Hi, very new to this journey too but had mastectomy on Tuesday so can shed a little light on that part..it's a bit of a strange time with COVID but all the extra PPE, checks and precautions helped put my mind at ease on that front. I went in for op at 8am on Tuesday, went through all the paperwork, met anaesthetist and walked to theatre. Woke up that afternoon in ward - nurses did lots of observations and gave regular pain killers etc.  Saw the consultant the following morning to run through how op went, breast care nurse for bra & softie fitting, physiotherapist (as I'd had lymph node clearance) then discharged that morning once drain was out.  
 

I've been a bit tired and nauseous from general anaesthetic but managing with paracetamol for pain and much more mobile than I was expecting.  Follow up call scheduled for results and treatment plan in a couple of weeks but I won't see any nurses/docs unless there's any problems (infections, excessive swelling etc) in meantime. Silicone prothesis fitting in 6 weeks and option to have reconstructive surgery once COVID no longer an issue (presumably when an effective vaccine exists).   
 

I've only told my boss and closest friends and family so I have space and support to deal with the emotional side of things.  (Told colleagues I had "an operation" and would be off work for a few weeks but not mentioned cancer yet) Consultant said at initial meeting to hope for the best but prepare for the worst, which has turned out to be good advice!
 

Sorry, I can't offer any advice or experience re radiotherapy but feel free to ask any questions about mastectomy and I'll do my best!

best wishes with your journey x

Hi YV, so sorry for delay, couldn't find the original post and tests/appointments/chemo took over but worked out where the links are now! Sent you a pm if you want to keep in touch x

Hi

Lovely to hear from you and I hope everything is going well with your treatment.  What stage are you at on your treatment as I see you mentioned chemo?

I had my mastectomy in July and recovered well but back on the recovery wagon as I was told the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes so now 2 weeks post operation on auxiliary node clearance.  Doing well but still very uncomfortable and Im trying to keep up with the exercises. 

Interesting you had your drains out the following day.  I had to keep mine in for 7 days which was fine but restricting.

Im due back for results next week so keeping fingers and toes crossed.   Even though my oncotype response was very low, they had mentioned chemo as it had moved to my lymph nodes but i really dont know what to expect.

Love to hear of your update and journey. x

Hi,

Glad to hear you're on the road to recovery!

finding it's all about moving goalposts at my end, they scanned my armpits at initial consultation and said lymph nodes were fine, then discovered very enlarged during op. They managed to get one to lab during mastectomy, which came back as cancerous, so did the anc whilst I was under. Got results back a couple of weeks later and cancer had spread to all but 3 nodes so started chemo a couple of weeks later. Radiotherapy scheduled for after that, then onto hormone treatments as it's ER+.  Original plan had been mastectomy, sentinel node removal then maybe hormone tablets, maybe chemo (but unlikely) and definitely no radiotherapy! 
 

on my 3rd round of chemo now and not particularly pleasant but getting through them. First week is the worst, less nauseous and more energy in week 2 but on bland soft food for sore mouth & throat, week 3 I feel almost normal then it starts all over again!

keep up the lymph excersizes, know someone with lymphodema and desperate to avoid it! I Find doing excersizes in the shower helps if you're seizing up a bit.

not sure why they took my drain out so quickly,  Wish I'd had it in a little longer as bothered with seromas which almost delayed chemo but thankfully went down a couple of days before! 
 

sure all the hospitals have different policies but mine use the "Predict" tool to assess benefits of chemo - anyone can access this, but you may need details from your consultant (grade/size / hormone receptive status etc) 

all the best for next week x