I was only diagnosed on Thursday and await a date for op and then onwards. I have never been so eager to get the post. Seems like I’ve been waiting forever. How do you get around this. My head tells me to be patient but I just want this lump removed and move on the next thing. I’m having a lumpectomy and lymph node sentiel at Haslar. On the practical side I’m going shopping tomorrow to buy a nightie. Should I try to get one that opens at the front? What else should I take to hospital with me? Any tips or ideas would be very welcome. As you can tell I’m (usually) a very organised and practical Mum!! Not at the moment though, school holidays with added stress…
love to you all Vanessa
Hi Vanessa
I am going for my op on 6 August, so can’t help with your questions, but I assumed they would provide me with a gown for the op and was just going to take my usual type of nightie. I will be interested to see what the others say!
I agree the waiting is a pain, but I am trying to carry on as normal, going to work, going to the pub, going for a meal etc…I know it is easier said than done, though and you have kids to worry about as well, which I don’t.
Lots of love.
Julie N.
Hi
Sorry that you’ve had to join the site, but the ladies on here are a great support, full of great advice.
I’m waiting for my op, which is to take place mid August, I was advised by the Breast Care Sister, to bring front opening PJ’s/Nightshirts.
Hope that helps a little.
Take Care
Maggie
Hi Ladies,
Re what to take to the hospital - I’de take a couple of nighties or PJ’s - front opening are good (although they put you in one of those gowns for the op) a couple of spare PJ tops - in case the wound ‘weeps’'-shouldn’t but better to be prepared. Also a fairly loose top to come home in. Think I bought a couple of seemless soft bras from M&S too - probably your ‘normal’ size or a bit larger (to allow for the dressings). When you leave the hospital make sure they have given you a good supply of dressings in case you need to change it yourself and a supply of strong painkillers - probably won’t need them but I did and my husband had to make another late night journey back to the hospital to get them. Not sure what else - hope all goes OK
cheers
Caroline
Hiya,you three i hope i can help. i had my op-the same as yours vanessa three weeks ago. I’m sure you are all nervous but it was really o.k. My scars are healing well.
On the practical side you need a front buttoning nightie because lifting your arm is a nightmare afterwards! Not sore, sort of stiff! Also a blouse for coming home. You will need a dressing gown and slippers too because sometimes you have to walk to different departments pre-op e.g.Radio isotope injection, insertion of a wire for deeper lumps. I only had the injection which was a tiny sub cutaneous one and virtually painless, honestly.
Good luck all of you, let us know how you get on.
Julie XXXX
Hi Vanessa,
Sorry youve had to join us but hope this is some practical help!
I think that nightie/pyjama choice is quite important! PJs are good as you can slip the bottoms off and dont have to put them over your head - for the top Id go along with what people are saying button ups are good. However, I got a kind of crossover top - like a ballerina cardigan if you know what I mean, or a wrap dress but in a top, This was superb as it was not only easy to get on and off but it provided double coverage of the breast area, also be careful not to get something see-through (although the wrap over solves this), some of the cotton stuff is lovely but so thin!
I took an old worn in bra with me with no underwire, a kind of soft sports bra. Matalan do 2 for £3.50, my breast care nurse was very impressed with them, but then my breasts are quite small so they might not be suitable for you. I wore the bra leaving hospital and for the first few days but then got fed up with it. What I did buy and now is a great time to do it (lots of sales) was lots of lycra vest tops, Marks do good ones which are quite snugly fitting. I would wear 2 at a time with my prosthesis (softie only!) between the 2 layers, I found this so comfortable! And the prosthesis did not slip at all! Ive always been someone who layers with vests, shirts, cardigans etc. I love Gap’s range and found layering their stuff really practical.
Be ready to come home with drains in. If you do then having a belt which can fit under your clothes is helpful as you can just loop the drain onto the bag and hide it underneath. Great here are all these smock dressed and tunics which are slightly longer than tops. Believe it or not you can even get the drain down a trouser leg if its a wide leg! All things Ive done as I had my drains in for inordinate amounts of time both for my mastectomy and node clearance. I could drain fluid for England! However, only ever had one small seroma which I didnt even notice!
Take care, and if I think of anything else I’ll repost!
Pauline x
Thank you ladies for all that practical advise. No date yet but being so organised as children are down at Grannys for the the week. Dont want to drag those poor girls around the shops. I’m off to M&S and a little wonder around Portsmouth.
