I’m 25 and have grade 2 invasive - only small (8mm and 3mm) and in one breast but have opted for double mastectomy with immediate expander reconstruction with strattice. This was fine and I was coming to terms with it, despite the fact I’m still getting over the shock of the dx about three weeks ago and the op was scheduled for 14 October. However, got a call at work today moving op forward to Friday and I am actually really scared. I thought it best to accept the new date because I want to get it out and get started with the recovery but am so worried about the pain and the recovery. It is all so much to take in and especially in such a short time and when it definately wasn’t expected.
Any practical advice would be most appreciated!
Work kindly sent me home today and I have managed to go frantically shopping for front opening pjs and slippers and god knows what else…arnica was recommended to me to take a week before the op but guess three days will have to suffice…any other recommendations???
I have this operation 7 weeks ago, and you will be surprised how well you recover.
I would definately recommend a V shaped pillow for when you get home from hospital, it is so useful in enabeling you to sit up comfortably.
Front opening PJs are great, I would recommend a size or two bigger as you will want to be very comfy.
Where are you having the operation?
Once the dressing is off a sports bra would be useful as it will be a while before you can wear a normal bra, I am still not in normal ones!.
You will find it is easier once you start getting dressed to wear shirts rather than tshirts, I wore my husbands for a while as they were easier to put on.
I am sure there are other things, I will have a think.
Thanks that is really helpful! Am having op at Worthing hospital-West Sussex-wouldn’t dream of going any where else as have total faith in that hospital and really trust my consultant-apparently he came from the Marsden so can’t be bad!! Safe hands I reckon
V shape pillow is a good idea-we only have a one bed flat so just ordered our sofa bed-guess where the man is sleeping if I can’t share a bed haha! May seem extreme but only just bought our flat so was needed anyway!
What size bras would be good? I got two extra support wireless ones today but with the little I know about expanders-don’t know how big/small they will be when I wake up-I’m only a B cup now but the plan is to be a C at the end of it all…what have you found size wise?
Hi Emma
One thing I found to be a great help was a bag to pop your drains in. The hospital usually supply and I had a ‘gift’ type bag with a flat base you could put on the floor when you are up and about.
Dry shampoo was also my wee lifesaver till I could shower!!
also a tracksuit is handy for when you are on your feet, one with a zip top, makes dressing easier-I didnt want to look ‘sick’ sitting in jammies during the day.
Best of luck for your op and Im sure youll be up and about sooner than you think.
Cathie x
Hi Em
I had this operation on my right side 3 weeks ago, I was only in hospital 3 nights and came home with 2 drains which were in for another week, it is better to have the fluid draining out of your body than staying in, and I had a cotton handbag I used to carry my drains around the house, although you will need a bit of help when you are showering! Also ordered a soft post mastectomy bra from amoena online which is cotton and front fastening which is nicer to sleep in. Went back last week and my ps is pleased with the outcome so far but I still feel very tight with the muscle now over my new implant (which isnt an expander, just a normal implant), and I am still sleeping sitting up. Unfortunately, when I went back to see the breast surgeon last week, I was told that I had some tumour cells on the skin of the scar which was removed and I will have to go back in to have some extra skin removed on Monday then that will have to be examined before they can decide if I need chemo again. My original problem was a lumpectomy in 2007 followed by chemo, rads and herceptin. After thinking it was all straightforward it was a blow to hear that, but I am trying to think positive, afterall if I hadnt had the recon they never would have found those cells.
Anyway, hope all goes well for you tomorrow, you will initally feel like you have a big weight on your chest but it does get easier.
Keep us updated on your progress, take care xxxx
Crystal, are you having any fluid under the implant towards the side, mine feels a little sloppy, and I am still on nurofen and paracetamol as its still v uncomfortable.
Soundds like we both have a few issues thatstill need sorting! I need to have my expander removed as the port is leaking! SOunds like the strattice has worked well though.
Sleeping laying down is a gradual process, and now 7/8 weeks on I can sleep on my back or either side ( I had both done!).
I do not have fluid building up, although I had drains in for just over two weeks as they wanted to make sure that all was well.
Em- - best of luck
Anne - fingers crossed for you that you do not need to have too much removed.
Thanks for all your comments-am super worried about sleeping as ALWAYS sleep on my side of stomach-suppose you just get so tired you have no choice!!
Had my pre-op today and all seems fine-looking 4ward to having it cut out and limited my risk by having the optional right done! I’m having 2 3rds of my nodes out-how is it dealing with scarring under the arm? Bet I will be stinking without deodorant lol! I did purchase some dry shampoo though-such a good tip!!
