Hi, I was diagnosed with (left) breast cancer on 2 Jan with one lymph node also positive, as the biopsies in Dec were on both the lump and a lymph node. Have lumpectomy surgery and lymph node clearance levels 1 and 2 on Monday and am trying to prepare but am finding it’s all happening very fast and come completely out of the blue. Have seen the exercises info and preparing for surgery info but does anyone have any other tips please??
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Hi Lola
I had lumpectomy in October 24, 3 lymph nodes removed in as a day patient case. I found the most uncomfortable part was sleeping, I was given a heart shaped pillow to prop under my arm which really helped. I had quite restrictive movement of arm for a few weeks but with the gentle exercises I now have full movement back. Bathing in shallow bath for a few weeks, hubby washing my hair! Be kind to yourself and listen to your body. Wishing you all the best xxx
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I had exactly what you’re having. I found using a cushion in bed and when sitting in the car and sofa helped. I was given a front fastening bra by the breast care nurse which was great as it was supportive, with no seams. After a few weeks I started to wear an M and S crop top in bed at night which has helped.
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Front fastening PJ’s too 
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Hi lola
I agree with others. Loose, front opening clothes and pjs. A cushion is helpful for resting your arm on. Make sure you do the excercises as they will prevent stiffness. I would take in something to pass the time while you wait. I had 4 hours from admission to surgery. Also, an absolute must - plenty tea and cake to help you recover. Best wishes. Will think about you on monday x
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Thanks for all your replies, really helps getting some practical ideas that have worked. Have dug out some front fastening PJs and for sleeping, is it just a normal cushion/extra pillow at the side or has anyone used one of the breast feeding V shaped/curved pillows? Thanks again.
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Hi, I was given a small heart shaped pillow to take away from hospital. I found this great as i was able to position it right under the top of my arm. I did sometimes use a normal pillow. This was fine too but not as good x
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I used a pillow in bed at night, in hospital and when I got home. I had a drain for 8 days and I think the pillow helped with that. Then I went onto a small square cushion I happened to have as it just fitted under my armpit and supported everything. I couldn’t sleep on my left hand side, the side of the surgery, for about 3 weeks, especially when the drain was in.
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Hi,
I found a v shaped breastfeeding pillow really useful. I am a side sleeper but needed to sleep on my back after my mastectomy and it really helped me get comfortable.
I was also given a heart shaped pillow at the hospital and this was really useful. I used it in the car, just sitting around in the evening and in bed - it helped with the car seat belt and just as a cushion to keep my arm away from my scar.
Best wishes xx
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I bought some Fruit of the Loom front-fastening bras at Walmart for around $19 for 2. I had a lumpectomy 3 months ago and 16 rounds of radiation. I wore the bra to sleep and it really helped. They’re lightweight cotton and I put them in the washing machine and the dryer. I still wear one around the house to keep tops from rubbing too much on my “special” boob. Take care.
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Why are they not removing level 3 lymph nodes as I thought that is the norm?
Bless you, we will all be thinking of you on Monday.
It is super overwhelming and seems to happen far too quickly for any real processing. I felt exactly the same - I have never been unwell in my life and it was very unexpected & all felt just huge for me.
I had a lumpectomy and SLNB in September 2024.
I found doing the exercises several times a day from the day after surgery, & pushing through the tightness & pain in the underarm, essential to getting me back on my yoga mat within 6wks and back to the active life I love (I was very impatient to heal!). The underarm was by far the hardest part for me, rather than the breast, but all of it is doable, and we are all different.
Someone to wash your hair for a few weeks while you heal, a feather pillow for car journeys - wedge under the arm & breast to avoid any jiggling over bumps! - pillow stack for sleeping (I found, being a side/tummy sleeper, the change of position to back was difficult enough, but I also needed to not be flat to be most comfortable, due to a lateral fold incision).
I found some fantastic sleep spray by This Works, though - lavender, I think - & it was really calming & knocked you right out!
The pain killers weren’t worth not being able to go to the toilet, for me, so I was off them after 3 days & I can’t say I was ever ‘in pain’ to any great degree, until the underarm healing stretches, but that’s momentary.
Eat well - lots of rainbow colours that grow in nature, lean protein for cell repair & healing.
When the pre-op stuff tells you ‘most people’ are back to their daily activities ‘within 2wks’, I can tell you their daily activities cannot be much if they are! I could get back to daily 10,000 steps/walking (great for taking down swelling!) by Day 3, but back to work took 4wks, & daily yoga took 6 wks… Your body will tell you, hear it, but also ask it to gently try - you will be amazed at your own strength, resilience & determination.
Bother your Breast Care Nurse no matter how silly the question seems - reassurance is essential. xx
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Hi @lola25
As others have said, make sure you do the exercises afterwards, they are so important. If you are the last person on the list for the day then go outside and get some fresh air (don’t be silly like me and forget that hospital isn’t a prison until I’d been sat for hours and got a headache from the lighting!). Definitely stuff to pass the time, can be a long day. A decent sports bra is great, also a slightly padded crop top (Primark £8, feel supportive and protective), but don’t spend loads of money on bras until you’re on the mend and know what will work for you or even if they are needed longer term. If you do any form of exercise get back to it as soon as you can (check with your Drs first). I’m convinced this helped my recovery massively.
How soon you get back to normal really does vary person to person. I was super keen to get back to my usual routines and did daily walks, then gentle jogging and back to very easy running by 2.5 weeks. By the time I went for results 4 weeks later I was doing strength classes at the gym (using very light weights) and back in my normal underwire bras. I do appreciate that I only had four lymph nodes removed so that will maybe have made a difference, but overall it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I feared it would be.
Best of luck with everything tomorrow. You’re in safe hands. x
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@Linda_Corinne I had level 1 and 2 nodes removed. I have the impression that removing level 3, as a routine, is unusual.
I was told level 3 wasnt usual anymore too.
Thanks for all your replies, it’s all really scary as I’m also the person who was never ill before all of this but it’s so helpful to hear from so many people who’ve been through this too and get your tips Am loving this forum already.
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I was the last person on the list for surgery too - also got a cracking headache! Never considered it was from the lights, I thought it was the lack of water because they have you fasting, but that makes so much sense! I’ve never done well with strip lights & reflective surfaces.
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Hope your surgery went well today x
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Thank you, op seems to have gone well today so far, which is a big relief. Watching lots of trashy tv this evening and hoping to get some more sleep tonight having now had the op. One step at a time!
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