I finished my 6 EC chemo 3 weeks ago and see my surgeon today about my mastectomy op.
My real fear is not the op (strange!) it is the actual being in hospital, i am a very private person and the thought of being on a ward with others worries me. I don’t sleep well at the best of times and can imagine myself laying awake all night crying to be home.
This has been the major worry since being diagnosed and feel sick at the thought of it. I would even go through 6 more chemo if it meant not going in hospital!!
May sound irrational but really am depressed about it
So can anyone tell me how long after op can i come home, if i had my way they would wheel me out of op and into my own bed lol.
I was the same about going into hospital, but it wasn’t half as bad as I thought it would be. I suppose length of stay depends on the op and how you get on afterwards. I was in for 6 days, but had a reconstruction as well as the mastectomy. I had trouble sleeping some nights, but the nurses were very good at bringing me cups of tea, and I found I caught up on sleep by napping during the day. All the best with it.
I am sorry to read that you are so worried about going into hospital and I am sure you will get lots more support from your fellow users. In addition, Breast Cancer Care have written a booklet called ‘Your operation and recovery’ which you may find hepful to read as it contains information about what to expect following surgery and gives some general information about how long hospital stays can be, you can read it via the following link:
If you wish to speak to someone in confidence about how worried you are, please call our helpline on 0808 800 6000 which opens Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm. Our specialist nurses will be able to chat to you about the fear you have and talk to you about coping mechanisms which may help you through this difficult time.
I had my mastectomy in Jan of this year, I went in on a Tuesday afternoon and was told I could go home on the Thursday morning, so only a couple of days.
I felt exactly the same. The consultant agreed to me coming home straight after the masectomy op as long as there were no complications.
I went in the morning 7.30am, had my operation and left the same day at about 2.30pm. I was operated on first that day so that I would have time to get myself together before leaving. The hospital wanted assurance that I would not be by myself for 3 days and that I would contact them if worried. A district nurse visited for the drainage.
Athough I felt poorly, I was not ill and did not spend my time in bed. I was not of course very active but could make myself tea etc and was able to enjoy friends and families company.
I did find the journey home difficult (about 15 mins) but otherwise everything ran smoothly and it was most certainly, for me, the very best aid towards quick recovery.
The consultant had no problems with me doing this. I did not have to argue my case.
I do hope that this information is helpful to you.
I had my operation of mast and recon on the Thursday and was out on the Monday, surgeon gave me the option of going home or stopping in an extra day 3 drains were put 2 removed just before I went home district nurse came in until I went to the clinic for removal and results on the Friday.
I do agree about the journey home especially when there are speed bumps.
Thanks for all the replies, i just found out today that my op will be on the day before my birthday 3rd March.
Was told that my surgeon would not let me leave hospital until the drains were out so looks like will be in 3 to 5 days, not alot i can do really but have said i could have a side room for privacy so will be glad of that.
