hi today’s the day. i need a mastectomy as previously had wle and found more cancer in margin so now need a mastectomy. i was told and agreed to reconstruction at same time. i saw breast nurse and heard al bad thing read hear all bad things wa put off a bit then added a thread for positives please and was so happy to hear some good results. now i am thinking i hate hospitals my family need me etc etc a lot of people don’t go on with mastectomy could i live with it i am a private person but love my holidays in the sun… would it b such a chore to only have one… my reason now for being undecided is they r ringing me today with date and news of other one as had MRI scan last week. so i am scared… how long does it take to recover from just a mastectomy. how long in hospital etc… please help sorry to go on but totally confused…
hi sorry about the English in my thread it was written in haste in between tears hope you can all understand what i tried to get over.
basically if i just have mastectomy how long in hospital and how long to recover. i dont like those false ones are there really padded bras…
Hi Jal7777
I had a mastectomy & node clearance in March. I had the operation on the Friday, and went home on the following Wednesday. I was back at work the Monday just over two weeks after the operation. I have a part time desk job, I would have needed more time off work if say I was on my feet all day.
Please don’t be scared, the main problem after a mastectomy is that you lose a lot of movement in your shoulder, where the lymph nodes are taken from. The hospital physios will give you some exercises to do to get everything moving again. I’m a bit hazy now, but I think I had a good range of movement by six weeks after the op, and probably had 95% of movement back after 12 weeks.
had my op (total mastectomy of the right breast) on thursday 25th october 07, out on halloween. does anyone know how long before the pain of doing the exercises last?! i think im doing quite well, but nurses say i should be having more movement by now, but its so painful!
I had a masectomy and snb six weeks ago, and am still struggling with pain, although the bcn was surprised, I appear to have some nerve damaged as I have constant pins and needles down my upper arm and when I lie down in my shoulder as well. She also pointed out that everybody is different, and to keep doing the exercises, to loosen everything up, I now take a pain killer and then do my exercises after that, and it seems to be getting easier.
Hope this helps
Heather
thanks ‘sweetheart’ that does help. saw my radiographer on 14th nov, gotta start treatment within 2 weeks. he said cos of my limited movement i may need physio! taking tramadol for my pain then do exercises, still hurts but i am getting better everyday (i think) keep you posted about my progress.
thanks again
vivienne x
Hi Jal7777
I had a bilateral mastecomy with full lynth node clearnace on the right side on the Thurs 8th Nov with immediate recon by using stretcher implants. i was home Mon 12th Nov. i do feel a little tender and tight around the breast area and in the arm pit where the lynth nodes were reomoved but i have good movement and each day getting more and more.
Please don’t be nervous as it is not as bad as it may seem, i went in a total wreck and when i came round from the anoseptic with a big smile on my face and pain free. I was amazed that i didn’t have any bruising. They have told me that i can be back to work in a couple of weeks but i’m thinking of leaving it until after my rads have finsihed which will be after the new year.
Hope this helps
be brave
Karen xxxx
hi Karen
that is very encouraging i am beginning to worry more about the length of time in hospital rather than the op itself. that must sound strange. as far as know i am not having any lymph nodes taken this time. i got the MRI results and other one is all clear. i must ask the consultant why no lymph glands taken this time as surely the new cancer could be spreading. i actually found the sentinel node biopsy and loss of use of arm more painful than lumpectomy and certainly took more recovering. although i am still slightly black on the boob but not sore. i am getting myself so prepared for Xmas rushing here and there i am sure i will just collapse when get in there. thanks to all again.
Julie
hi Jal7777
i had a bilateral mastctomy on 3 nov. I was so scared i could barely speak when I went down to theatre,I had never had any sort of surgery before, it was all truly beyond my comprehension and utterly terrifying. Truly had no real pain after the op, was off morphine drip within 24 hours and was home 3 days later(6 Nov) with a drain in, which district nurse took out 2 days later.I had been worried about being at home with a drain in, but it was no problem. Have just been on paracetomol, I take them before I do my arm exercises twice a day.I was able to go out to a meeting the eve after the drain came out, and to a small social ‘do’ the following day - was tiring but felt great to be out and about again.
So just about2 weeks down the line I am still quite tired, plus stiff and sore round shoulder, arm pit and upper arm ( they took all the lymph nodse as well as the breast) but I feel like myself, which I did not beleive I would! And you will too! Tonight my and my hubby are off to a black tie dinner, I have a full-length dress ( pink, of course) that hides my monster bra and softie, (and a wrap to drape strategically!) I have had my half inch long hair done at the hairdressers ( finished chemo back in Sept) nails painted and ready to face the world!!
I would NEVER have beleived that I would feelthis normal so soon, and I want you to know that you will too! Also do not underestimate the way that the love and concern of your family and friends and community will help to carry you through.
good luck, stay strongX
hi Mandy.
Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. before i wrote this thread all i read was moans and groans so thanks again to you and everyone else. i think it will take me a little longer in one way to recover as having recon straight away. but i may not suffer the arm pain etc as i don’t think i am having lymph nodes done . this is one q i have to ask. y not. i had ,lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on 11th Oct and all was clear. but they may not b now. have a gt weekend and thanks for replying. i go in on 6th DEC…
xxjuliexxx
I had a lumpectomy initially…and then the mastectomy about 10 days after. I went in on the friday…and escaped on the sunday. I didnt have recon at the time as i wanted treatment all over and done with first. Each person is different with their recovery times etc…do your exercises the day after the op…they will hurt…and it will keep hurting…but after a couple of days/weeks of gritting your teeth it does get easier. I had all of my lymph nodes removed…but they said it would be a judgement call as they were slicing and dicing…i just said…do whatever…ill be asleep…and i want jelly when i come round