mastectomy in 4 days
Comments
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Hi Muldoon,
Sorry you need a
Hi Muldoon,
Sorry you need a mastectomy. I was where you are just about a year ago.
Are you having unilateral or bilateral mastectomy? You will need some help for at least a week or so. If you're healthy (sounds funny when you're talking to a person with bc) you'll rebound pretty quickly, but surgery is surgery. You'll likely need a little in the way of pain meds (I did; some say they didn't) and you won't be able to lift and carry for awhile. I had double mastectomy and the thing I found most difficult to deal with were the drains. They were uncomfortable longer than any other aspect of the surgery for me. Let me repeat, however, they were uncomfortable, not really painful.
If you have an option, I would request an overnight stay in the hospital. I personally think its asking a lot of a woman to remove her breast(s) and send her home the same day. Some might prefer to go home, but I stayed 2 nights in hospital.
Best of luck to you. As much as is possible, try not to stress. You'll come through just fine!
Chickadee0 -
mastectomy follow-up
I had a bilateral mastectomy (with reconstruction) and had my insurance company pre-approve a 2-night hospital stay. I developed a fever the second day after surgery and was approved for a 3rd night hospital stay. Check with your insurance company or surgeon to have you approved for at least 1 night in hospital.
Depending on the complexity of the surgical you may have surgical drains, which will be removed at a later date. I had little pain and was able to walk around, use the bathroom and shower the morning after surgery. I experienced no pain, just a little discomfort, which can be eased with medication.
Good luck.0 -
Hello, And welcome. You
Hello,
And welcome. You will find this a wonderful group...very supportive, caring, compassionate, funny, thoughtful.
I had a bilateral mastectomy on Jan 14th,no reconstruction, with 14 lymph nodes removed on the left side. Mine was inpatient and I stayed two nights. My right side is fine, I occasionally feel some 'pulling' at the scar when I fully stretch my arm. The left is more troublesome. I am seeing a lymphedema specialist and a physical therapist to get full motion back on that side.
Some recommendations for immediately after your surgery...
1. Move dishes and clothes from high shelves. It will take a week or more to get your 'reach' back.
2. Have blouses/clothing that button or zip up the front. It will be difficult to pull clothes on over your head.
3. I found the post mastectomy garment very helpful. Mine was a camisole, zipped up the front, and had a velcro pocket for the drain. I had two of them, one for wearing and one for washing.
4. I slept with a pile of pillows behind me (some get a wedge pillow) to make it easier to get up out of bed. I also had a few smaller pillows I used to keep my arms in comfortable positions as I slept.
5. I washed the sheets before surgery. It was nice to come home to clean bedding.
6. Follow your surgeon's advice about post surgery exercise. It will help you get more movement back more quickly. My surgeon said "Don't baby your arm." Also follow your surgeons advice about lifting restrictions and repetitive motion.
About the drains...I had three. For me, they were not painful, but they were annoying. You will be given specific directions about their care. They are in place to allow fluid to drain from your body, and you will have to measure the fluid. My instructions were to measure 3x a day, others have had 2x a day. Once the fluid output gets low enough, the drain will be removed. My first was removed after a week, some have had theirs as long as four weeks.
If you have more questions, feel free to send me a PM. (Click on CSN email in the pinkish box to the left.) Best of luck with your surgery.
Hugs,
Linda0 -
Mastectomy
I had a bilatteral mastectomy with NO reconstruction in Aug. I had the most wonderful, caring breast surgeon. It wasn't bad at all. I imagined it was going to be rough but it was ok. The drains were very annoying, they stayed in me appx. 10 days, drained them few times per day. The post surgery pain was taken care of by a automatic pain release pouch attached to me which was taken off in the office when it was deflated in 5 days or so. I can't remember alot of those days it's blurry in my mind. So I felt NO pain even after that pouch was removed. YOu will probably need help for a few days. My husband took such good care of me. Let us know how you are doing. Good Luck...I know you'll do great.
Annette0 -
I cannot answer your
I cannot answer your question since I had lumpectomies, but wanted to wish you good luck and let you know that you are in my prayers. I cannot believe a mastectomy is same day surgery, wow!
