Was told this week that I need a mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction. I live alone & breast nurse says I will need someone staying with me for recovery “in case I can’t get out of bed & to cook for me”. They suggested my mum. Been thinking long & hard & really don’t want anyone staying with me. My mum is elderly & wouldn’t be able to help me out of bed. If I can’t cook I’m happy with microwave meals for a couple of weeks until I can.
I will definitely have daily visitors just noone overight.
Am I being realistic. Anyone been in the same position post-recovery, doing it on their own?
Hi , I haven’t had this surgery but I know people who have , it is major surgery and the first couple of weeks post surgery in particular seem to be pretty tough and you will need practical support .Hopefully someone with firsthand experience will respond soon . Have you any other options for support apart from your Mum ?
I was out of hospital after three nights after an immediate diep reconstruction and mastectomy. I felt a bit frail but I was fine at night. During the day I could eat soup or cheese and pickle sandwich etc, it wasn’t too hard. I even did a bit of disco dancing round my handbag after walking up to the club with my walking sticks the sort people use on hikes. I did find my tum made me need to shuffle along a bit and wear big pants for a while but that stage didn’t last too long! I was 67 and one month at the date of my diep. I feel lovely now. My op was on 8 Sept, when the poor Queen popped her clogs
Seagulls
Thanks everyone for your messages. Spoke to PS & they’re happy I go home alone as long as I stay an extra night or two in hospital to make sure I can look after myself.
Feeling better about it
Just wanted to update everyone & to reassure anyone in my position that I was able to live alone after surgery. I was in hospital for two nights & made it home.
I was lucky enough that I could get a cleaner in to help with housework & changing bedding. Meals for the first week were baked potatoes with various fillings. I used a step to get in and out the bath and a reading pillow from amazon to sleep on.
I ’let go’ & just took everything slowly. Some days were better than others but I did not struggle.
Anyone who is worrying about mastectomy with immediate diep reconstruction need not worry. Its not as bad as you imagine
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Well done for managing alone. It’s pretty dreadful. I was diagnosed aged 48 in 2003 and I had to manage. It was pretty bad but I went back to work quite early. I had the lump out in November, then I had what they called segmental mastectomy in December a week before Christmas. I had wound infection so I was back on Christmas Eve and was there until January I think. I was quite pleased I wasn’t with anyone as trying to keep my elderly parents happy (they had come to celebrate the festive season with me as usual) was proving difficult.
Sometimes being alone can be less lonely than spending time with even more needy people!
Seagulls