Wife is going to have a mastcetomy, any advice you can give?

I have heard that some women going through this grief for the breast being removed. What are some ideas of making this easier for her?





Should we have a ';Breast departing party';? Or some type of ceremony thanking her breast for being with her so long, but now it needs to go?





Also, any help you can give about taking care of her would help. I have heard that it was not too painful. True?





I'll be there for her, so how can I make this easier?Wife is going to have a mastcetomy, any advice you can give?
Hi Dave





Personally I wouldn't have wanted a party or ceremony of any sort; but of course you know your wife best, and if I remember rightly she's had chemo first so she's had a little time to get used to the idea of losing a breast - I was still in shock when I had the op.





Yes, I went through grief, and it lasted a long time for me - it was some time before I could look at my body. Not all women feel this way. I was single at the time; somebody honestly assuring me that I was still beautiful to them, still 'me', might have helped I think.





You have heard right - it isn't too painful. The mastectomy site is usually sore rather than painful and painkillers take care of that.





In hospital, front buttoned pajamas rather than nightdresses are advisable, and she might appreciate a V shaped pillow.





She'll need to take it easy for a while when she comes home; tasks requiring repetitive arm movements like ironing and vacuuming should be avoided. But she'll be told all that in the hospital.





She MUST follow the advice given on arm exercises and avoiding lymphoedema.





Your love and your reassurance will be the things that make it easier. My best wishes to both of youWife is going to have a mastcetomy, any advice you can give?
I don't think the party idea is very good unless of course she suggested it. No matter what she says or how she handles it I really wouldn't think she will want to give a lot of thought to this trauma. You sound like a loving husband , just make sure she gets lots of extra cuddles and reassurance . let her know how happy you are that she has been lucky to have this life saving operation. And lots of I love you. she will be very self conscious after so you can also tell her how beautiful she is
Remind her just how beautiful she is.