Hi,
I have IDC grade 2 stage 1, ER+ but still waiting on HER2 results. Lumpectomy with latissimus Dorsi flap reconstruction and axillary node removal on 6th January. Then definitely radiotherapy and possibly chemotherapy dependant on HER2 status and clear margins and nodes. I’m definitely terrified but glad I know roughly what’s going to happen. Any advice on what to expect from surgery would be greatly appreciated xx
Kaye
Hi Kaye
Your positive attitude puts me to shame. As my mastectomy and full axillary clearance approached, I was. WRECK!
It’s not as bad as you expect
I didn’t need any pain relief but it’s useful to have plenty to hand, a variety so if one doesn’t help, another might or paracetamol v ibuprofen (and some of their variants like Panadol Plus)
You may have a drain under your arm after surgery. It’s worth asking beforehand as it can be a shock. Some hospitals provide a carry-bag; I had to improvise with a scarf! It will put you off raspberry smoothie for life. It’s inconvenient but not painful and is removed by the hospital within the week.
You need front opening pjs and tops because your arm may be stiff and stretching with a drain is tough. Pull on trousers/joggers and footwear you don’t need to bend down to get them on. Just take yourself through all your routines and ask yourself what you can/can;t do with an arm out of action and tender muscles.
You will be given a list of exercises. I think this is the most important part of recovery. You have to keep the healing wound supple and flexible or you will have restricted movement, even a frozen shoulder.
Take bedsocks to hospital. Once you’re gowned, you may have ages to wait and feet get cold very fast. You will have compression stockings after surgery and be told how long to wear them. They are a bu**er to get on without assistance!
Your dressing may not be waterproof so it will need to be a bath or an all-over wash for a while. You can request a waterproof dressing (I did - turned out I was allergic to the adhesive and spent two weeks with rashes down to the waist!). They do enable you to have a shower but they allow a little water in so you get an alarming spread of residual blood stains, nothing to worry about.
Depending on how extensive your surgery is, your scar should be healed within 2 weeks. I don’t know about lumpectomy/reconstruction, but if you have full axillary clearance, you need to be careful to avoid cording. Take it seriously. Three years on, mine is back, right down t the wrist because I got diverted from my routine massage and stretching. A crystal deodorant works brilliantly as a harm-free anti-perspiring (Holland&Baratt. Health shops, Amazon). They will last longer than any of us. Mine is 15 years old already.
If you’re running a household, get assistance. Prepare plenty of ready-meals. If you’re on your own, again pre-prepared meals till you’ve full use of your arm/shoulder/breast muscles again.
Sort out your TV viewing, stock up with books and make the most of the break.
I’m sure others will advise you. If you do require chemo, take the offer. The treatment isn’t pleasant but it’s nowhere near as bad as the public perception and it’s manageable. It’s also life-saving. If you’re told it will make a 2% difference, remember that includes those for whom it fails (0%) and those who move on, cancer-free (100%). You could be anywhere between so don’t be misled by the measly 2%. Go for it if it’s offered, likely with node involvement.
Terrified is normal. Don’t Google, no matter how tempting. It doesn;t take emotions into account and it doesn’t know your precise diagnosis. Use this time to focus on your emotional wellbeing. Do what makes you feel good, running, baking, yoga, mindfulness… there are loads of helpful meditation videos on YouTube. Progressive Hypnosis’s Manifest healing got me through it all and now I am using their Cure Anxiety. Guaranteed good sleep!
Good luck. Hope it’s all good news fr you,
Jan x