(((((HUGS)))))
Nancy0 -
I was in the hospitalAnnette 11 said:Mastectomy
I had a bilatteral mastectomy with NO reconstruction in Aug. I had the most wonderful, caring breast surgeon. It wasn't bad at all. I imagined it was going to be rough but it was ok. The drains were very annoying, they stayed in me appx. 10 days, drained them few times per day. The post surgery pain was taken care of by a automatic pain release pouch attached to me which was taken off in the office when it was deflated in 5 days or so. I can't remember alot of those days it's blurry in my mind. So I felt NO pain even after that pouch was removed. YOu will probably need help for a few days. My husband took such good care of me. Let us know how you are doing. Good Luck...I know you'll do great.
Annette
I was in the hospital overnight. 1 night is the norm. for mastectomy, I believe.
I also had IDC.0 -
Have you met with a physical
Have you met with a physical therapist to show you exercises to do after surgery? If so, the best advice I can give you is to make sure you do these exercises to get your range of motion back and reduce scarring from surgery. I continue to respond to everyone to be an informed patient. You will not know what to expect without knowing if lymph nodes are affected. This will change post surgical treatment and rehabilation.
Every persons journey is different. I will suggest you accept all the help you can get. Seek all the information you can get, ask your doctor questions before you have your surgery. I have heard of ppl who did exceptionally well after surgery. My journey was different. I have finished 6 treatments of chemo and about to have reconstruction. I had alot of scarring from the mastectomy and deal with lymphedema as the result of nodes being removed.Follow post surgical instructions. I came home the next day. They will send a home nurse if necessary, but you can do well with some help at home. It will be fine and stay connected to network.0 -
I had a lumpectomy also, so,BioAdoptMom3 said:I cannot answer your
I cannot answer your question since I had lumpectomies, but wanted to wish you good luck and let you know that you are in my prayers. I cannot believe a mastectomy is same day surgery, wow!
(((((HUGS)))))
Nancy
I had a lumpectomy also, so, I can't answer your questions, but, I want to wish you the best of luck with your surgery. Please update us when you feel like it.
Hugs, Diane0 -
Sending you cyber hugs, goodAnnette 11 said:Mastectomy
I had a bilatteral mastectomy with NO reconstruction in Aug. I had the most wonderful, caring breast surgeon. It wasn't bad at all. I imagined it was going to be rough but it was ok. The drains were very annoying, they stayed in me appx. 10 days, drained them few times per day. The post surgery pain was taken care of by a automatic pain release pouch attached to me which was taken off in the office when it was deflated in 5 days or so. I can't remember alot of those days it's blurry in my mind. So I felt NO pain even after that pouch was removed. YOu will probably need help for a few days. My husband took such good care of me. Let us know how you are doing. Good Luck...I know you'll do great.
Annette
Sending you cyber hugs, good luck and prayers for your surgery.
♥ Noel0 -
I am also wishing you goodPrettyBald49 said:Have you met with a physical
Have you met with a physical therapist to show you exercises to do after surgery? If so, the best advice I can give you is to make sure you do these exercises to get your range of motion back and reduce scarring from surgery. I continue to respond to everyone to be an informed patient. You will not know what to expect without knowing if lymph nodes are affected. This will change post surgical treatment and rehabilation.
Every persons journey is different. I will suggest you accept all the help you can get. Seek all the information you can get, ask your doctor questions before you have your surgery. I have heard of ppl who did exceptionally well after surgery. My journey was different. I have finished 6 treatments of chemo and about to have reconstruction. I had alot of scarring from the mastectomy and deal with lymphedema as the result of nodes being removed.Follow post surgical instructions. I came home the next day. They will send a home nurse if necessary, but you can do well with some help at home. It will be fine and stay connected to network.
I am also wishing you good luck with your surgery and am sending prayers too.
Hugs, Megan0 -
Try not to worry.
