Hi, I’m just waiting for the results of an MRI biopsy, then I’ll be getting date for surgery, I’ll either be having rh Mx and lh wle, or double Mx depending on result. My op is likely to be late Jan or early Feb. Me and my partner are trying to work out how much time he should book off work to be with me after i am home from hospital. He has a long term condition which means he suffers fatigue, so he’ll have to pace himself too and we’ll get help from friends too.
I’m struggling to imagine how ill i might be - will i be able to make a brew and a sandwich, will I be able to get up at all in the first few days? Will I be basically ok to sort myseld out during the day? There’s also the mental side of things - i might be in bits?
Can anyone tell me their experience and how they coped and what extra help they needed?
Thanks
Ninianne
Hello Ninianne,
I think that we are all different and our bodies react in different ways. I can only speak from personal experience and my experience is quite different from yours as I had a left WLE and ANC last Jan and then a MX with recon in July … left side only.
After my first op, I was home within 6 hours, could do up my own bra and cooked a light dinner that evening. I was off work for 2 weeks, but was able to do everything I usually did straight away … I am right handed which I am sure made it easier for me. But had full range of movement in my left arm … but I was very lucky to have only one incision.
Following my MX and recon, I really was very dependent on my husband for two full weeks, and struggled just to get off the sofa during the day, I needed him to make all meals and bring me drinks etc. It really was 4 weeks before I was up to doing very much more than making a sandwich. But alot of that was due to my tummy incision and lower drains.
Again emotionally we all react differently too, I actually found the days leading up to surgery much more difficult than those after, when worrying about the unknown and spent many hours looking at my breast before it went!
So I am afraid that I can’t really help! But noticed that no one had come along yet with a similar experience and didn’t want you to feel ignored.
Perhaps a chat with the BCN would help you have a better idea of how much help you will need in your own circumstances.
Jacqui
Ninianne - I asked the very same question of my Breast Care Nurse. I wanted to know if I would be able to look after personal hygiene, etc. I had a WLE/SNB. Fortunately, I did not require a drain and am sure this made things much easier. At my request, I went home the same day and to be honest, because it appeared that the SNB (tested during surgery) showed no spread, I felt euphoric immediately after surgery. That carried me through for a few days, until my BCN told me that the node removed had to be examined in the lab to be certain it was clear - which it was, fortunately. Anyway, my surgery was on the right side and I am right handed. Nevertheless, I was able to do gentle, everyday things myself, obviously avoiding anything remotely strenuous and doing as much as I could with my left hand. I did feel tired and spent longer in bed in the mornings and I took painkillers for a few days.
I think it will totally depend on the surgery, as Jacqui has shown with her two experiences, so you won’t really know what to expect until you know that.
Have you long to wait for the results? I do know it can be a protracted event. I had an MRI scan, which threw up some areas of suspicion and so I had to have more biopsies and further waits. Don’t be too alarmed if this happens, as it will not necessarily be more bad news. The MRI scan shows up all sorts of things.
My best wishes to you and fingers crossed that you ‘only’ need a WLE. Please let us know.
Love Ann xxx
Hi Ninianne
I had a lh mastectomy in October. I was able to dress myself the following day and came home with a drain attached. The drain was quite painful but other than that, I was able to get drinks and snacks myself. You won’t be able to hoover or iron for at least a month or carry anything heavy. And you’ll probably sleep longer than usual - but it’s the body’s way of healing. What I would say is do the exercises they give you. I only missed a couple of days when the drain was too painful but did them 3 times a day afterwards for several weeks. I now just do the exercises once a day but I haven’t had problems (touches wood) with lymphodema or cording.
Mentally it probably will be hard. I still feel that I’ve had an amputation and although Jacqui pointed out that it’s a big op with a long recovery, I wish I could have had recon at the same time - they wouldn’t do it as I have to have rads (after chemo0.
I forgot to say about making sure you do the exercises, as Nottsgal has said. One of the surgeons told me that she can tell who had done them and who had not, long after surgery, through the amount of mobility in the arm that the person has.
Good luck!
Ann x
Nottsgal … as I was having my MX for DCIS rather than invasive cancer, and had only 3 nodes affected, it was thought that I would not need rads. However, more invasive cancer was found at biopsy and I ended up having 15 x rads in October. It has changed the shape and position of my new breast quite a lot and it is now quite uncomfortable and I am very wonky 
So even though it was great to have one op and not have to deal with having no breast, I am sure that for you it is much better to wait and you have been given the best advice.
thanks for posting back Jacqui and sorry to hear that the rads messed up your new breast.
Ninianne
Forgot to say the biggest help you will need is probably arranging flowers in vases. I got 14 lots after my mx. 2 people had cleverly sent some that were in vases. All the others had to be dealt with. It appears this job is outside the male skill set. Luckily my mum was staying and did most of them.