it time, be gentle and kind to yourself and start with a non-wired bra (M&S have a range in many stores). Good luck x
Hey girls,
TAT - what a great name “Tat4tit” - BRILL. I hope you’re doing well lovey are you??
Debbie - is that YOU in the photo by your name?? if so, coo-wee, what a lovely looking woman you are !!! But then, I’m incorrigible when it comes to goodlooking women!! I’m “wicked” to say it, but a harmless lovable cutey really !!!Keep kicking at this BLASTED (polite word) disease sweetheart and keep us updated on how you’re doing won’t ya.
Loadsa love to you ALL
Meeee xxxxxxxxx
So sorry to hear about the haematoma, Debbie, and really hope the surgery sorts it. Gentle hugs xx
Hello again lovely Debbie,
I hope you’ve gone on ok today, having your haematoma drained. Yeh, is an unfortunate complication, but NOT unusual. Had them with both of mine. Had to have my first boob drained twice and the second only once. So expect tp possibly have to have it done again soon, but not necessarily. Awkward aren’t they, but if you don’t have them drained, they prevent the healing underneath, so it’s v. important to have drained. Bet you felt tons better after? - yeh? Keep gently rubbing the oil or cream in to your whole chest area, not just the scar area.
Stay in touch with how you’re doing. Have a “vent” or share a “sob” - wo’eva!! It’s all to be expected and it’s ALL OK with us here darlin.
Loadsa loveydovey stuff and xx’s to EVERYone
Meeee xxxxxx
Phew - that’s good news bar a small niggly one node. “Belt and Braces” - always a good phrase to hear, meaning your Onc is conscientious and wants to cover all possibilities. Am sure you’d have preferred to hear NO chemo necessary, but maybe you’ll only require a shorter course?? I hope so for your sake You sound in excellent hands - what area are you in??
Haha - my cat’s taken to wanting to join in on the keyboard!! Fighting for my attention over this machine that’s become a necessary evil for me.
Soooo flower - how you doing with the mental IMPACT of this bleepty awful disease and the physical IMPACT changes to your bod so far? And do you have a strongly supportive husband/partner, friends and family?? Let us know if you’re struggling with anything - voice/vent it. There’s always someone on here who knows very much how you feel, to offer and give support and advice. Amazing source of directly experienced, well, experiences !!! I found recovering from the surgery EASY and amazingly painless and quick, aside from a bit of cording with the first mast. Recovering mentally was very much easier with my 1st. Like you, being a “gutsy” fellow Cappie, I bounced back really WELL and determinedly. Afraid, losing my 2nd, not even a year later, completely “smashed” me to bits mentally and body confidence wise.
Are you considering reconstruction at all, thought about it?? Or is it too early yet and one step at a time??
Lotsa love everybody
Dellywelly xxxx