I am having a lumpectomy and axillary clearance in November. I have been told that I will stay in overnight as my operation is in the afternoon. I will have a drain in the axilla for 7 days, unless I have 48 hours with no drainage, and the district nurse will either visit or see me at the GP’s a couple of times during the 7 days.
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I am currently recovering from a left side mastectomy under two weeks ago. I was kept in overnight and left the next day with two drains. Lower half showering was easy and bought bath wipes from Amazon for a top half wipe down. Best buy for me was the drain holder bags from Amazon which hang across body.
The recovery is not too bad just don’t overdo it. Wishing you good luck and quick healing xx
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I had left mastectectomy and axillary lymph node clearance 5 days ago and had three night hospital stay. They were happy enough to let me home on eve of day 2 but i wasnt ready. I have two drains that i empty myself twice daily, my arm movement is good and i have palexia, gabapentin and paracetemol for pain relief. I have no problems with self care including showering. I have had no advice to avoid side lying. I can lie on right with pillows to support left arm or 1/4 turn to left with pillows at my back so im not lying flat on my back. The drains have a bit of vacuum so im not worried about gravity. Similarly i was told i can wear the mastectomy bra with them. Managing pain to maintain shoulder movement is really important so dont be shy. Of course, it all might blow up in my face yet 
but so far, its okay. Im a bit light headed on and off so taking it very easy. The bigger part for me is now distracting myself until i get results on day 10.
I had a single masectomy and removal of sentinel and 2 other lymph nodes on Friday. I was a day patient, home same day. I am able to wash and go to toilet by myself. Last night my husband helped me wash my hair over bath. I have exercises to do and my arm movement is good. Hope this information is useful, everyone is different and you will need to listen to your body. Ask questions of your breast care nurse
They have a wealth of information.
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Hi there
I was duagnosed in October 2023 with oestrogen and progesterone negative cancer but HER2 positive in my left breast.
I had 6 rounds of carboplatin and docetaxel chemo with phesgo injections pre-surgery.
I had a double mastectomy in the beginning of May of this year and stayed overnight as a precaution. I had a drain on each side and district nurses visited each day to empty them until I had 3 straight days of 20mls or less.
At the end of May I had full Axillary Lymph Node Clearance on left side as chemo hadnt shrunk the cancer in my lymph nodes (this was done as day surgery and I had 1 drain) . In the past I had oestrogen positive cancer in my right breast which is why I opted for double mastectomy.
I could make s cuppa as long as not too much water in kettle. I was also able to do light meals. I had strip washes until drains had been removed. I personally found wearing button front shirts easier until drains were removed. My cancer nurses encouraged exercises to keep movement in arms etc and I was sent home with exercise sheets. You should be given a bag for your drains to make it easier for sleeping etc. I personally foynd it easier to have them in one bag on my side and slept on my back.
Hope this helps.
I’m doing OK @littlefish Even though it’s quite exhausting at times I’m just concentrating on the fact I know this treatment should give me the best possible chance of beating the cancer.
If you want to chat at all then let me know. Take care of yourself and remember you are not alone.
So I had my operation on Monday afternoon. Although groggy was able to walk to toilet by early eve and wash self (albeit with a bit of difficulty) the next morning. Despite being told it would be a 3 to 5 day stay I was able to come home less than 24 hrs after the op. Am taking it slowly and being sensible but have been able to do light tasks such as make a cuppa (filling kettle from a mug so it’s not heavy etc) lay the table and wander about the house bored, thinking about all those chores I’d like to get on with if I could!! Managing pain with paracetamol and gaps between doses getting longer. TBH it’s more discomfort than pain. Although the drain caused pain immediately after the op it’s not painful now just annoying. Have appt to remove it on Sunday ( day 7). Have even managed to self adminiser anti clotting injections which I never thought I could face.
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