Surgery after chemo - triple negative breast cancer

[dg93]

Hi, my mum got her surgery date yesterday to remove the cancer, a small rod they inserted in her breast and some of her lymph nodes in her under arms, but they didn't actually say how the surgery would go.

Have you had this surgery or know someone that has? We are interested to know how people found the surgery, and how they were after the surgery?

She was told the surgery is only 1 hour long, and that she should have 3 weeks off work to recover, but this has completely thrown her and she's freaking out slightly, hence why I'm asking for advice here!

If you have any advice or info for her, we would really appreciate it 😊

She has undergone 6 lots of chemo already to shrink the cancer so she can have the surgery - the cancer itself is less than 1cm big at this point!!!

Hi I've had a single mastectomy after 6 rounds of chemo. I was probably younger than your mum, in my mid 40s, quite fit and healthy.

The op was over and done with in no time. I actually took my kids to school the next day and went out for lunch the day after that.

I would suggest she prepares by drinking loads of water, asking if she can take arnica tablets as they help with any bruising. Do the arm exercises they give her. Get tops with buttons or zips for the first few days. If you can get one of the heart shaped pillows for popping under the seatbelt for when she's travelling home they are also useful.

Breast cancer now is a really useful site. Her breast care nurses are also a brilliant source of advice.
Drinking water is excellent advice.

Your mum can get a mastectomy pilow from Facebook group Jen's Friends for a donation.I found mine invaluable.Had my Mastectomy at 9am was home by 2pm.Sadly offered no further treatment I think because of my age 77.Good luck to your Mum.

Hi I'm triple neg and had breast surgery. Is she having reconstruction or staying flat?

Practical things to help:

Button through pj tops for afterwards as she don't be able to lift her arms high for other tops.

Easy to put on clothes and shoes for going home after the hospital. I had a poncho I threw on over everything. Much easier to cover drains etc.

Heart shaped pillow from "Pillow pals". (Was called Jen's friends)

Stock up on paracetamol and ibuprofen.

V shaped pillow makes it easier to sleep with drains.

If she is on Facebook and not having recon have a look at Flat Friends UK. Support group for women living without reconstruction.

Good luck!

It sounds like a sentinal node biopsy which I had 2 years ago. Is she having a lumpectomy as well or a mastectomy? Not all women do.

They insert the rod using a mammogram to guide it. Then a dye is injected.
Most people go home the same day, recovery will depend whether that's the only procedure or whether she is having breast surgery as well.