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• Claire

  

  • 3 posts
  May 11, 2011 9:49:56 PM WATime

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  Hello All,  I have 3 weeks to recover from chemo before going in for bi-lateral mastectomy and lat dorsi recon.  Any comments/thoughts ideas on 'must do' things to prepare myself and/or the house and/or kids prior to going in eg have heard to make sure the coffee cups are at an easy height to get to.....

  43 YO wife/mum 2 young children, DX Oct 10, multi grade 3 cancers,nodes clear, lumpectomy, chemo AC and Taxol 6 months. June 2011 bilat Mascectomy lat dorsi recon - OUCH!

• rose

  

  • 17 posts
  May 21, 2011 8:56:54 PM WATime

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  Hello Claire, I only had lumpectomy but 5 months before that I had a hysterectomy and repair and so I had a bit of recovering from that. I found it good to have most things you need at an accessable height- shift furniture if you need to. I borrowed a claw extension thing from an oldie which was great to pick stuff up off the floor. Good luck with your surgery. I hope to hear from you before you go in.

  50YO wife+mother. DX Nov'10, 7mm grade 2 tumour + DCIS + LCIS. Nodes clear, wide local incision, margins clear. Rads Feb/March'11+ Tamoxifen 

• helena

  

  • 10 posts
  May 23, 2011 2:03:23 PM WATime

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  Hi Claire,

  I had bilat mast last week (Tues) but expanders rather than the lat dorsi.  I have recovered really well so far and am home but with the drains still in.

  I had a sponge bag to keep by the bed that had: lip balm, mints, chewing gum, ipod, e-reader (or book), hand sanitiser, facial toner and cotton wipes, floss, mini disposable toothbrushes, mobile phone, handcream, tissues and some CHOCOLATE.  Make sure pyjamas are front opening and pack slippers or slip on shoes to cruise the corridors once you are up.  The TED pressure stockings will probably stay on for some time and can get grubby.  I also had a  thin zip top windcheater and track pants for when I was ready to feel 'dressed.'  My water bottle can be drunk from laying without spilling- easier than glass and straw and the hospital jug can be heavy to lift to refill your glass.  Pack some comfy headgear as the bald head can get a bit chilled under hospital aircon. Hospital will have laxatives that you will probably need due to the effect of the medications but I did take my own Coloxyl with Senna.  Drink lots of water!

  At home: get the pillows ready so you can sleep a little propped if that feels more comforable as well as pillows to support both arms and under knees (under knees makes a huge difference when you are laying exclusively on your back), check bathroom for things you may not be able to reach as well as the pantry items such as coffee etc.  Make sure your shopper buys one litre milk etc- three litres is too heavy.

  Hope this is of some help.  All the best- the hospital staff will look after you! 

  Helen

  49yo mother, DX Dec 2010, invasive lobular cancer, stage 2, grade II, lumpectomy, nodes clear, chemo, bilateral MX and expanders May 2011, silicone implants June 2011,Tamoxifen.

• Claire

  

  • 3 posts
  July 8, 2011 10:08:54 PM WATime

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  Claire said:

   

   

   

  Thank you for the info ladies.  I did reorganise the pantry which helped.  5 weeks out now and still fairly stiff and sore.  To anyone about to undergo this procedure I would suggest you work on strengthening your abdominal and butt muscles to help you get around whilst recovering - the extra strength in those areas will assist your movement greatly after surgery.   

   

   

   

  This post was edited by Claire at July 8, 2011 10:08:54 PM WATime"

  43 YO wife/mum 2 young children, DX Oct 10, multi grade 3 cancers,nodes clear, lumpectomy, chemo AC and Taxol 6 months. June 2011 bilat Mascectomy lat dorsi recon - OUCH!

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  August 18, 2011 10:38:12 AM WATime

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  That's good info Claire. Have you checked out the exercise classes post mastectomy in the resources section they might help your stiffness. (-:

  the Click Researcher
  

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  October 18, 2011 9:49:17 AM WATime

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  This site has some very useful information for those women about to undergo mastectomy and breast reconstruction
  
  http://www.emedicinehealth.com/breast_reconstruction/article_em.htm#tocb

  the Click Researcher
  

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  November 26, 2011 7:11:15 PM WATime

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  Any info on expanders rather than the lat dorsi? I haven't heard those terms. I haven't done too much exploring the options for me yet - maybe you can give me some links to follow.

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  November 26, 2011 7:18:30 PM WATime

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  Just checked that link you mentioned above. I'm finding it hard to read the info...... I will have a look at it again in a day or so.

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  November 28, 2011 9:17:24 AM WATime

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  Copy and paste it into your browser and it might be better. Which browser do you use? Chrome, Firefox are much better than internet explorer for this site and in general.

  the Click Researcher
  

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  November 28, 2011 9:23:34 AM WATime

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  Sue, That link also gives you info re the mastectomy just click on mastectomy (in blue lettering) and scroll through. I will give you some more links some have changed since I found them so need to check first. xx

  the Click Researcher
  

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  November 28, 2011 9:29:55 AM WATime

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  Thank you... if you can find articles that are light on the medical jargon it would be good. Some of them just looooose me. xx

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  November 28, 2011 9:34:38 AM WATime

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  I am on instant chat now - see bottom right of page

  the Click Researcher
  

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  November 28, 2011 9:44:14 AM WATime

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  Sue Have you checked out the resources - cancer council wa, cancer australia they have good info
  Contact Heather at BCCWA and make an appointment to discuss anything you are not sure about. She also does home and hospital visits if you want some information and advice pre and post your mastectomy 93243703

  the Click Researcher
  

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  November 28, 2011 12:51:25 PM WATime

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  I don't really know the questions to ask yet. Difficult to know where to start. May need to wait until i find out what the reconstructive options are for me.

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• Claire

  

  • 3 posts
  November 28, 2011 2:42:45 PM WATime

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  Dont forget Royal Perth Hospital have a 'breast gallery' where you can go and meet with a nurse and look through some photos 'pre' and 'post' surgery, so you can get an idea of what to expect.  I found this very helpul in terms of selecting which option I wanted to go with.  Not sure of the phone no. for them but Heather (Breast Nurse with McGrath Foundation and general superhero) will know.

   

  43 YO wife/mum 2 young children, DX Oct 10, multi grade 3 cancers,nodes clear, lumpectomy, chemo AC and Taxol 6 months. June 2011 bilat Mascectomy lat dorsi recon - OUCH!

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  November 28, 2011 3:33:19 PM WATime

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  Thanks Claire I will point SueB to the details. How are you going with everything?

  the Click Researcher
  

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  November 28, 2011 3:37:29 PM WATime

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  Thanks Claire. Yes I think I had heard of that gallery. I will try and sort someone to come with me, I don't think its something I want to do on my own.

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• helena

  

  • 10 posts
  November 29, 2011 5:55:43 PM WATime

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  Hi Susan, be guided by your surgeons- they can assess your body and situation first hand. Two colleagues had surgery in the last two years. One had a single mastectomy and lat dorsi reconstruction where skin and muscle were taken from her back to rebuild the breast. My other mate had a double mastectomy, tissue expanders under the muscle to stretch the area and then these replaced with silicone. We all look great (scars are not so lovely) but with swimwear or a bra on we are all OK. I went from a small a cup to a c cup as the plastic surgeon suggested we 'may as well kick a goal as a point'. I am back at work full time now, have full mobility and strength etc.
  All the best for your chemo and read up on others tips for getting through this yuck time. It sucks but it is over sooner than you think.
  Helen

  49yo mother, DX Dec 2010, invasive lobular cancer, stage 2, grade II, lumpectomy, nodes clear, chemo, bilateral MX and expanders May 2011, silicone implants June 2011,Tamoxifen.

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  November 29, 2011 9:22:45 PM WATime

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  Thanks Helena. For reasons I won’t bore you with I have avoided medical contact for the last 7 yrs and I'm not in a real hurry to trust a surgeon 100% with what is good for me. I am 65, almost 66 and I think that will also influence what direction I take post surgery. However, I agree with you, and others, on here that I need to get some information on board just as soon as I can so I can make better decisions. I will make contact with the Nurses recommended to me and talk through my concerns regarding the surgery and possible reconstruction; and how I cope as a single person after having the surgery. I don’t have any live in bloke here to do the lifting, reaching & carrying. Chemo is actually the easy time for me, I get dizzy some days and tired easily, but I don't get sick; my skin has never looked better (same happened last time) and I'm making the adjustments nessecary to have my life on hold. Once again, being solo means I need to be able to transport myself there, and more importantly – back home lol Chemo is the easy bit; the hard bit starts when this finishes. Thank you so much for replying, it is good to know there is life after double mastectomy. I have almost decided that if my surgeon continues to insist on double mastectomy and remaining lymp thingys removed then the least she can do is a bum lift and my arm ‘wings’ trimmed. You reckon she will comply? Lol Hugs to you.

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..