I had a bilateral mastectomy at 27, I spent one night in the hospital and went home the next day to a house of help. I had 2 drain tubes that I had to keep track of the output for 1 week before it had slowed enough for them to remove them. I didn't have reconstruction untill later but my doctor had placed tissue expanders at the time of surgery. It was a few weeks before I was able to lift much more then a gal of milk. Once you are able to start lifting again work into it gentely but do it, you don't want to lose muscel use. I won't lie to you the first few days do hurt but a good doctor will make sure you have the right pain meds to keep it in check, what I remember the most is the bandages wraped around my chest were so tight it was kinda weird like a constant hug. I also remember my doctor saying some people leave shortly after surgery (out patient) some people stay for a week, there is no wrong answer everyone is differant. My best of wishes to you, my thoughts will be with you on your surgery day, it will all turn out fine. You will be back on your feet in no time.
Good luck
ennie__10 -
Mulddon
I had bilateral mastectomy in June 2010 with no reconstruction. What Linda wrote is very helpful. I also wore camisole and the velcro pockets for the drains were great. My drains stayed in about 7-10 days. I stayed in the hospital 2 nights. If you have help, accept it gratefully. My husband helped me a lot. I did not have much pain but did go home with a script if needed. I carefully stretched my arms to keep the shoulders moving. I still feel twinges occasionally. It's just the nerves regenerating. Some say to massage mastectomy scars for a while to keep from getting too much scar tissue. I met with ps before surgery to go over my options. I ended up needing chemo and rads so I was glad I decided to wait about reconstruction. I just turned 62 so I may not have any in the future either. Wishing you well with your surgery.
{{hugs}} Char0 -
not as bad as expected
Welcome to the club! I had my mastectomy in December, right before Christmas. If you have an option try to spend at least one night in the hospital. My surgeon was excellent and went over reaching, lifting and exercise before he let me go home. I had one of those great camisoles with velcro closure and pockets for the drains. I had 2 drains - one stayed in a week the other 2 weeks. Drain removal was the most paiful part of the experience for me. Because of surface nerve damage my skin is still numb, thar may go away with time but it meant that there was not major pain after surgery. (Major deep nerves were not involved and I'm told this is typical.) It wasn't as bad as I expected but everyone is different. Go into it with a positive outlook and you should be fine.
Best Wishes! We'll be praying for you.0 -
Good luck with your surgerycahjah75 said:Mulddon
I had bilateral mastectomy in June 2010 with no reconstruction. What Linda wrote is very helpful. I also wore camisole and the velcro pockets for the drains were great. My drains stayed in about 7-10 days. I stayed in the hospital 2 nights. If you have help, accept it gratefully. My husband helped me a lot. I did not have much pain but did go home with a script if needed. I carefully stretched my arms to keep the shoulders moving. I still feel twinges occasionally. It's just the nerves regenerating. Some say to massage mastectomy scars for a while to keep from getting too much scar tissue. I met with ps before surgery to go over my options. I ended up needing chemo and rads so I was glad I decided to wait about reconstruction. I just turned 62 so I may not have any in the future either. Wishing you well with your surgery.
{{hugs}} Char
Good luck with your surgery today! Sending prayers and positive thoughts.
Hugs, Diane0 -
Hi Muldoon
I know the icky feeling that you are dealing with as the date comes closer.
I am so sorry that you have to get a mastectomy but think of it as a means
to you end - Health. Try to make peace with this and calm your fears.
There was another post about mastectomies not to long ago and it really
reflected very well how different everyone's experience was. And it seemed
as if it made a big difference whether you are getting reconstruction or not.
I remember how the expander kept scrubbing up against my raw chest. I
could barely move and spend about 2 weeks on the couch, I couldn't lie down.
But thanks to the ladies of this board, I was pretty well prepared. My house
was clean, plates moved down so I don't have to reach up, clothes with zippers
put out, precooked meals in my fridge. And I also had a cleaning lady come
the first week. I have cats, I would have had a hairy mess at my hands.. lol
But they were my constant companions and never left my side. They were par
of my healing therapy.
I hope your surgery will go over very well and that it won't be too hard on you.
Don't hesitate to take the painkillers, they make it easier on you. Just remember
that they may cause you constipation ( I had the worst case, no one warned me)
so drink fiber or eat fiber rich foods.
