Have been out of hosp 6 days now after mastectomy. I am still feeling tired & become breathless with the least amount of exertion. Phoned breast care nurse who said this was to be expected. But I’ve had 2 prior ops (1st WLE, 2nd axillary clearance)where I didn’t have this problem - I was right as rain general body wise from start of day 3 after previous ops. With 2nd op probably had more blood loss overall judging by drain volume collected. Was I lucky with earlier ops; are there cumulative body effects from surgery (eg from general anaesthetic?). Any advice - I am taking things easy - is it just a matter of patience with this. I do have a lot of soreness/pain at the wound site but this I would have expected anyway.
im on day 7 after mx, feeling just like you but only had one op for wle b4. just feel so sore that sometimes its easier to just lay down and have another nap… think i need to get out a bit more, although not ready for disco dancing yet!
phloxy, a mastectomy is a much bigger operation so you should expect the after-effects to be bigger too. With WLE and SNB they’re only cutting a little bit of you away, (sorry, didn’t mean to say “only” but you get what I mean, I hope) whereas a mastectomy is much more involved, even without immediate reconstruction.
Good luck with your recovery, take your time and be gentle with yourself.
Hi, Phloxy - take care of yourself gently!!! I had (no choice)Mx 1st Oct - felt fine for a week and then downhill. I’m pretty stoical but still feel mutilated and lack energy - maybe 'cos I developed an infection. If your oncologist wants to prescribe Tamoxifen ask about the side effects, partic those not on the printed leaflet! PM me if you want more info, B
Hello Phloxy
you have had 3 major ops, 3 lots of anesthetic etc etc listen to your body and rest up , while you rest your body heals
r x
Hi Phloxy, I had bilateral mx on 8 march, WLE 19 Jan. I found a HUGE difference in how I felt generally after the mx, and was physically knocked for six for a while. I’ve only really started to feel strong in the last couple of days. General anaesthetic is cumulative, and the shock of surgery is too. Also don’t forget the emotional energy you’ve expended. I definitely overdid it initially, despite thinking I was taking it easy! I also have nerve regeneration pains and muscle spasms that made me pretty uncomfortable off and on, and I took co-codamol at night to help with that and to also make me sleepy.
Re shortness of breath, I don’t know your history or whether you’ve had chemo or anything, or about your general health. If I were you I’d go to the GP if you can, and just explain how you’re feeling and about the shortness of breath. The GP should be happy to check you over, maybe do and ECG and put your mind at rest (which is a very important thing to do for someone who’s just had such major surgery)!
Hope you start to feel better soon, lots of love, Lynne xx
Hi can anyone offer advice need reasurance. Had my mx on thurs bruised and swollen very badly. Above the scar were it is swollen and tight on touching it it sounds like tapping on an empty box weird. Still all numb from the op. Anyone else expierianced this. I just phoned the ward I was on and she said any concerns to phone the bcn to-morrow. I know the swelling and tightness and bruising can be expected it just this strange noise when I tap or touch the upper bit. Thanks anyone but worried hope you are al having a better day.
Duckess x
Quick one - could be a seroma, where it fills up with fluid. Your BCN can drain it off if necessary, so do give her a ring. Others who have had mx will be able to come up with other suggestions to make it more comfortable.
Hi Phloxy and Duckess,
Hope you are both beginning to feel better. It is really early days for both of you since surgery and the anaesthetic does take its toll on the body too. Try to get as much rest as you can and accept as many offers of help too.
I managed to get out and drive for first time this week (four and a half weeks after mx and reconstruction) and hairdresser told me anaesthetic wreaks havoc with hair and can take up to six months to be rid of it from roots. My skin has suffered a lot too. Duckess, not sure if you are experiencing a seroma; one of my drains fell out a day early and 3 times fluid built up on my left side, which meant swelling, tenderness and discomfort. BC nurse drained this off first time and then doc drained it off next twice; each time it took longer to fill up. Finally everything has settled now.
It can be difficult for first few weeks even getting settled in bed with comfortable pillows and clothes can start to rub too. For first week or so I got up early, did what I could and had afternoon nap! Take care.
Hello Ray I think it’s blood build up, the surgeon mentioned it when he came to see me before I came home. He said it would proberbly dissipate itself but it feels tight and is quite big ( still look a bit like I’ve got my boob. ) My blood is very slow at clotting which they only recently found out so could explain why I look like I’ve hit a bus full on frontal. I am speaking to my nurse to-day they may suggest draining some off ( I hope ) if so I hope also that they can do it at my g.ps as it’s a 50 odd round trip back to the hospital, yuk!.
Hello chocciemuffin thaks and hope you are feeling good to-day.
Phloxy hope you are feeling a lot better to-day too hugs to all and thanks
Duckess xx
Duckess, the blood thing is called haematoma, in case they use a word you’re not expecting. Like a seroma they CAN drain it if they think it’s the best thing to do, so don’t worry too much. The GP or the practice nurse should be able to do it, to prevent the long journey. It’ll be uncomfortable but shouldn’t hurt loads, and you’ll feel a lot better once the pressure has been relieved. If you’re feeling a bit wimpish you could ask for them to use Emla cream, which is the local anaesthetic cream they use to numb the skin when trying to get cannulas into children. Works a treat!
For those who’ve had little surgeries (and I suppose it also counts for bigger surgeries) I’m very pleased with how my scars are settling down. I had WLE and SNB (no nodes - hurrah!!!) in January, and the scar under my arm is now totally flat, and just a bit pink. At first it was very red, lumpy and rather alarming, but now if I don’t look but just feel for it, it’s really difficult to find, it’s healed that well.
The scar around my areola is now much less indented than it was, though still a little bit indented, and the very lumpy feeling in the rest of the breast is much less than it was, so I’m very happy that that one’s also healing really nicely. It was rather alarming after the re-excision at the end of Jan, and the nipple’s still got some of the blue dye in it (I refuse to be turned into a smurf!) but the dye’s gradually fading and the scar is getting much less noticeable. So if you’re worrying that you’ll always look like you’ve been attacked by Freddie from Elm Street, the human body is amazing at healing, so things WILL get better.
Phloxy, hope you’ve had some attention for the breathlessness and that you’re looking after yourself well, or that others are looking after you and doing things for you.
Thankyou so much for the reasurance choccie, it can be quite alarming when you look at yourself after surgery and think what a total mess you look. I keep thinking back to my WLE and how battered and bruised I looked then and how soon it just all faded and recovered. Again thanks so much ,I am at the g.ps to see the nurse on Thurs to get checked out so thats a comfort too. Hope you are feeling good to-day.
Duckess x