Hello everyone!
I’m not quite sure if I am doing this right but I wanted to say hi
I’m Sam, 48 at the end of April and booked in to have a Mastectomy (and axilla clearance) with Diep reconstruction on 13th April.
I found a lump in my armpit on Christmas Day evening whilst watching tv. The journey following that has felt like a dream with a lot of waiting between tests but now the reality is kicking in!
Any top tips for what to take to hospital are greatly appreciated, I guess you don’t wear a bra after the op?
Hiya, welcome and sorry you have to be here but you’re part of the gang now.
I had mine exactly 2 weeks ago today. I forgot to take a dressing gown and wish I had taken one as I was freezing so I got dressed again as they gowned me up and left me hanging around in a side room for 3 hours.
When I came round I had a plaster on it (bloody big one!!!) and that was all. I didn’t wear a bra and still haven’t yet. I did go flat though so you might be different. Hopefully someone will come on and advise.
Have a big bottle of STLL water (nurse wouldn’t let me drink my fizzy water) to have when you come round. I was so dry in the throat afterwards.
Those are the two things I wish I’d thought to take.
Good luck with it. I have felt really well up to now and I hope that will be the case for you too. xxx
Good to see you reaching out. It’s a daunting journey but there are lots of us with experience. I had a delayed diep reconstruction but have to say, so glad I went ahead with it. The first few days are tough (but you will be med. up) and they will keep you VERY warm so I would suggest cotton nightwear. I wore shorts pj’s with the button down the front. Maybe take some (foot) cooling spray. Dressing gown & slippers. A long phone charger and something to watch films on (I took my iPad). I just didnt feel like reading. I’m sure there’s more but they certainly stood out as a must.
I walked to nuclear medicine and then to Theatres so slippers that are sturdy and good to walk in as well as just comfy would be good or perhaps Crocs if you like those.
I’m a Nurse working in a hospital and I always advise people to bring earphones /pods for music / films / audio books are also very relaxing and earplugs in case it’s noisy . I have a neck / shoulder problem and took my own pillow with me and it was under my head the whole time . Front fastening clothes maybe a soft secret support vest or ordinary vest if a bra isn’t possible ( I’ve no experience of Diep ) .
Hope it all goes well xx
Hi!
I hope you are feeling good and recovering well. I had planned to take my dressing gown so that’s good to know, thank you
I will make sure to take a big bottle of water too.
Those tips are very helpful, sending healing vibes and positivity to you xxx
Hi Joanne,
Thank you so much for your message, I appreciate it greatly!
I was thinking about getting one of those travel neck pillows to take with me and will make sure I download some Netflix programmes onto my tablet incase the wifi isn’t very good!
Hi @carrots0016 would echo what the others have said, I’ve had two surgeries now, I think for a reconstruction they will dress it and you may not need a bra but would double check with your breast care nurse
For my second surgery I wore some crocs which I found so much better as could use them as slippers and shoes to walk out of hospital without having to bend down which helped!
Also remember a V shaped pillow for home after surgery as this helps and I think everyone who has had surgery has found this helpful!
Sorry to hear you have joined our club. This is a great place to reach out and learn about others experiences.
I have had 2 x single mastectomys a year a part. The first one (with full axilla clearance) left me with such a dry mouth when I can round after op and for a few months afterwards which meant I could only eat moist food. Although note i had 10 weeks of chemo before first msg which probably didn’t help. But I advise moist snacks/foods.
When I went in for the second one I discussed this with the anesthetist and they gave me different prophylactic meds to keep my heart rate steady during the op and no dry mouth issue when I came round. Although note I dont imagine everyone will have same reaction to the meds during the first op, but its worth asking the question ‘ how should I expect to feel when I come round’.
I would echo what others have said… I downloaded things to watch on my phone, and took my own pillow and blanket as I tend to run hot. I always take ear plugs and eye mask into hospital as it make it easier to sleep during day if needed.
I had full axilla clearance with one msx which was a more difficult recovery than the one without but still I found I was fine with just paracetamol after a couple of days. Although I did not have a drain or reconstruction. I followed the recommended exercise regime to the letter but in hindsight I had some cording in my arm and I should have sought more advice from the breast care nurse or physio to help with this.
Wishing you all the very best for your surgery! X Anna
Welcome to the community and just to echo that it is a great place for support, information and, if you ever feel the need, to have a good old vent.
I had a lumpectomy so have nothing to offer with regards to advice on the mastectomy procedure itself or the recovery, but just wanted to wish you the best of luck for both. x
I will indeed! Thank you so much!! Just getting everything washed and ready to pack! Spent the whole of yesterday manically cleaning, tidying and going to the tip! Feels like a form of nesting pre childbirth!! X
Thank you so much for your message and for sharing your experience
I have packed some boiled sweets to try and alleviate the dry mouth as I remeber that being an issue after my hysterectomy.
I am concerened about lymphodema in the arm but will just make sure I start doing the small movements as soon as possible.
Thank you so much for being so kind, I hope you are well xx
@carrots0016 yes I did exactly the same! Don’t think my house has ever been so clean than whilst I’ve been having ops and chemo as they sent me into a cleaning frenzy
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