It’s hard to believe, but I am officially 1 year post lumpectomy surgery! These milestones feel so strange to me, because in truth, I’m still not quite sure I’ve fully processed my diagnosis and experience. That comes with time, but I am trying to honor and celebrate these markers as they come. When I was first diagnosed, I was open to all surgical possibilities, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit relieved when my oncologist and surgeon both recommended a lumpectomy (vs. a single or double mastectomy) . After everything my body (and mind!) had been through, the idea of having a minimally invasive surgery with less downtime meant I could recover more quickly and move forward in a body that felt more like my own. Some have asked why I decided to go this route and of course, it’s a personal decision, but Breast Cancer takes so much away from you, I was happy to keep this part of myself. In the hopes of helping other women, I put together a Lumpectomy Cheat Sheet!
Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy
This is of course a decision you should discuss with your medical team, but the location of my tumor made a lumpectomy possible. Depending on where your mass is located, this may not be an option. A lumpectomy removes the mass and a small amount of surrounding tissue, whereas a mastectomy (or double mastectomy) removes the entire breast. For me, a lumpectomy was less invasive and required less downtime/recovery, which was a big part of my decision. Because my cancer (triple negative) was not genetic and I do not carry the BRCA gene mutation, I felt a lumpectomy was the right choice for me. Of course, deciding to keep my breasts means there is a possibility of recurrence and that definitely keeps me up at night, but it also means I’ll be monitored more closely and I have some peace of mind knowing that. These decisions are personal and carry a lot of emotional weight, each person has to do what is right for them. This was the right decision for me and my family. Each surgery option has pros and cons, and I’m open to revisiting this in the future. Just taking it one day at a time!
Preparing for Surgery
Prior to being diagnosed, I’d never so much as broken a bone, but suddenly I was spending way too much time at the hospital and heading into major surgery. Needles and blood don’t freak me out, but the idea of surgery really spooked me and I was nervous going into it. I had a great surgeon and my advice would be to ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS! Knowing what to expect in terms of timing, recovery and pain management helped settle my nerves and kept me mentally calm.
BRING A BUDDY
You’ll have a pre-op appointment to go over the plan and have photos taken and I suggest bringing a friend or family member to help you jot down notes. A lot of info will get thrown at you, and it’s overwhelming. Having another person there to keep track of all the important bits is really helpful.
MAKE A CARE PLAN
Luckily my surgery was outpatient, which meant I could go home afterwards, but knowing what to expect post surgery helps you prepare for it. For me, that meant having my Mom come to stay with us so we could have round the clock childcare. I stocked up on pain medication, a new pair of button up pajamas (no lifting your arms!) and some comforting foods. Going in well-prepped gave me the peace of mind so I could rest and heal comfortably at home.
TAKE YOUR VITAMINS
Heading into any major surgery is difficult, but doing it AFTER you’ve endured months of chemo is even harder. My body was already in stress mode prior to my lumpectomy, so trying to rest as much as possible beforehand is really important. The stuff you already know, like staying hydrated bears repeating! I’d wish I’d known this before, but make sure your Vitamin D levels are strong leading up to surgery (Make sure you take a supplement with Vitamin D AND Vitamin K to help with absorption. And of course, clear it with your doctor first). I’m Vitamin D deficient which means scarring is more likely and they take longer to heal. Keeping your skin moisturized ahead of time helps a lot too! (I recommend this ultra-clean body lotion for anyone doing Chemo!).
Post-Op: What to Expect
Everyone is different, but I went into surgery feeling very nervous about the pain of recovery (though, to be fair, I’m a total wimp and basically asked for an epidural the day I found out I was pregnant). My doctor prescribed some pretty heavy duty pain meds to help, but I was surprised by how OK I felt! I was able to switch to a higher dose ibuprofen on day 2 post-op and was so relieved I was able to function. I even went out for lunch a few days later.
You’ll have bandages on your chest that will likely cause some discomfort. Because my surgery was right before the holidays, my doctors office was closed, which meant I had to keep the bandages on much longer than normal and that was pretty annoying. They were itchy and I couldn’t shower without wrapping myself in saran wrap and waterproof dressings. I avoided showering and instead used these to help me feel fresh!
After your bandages are removed, you’ll need a post-op surgical bra. For me, I found that a snap front bra like this one was most comfortable for sleeping. (You’ll want something with closures in the front for maximum comfort and I recommend getting 2 sizes to figure out which feels best). I used a zip front bra for daytime because it was tighter and made me feel more secure. Underwire isn’t recommended for awhile post-surgery, and truthfully, I never found them comfortable to begin with, so now I just wear soft bralettes. These are my favorites:
For me, the hardest part was not being able to lift my arms, which meant not being able to carry my son. We explained that mama had some boo-boos and wouldn’t be able to hold him for awhile, but it was still difficult for me as his mother. It also made everyday things, like carrying my work bag, or groceries a bit tricky. I wasn’t allowed to carry anything heavier than 10lbs for a month, but speak to your doctor about what makes sense for you. I also switched from regular shirts to button down shirts for a few weeks afterwards since they were much easier to get on and off. A fun excuse to shop!
During my surgery, lymph nodes were removed to be tested for cancer and truthfully, this was the hardest part of my recovery. The nodes were taken from under my armpit and a year later, I still have residual pain and tenderness in that area. It’s a very sensitive spot and takes awhile to heal. I used a small pillow that I put under my armpit to create a little extra cushioning and that helped me sooo much. It might look funny, but I had a heart shaped pillow and the shape was perfect for holding under my arm all day. Still, I’ve lost a lot of strength in my left arm as a result and am doing my best to get stronger with simple arm exercises using these 1lb weights. Your surgeon can set you up with a Physical Therapist who specializes in breast cancer recovery.
SCAR MANAGEMENT
Once the bandages are removed and the stitches begin to dissolve, it’s time for some scar management! As I mentioned, making sure your Vitamin D levels are high in the months leading up to surgery will do wonders for your healing. Staying super hydrated and keeping your skin moisturized also helps a lot. I used good ole Aquaphor, but also loved this oil and this balm for my scars. My scars are still healing a year later, but they’re fading and hopefully one day you’ll hardly be able to see them at all! Also, I didn’t know this, but radiation helps with scarring, so likely if you do any kind of radiation post-op like I did, the scarring on that side will be less visible. Who knew!
BE PATIENT
I underestimated how different I would feel after surgery and the changes my body would go through. A year out, things are still “settling” and the hormonal changes from Lupron are still present. I think we place too much importance on resiliency and “bouncing back” after big life events, especially for women, and I’ve tried to be patient with myself during this journey. There are many chapters to this story, and this is only one. I don’t know what the future holds for me and how my body will continue to change, so I’m trying to be open to things as they come and not get ahead of myself or judge myself too harshly.
My Lumpectomy Essentials
In addition to loading up on the Vitamin D/K, these are the things that really helped me during my recovery:
I hope this guide is helpful to other women in this situation. Happy healing!
x Dulci