Hi. I’ve justed been diagnosed with and booked for my lumpectomy operation next week. Starting to get over the initial shock and need some advice. Everything I’ve read so far is telling me to get back to a normal life asap but what does that actually mean with regards to the following: -
Im due to go on holiday to Bournemouth Mid September and I’m wondering whether to cancel?
When can I drive?
How long does the wound take to heal before you start radiotherapy?
How long are you off work?
Hello joodles,
I had WLE and sentinel node biopsy in late 2008.
I was off work for 2 weeks after surgery and then did a week of part time. I was fortunate that most of my rads appointments were at the end of the day so I went into work until mid to late afternoon throughout radiotherapy, although clinic days meant having to leave earlier. I suspect that it will be radiotherapy that could be a problem with your holiday. I then had a week off after rads as I was very tired (mainly I suspect because of having a long drive to and from hospital each day).
I didn’t drive for 2 weeks after my surgery but that was mainly because I was staying with a friend. You may want to check with your insurance company and they are likely to say you should follow the advice the hospital give you on this.
My wound healed quickly and I could have started radiotherapy 4 weeks later if it weren’t for the fact of the waiting time in my area. Some people do have problems with the wound though.
It might be worth phoning your breast care nurse with some of these questions as she will know what things are like in your area.
I think that Breast Cancer Care have a leaflet about surgery which you can download from this site and I know that they have an excellent one on pathology reports, which you may find useful after surgery.
Good luck,
Eliza xx
Hello
I had two WLE and sentinel node biopsy a year ago exactly. I was driving after a few days, but the wound took at least two weeks to heal, so you won’t want to be bouncing around too much! Even after it heals it can still be painful inside, but it shouldn’t stop you doing things. Insurance companies don’t want you to drive for ages, but if you feel that you have full mobility and can hold the wheel and do an emergency stop then you should be fine. Remember though, a general anaesthetic can take several days to wear out of your body.
I went to France on the back of our motorbike at the end of Aug and had no problems, and even swam in the sea so your Sept holiday should be fine so long as it doesn’t interfere with rads - the oncologist should tell you when you will be starting them. I wouldn’t cancel anything unless you have to
good luck
Helen.
Hi joodles
I had WLE and SNB in November and two weeks later had a 5 day break in Innsbruck which had been booked prior to diagnosis. It couldn’t have come at a better time. I then started Rads at the beginning of January.
As Eliza says, have a word with your BCN but don’t cancel your holiday unless you really have to. It will be a very welcome break in the middle of your treatment.
Best wishes.
Alison.xx
hi karen here im due to have my lumpectomy on aug 9th then radiotherapy later . Told the dr that im booked to go to florida at the end of sept and he seems to think there wont be a problem with me going so having the holiday to look forward to has taken some of the stress of the op.
Best wishes xx
I think a lot depends where your lump is.
I had WLE and all my nodes removed in June.
I was out of hospital next day with a wound drain in (tube and big bag of blood), which stayed in for 5 days. I had very little pain and was moving my arm normally and driving within a week.
I went back to work after a week (probably could have gone back sooner to be honest, but the kids were off school so we had a few days out).
I have since had some problems with seroma (fluid) which has had to be drained off a few times, and I got an infection because of this which was unpleasant. However, we have been camping and boating and life is normal.
They will probably want to wait 3-4 weeks after your surgery before they start the rads. I would carry on with your holiday - putting the rads off a week isn’t going to make any difference and you’ll deserve some rest and relaxation.
hi, had WLE 2007 came out a day later took a few weeks to heal, had rads , last one finished on a wed, on the following sat flew off to Turkey, when i came back went straight back to work on a phased return, cant say it was all easy but i think i must have been a lucky one as each situation is different .(the hospitals are good with planning rads they made sure mine were organised so i could still keep my holiday).
best wishes
Annie
Thanks for helpful comments. Want to get back to normal (driving and the holiday) asap but in a stressful job so dont want to rush back to work though being pushed and not had op yet. I know every case is different but once again thanks for comments.