Hi Donna

Sorry to hear about your Mum.

I had a mastectomy a fortnight ago (under general anaesthetic) and have not had much pain. I’ve been a bit uncomfortable under my arm where lymph nodes were removed and have been fine just taking paracetamol. Across the wound still feels pretty numb but definitely not sore. I didn’t have a drain put in and have a bit of fluid build up so there’s a ‘hot water bottle schlooshing’ sound that appears if you turn suddenly - this is disconcerting but not sore.

Sheila xx

Hello, there are plenty of ladies here will be able to give you some honest feedback, I had a lumpectomy so not really qualified , a mastectomy under a local sounds pretty scary but obviously do able, they know what they're doing.

may be worth also posting this on " ask the nurses" 

I wish you all the best and hope there is a good way forward for your mum, I think you will find comfort in this forum...xx

Thank You so much...My mum is getting quite anxious at the moment as surgery draws closer. I wish you a speedy recovery.This has helped so much.

Again 

Well wishes

Donna.x

Can I thank you for getting in touch so quickly.To be able to talk to ladies who are and have experienced this is such a comfort.Thank you.

Wishing you well.

Donna x

Thank you so much.I will be with my mum later and shall talk about your experiences. I wish you well and can only thank you again for your kindness.It means a lot.

Well wishes

Donna x

Hi Worfield,

Sorry about what's going on with your mum, it's horrible when we see parents going through things like this.

My mastectomy was under general and I can happily say I had discomfort but not any actual pain afterwards.  Although local sounds scary the area being operated on will be well and truly anaesthetised so no pain will be felt even though touch will be felt (weird though that sounds).  I imagine they would also give your mum a sedative so she isn't stressed by what is going on.  Presumably they keep the area anaesthetised for a while after surgery also and then your mum would switch on to painkillers.

The best I can compare it to is when I had to have a molar tooth pulled out recently (it cracked in two while I was undergoing chemo).  The area was anaesthetised and I genuinely felt no pain at all, but was obviously aware that the dentist was pulling my tooth out.  Local anaesthetic does work very well.

Just doing a quick search it seems it isn't that uncommon to have mastectomy under local, especially in older patients.

Best wishes to you and your mum.

Hi Worfield,

I am so sorry to hear about your mum's dilemma. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. The first was 9 years ago and I had a lumpectomy. Almost a year to the day later, I discovered another lump and had a double mastectomy.

I have stopped breathing under general anaesthetic before, so there was talk of doing my mastectomies under local analgesia. In the end, I had a general, using fibre optic intubation. I was slightly tender for a few days after surgery, partly because of fluid built up in my chest area and I had to have drains. All in all, I found my double mastectomies, easier to cope with and less painful than my lumpectomy.

I hope that it all goes well for your mum on 30th and that the surgeon can remove as much of the tumour as possible.

Please update us on her progress. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi,

Can I just thank you all for your kind words and reassurance. I can't tell you how valuable this forum is. I will be happy to share my experiences so hopefully I can help others in a similar situation to ourselves.

Again...Thank You.

Wishing you all the best.

Donna x

Hi Donna,

I just wondered how your mum is doing now. How did she cope with her mastectomy and, has she had any follow up treatment?

It will be great to have you join us to share your experiences. This is a fantastic forum, but it is the people who contribute to it who are so amazing and who make it what it is.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx