Coping
with a mastectomy takes some serious adjustment. As
women, especially American women, much of our femininity is
centered on our breasts. No matter where you look, there are
pictures, billboards, commercials, television shows, and
movies with women with these beautiful breasts and ample
cleavage. The thought of losing one or both breasts, to breast
cancer, can be devastating for many of us. Sure, there's
reconstruction, but will it ever really look the same again?
Even if you have reconstruction, you'll never have sensation
there again and, for many of us, that definitely affects our
sexuality.
I went through two separate mastectomies, for my breast
cancer, despite the fact that I wanted them both done at the
same time. Two different surgeons told me that wasn't
necessary. They found out, later, that it was, as I had the
same breast cancer in both breasts. Through these surgeries, I
learned a few things about what to expect, and how to get up
and running again, after a mastectomy for breast cancer. The
first thing to realize is that, apart from the emotional
aspect of such an operation, this is a simple surgery. The
breast is composed, mostly, of fatty tissue and, of course,
milk ducts and lobes. The removal of this breast tissue is way
easier than operating on an organ, but carries much more
emotional impact for most of us. Coping with a
mastectomy is tough and takes time and patience.
Most surgeons will get as much of the breast tissue out as
they can to help alleviate the chance of a recurrence of your
breast cancer. You will typically wind up with a horizontal
scar about four inches long. The scar may be red for quite a
while but, ultimately, should fade to where you can hardly see
it anymore. You want to be sure to take loose-fitting,
button-down shirts (raiding your hubby's closet is helpful)
with you, to the hospital, as you won't be able to raise your
arms over your head for a while. You will also need a sports
bra and I would highly recommend one that fastens in the
front. They will put that on you after your surgery.
Typically, you should be able to stay in the hospital for one
night. If you're going to have lymph nodes removed, a small
pillow, to slip under that arm, will help make you more
comfortable. Check with your local American Cancer Society as
they may have small pillows for you. An extra pillow to hold
to your chest, if you need to cough, sneeze, or laugh, can
help keep your incision from hurting. When you wake up, you
will have a couple of drain tubes for each side you have done.
These tubes are important as they allow the excess fluid,
which your body will produce, to drain out. If you didn't have
them, the fluid would have to be aspirated with a needle. The
drains, even though they're no fun, are better than that.
These drains will have to be emptied a couple of times a day
and you will have to write down how much fluid you drain so
the doctor will know when you've slowed down enough to remove
them. You may not know where to put these drains under your
clothing. I pinned mine up to the sports bra and that way,
they didn't pull when I moved. When you get home, plan on
having someone there to help you for the first few days. You
won't be allowed to reach into your cabinets and definitely
won't be able to clean house or pick up your children, if you
have little ones. You'll be sent home with pain meds and
definitely take them if you need them. Studies show that you
will heal faster if you keep yourself out of pain, so don't be
afraid to take them as prescribed. If you have a recliner, you
might consider moving it into the bedroom as you won't be able
to lie flat for a while. You'll need to sleep in a partial
sitting position. If you don't have one, or don't have space
for it in your bedroom, lots of pillows will work, too. That's
what I used. Just be sure you have enough pillows to keep
yourself comfortable propped up. If you would like someone
who's been there before you to visit with, be sure to call
your local American Cancer Society and ask for a Reach 2
Recovery volunteer. This is an American Cancer Society program
where they try to match you with one of their volunteers who
have as similar experience as you're facing. This woman will
come visit you and will bring you all sorts of brochures and
information on conventional treatment. She will also bring you
a list of exercises you can start to do to regain your
mobility and range of motion. This is VERY important. It hurts
to stretch your arm up, after surgery, but if you haven't had
reconstruction, and you don't start soon, you will lose that
range of motion. I would recommend starting to gently, slowly
reach your arm up … let your body be your guide … the day
after your surgery. This is ONLY if you have not had
reconstruction. If you have, let your plastic surgeon tell you
when to start stretching. Push to where it hurts just a
little, but do not push too far past that. Little by little,
you'll find yourself able to stretch a little farther every
couple of days. Most of all, allow yourself to heal
emotionally, as well as physically. Some of us just can't look
at that incision right away. That's OK. Take as much time as
you need. I know I felt like some kind of freak with no
breasts and, even six years later, I still do sometimes. But
remind yourself that these scars are your battle scars. They
do not make you less of a woman. They make you a warrior.
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