My sister has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and has a mastectomy scheduled for 18th May. What will recovery be like afterwards?
Hi, its exactly 2yrs since my mastectomy, are you just interested in the short term, or are you more concerned with when shell be able to work again? Ill give you a brief summary of my experiences, when I came round from the anaesthetic I was totally pain-free, all my right side was numb and I dozed on & off all the rest of the day. I went home 48hrs after my op and wore a bra with a soft falsie in, also put the seat belt across no probs. The exercises were a bit painful and I had to do a lot of stuff with my left hand but it was all a lot less painful than Id dreaded. If your sister has had her chemo, shell still be weak from that,but on the whole it wasnt so bad. I had a nurse come and change the dressing and I was amazed how NOT ugly the scar was,neat and not scabby. If she has to have radiotherapy she may get sore from it and totally knackered but its doable and I quite enjoyed meeting the same women every day and chatting. She may be prescribed tablets to take such as Tamoxifen or according to her age and other factors, aromatase inhibitors which didnt suit me so I went on Tamoxifen after 4-5months which have no side-effects for me to moan about. Unfortunately I have developed a very painful shoulder and I doubt if I could ever do my job again (hairdresser)but Im 59 so it was time to hang up my comb. I`m sure that the physios will advise your sister on what work she will be capable of and when she can go back. I wish her all the very best and a speedy recovery, love Mags xx
Hi sandgirl,
i had my surgery november 2010, i left hospital after a day, with a drain bottle still attached, the nurse came out to me daily to look at the scar and check fluid in drain, after 5 days she removed the drain, the scar healed up quickly, i had a little seroma, fluid along the scar, which was drawn off by my bcn when i went to see my surgeon for follow up, i think that was about 6 weeks after surgery.
i had a lot of nerve pain, my gp prescribed amitriptyline for, i am still taking, the pain felt like someone was rubbing sandpaper all around the area and on my back, its the nerve endings apparantly,
i have just finished chemo, due to start rads, and then need further surgery.
the area is still tender not sore, i am able to wear my bra, so i suppose its taken about 5-6 months to get to this stage,
it is VERY important that you do any exercises they give you to do, it hurts but do them!!!
and ask for pain relief do not suffer in silence, for me the physical side of things has been not too bad, the physchological side of things and how i look now has posed more of a problem, and some days i really do struggle.
everyone is different in their recovery, take each day as it comes, ask loads of questions, if in doubt ask, and listen to your body, dont try to do too much before you are ready.
hope this helps, all the very best to you love liz xxxx
Hi sandgirl
Here’s a link to the BCC publication ‘Your operation and recovery’ which you and your sister may find useful:
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Sandgirl- i had my left sided mastectomy on 13th April and was dreading it, but the reality is not as bad as anything i was imagining. Yes its uncomfortable for a while, but its completely bearable. I am even contemplating getting back into some gentle running next week prior to my chemo starting. I too have had some nerve pain and am taking tablets for it, but fingers crossed it will subside in time. The emotional ups and downs have been tough, but do get easier to cope with.
Hi there,
I had bilateral mx 8 March, and mine was also doable. I had nerve pains for a few weeks, but they’ve now completely gone. My scars have healed very well (I use Bio Oil on them, have done since the scabs went). I still feel some bits that pull, but to echo what the others have said you need to do the exercises.
It’s very important to take it really easy for the first couple of weeks, I did overdo it and suffered for it. I developed a kind of phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) up the front of my chest about a week after the surgery, and that stopped me from wearing a bra or lifting my arms above shoulder height to the side. That has now gone with no medication required.
I should point out I didn’t have lymph node clearance, just what came out with the breast tissue so that made things easier for me.
I’ve been swimming now for 3 weeks, and am able to do front crawl with only minimal loss of mobility and pulling.
I wish your sister lots of luck and best wishes, I hope she comes on here because the support and info here is amazing. xx