Mastectomy recovery time....how long DO YOU think it is.

[Dave7]

MrsD is having a mastectomy on Tuesday. She is obviously not happy but stoic.
25 years ago she had cancer in the same breast but a 'lumpectomy' did the trick BUT she was in hospital 2 weeks.

Her operation is 1st thing Tuesday and they say she could be home TUESDAY EVENING!!!.....possibly Wednesday.
Amazing advance in surgery is it not?

 

[Rocky]

I hope all goes well. All the best to your wife (and you).

 

[Speicher]

Yes, amazing.

I had that operation early on a Wednesday morning, and left hospital the next day.

The "drain bag" remains attached for up to a week approx, and is very awkward.

 

[Dave7]

Yes, amazing.

I had that operation early on a Wednesday morning, and left hospital the next day.

The "drain bag" remains attached for up to a week approx, and is very awkward.

Yes....they have told her she will have the drain and will go back, probably Friday, to habe it removed.
What did you do re' bras and inserts prosthetic .....if you dont mind me asking?

 

[Speicher]

Yes....they have told her she will have the drain and will go back, probably Friday, to habe it removed.
What did you do re' bras and inserts prosthetic .....if you dont mind me asking?

A difficult question to answer.

I had a lot of flesh removed as the lump was so large, and also lots of lymph nodes removed.

"Softy" bras are available and the fabric prosthetics are available in different sizes, but it may be a while before she wears a bra.

She should have a "Breast Cancer Nurse" assigned to her, and Mrs D should ask their advice as we all different in our preferences.

 

[fossyant]

All the best to MrsD - from the random cyclist that popped in to buy the camera bag all those years ago - it's still in use by my son.

 

[Speicher]

Does Mrs D know yet whether she will need Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy?

 

[PeteXXX]

Wish MrsD well and a speedy recovery.

 

[Dave7]

Does Mrs D know yet whether she will need Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy?

They can't do chemo as she had that 25 years ago and they can't do it twice in the same area.
They recommend NOT to have radio but she doesn't want that anyway.
She has been speaking to a breast screening nurse.
She bought 2 sports bras today from M&S. The fitter specialises in mastectomy fittings and was very helpful.

 

[Hacienda71]

My mum had the same op done about 18 months ago she had also had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy back in the 80s. She is 83 now and seems to have come out the other side as well as can be expected. She made a fairly quick recovery from the op, but did stay in longer than they first anticipated to be on the safe side as the drain amount was too high. The bigger challenge was going through chemo afterwards which I found as her support pretty stressful. She was pretty stoic though.
Good luck.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

My best wishes to MrsD that the operation is straight forward and the recovery is quick.

 

[welsh dragon]

Best wishes to Mrs Dave.

 

[Buck]

Dave - wishing your good lady a speedy recovery and a man hug for you too

whilst I had a very different major op last year and in 2018, my advice would be to make sure MrsD accesses as much of the specialist support that is available and doesn’t over do it when she gets home.

 

[Craig the cyclist]

I hope that the op goes well, and that the follow up is seamless.

Can I just add that the recovery physically may not be that long. However this operation can have a longer recovery time emotionally and psychologically. See if there are any counselling services available for post-op too, and very good luck to her in her recovery.

 

[mickle]

GWS Mrs Dave.