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I'm scheduled to have a right mastectomy on 5/15/08 -- another 3 WEEKS of waiting again -- and, even though I'm sure of my decision to do this (with tissue expanders put in immediately), I'm now petrified. I think what would help me out is knowing what to expect about my recovery. Can anyone answer the following questions? I need real women stories, not just the "you may experience" statements from the medical folks which seem to be all over the map:
(1) Should I expect to be bed-ridden for any period after coming home from the hospital (I'll be staying just one night)?
(2) How much help, and for how many days (weeks?) will I need it, in terms of basic stuff for myself and my kids (a baby and toddler)?
(3) Any idea how long it will be before I'll be able to fly solo (with no help) for a whole day while my husband is at work?
(4) Do the expanders hurt (they seemed pretty hard when the PS showed me a sample)?
(5) So, if I have one natural boob, and one that's going to be expanding periodically, what sort of a bra should I expect to wear, and any tips for looking normal along the way? I'm sort of small, anyway, a 30D, which is similar to a 32C, but 30D is a really hard size to find.
(6) If I'm going to need long-term help, does anyone have any suggestions about finding hired help, like a "mom's helper"?. I have several family members around who say they can help, but they all have other responsibilities, so I know it's not going to be easy.
Thanks!!!
Judy
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Want to leave a comment? Login or Register now!1) Bed Ridden....no. You will probably feel like sleeping a lot the first few days and relaxing more until the tubes come out and the pain subsides...But, Bed Ridden no.
2) You will need help. Line it up now. If you are having one breast removed, you still will have good use of your other arm, but no lifting or using your chest muscle for a few weeks...because you use one side, the other side is still working. You are going to have to play this by ear and see how you feel...everyone is diffenent. But line up your resources now. I am 8 weeks post op and still have some issues that I can't do myself. I have someone clean my house...I don't put my sneakers on by myself and I stay away from anything straining. But I had a double mast...You probably will have less difficulty with a single. (which, why are you getting a single instead of a double with the reconstruction???? Just asking. I wore a 38DD and my P.S. told me it was best to get a double and start from scratch with both for reconstruction.
3) A couple of weeks at least with the baby and toddler, you might want to get some help during the day...just for the babies and lifting issues. Another...you'll have to play that by ear.
4)Expanders...Uncomfotable at first because the are foreign...you do get used to them. Hard, only at first and right after a fill. Mine get soft between fills and feel like a empty coke bottle. Remember it is temporary. If you want I can e-mail you pics of my chest so you can see what they look like.
5) You won't want to wear a bra because of the scaring on the other side...You might find a jogging bra or a cami with a built in soft bra...but probably no bra for a few weeks until you heal up. I never have to wear a bra which was strange considering I did 24/7 before my mast.
6) If you have a cancer center in your area...call, they sometimes have volunteers for the first few weeks and then you can schedule your family for the times they are available.
Judy...It does get better, promise! and you will get your life back on track and it will seem easier after the tubes come out. Don't be scared, even though it is natural to. Have faith and pray. GOD will get you through it and there are lots of women here for support if you need it emotionally. Let other people carry the daily weight while you recover, you are allowed. This time, it is all about you and you remember that.
I will pray for you and if there is anything I can do...please don't hesitate to ask.
LauraJudy, read my journal. It was the first 3 weeks after a double mast. I can give you some reality...but to reasure you...The pain, the tubes, the uncomfortable feeling...yes, it does pass. Really. You wouldn't know it when you first have your surgery, but there is a light and it comes quickly. 1) Bed Ridden....no. You will probably feel like sleeping a lot the first few days and relaxing more until the tubes come out and the pain subsides...But, Bed Ridden no. 2) You will need help. Line it up now. If you are having one breast removed, you still will have good use of your other arm, but no lifting or using your chest muscle for a few weeks...because you use one side, the other side is still working. You are going to have to play this by ear and see how you feel...everyone is diffenent. But line up your resources now. I am 8 weeks post op and still have some issues that I can't do myself. I have someone clean my house...I don't put my sneakers on by myself and I stay away from anything straining. But I had a double mast...You probably will have less difficulty with a single. (which, why are you getting a single instead of a double with the reconstruction???? Just asking. I wore a 38DD and my P.S. told me it was best to get a double and start from scratch with both for reconstruction. 3) A couple of weeks at least with the baby and toddler, you might want to get some help during the day...just for the babies and lifting issues. Another...you'll have to play that by ear. 4)Expanders...Uncomfotable at first because the are foreign...you do get used to them. Hard, only at first and right after a fill. Mine get soft between fills and feel like a empty coke bottle. Remember it is temporary. If you want I can e-mail you pics of my chest so you can see what they look like. 5) You won't want to wear a bra because of the scaring on the other side...You might find a jogging bra or a cami with a built in soft bra...but probably no bra for a few weeks until you heal up. I never have to wear a bra which was strange considering I did 24/7 before my mast. 6) If you have a cancer center in your area...call, they sometimes have volunteers for the first few weeks and then you can schedule your family for the times they are available. Judy...It does get better, promise! and you will get your life back on track and it will seem easier after the tubes come out. Don't be scared, even though it is natural to. Have faith and pray. GOD will get you through it and there are lots of women here for support if you need it emotionally. Let other people carry the daily weight while you recover, you are allowed. This time, it is all about you and you remember that. I will pray for you and if there is anything I can do...please don't hesitate to ask. Laura
Recliners are the most comfortable "sleeping" furniture.
If you're by yourself and the lever is on the surgery side...lay on the couch with the affected arm propped up on pillows.Recliner. Recliners are the most comfortable "sleeping" furniture. If you're by yourself and the lever is on the surgery side...lay on the couch with the affected arm propped up on pillows.
After 3 or 4 days, you should be fine for the day by yourself...but, I wouldn't plan on taking care of the kids by yourself for a couple of weeks.
It's really the "general surgical blahs" (feel tired) that's going to be the issues.
Tammy Lou
I think you should plan on taking it easy for a couple of weeks. After 3 or 4 days, you should be fine for the day by yourself...but, I wouldn't plan on taking care of the kids by yourself for a couple of weeks. It's really the "general surgical blahs" (feel tired) that's going to be the issues. Tammy Lou