Single Mastectomy: What will Recovery Time be like? How long?

Hello, I am Corey - new here. Almost done with 20 rounds of chemo - June 27th the last day. I will be having a single right mastectomy with most if not all lymph nodes removed from armpit and clavical area. Will be doing expander in right breast for implant reconstruction next winter/spring. After mastectomy I have 5 days of radiation for 6 weeks. My question - I live alone but have a great support system - how long will I need a caretaker? Is it someone just popping in or round the clock? First 10 days are covered with 20 hour a day coverage, meal train set up, neighbors on call. Is that sufficient? Thank you for your opinions! Wishing you all the very best!! Corey

Hi @ccc1965 10 days should cover it, I would think, but maybe more depending on age?

I had the same - right side plus lymph nodes on right, with expander put in, followed by radiation and a DIEP Flap done a few months after.

My husband was able to care for me and our baby pretty well during that surgery.

Depending on your reconstruction type I would suggest you save the big guns of caretaking for reconstruction. Mine was so much bigger than the mastectomy (8 hours verses 2, 1 day in hospital verses 4), and my body was in much worse shape because by then I'd added a second year of active treatment.

We were taken off guard by the immensity of that surgery, and by that point had gotten into the second tier of our social/family support network, and they were not up to the challenge.

But if you can get caregiving for both surgeries, go for it!

Thank you for your reply and pointers. I talked with my nurse navigator today and she concurs with your experience. I will be doing an saline implant. That surgery will not be until next year. I am lucky that I have two grown kids willing to help and a great support system. Doing as much ahead of time as possible!

Be well and thank you again!!

Corey

What type of cancer did you have?. You didn't have chemo or radiation

What type of cancer ? Since you had 20 rounds of chemo prior to surgery.

I know this is months later but I so agree with you. I actually asked my surgeon if I should just do double and get it over and done with. She was like "why remove a perfectly healthy breast when you only have cancer on one side". As for The surgeons especially plastic surgeons who say oh a woman won't he happy cause the sides don't match . My plastic surgeon had an answer to that. Every good surgeon will ensure the breasts look good . I have an expander in right breast right now and guess what . I'm so ok . I worried at first about how I'd look but after surgery I remember looking on the mirror and saying " you go girl" . I love the new me that I have accepted and that's just with an expander. But my plastic surgeon is really good and women who have had singles look just as good as ones who have had Bilateral. People just don't understand the resilience us warriors have!

Hi @prc73 - I had Low Grade Adenosquamous Carcinoma (LGASC), which is a subtype of triple negative cancer. I was stage 1b.

Oh wow I am stage 1b Invasive ductal carcinoma. ER/PR + Hers 2 negative with oncotype score of 49 so I have to do 4 rounds of chemo starting next week .. I am so nervous.

HR+ Her2 negative breast cancer with supraclavicular node involvement. My cancer was detected by a three D mammogram. Mammogram was on 12/24/2024, called back in 1/2/2025. I have two small tumors in my right breast - one behind the nipple and one closer to the sternum. PET scan detected a large lymph node party going on in my right armpit and a spot on my supraclavicular. Started with 8 rounds of A/C then 12 rounds of Taxol. Next steps: surgery, radiation, medication then reconstruction.

Nothing about this journey is easy but the "unknown" is the worst in my opinion. I had a port put in for the treatments. I have not had any problem with the port. I never experienced any pain with the treatments. I was given anti nausea medication. I only had a couple days of being a bit queasy, never threw up. My main side effects were trouble sleeping, fatigue, lack of appetite, loss of hair (head/body) and chemo brain. I focused my diet on protein and hydration - found some great protein to mix with water. I currently eat about 1/3 of a meal. I had no negative effects on taste. I did have constipation and diarrhea but that was eased with over the counter prescriptions. My work outs went from rowing and weight lifting to walks and body weight exercises (squats, wall push ups, etc.) Mentally I took the attitude of "Why not me?", "It is was it is", "I have so much to be grateful for" and "This too shall pass". Don't get me wrong I had my pity parties but try to put a time limit on them. I wish you strength, peace and ease as you go through this journey.