Hi all. Just before xmas i was diagnosed with IDC grade 2 hormone receptive her neg. Tumour is 27mm and surgery is booked for Jan 23rd. I just had a few silly questions that i know someone here can answer - 1. What if I’m on my period during surgery week? 2. Do you have to have a catheter? 3. When i go home do i need to sit in the back of car as the front passenger seatbelt will be right over wound? Trivial questions but theyre playing on my mind!
Thank you
Dear bluesatsuma, these are all good questions to ask your treatment team so don’t be afraid to ask them. From my own experience of mastectomy which took 3 hours i didn’t have a catheter. Going home the same day i sat in the back seat of the hospital transport on opposite side to my wound and placed a large bean bag over the wound area to protect it. Cant answer question re periods as am post menapausal but can’t see any reason why it should not be ok. Just wear plenty of protection. I wish you all the very best for the surgery. Love Tulip x
Just a practical piece of advice. I have had several heart ops and it was awful not to shower during wound healing. The way round it is to have a long shower hose, remove the spray attachment, keep a low pressure and you can then aim the water where you want without the spray going over your dressing. I’m having a mastectomy in a few days myself so share your anxiety. Hope all goes well
Hi,
Can only tell you my thoughts based on my own lumpectomy experience on 18th December and my knowledge as a nurse professionally.
If you have your period, you’ll just wear pants and a pad. No need to remove but probably best not to use a tampon in case you lose track and forget to change it.
No you won’t need 8 catheter.
Depends which noob the surgery is on, but I was left boob so as a passenger on the way home that evening after the op
I had a pillow across me with the seatbelt over.
Pillow for return journey to cushion chest very good advice whether left or right side op as seatbelt can ride up and a bit of cushioning helps , I sat in front seat with pillow ( left side op ) but it was uncomfortable I was glad to have the cushioning .
Hi good luck with your surgery.
I was on my period during surgery, i just wore a pad. Make them aware as they tried to put cotton surgical knicker on me, that would not be good. They are experienced in dealing with it, and if need be would sort anything out during surgery. They are used to seeing blood… The hardest bit for me, even though i couldnt be pregnant as i was on my period was i still had to to do a urine test before that was messy…
I sat in the back but just held the belt a bit away from my chest. Only had a lumpsectomy so may be different with a mastectomy.
All the best…
@jpl67 hope all goes well with the op. Thanks for the advice. Good tips. Let us know how you get on. Happy new year too xxx
@LEONA47 super advice thank you. My periods are all over the place as I’m perimenopausal so hoping I’m not on period. I’m definitely not going to be pregnant either!! Happy new year x
@Jill1998 thank you. Im sat in car at moment and my belt doesnt rub on area where lump is so think i will be able to do same as you. Happy new year x
@Vibby thank you. Im left side so i will probably do same. Hoping my period stays away! Happy new year x
@Tulip29 thank you. I’m sure that it will be okay. Good advice though and I feel reassured. Happy New year x
Just to reiterate what the others said that it doesn’t matter if you’re on your period. You should be allowed to wear your own knickers and put a pad on anyway just in case - don’t take nylon knickers though . Don’t use a tampon as if with the surgery then the recovery time you are too tired to get to change it in a reasonable time there could be a risk of setting off an infection - also it might be physically awkward for you anyway .
Re the problem that @LEONA47 experienced with the urine sample you could insert a tampon briefly BEFORE surgery to make it easier to get a clean sample just remember to remove it afterwards.
I sat in the front of the car going home as I tend to get travel sick in the back anyway nevermind after a GA - no problems actually even though it was 40 miles. I didn’t use any pillows / cushions though mine was on the right . I remember I did use my handbag to rest my arm on though .
Always good to work these things through - it helps on the day .
Joanne x