A breast cancer survivor speaks on the reality of mastectomies and strategies for coping.
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. 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.
