Hello. I posted here several weeks ago having been diagnosed with BC. I now know that I am to have a mastectomy and lymph node removal on 18th February.
I am terrified, they spoke about more testing despite a normal ct. Everything is a blur. Help.
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Hi Sue. Itâs totally natural to feel overwhelmed with everything, it can feel like a whirlwind. My advice is to take everything one step at a time, one appointment at a time and read up as much as you can handle from this website. I personally found knowing what I was going into gave me much more perceived control over the situation and how I coped. I had a single mastectomy and reconstruction end of Dec. Itâs going to take some time to accept what is happening and what needs to be done. Give yourself grace and know there is lots of support if you need it x
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Hello
Is it the surgery, the test results or both that is bothering you?
Itâs all totally understandable and itâs best to try and take each day as it comes and not hypothesize about what may or may not happen.
As far as surgery is concerned I can reassure you that I was terrified of going under anaesthetic for the first time for my double mastectomy but in reality it was the easiest bit of my treatment so far. True you are a bit sore after but paracetamol worked for me. It wasnât nearly as awful as some dental work Iâve had in the past. I would say:
- Prepare in advance to be as comfy as possible
- Get front opening clothes ready to wear as you may not be able to raise your arms to put things on for few days
- Drink lots of water after surgery to flush out the anaesthetic
- Do your exercises
- Eat little and often if you feel queasy
- Rest!
The drains are a nuisance but theyâre not painful and youâll only have them for a week.
As for test results - canât really advise re that. I had 6 lymphs removed and my tumours were sent off for analysis. Ten days after surgery my consultant phoned with results. It sounds like a long wait but hopefully youâll be sleeping and resting a lot during that time so it will come round quickly.
With best wishes to you xxx
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Do you mind me asking how long you waited from diagnosis to surgery? I was diagnosed on Dec 23rd, surgery is on Feb 18th. I am worried that it is a long time and that cells are spreading.
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I was diagnosed with DCIS only (10mm) in October from biopsy, had to wait a few weeks for MRI, then my surgery was booked for 30th December. What have you been diagnosed with?
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I have been diagnosed with oestrogen positive (30mm) in upper left quadrant with lymph nodes involved. Then normal ct scan. I have one more appointment before surgery so will ask for more details. I feel so numb about it all.
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Both! But thankyou so much for this advice. Apparently I will be in hospital for 3 days, then will have instructions on caring for the drain at home. I will try and take each day as it comes and try not to worry about the future.
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I think the timescale you have is good. Iâve heard of people waiting many months before surgery. I had chemo first and then had to wait 7 weeks for my surgery.
You mentioned you are staying in hospital for 3 nights. I came home the same day! Are you in the UK? NHS or private? X
P.s. the drain doesnât need looking after as such, you just need to be mindful that itâs attached to you! I was asked to keep a record of how much fluid was draining and let them know if I went outside their ânormalâ average. And obviously if it becomes uncomfortable or sore at any point you need to let them know.
When they take the drain out it feels strange because they have to give it a little pull to get it out but it doesnât hurt at all and itâs done in seconds.
Big hug x
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Yes, Iâm NHS and in Wales. The hospital has a dedicated breastcare unit separate from the main hospital⊠I feel âluckyâ to have been referred there, if lucky is the correct word under the circumstances.
Thankyou so much for explaining the drain to me, I was getting a bit concerned about that.
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If you are in south Wales I might be able to wave at you from the other side of the Bristol channel 
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Hi sue I had left breast mastectomy and went home same day - the drain does take care of it self really and I was able to measure the output myself and change the bag. I was in pain for 3 nights but it got so much easier after that - itâs all so over whelming you just go in and nod and have no clue what is going on really - take someone with you to appointments my dp asked my questions and remembers way more than I do at appointments - you will get through this - one step at a time x x
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Hi @sue9
I had double mastectomy in November 2024.
I understand you will have sentinel lymph nodes biopsy?
I know you are scared and worried, I know how you feel and I am sorry.
From my experience - mastectomy was easy, I had no drains ( it depends on where you are, my surgeon said it is better without). I went flat, it looks reasonable well. Pain level manageable with paracetamol. They did gave me dihydrocodeine but I took only one tablet on first night at home.
I started exercising on 3rd day (they should give you leaflet). Those exercises really helped me to go back to ânormalâ level of activity.
After operation I was able to make myself tea, prepare food etc.
I did my shopping before operation and kind of prepared my flat - cleaned, hoovered, water plants ans so on. I am alone, live by myself with two cats, I have no family or friends (I know, I am pathetic loser, bad person :)).
Psychologically speaking - it is daunting, that is why - in my case I have asked for double mastectomy.
I know it is not much comfort now but - do not worry, it will be OK.
XXXXXX
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Thankyou for your message. Like you, I live on my own with my little rescue dog, but have a daughter who lives 30 miles away. I have already had the lymph nodes biopsy and am having them removed along with a left side mastectomy. (no reconstruction). I had a pre op today, which included ECG and various thingsâŠ
Please donât say youâre a loser and a bad person. The fact that you have taken the time to reply to me tells me otherwise.
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Thankyou for this. 
I am in West Wales, will need a megaphone for you to hear me!
I had a mastectomy in October, no reconstruction and in and out in the day . I like you was concerned about it growing between diagnosis ( early September ) and operation ( mid October) but it did not but it did not stop me thinking it might .
I am over 70 and live on my own but I was able to walk 9000 steps three days after the operation ⊠( not really advised )and back to my various classes within a few weeks. I felt energised after the operation which I think was because I was so happy that the cancer had been removed.
The drains were an annoyance and I found that leaning forward to pick things up was an issue , so of you have a friend who has a litter picker borrow one . Also long nightie not a good idea , pyjamas are better as stops drains getting tangled . You should be given a little bag to hold the drains. If you hang it on your bedboard at night then it helps stops the drains pulling while you are asleep. I had plenty of pillows so could get comfortable at night and stopped me moving too much in bed .
You probably will find you are numb on the site of the operation and I found the overall feeling a bit strange but you get used to it.
Good luck with the operation
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Thankyou so much for sharing your experience and advice. I appreciate it very much. I hope you are continuing to recover well.
I think I am increasingly worried about spread as it is already in some lymph nodes.