What to Expect After Breast Cancer Surgery
- A mother of four who breastfed her own children and seven premature babies threw herself a party to celebrate her boobs before undergoing a double mastectomy.
- Lynsey Ritchie, now 45, was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer about two years ago. She went through chemotherapy, radiation and a necessary surgery.
- Bleeding and infection at the surgery site are possible with all operations. However, the side effects of a mastectomy can depend on the type: either a single (removing one breast) or double (removing both breasts).
Lynsey Ritchie, now 45, from Denny, Scotland, was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer about two years ago. While breastfeeding her youngest son, she felt a lump under her arm and noticed pain, as well. She visited her doctor, who discovered another lump in her breast.
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"You never think it will be you who hears those words, 'I'm sorry, it's cancer' and when you do, your world implodes," she continued. "But the one thing I knew for sure was that I was going to do everything in my power to be there for my boys."
"I am living and loving my best life today thanks to improved treatments and I'd like to help people affected by cancer in the months and years to come," she said. "I hope my story will connect with people…"
Lynsey is married to her husband Neil, a soldier, and they have four children: Cailean, 10; Brodie, 8; Darragh, 6; and Odhran, 4.
"I do not and will not ever let cancer rule my life," Lynsey said, "but it has changed my life and will forever be a part of my story."
"Two years ago I rang the bell to mark the end of active treatment after months of emotional upheaval, fear, panic, self discovery, love and healing," she continued. "It seems like a lifetime ago and yesterday all at once."
"I hope my story will raise awareness and encourage people to visit their doctor if they notice anything about their own bodies which doesn't feel right."
What to Expect After Breast Cancer Surgery
Most women with breast cancer, like Lynsey, will have surgery at some point in their treatment. Depending on how far your cancer has spread and your personal preferences, you and your doctor may decide to:
- Remove just the cancer and an area of healthy tissue around it (lumpectomy)
- Remove one breast (mastectomy)
- Remove both breasts (double mastectomy)
Removing your breasts can have a dramatic effect on your self-esteem, which is why some women who opt for a mastectomy then choose breast reconstruction surgery. It’s unclear if Lynsey opted for reconstruction surgery after her double mastectomy. This is a highly personal choice, and there’s no "right" answer as to whether or not to reconstruct.
When Should You Consider a Mastectomy?
According to the American Cancer Society, bleeding and infection at the surgery site are possible with all operations. However, the side effects of a mastectomy can depend on the type: either a single (removing one breast) or double (removing both breasts).
Those side effects can include:
- Pain or tenderness at the surgery site
- Swelling at the surgery site
- Buildup of blood in the wound (hematoma)
- Buildup of clear fluid in the wound (seroma)
- Limited arm or shoulder movement
- Numbness in the chest or upper arm
- Neuropathic (nerve) pain (sometimes described as burning or shooting pain) in the chest wall, armpit and/or arm that doesn't go away over time. It is also called post-mastectomy pain syndrome, or PMPS.
- If axillary lymph nodes are also removed, other side effects such as lymphedema may occur.
Understanding and Treating Lymphedema
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