Travel after breast surgery

[Podgedodge]

Hi, I’m due to have breast surgery on the 1st, and my aunt’s funeral is on the 6th. The surgery is to remove a tumour and lymph nodes but is not a full mastectomy. I am only in overnight. The funeral is a six hour train ride with a change in central London. Does anyone please have any experience of how they felt after this type of surgery and whether I am likely to be able to make the journey?

Hopeful bump?

Tbh I wouldn’t recommend that you do this at all. In fact, I’d go as far to say it’s bordering on lunacy 😵‍💫

Yes, you’re only scheduled to stay in for one night, but that doesn’t mean it’s not major surgery -it is. However, you may have to stay longer -after my first bc surgery I was in for 2 nights, but only 1 for the second.

Depending on your surgeon and how your surgery goes, you may still have drains in. You won’t want to travel anywhere with those still attached.

Your underarm will be completely numb after the lymph removal (even if only the sentinel node is removed) and your breast will be very tender, swollen and bruised -frankly, it’s unlikely that you’ll want to wear anything resembling formal clothes.

It’s astonishing -if you’re like me- how tired you’ll feel. For about 3 weeks after surgery I’d sleep about 12 hours a day and would manage a slowish walk with the family/dog for 30-40 mins. There’s no way I could’ve taken a six hour train journey etc. and I think I’d have been very nervous about being jostled in crowds.

I think if you asked your surgeon s/he would strongly advise against doing this.

I hope your surgery is successful x

I wouldn’t have been able to travel. I also had a drain attached for about a week which I had to go to hospital to get checked xx

Thank you. I had asked my checking in nurse but she was a bit vague. What you are saying ties in with my gut feeling, but you know, family funerals…
Thank you for your replies, I do appreciate them, feel a bit like I’m stepping off a cliff on Thursday, and have no idea where or even if I’ll land.

It’s quite a rollercoaster ride, isn’t it? Try not to panic.

No one knows how they’ll respond/cope, but I took the view that I just had to go with the flow! It’s not always easy; I wasn’t “brave”, I just got on with it and tried to stay positive. (Although that doesn’t mean you can’t shed a tear or have sad moments yourself/with your family.)

Make sure you have an ample supply of paracetamol/ibuprofen (get a prescription from your GP for 100+ tabs of each, otherwise you’ll be at the chemist every two days 🙄) also apply for the medical exemption card for free prescriptions.

Remember to be kind to yourself and listen to your body 😊 Rest when you need to, but also try to get some fresh air and have a stroll every day.

Prior to your operation I’d suggest doing the shoulder exercises they’ll ask you to do afterwards (I think you’ll find them on one of the breast cancer aware websites) so that you’re used to them -and keep them up afterwards, unless otherwise advised.

I did all of this during the pandemic so had no access to the various charities etc., but I think you can access them now, so check the internet for local charities that can help, if you think that’ll help you 😊

Wishing you all the best -stay strong x

Thank you Georgie8 . Hope your recovery is ongoing and you are doing ok now.💖

I had a mastectomy just over two weeks ago as day surgery. But I had a drain in for another 4 days and although I felt better than expected I was very tired. I only left the house once with the drain in but I'm not sure if it will be better if it's a lumpectomy.
Good luck xx

I had double breast surgery and a full node clearance and I had three drains in for a week along with pico dressings that had a battery pack.

I managed the 5 minute walk to my hairdressers in the village 6 days post surgery so she could wash my hair but travelling in the car was very difficult and I got so tired so quickly.

I found the tiredness was the worst thing in the days following my lumpectomy, I certainly would not have wanted to travel anywhere. Do you have a small cushion to put under your arm? I was given one at the hospital, heart shaped to fit perfectly under the arm to protect the scars from lymph node removal. It could also be used in the car to prevent the seat belt rubbing against the breast. I lived with that cushion under my arm for a couple of weeks! Best thing I've ever been given.

I had exactly that surgery 2 years ago. The after effects of the anaesthetic alone made me weak and tired for a week.

You have absolutely enough of a reason to say you cannot go to this funeral and nobody who knows what you are going through would expect you to go.

You’ve all been very kind to share your experiences and I have told my relatives I will not be able to make the funeral. My Dc will go, which will mean I will be on my own for a couple of days but I have great friends who will pop in often. I lost my DH to cancer in July, and the whole hospital experience is a scary thing for me just now, and tbh I am scared. But I am very lucky it is all getting dealt with quickly and efficiently. I appreciate some people have to wait a lot longer than I have for similar treatment. (But I am still scared…)

Podgedodge
You have been dealt a crappy hand and I'm so sorry you are going through this.
I am 18 months past treatment now and fine. I do remember those dark days of fear all too well. One thing that gave me massive support was the ongoing cancer thread on MN. Lots of people with breast cancers of all kinds as well as other cancers. A huge source of information and mutual support. Always someone to chat to in the middle of the night.

The surgery for me was a big relief. To be rid of the cancer was a psycological boost. The treatment that followed was often tough but you get through it. When I had the surgery the whole team were so kind and reassuring from nurses to anaesthetist to surgeon. I was in overnight (though some go home the same day). I was very tired for a week or more and the arm and shoulder area very tender but I was given good pain relief. The little cushion mentioned was my best friend, definitely needed for the journey home.
I wish you all the best. Please pm me if you want a chat about the whole breast cancer thing