Facing Mastectomy: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Mastectomy is an amputation. It’s the best way to explain it. No need to sugar coat it! It is an amputation, a removal of your breast, and just like any amputation it comes with side effects such as depression, shooting nerve pain, phantom pain, and numbness. I feel that it is one of the most brutal procedures a woman will take to save her life. Although, we frequently hear of people getting a mastectomy, we should never forget how traumatic it is to women.
After I completed my chemo, I was scheduled for a mastectomy. My mastectomy plan consisted of a bilateral mastectomy, then expanders for a couple of months, and then the exchange of expanders for implants. Fortunately, for me I was more than ready to have my breasts removed. It was amazing to me how initially the thought of a mastectomy was terrifying but after surviving Chemo, I felt that I was more than ready to take on whatever I needed to. I still had fears in regards to the mastectomy, but I felt an instant detachment towards my breasts. It was almost as if I hated them and no longer needed them. To me, they represented disease and I wanted all disease to be gone.
Will People notice?
One of the things you will notice right away post mastectomy, is that as soon as you get surgery, everyone will stare. Everyone will look at you and wonder does she have breast? Are those implants? It will be on everyone’s mind for a while. One thing that concerned me was not knowing what I would wear to mask the lack of breasts. For my mastectomy, my doctor placed expanders during surgery. Expanders are literally like a balloon that is placed inside of your breast and the doctor fills it up gradually until you reached the breast size you both agree on. They are pretty cool because they allow you to see beforehand, how you will look with your new breast. One thing I learned right away, is that when it comes to a mastectomy, button up shirts are your best friend. So in order to mask my breast, I wore button up shirts and scarves. It completely covered the breast area.
What do I need?
Knowing that I would be vulnerable during my recovery, I was determined to be over prepared for my surgery. To ease my anxiety, I washed and braided my hair in advance, bought all button up clothes, set up a table on the side of my bed for meds, and bought a bed desk for eating. I can honestly say I needed all these items! I was over prepared and it paid off. In order to ensure that your mastectomy will go smoother, you will need the following items:
Small pillows for under your arms
Button up pajamas
Button up shirts
Drawstring pants
Mastectomy robe that has a space for drains
A lot of pillows
Miralax
Refillable water bottles
Before your surgery, be sure to have plans for the following:
Either cook and freeze meals for at least two weeks or find someone who is willing to cook or coordinate your meals for two weeks. Thoroughly clean your home in advance, it will be hard to clean your home for a while. If you are a parent or pet owner, find someone who is willing to help you care for your kids or pets. Contact your kid’s school, inform them of your surgery. Coordinate carpooling with your family and friends.
Will I lose my mind?
My biggest fear was that I would lose my mind once I woke up without my breasts. I was frightened by this. I stayed up for nights trying to imagine how I could mentally prepare for the first time I saw my breast after surgery. I came up with so many ideas to avoid seeing them. I wanted to place sheets over the mirrors in the bathroom, I wanted to hide my breast area from my husband, I was so determined to not see my breast until they were filled up by the expanders. In my mind, I just knew that the moment I saw my breast, I would crumble and lose my will to fight. After going crazy about this for months, I started to research online how other women who have had the procedure looked after surgery. Research eased my fears by preparing me for what I might see. I knew that this mastectomy procedure would be more of a mental battle than a physical one. So I got myself ready to fight. Everyday, I would literally talk to myself. I told myself that no matter what it looked like it was temporary and I would not allow it to destroy me. I told myself consistently, that you are saving your life, no matter the outcome, you will make the best of it. You will find a way to get it through it. Surprisingly, this worked! Although, I was still in disbelief when I first saw my breast after surgery, I didn’t lose my mind. I accepted that this would be a mental challenge and I refused to lose it. So, I told myself, you are going through a transition, it’s not over yet, but the best part about it, is you are now Cancer free.
Will it hurt?
I will say that a mastectomy is a huge undertaking. It’s draining and just alot to physically and mentally take on. Since you can’t raise your arms for two weeks or sleep on your side, sleeping comfortably is difficult. You will need help. I needed help to shower and move around. You will be limited on your physical movements, so you will have to rest. I didn’t experience too much pain due to the fact that I felt sedated most of the time. I took my meds around the clock. I also, gave myself time to rest and relax. However, the one thing I hated the most were the drains. I found the drains to be scary, disgusting, and hurtful. I could not wait to have them removed. However, I did find my drain holder to be very effective in helping me to keep the drain in one place and limiting the pain. For me the mental pain associated with the mastectomy was just as difficult as the physical pain. I hated the fact that I needed help to shower, get dressed, change my drains, and etc. Although I welcomed the help, I was hurt more by the fact that I couldn’t hide my chest, and my caregiver, who was my husband had to see it. It was a lot to accept and take in initially. But as the shock wore off and the days went by, I became more comfortable with my chest and the help that I was receiving . I believe that I was able to adjust because I was prepared. The following items helped me get through my mastectomy.
Things you should do before surgery:
Purchase all mastectomy garments
Place everything you may need within reach
Get waxed
Shampoo hair
Pedicure/ manicure
Place all snacks on lower cabinet
Buy button up blouses & pajamas
Buy books and magazines
Buy husband pillow
Small pillows to place under arm
Battery operated toothbrush
Wipes
Spray deodorant
Use pill dispenser
Notebook to monitor drains
Select a person to keep notes of all doctor info
Find helpful organizations that help with bills, cleaning service, pet sitters, etc.
Day of surgery
Pajamas that button up in the front
Pants with a drawstring
Drained carrier
Chapstick
For home:
Side table placed next to my bed for medicine, vitamin and drinks
Food tray for the bed
Husband pillow
Button pajamas
Pillow for under my arm
Soft mastectomy bra that opened to the front
24hr hot/cold cup
To go outside:
Shirts that button up
Scarfs that could disguise lack of breast
Drain carrier
