Recovering from a bi-lateral mastectomy without reconstruction - what to expect in terms of additional help at home

[Pennies]

On the 15th Feb I've got to go for a bilateral mastectomy. Oh joy. I'll be having 2nd level lymph node removal on one side (left side, and I'm right handed).

Anyway, I'm trying to plan for coping afterwards. I've got my PIL staying for two weeks so whilst I'm in hospital she can do half term with the children, sort the house, look after DH, do the laundry, cook yummy meals and then help me the week after I get back, so that's all sorted. FIL will, I expect, watch lots of telly. He's a retired GP though so he can keep a medical eye on me when I get back (although feel that it might be a bit too much to get him to check my dressings!!!!).

What I really want to know is what to expect from about 2 weeks after the op.

I've had a first level node clearance already, which I'm pretty much all recovered from now but I'm wondering whether a 2nd level will be that much more painful afterwards or pretty much the same?

Will I be able to lift stuff?

Will I be able to exercise (I run and I am just beginning pilates)?

When will I be able to drive again?

How much housework can I not do?

Got a meeting with my nurse on Tuesday but I feel that if I am going to need any extra pairs of hands then I need to try and sort it now!

DH = workaholic and does long hours = not really around to help (but other than that he's bloody great!)

My sister in law had a mastectomy and lymph node removal, then chemo then radiotherapy, and her mum had to move in for 6 months, tho I think a lot of that was due to the chemo and radio. Then 18 months later she had a recurrance of breast cancer in the other breast and had that one removed, but no need this time for the chemo and radio, and her mum moved in for 6 weeks I think.

From memory, the driving/lifting/exercise is a minimum of 6 weeks.

ilove, sorry to hear about your SIL - that's why I'm going for the whole hog - the thought of going through this again is just too scary. I hope she has made a full recovery now.

6 weeks??? OMG.

Pennies i had a single mastectomy and full lymph node clearance on 8 Jan. I made a short car journey on day 9...If your lymh clearance is on one side only then if all goes well with your scars you shouldn't find driving any trickier than I did. It depends on what your surgeon advises, but mine was happy for his patients to make their own decision based on confidence, mobility etc. My mobility was good from the start; I was a good girl and did all the exercises.I'm also r handed and had left side operated on by the way.

I should add that my car's an automatic so I didn't have to use my left arm on the clutch which would make a difference.

My dh stayed home for 2 weeks and did all the school runs/kids' teas for a week. My maximum housework was making a single cup of tea the first week - I could have done more but dh was an absolute star and i was well cossetted. stayed in hospital 3 nights and rested every afternnon at home for the rest of the first week. During the second week i started cooking a bit - wouldn't have lifted a roasting tray but could easily manage pasta, light oven dishes etc. Also during that second week i drove further afield, met friends socially, really felt i was getting back to normal.

After two weeks I was 90% fine and continue to feel the same. Starting rads soon.

To sum up, make sure you rest very well the first week, step up activity a bit in the second, and you'll find the build up to a normal busy life that bit easier.

Forgot to add re exercise - I have an expandable implant, now fully inflated. It still feels a bit uncomfortable if for eg I run for a bus, but I've been back to the gym, and have just avoided anything entailing weight resistance on my arm/chest, but I will slowly reintegrate that. Pilates should be ok mostly, though maybe not in the first month as although I'm doing well, I'd struggle with some of the movements simply because at full extension, my arm is still a bit tight.

canihavemypocketmoney - thank you for your advice. It is really helpful.

I'm sorry you've had to go through this too. If you want general support from other MNers going through breast cancer please do join us on the Tamoxifen thread here.

Thank you Pennies. yes it's utterly crap isn't it. I'll look at the Tamoxifen thread. Funny but I started on T today ! I had my chemo first to see how much shrinkage I'd get, with a view to possible excision, and although there was a fairly good response, I'm not generously endowed so it was decided in the end to go for a mx anyway.

Bump for any more experiences.

Pennies, no experience but just sending you best wishes for the op and hoping your recovery is super speedy!

Walkingx

hey Pennies! i had a BRM but did have a (albeit dodgy) reconstruction. It is difficult to say what you will and will not be able to do as it depends on you as a person and how your body reacts however i would assume that two weeks after surgery you will be feeling more yourself, i would have been driving again at between two and three weeks post op as far as i can remember. Housework- i never do any anyway lol so it wasn't a worry. I know that 6 weks post op i was doing everything i had been before and was certainly having no problems (infact it was the summer hols so i was busier than usual!)