Looking to hear from anyone who has gotten through this with no complications. After initial diagnosis of IDC in right breast on 27/10 ( E~R/PR +/ HER-) it has been a roller coaster of endless appointments - MRI, more biopsies, extra bit of cancer and after SNLB earlier this month - have been told 1 of 2 sentinel nodes has macro so now having full lymph node clearance. This is all booked in for 7th Jan and just want it out. Never seem to come away feeling positive from the follow ups as surgeon is very abrupt and lacking in empathy. She only gives me all the complications that could happen to me (infections, necrosis, implant failing, radiotherapy on implant causing capsular contraction etc). Would love to hear from any of you who had little to no complications? As an add my mastectomy will not conserve nipple due to already having implants and cancer directly behind nipple. On top of this new finding re sentinel node having cancer am terrified of spread. Seems like so many have gotten through this a lot faster. Will have to wait for results as to whether I get chemo, radio, etc. 
Thanks for listening & happy NY
I had mastectomy with no reconstruction and axillary node clearance a week ago - So far no complications - the node pain is must worse than the mx but both manageable with painkillers - my BCN called yesterday and told me to take lots of painkillers and don’t be a martyr! I have been resting loads and doing my exercises and so far no complications - appreciate that the reconstruction is more complicated and sure others can offer some good advice. Mentally I just felt massive relief when I woke up and knew they had taken it out - whatever happens next I am on the right path.
And I don’t have to come up with an excuse for not wanting to go out on this freezing NYE!
Rubytuesday thank you for your reply and so happy to hear your doing great. I can only imagine how relieved you are to have it all out now. Hope you’re doing good today too. Were you able to come home same day? Now been told I might have to stay in overnight. Can I ask if you have a drain and how is this going? I was told due to the lymph removal I will now have to have a 2 drains one in axilla and one in mastectomy site. If you do have a drain, are the nurses coming out to you to check this ( I was told this would happen) or something else? Any idea when your next follow-up is for results? We had a quiet NYE at friends place with the dogs. V careful how I am mingling right now. x
I was in overnight - was first up for surgery in the day, went in about 10 and woke up at about 2pm. I just had one drain beneath the axilla bit I think and they removed that the next morning so I could go home (Christmas Eve). They said they tend to need the drains in longer if you have bigger breasts (mine are/were small) -in the hospital they checked it every 2h but I don’t know what they do if you take it home.
My follow up is on the 15th so just over 3 weeks but BCN has called to check in to see how I am.
My NYE was completely uneventful! My dog has been with a friend since the op as she is all paws and very jumpy, looking forward to her coming back but may need a barricade!
Thanks for the info on the drains. Well done on taking it easy this NYE. Next year you can celebrate as much as you like. It won’t be long now till your follow-up and good to hear your friend is caring for your dog. Will be lovely when she can come home 
you most certainly will have to have pillow barricade.
Hi @gb70 I had a left breast mastectomy, immediate implant reconstruction and axillary node clearance on 11/12. I had 2 drains which I came home with and were then taken out back at the hospital a week after surgery (this didn’t hurt contrary to what I’d read!). I had to log drain output each day - not that anyone asked me for it! The drains were a pain but did mean I rested as it was difficult to move around much with them.
Post surgery pain wasn’t too bad and I managed with paracetamol after a few days. The antibiotics upset my stomach a bit so my nurse recommended probiotics. I’m still a bit sore, swollen and tired but nothing too bad. I still don’t have full feeling around my left armpit and the side of my breast but I’ve been assured this is normal and healing will take at least 6-8 weeks and possibly months. I feel like I’m healing well and my consultant is pleased.
My main issue is cording in my left arm which extends to my left wrist. It’s annoying as I’ve been doing the exercises regularly. I had a physio appointment on Tuesday and she has helped my left arm movement massively. She also did a lymphatic massage. So I definitely recommend having physio as soon as you are offered / feel able.
I’m now waiting for further test results to determine if I’ll definitely be having chemo. I have been told to expect chemo cos of the cancer in my lymph nodes.
Hope this rather long message helps! I feel a sense of relief that step one of treatment is done.
Dear Shed, firstly sorry you find yourself here. Thank you for your reply this is really helpful. I know we are all different but so good to hear what I might be facing. It sounds like you are doing great (apart from the cording). I am looking at getting a physio and MLD massage for sure. Doing the maths it is almost a month ago for you. How quickly were you able to have the phsyio and massage may I ask? I hope I can feel relief at one big step done on Wednesday. Right now am more terrified than ever. Appreciate your input and sending big hugs for your continued recovery. 
I had physio 2 weeks and 5 days after surgery. They had said 3 weeks+ but squeezed it in before the new year. I had been very clear that I wanted to get back to being my normal active self asap!
It honestly does feel a relief to have surgery done and I hope you’ll feel the same. Will be thinking of you on Wednesday xx
So good you were able to get physio quite quickly after surgery. Will see if this is possible for my situation as feel exactly the same about getting back to as much normality as possible asap. Thanks again xx 