Before I knew it I was scheduled for the mastectomy on 22 April. I guess it stopped me from walking around like a zombie, which I had been doing. The house needed tidying and vacuuming, and things prepared for when I'd be in hospital. There was a flurry of communication as people found out and wanted to show support. I was anointed by a pastor, and prayed for by the two parishes we go to. The counsellor of the Breast Cancer association spoke with me, and Dr Eaton's nurse let me know what was going to happen.
I was last on the list for surgery, which was a bummer because I was STARVING!! I spent the day reading Prof Jane Plant's Your Life In Your Hands, which probably wasn't the best idea at the time! As usual, fear of the unknown gripped me but I am starting to almost get used to that. When I came to, I could feel my chest muscle and it felt good to clench it. It was weird to have a half-flat chest (covered in a dressing) but it was something I have adapted to fairly well. The removal of lymph nodes has been more difficult to get used to as it requires care.
My lovely friend bought me beautiful red gerberas and wonderful dark Lindt chocolate balls! Our other busy friends sent up a fantastic flower arrangement to my room, and so the attention began ... I felt like a filmstar of old - my 15 minutes of fame - cards and SMS texts and visits. I think it went on for two weeks and then stopped fairly abruptly. That's also cool, because people have offered the help and now it's up to me to make the next move (difficult) ...
It's important after a mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy to keep the area exercised, and raised if necessary. I used a high potency arnica cream to help bring down the haematoma that had formed, and gently massaged the arm up towards the shoulder. I think that was important; that and doing a bit more every day.
I haven't really cried for the loss of my breast. You kind of have to laugh - I should take up archery since I am like an Amazon now! I am rather keen to have the other one (with annoying cysts in it) removed too which will give me a whole new 'slimline' look. It was weird seeing the bulky envelope in the post box, knowing it was my fake foam boob (actually I received a free bra with it, from the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), and another foam prosthesis from the Cancer Council).