Ok... enough already I gave you an earful.
Hugs,
Ayse0 -
I'm sending prayers for askipper54 said:not as bad as expected
Welcome to the club! I had my mastectomy in December, right before Christmas. If you have an option try to spend at least one night in the hospital. My surgeon was excellent and went over reaching, lifting and exercise before he let me go home. I had one of those great camisoles with velcro closure and pockets for the drains. I had 2 drains - one stayed in a week the other 2 weeks. Drain removal was the most paiful part of the experience for me. Because of surface nerve damage my skin is still numb, thar may go away with time but it meant that there was not major pain after surgery. (Major deep nerves were not involved and I'm told this is typical.) It wasn't as bad as I expected but everyone is different. Go into it with a positive outlook and you should be fine.
Best Wishes! We'll be praying for you.
I'm sending prayers for a successful surgery today.
Hugs, Kylez0 -
Prayers are with you today
As others have said, everyone's experience is different. For me, the key was walking the walls by the second day and setting the goal higher each day. The pain was only bad where the lymph nodes were removed and even that was tolerable after a couple of days. This was a good thing because I do not do too well on pain meds.
Overall, the experience was not as bad as anticipated, but still not a walk in the park. The emotional healing was harder than the actual surgery! But that too passed. Years later and I am still glad that this was the route I chose!
I am with you today, as are all of the other pink sisters, in prayers and good wishes for a speedy recovery from the surgery.
~Carol0 -
Praying your surgery is overGabe N Abby Mom said:Hello, And welcome. You
Hello,
And welcome. You will find this a wonderful group...very supportive, caring, compassionate, funny, thoughtful.
I had a bilateral mastectomy on Jan 14th,no reconstruction, with 14 lymph nodes removed on the left side. Mine was inpatient and I stayed two nights. My right side is fine, I occasionally feel some 'pulling' at the scar when I fully stretch my arm. The left is more troublesome. I am seeing a lymphedema specialist and a physical therapist to get full motion back on that side.
Some recommendations for immediately after your surgery...
1. Move dishes and clothes from high shelves. It will take a week or more to get your 'reach' back.
2. Have blouses/clothing that button or zip up the front. It will be difficult to pull clothes on over your head.
3. I found the post mastectomy garment very helpful. Mine was a camisole, zipped up the front, and had a velcro pocket for the drain. I had two of them, one for wearing and one for washing.
4. I slept with a pile of pillows behind me (some get a wedge pillow) to make it easier to get up out of bed. I also had a few smaller pillows I used to keep my arms in comfortable positions as I slept.
5. I washed the sheets before surgery. It was nice to come home to clean bedding.
6. Follow your surgeon's advice about post surgery exercise. It will help you get more movement back more quickly. My surgeon said "Don't baby your arm." Also follow your surgeons advice about lifting restrictions and repetitive motion.
About the drains...I had three. For me, they were not painful, but they were annoying. You will be given specific directions about their care. They are in place to allow fluid to drain from your body, and you will have to measure the fluid. My instructions were to measure 3x a day, others have had 2x a day. Once the fluid output gets low enough, the drain will be removed. My first was removed after a week, some have had theirs as long as four weeks.
If you have more questions, feel free to send me a PM. (Click on CSN email in the pinkish box to the left.) Best of luck with your surgery.
Hugs,
Linda
Praying your surgery is over and you are resting now. Post when you can to update us.
Hugs, Jan0 -
bumping upcamul said:Prayers are with you today
As others have said, everyone's experience is different. For me, the key was walking the walls by the second day and setting the goal higher each day. The pain was only bad where the lymph nodes were removed and even that was tolerable after a couple of days. This was a good thing because I do not do too well on pain meds.
Overall, the experience was not as bad as anticipated, but still not a walk in the park. The emotional healing was harder than the actual surgery! But that too passed. Years later and I am still glad that this was the route I chose!
I am with you today, as are all of the other pink sisters, in prayers and good wishes for a speedy recovery from the surgery.
~Carol
...0
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