[Fanny McPhail]

20 years ago my MIL had recovered from and survived breast cancer, earlier this year she found out that it had returned.

Her previous treatment included a single mastectomy, radiation and chemo therapy. In the next couple of weeks she will have the other breast removed.

I live quite close to her and I want to be as useful as possible to her during her recovery and am looking for some information about how she will feel physically and emotionally. Obviously I will ask how she is feeling but i think a bit of information will help me to understand her recovery a little better especially if she's in pain or down etc.

I imagine that, physically, she will be sore and have trouble moving her arms and lifting objects. How long does this generally last for? Is there anything else that i should consider?

Emotionally, i'm guessing this could range from sadness and depression to relief.

Your advice and experience will be greatly appreciated.

Edited to add: please feel free to PM me if you don't want include personal information in this thread.

This post has been edited by Fanny McPhail: 25/06/2012, 02:51 PM

[JRA]

Sadly she will know the drill.

Although saw, she will have exercises that she will need to do with her arm, which she must do. The "pain" for me was over quite quickly,although I did, as expected, have an infection. I was picking up DS pretty much straight away, he was only 6mths, so quite smallish.

The emotional part will be hard. As will whatever the follow on treatment will be.

[Fanny McPhail]

Thank you JRA.

Getting DS and DD to do gentle cuddles might be my biggest challenge

She does know the drill and is surprisingly stoic.

This post has been edited by Fanny McPhail: 26/06/2012, 10:32 PM

[~*Lou*~]

Depends if she has an auxillary clearance or not (lymph nodes removed). WIth the aux clearance, its a more painful procedure and recovery, without its much easier.

I had mastectomy & aux clearance in March. It was 3 weeks before I could drive, although surgeon told me I could drive after 10 days - I think I recovered slowly because I'd just finished 5 mths of chemo and was very debilitated.

It was 5 weeks before I could lift DS (23 mths). I had 4 nights in hospital, but could have come home after 2 nights - she will be able to do basic stuff for herself when she comes home, like shower and dress (button up shirts, not over the head stuff initially).

The physio exercises she will be given are very important - she needs to keep on top of pain relief to enable her to do the exercises several times a day.

She'll need help with laundry and cleaning, assume for 6 wks. Best if she's not trying to cook meals initially too.

Good luck, I hope she recovers quickly.

Lou xx

[Willomum]

my mum just had her left breast removed nearly 2 weeks ago due to cancer. She put the surgery off for a week as she needed to get her head around everything. She felt amazingly good after the op, she spent 2 night in hospital but could have come home after 1. She had a drain in for 1.5 weeks but could get around the house and get herself dressed and sorted. She was just really drained for a good week. Now the drain is removed she is up doing most things. She has not driven yet but i'm pretty sure it will only be for a few more days. Feel free to Pm me if you want any advice. We are very new to this but my mum especially has been amazing and she is very fit so it has helped with her recovery.