Just wanting to say hello and introduce myself a little. I'm 48 and just finished 8 rounds of Chemotherapy. I'm having a mastectomy next week and am feeling really wobbly about it all! Any advice welcomed.
I just wanted to post a reply to welcome you to the forum and wish you well ahead of your surgery next week. It's understandable that you're feeling anxious at the moment.
I hope that you're feeling well following the completion of your chemotherapy. I know that we've quite a few ladies here on the forum who have had a mastectomy. Some who have had reconstruction (delayed or immediate) as well as ladies who have had a mastectomy and not reconstructed. Hopefully some of them will post to share their experiences and advice with you.
Post-surgery try and rest - you're body has been through a lot over the past few months and it can take time for you to recover from the anaesthetic. Keep on top of regular pain relief if you feel you need it and most certainly try and do your post-op exercises as advised. It really can make a big difference in your recovery.
I hope that all goes well next week. If you want to chat to our nurses next week ahead of your operation you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
Keep in touch VintageVerity and let us know how you're doing.
I had a mastectomy in 2016 then chemo, ( No reconstruction) The chemo for me was tougher. With the surgery it was just a couple of nights in hospital, the drain removed then home. No great pain, even post operation having the clips removed was painless. . No lymphedema. The anxiety beforehand was horrible- far worse than the reality..
Hi vintageverity, I'm 48 too and on 9th of September I had a mastectomy and lymph nodes removed. Im sure you will be fine having it done. Im only in a little bit of pain but that's where they removed my lymph nodes. I was absolutely dreading the breast drain but tbh it wasn't that bad, I had it in for about 9 days.
Hope everything goes well for you, and if ever you want to chat I'm here.
i had my double mastectomy and lymph node surgery 6 weeks ago, my next steps are radiotherapy and then chemo, so still a long way to go.
The worry is worse than the reality, I was worried about how I'd feel about losing my boobs (reconstruction is after other treatments) but whilst I don't like being flat and I definitely want reconstruction, having temporary boobs is ok. I'd recommend knitted knockers, they do fake boobs that are super comfy and a much better shape than the NHS ones you'll be given. If you can knit or crochet yourself the pattern is in the website.
I was worried about practical things like dressing and washing but didn't have problems. I needed help washing my hair the first time but hey that's what dry shampoo is for right? Wear loose fitting t shirts that are easy to get your arms out so if you're a bit stiff you can still manage, or wear shirts with buttons.
Keep on top of your pain relief, I took ibuprofen with meals and paracetamol in between and that largely sorted it, that was only for the first week then I dropped the paracetamol off first then dropped to nothing by the end of week two. But if you need it, keep taking it, everyone is different
I didn't have drains so needed to go to have the fluid drained a few times. Painless and much relief to have it out! eat well, do your physio and rest when you need to, your body has been through a lot! Give yourself time and I wish you much love for a speedy recovery
Thank you for your reply. It's so reassuring to hear about others experiences. I'm feeling a lot more positive about it all after having advice from this group.
Thank you! There is lots of good advice here. I'm really grateful to hear of your experiences and tips.
I still can't decide if I want a reconstruction, but have to wait 12 months or so before they will do it so plenty of time to decide. I'm definitely going to look into knitted knockers though!!
