Denise Said:

How long TAXOL be taken after breast cancer surgery ?

We Answered:

Hi .. this is a tough one. Paclitaxel (TAXOL) is most commonly used in combination chemotheraphy, ie with some other anticancer drug, most commonly, it would be doxorubicin. The regimens vary according to pre-operative staging and biopsy findings, however there would be most commonly up to 6-8 cycles of chemotherapy, 1 cycle every 3 weeks makes it 18-24 weeks. Again it is really hard to tell as no data provided.

Jesse Said:

Is it normal to have sharp pains in the breast and upper back after breast cancer surgery?

We Answered:

Firstly, the pill is no a radiation type pill, it is closer to chemotherapy and clocer still to an anti-hormone pill.

It can give joint pain, including spinal pain (the spine is a series of joints) but any pain should be reported to her oncologist.

I can't wait for the next few months to be over so I can stop taking this and get rid of the aches!

Jenny Said:

How long do you normally stay in the hospital after you have breast cancer surgery?

We Answered:

My wife had a mastectomy in the afternoon and after the surgery she said she had not felt as good as she felt for the last two weeks as she did after surgery. Often the unknown is what is taxing on the psyche.

She was on Percocet for pain every four hours the first day. Also, the nurse came in to do her drain. After the second time, I asked if I could do it. After that I did the drain, the nurse said I did such a good job, that I could follow her and do the drains for the other patients! I said, "no thanks, one is enough!"

She walked around before she went to sleep. She woke up and walked again. She had breakfast and by 2:00 she was discharged from the hospital.

At home, I did the drain. She took Percocet two more times and then switched to Advil. One Advil every 4 hours for the next two days. Her drain was about every 2 hours. She would have more fluid after she did her exercises.

The drain lasted one week. After that she would see the surgeon about every 4 days for about two weeks.

The overall experience of getting the mastectomy was one of fear of the unknown. Our surgeon specialized in breast surgery, so we had a lot of confidence in his ability. The operation did not hurt and she was off the prescription drugs after one day at home.

The drain is tricky, there is a technique to it. I would ask the nurse to show you how and then do it.

It has been about a month and a half since her operation. She had started chemotherapy again, and is doing fine on Taxol.

Good luck, it will be fine.

Shirley Said:

Is a Special diet after breast cancer surgery necessary?

We Answered:

She may have some pain to contend with, may be prescribed painkillers. If they're narcotics, that could have a constipating effect, so she'll want to get adequate fiber and fluids to help keep things moving along, and not be afraid to get some help from Senekot or Colace (both are recommended for chemo patients, so they're pretty gentle).

Otherwise, I wasn't given any dietary restrictions post-lumpectomy/axillary dissection. I just tried to eat well: plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, plenty of protein to help the healing, whole grains for cellular repair, etc.

Justin Said:

How I can help my mother in law be more comfortable when she comes home from breast cancer surgery?

We Answered:

Sounds like it is probably a lumpectomy.

Try and get her to wear a soft bra (no under wires) 24/7 while she is healing. I hate sleeping in a bra and expected the pressure on my wound to be painful but was 100% more comfy when wearing one while I was healing.

I carried my drain bag around in a "bum bag" for a while afterwards, my wound took longer than usual to drain. I could disguise it this way and it worked fine.

Clothes that open down the front are easier for dressing.

I was given a small pillow (about the size of my "bum bag", have attached a link) to tuck under my arm, with a strap attached. It was very soft and eased pressure where lymph nodes were removed.

I spent little time in bed, as other than my wound I felt quite well and I found it difficult getting out of bed. I did need lots of rest, but in between I enjoyed being out and about. I spent more waking hours on the couch than in bed. If she is in bed, little things make a difference, like having things within reach of my good arm.

Encourage her to start her physio exercises straight away and do them every day, even twice a day.