Vanessa
Hi,
Just thought of something else that might be useful after the op - one of those sort of boomerang shaped pillows (i think Boots do them). I made do with ordinary pillows but apparently the others are good if you find it difficult to get into a comfortable position to sleep. Another thing I took in with me was a a huge fluffy toy rabbit which my children gave me as a lucky mascot (i think the nurses thought I was daft) but the kids wanted to help and this was their way of doing things - actually it did make me smile.
cheers
Caroline
Dear All
Have been reading your posts - and greatful for them. I am pencilled in for mastectomy on 14th August and was in the dark on such practical issues. Havent had any chats with BCN or other staff about what happens as currently just finishing chemotherapy. Hope they get in touch soon. But in the meantime I can use your advice to go shopping for PJs and get those old bras out of the back of the drawer.
Do you come away from the hospital with a prosthesis ? Or just padding. I am 38F so very concerned about looking lopsided, in amongst the drains and dressings. Dont know why as nobody will see me for a while. But feel I`d like to be maybe a bit presentable after a few days.
Thanks
Jane
Hi Jane,
I had a bilateral mastectomy last August and yes you should come out of hospital with a prosthesis, firstly you get what is called a softie which is very lightweight, I was too sore to wear a bra so I wore a baggy sweatshirt to come out of hospital. Once I was able to wear a bra it was a non underwire bra from M & S and I safety pinned the softie into the cups so they didn’t move. About 4 weeks post op I went for the proper prosthesis I found these alot better as they had abit of weight in them, I ordered a couple of mastectomy bras from M & S with pockets to house the prosthesis and they were great.
I’m pleased to say I am now 9 weeks post bilateral reconstruction and well happy with the results.
Hope all goes well with your op, keep you spirits up there is a light at the end of the tunnel
Take care
Kaz
xxx
Got my date!!! Yipee, sad to be excited but I guess really I’m relieved to not have to wait for the postie anymore. 8th August. My preop is the 2nd. At last step one on the way. Vanessa
Oh my shopping trip was a success, pj’s with buttons from Primark, two non unwire bras from Marks, wash bag from Boots and a few button through tops from H & M and Dot P’s. Successful. Vanessa
Hi Vanessa
Dont think your sad to be “excited|” about your date - now you can focus on this next step. I have been focussed on 14th August for a while now, knew the date well in advance as I am having neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and they had set it as it had to be within 1month of end of chemo. Whilst Ill be sad in a way, I think this might come later, at the moment I am just loking forward to being rid of the tumour and hope my ovwer whelming feeling will be relief. But well see.
Waiting for the post is a dreadful stale mate - I find that now I am always checking to see whats arriving, when the next appointment for whatever test will be next. There never seems to be enough information. But thats when I turn to this site.
Glad your shopping was a success - I will have a look at primark etc. Havent been out shopping for me in ages but hope to cheer myself up next week after the last chemo.
August cannot come quick enough for us I think.
Take care
Jane
Hi Vanessa & Jane,
now that you have your op dates I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you well. I was diagnosed in March, age 34, and had my mastectomy and total axillary clearance a week later. I was sooooooo scared but I’m glad to say it really wasn’t anywhere near as scary as I’d allowed myself to imagine it would be.
Sounds like you’ve pretty much got sorted on what to take to hosp pj wise and stuff. I also took a piccie of me and my OH to put on my locker and a lovely valentines card he had sent me, just so I could wake up to ‘nice’ things. The best pressie I got was when the OH paid for my ‘patient-line’ TV and phone. I know its had a lot of bad press because of the cost but the TV really isn’t that dear at all. When I was discharged the remaining credit was refunded back to his card. Oh, if you enjoy a nice brew its a good idea to take your own mug in. I didn’t and had to have plastic cups every day whilst lookin enviously at the old girl opposite as she supped out of ther lovely mug!!! Hospitals are not the quietest and darkest places at night so ear plugs and an eyemask are a must if you want a good nights sleep.
Thinks thats about all from me. Oh, do order the ‘exercises after breast surgery’ booklet from this website and be sure to take it in with you when you go. I found it invaluable and it complemented the exercises the physio gave me nicely. Be sure to have a little bit of loose change handy too, for the paper and sweetie trolley that comes round!
Take care and be sure to let us know how your ops go,
Kelly
-x-
Hi Vanessa
I am so glad you asked the questions, as I would never have thought of all this! (Thanks every one for taking the time to respond).
I am pleased you have your date, Vanessa. It is very close to mine, which is scheduled for 6 August. I too am having the lump and sample lymph nodes plus sentinel removed, so we can compare notes.
Lots of love. Take care.
Julie N.
Thank you ladies. I’m sure I’ll come up with other questions along the way and look forward to hearing from you all. Yes Julie we are having the same done so it will be great if we can stay in touch and compare. Where are you? I’m just outside Waterlooville Hampshire and having op at Haslar in Gosport
xxx
Hi Vanessa
I am quite a long way from you, in Macclesfield, Cheshire, but will keep in touch through the site.
Lots of love.
Julie.N