I will def keep you all posted and would love to hear how all of your recoveries are going! If not in my nodes am having preventative chemo for 18weeks prob…but guess that will come later…so will be picking your brains for that too! Thanks again and fingers crossed!!!
just wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow. having nodes out doesnt involve cut under arm they do it as part of op. just had one expander in to stretch skin at moment before double recon
I had a lumpectomy 4 years ago and this year was diagnosed as carrying the BRCA2 gene which means there is 60% chance (rising by 2% every year) of having another tumour. I’m weighing up whether to have a double mastectomy following by reconstruction. I think it’s likely I will but I don’t know enough yet to make an informed decision. I’m interested in hearing how well and quickly others have recovered from the operations and which surgery is best for which body types. Hope someone can help.
fishmore im brca 2 positive too… you can read my story in my profile… i had BC twice 3 years apart first in right then in left breast. i have just had a hysterectomy and ovaries removed 10 days afgo and recovering really well and was due to have bilat Mx at the end of the year but will be too soon after this op so think i will put it off till maybe this time next year… unless i get another tumour inbetween, in which case ill prob just have the mx surgery at that time.
the ovary removal reduces the risk for BC as well by around 50% so hope that keeps it under control a wee bit… and being a brca 2 carrier i get annual mammo and annual mri 6 months apart til im 50 (im 42 at the mo).
Second day since op and all is well. I was surprised how little pain there was-yes it’s uncomfy but better than you think it’s going to be. I have five drain lines into three bags and am draining about 100ml daily just have to wait for it to go down now.
Not much else to report at the moment as not had any redressing or seen it yet but will keep you posted! X
Thanks Lulu. The fear of it returning is a very real one - when you have the cancer you would do anything to get rid of it and the breasts themselves and what happens to them are the price to be paid along the way. It seems a much trickier decision when your health has been restored and you’re apparently cancer free to put yourself in such a vulnerable position with the accompanying risk. I’m struggling with this concept but at the same time know I am lucky to be able to make a choice while I have a choice. I’m having my ovaries removed, hopefully before the end of this year so I’ll continue to read the blogs - the number of entries alone are enough to make you realise you are not alone in having to cope with it all.
fishermore thats exactly how i feel about my breasts… at the moment they are healthy so why on earth would i put myself through any more major surgery unneccessarily… after all it may never come back.
to be honest i was more concerned about the ovarian risk as it is much more aggressive with a poorer prognosis and having a cousin who died from ov ca at 45 was what convinced me entirely to have my ovaries our.
with breast cancer i feel iv survived it twice so i can ‘do’ that one if it ever came back… but as my plastic surgeon said wouldnt it be better to remove the breast before they cancer than wait until you do if your going to have them both off anyway.
i have some friends who think im mental for considering keeping my breast and some who think im equally as mental at considering having them removed and i really am in a bit of a quandry but i do know that i wont be doing anything about it this year… so have a wee bit time on my hands to consider my options.
emma so glad to hear you are doing so well after your op… hope you are co9ntinuing to recover without any set backs.
Hi ladies had my opp thurs still bit sore had one bust off and lymph removal wuldnt take other one off said i have to request it as there is nothing wrong with it had my drains out this morning all going good
Well, day 4 since op and have hit the first low! All is fine with the op and consultant was happy this morn which is great! It’s just everything else-the sickness, the bloating of my stomach is really painful and just generally frustrated! Am definitely more mobile though and have some really kind nurses today who are keeping my chin up!
Just going to try and sleep the day away and hope tomorrow is better. The consultant asked if I wanted to go home with the drains and I said no-really feel I’m in the right place and I need to be here-and I thought I would be itching to get home!!!
Will update in a few days! All the best everyone xxx
Thanks for your comments - I understand exactly what you mean about different sets of friends having opposing opinions. I know they don’t mean to be unhelpful but all the same… Like you I don’t feel there’s an immediate need to make a decision and want to take my time.
Emma - I’m fascinated to follow your progress. You sound to be doing amazingly well.
So, aside from some poor old lady having a turn and screaming and running round the ward for most of the night, I’m much better today! Things are slowly becoming more comfy and the bloating has gone down after finally spending some time with mr toilet last night haha!!! You definitely get bunged up!
The fluid in my drains is clearing up and is now a nice yellow-which is a good thing apparently!
Crystal-I don’t actually have any real dressings aside from pads on my wounds so not having any pressure on my chest from that! Defo pleased with the results so far-consultant on his rounds so will keep you updated!!!
