I have my mastectomy coming up soon, now I’m finished chemo, and I’m trying to plan. I was just wondering how quickly to expect to get back to normal activities? Normal for me is 2 children under 5, who like me to lie with them both to go to sleep, jump around a lot and generally need a lot of energy!
I’m sure they’ll try and be careful with lots of reminders, and my partner is great, but they often want me and I’m a bit worried about how hard things might be initially. I also don’t want them to see me in too much pain/discomfort as I think it will worry them.
I’m just coming up to a year since diagnosis and double mastectomy (actually found the lump a year ago today and ended up bilateral cancers).
Anyway, I was never in any pain after the op, I still have the morphine and dihydacodeine they sent me home with so you will likely get painkillers to take home should you need it.
My children are older 12 and 22 but I do have two bouncy dogs.
I don’t see why you couldn’t gently lie next to them if you feel up to it and they know to be careful around you - the most awkward bit for me was the drain either side but that was for four days and then off, and I’m sure you could get in a position where it’s out the way.
I didn’t have any recon so my recovery was quick and I was walking a mile the next day and three miles a couple of days later and back running and in the gym on day 10 once I got the go ahead from physio.
Good luck with everything - waking up from the op knowing the cancer was gone was such a relief and I can honestly say the past year has been one of the happiest, most appreciative time of my life and every day I am so grateful. I hope your recovery is quick and painless xx
I had a mastectomy in April and my little girl was 22 months old. I didn’t lift her for 2-3 weeks (I had my mum staying with us to help) but I still had her sit/lie next to me to read a story etc. I had my drain in a little bag for the first few days but actually it wasn’t hard to keep her away from it. I mostly found it hard to remember not to reach out for things quickly / her when she was doing something risky as that’s when I got pain. Otherwise didn’t have much pain as the area was very numb.
Dear @filibuster64, I can only speak from my own mastectomy experience but I would allow about ten days before doing anything too vigourous. Your wound will be well protected with a big dressing but you could get a beanbag to further protect the wound area. ( I was kindly sent one with a shoulder strap by knitted knockers). I didnt have a drain as others have mentioned so may be worth asking if your surgeon usually puts in a drain or not. Wishing you well with your op and recovery. X