Pre op nerves

BJp47

hello. My names Barbara 77 yrs old from North West Tasmania. I found the lump myself, had biopsy 15th July and having a lumpectomy and node removed. Before surgery having nuclear meds injected. I’m still shocked, I cry a bit, scared of the op, (silly I know). My family are supportive. I know God is with me and I’m standing in faith believing for healing.  I’m a coward when it comes to needle so the pre op stuff worries me. Anyway that’s me. Hope to chat with you. Blessings in Jesus

Blossom1961

@BJp47 Being scared is not silly. The unknown can be very frightening. I am here for the lifelong term and sometimes it just seems overwhelming. Delve into scripture verses and when one jumps out at you, hold on to it. That is the one thing which grounds me over and over again. I also hate needles but haven't found a good solution. I just deep breathe and try to focus elsewhere. It doesn't do much but it makes me feel like I am. I am sending virtual hugs to you.

HelenlovesSnoopy

HI Barbara,

Sorry I only just saw this so hopefully I am not too late to send you this message before your surgery.  Sending you big hugs too, I really feel for you and like Blossom understand just how you feel.   (And Blossom I'm sorry that your BC journey is turning out to be a long one.)

I was very worried about needles also, actually I think that was probably my biggest worry of all when I was diagnosed last August!  

Last Sunday I gave a testimony in church about my BC journey, surgery in September, followed by chemotherapy and radiation - you won't necessarily need to follow the same route as me - and I was able to share how God told me a couple of days into the whole journey 'You're going to be ok,' just those words, and every problem along the way did turn out ok, and included in that was the fact that by the time I got to chemo I was actually fine with needles etc.  Now every time I think through the spiritual armour (you know from Ephesians 6) I think about the helmet of salvation, knowing that God will help me in every situation.

Anyway back in September I went to see my (Christian) counsellor, and I can't remember exactly what he said, except like Blossom he said it's normal to be scared of needles etc, and that he didn't like them much himself and shared some of his own experiences, but whatever the rest of what he said was, it made me feel quite a lot better.

I always let the staff know how I felt and I had the most incredibly lovely nurse do the nuclear meds before my op.  And it was very quick and not as painful as I expected.  In my case, the biopsy was much worse actually, and you've already had that one done.

My oncologist told me (for chemo infusions) to chew gum while they were being put in; she said it's a real thing that the distraction eases the pain.  Also I distracted myself by reading a really good book.

And lots of kind people at my church were praying for me.  So I will be praying for you.    

Please let us know how you get on,

Hugs from Helen

BJp47

Hi Helen thank you for your reaching out to me. The op is scheduled for 16th. I’m not sure what will happen after that.
 I’ve been praying Eph 6, Ps 91, 23 and 103. I had prayer this morning ant church and I’m still believing for healing. I know that God was right there with me when I had the biopsies, I didn’t feel the needles at all only pressure. 

I will try the chewing gum thing, I wriggled my toes really fast in the biopsies lol
. I talked to a lady from my quilting guild yesterday and she said it’s like grief and if I have a bad day it’s ok and if I weep it’s ok, which was helpful
. I Really appreciate you and Blossom reaching out to me, it’s wonderful knowing that this is a Christian group and we can pray for each. other. 

Blessings in Jesus to you and your family. I shall be praying for you too 🙏❤️

HelenlovesSnoopy

Hello again Barbara @BJp47 and @Blossom1961,

I just remembered if you put a member's logon name with the @symbol in front of it, they get a notification that you've posted something in a discussion they're on. 

That is really good to hear that your biopsies were ok - yes I forgot to mention the toe wriggling, that's a good one too!

I will be praying for you on the 16th (putting it on my calendar now) and thank you for your prayers too, Helen 

HelenlovesSnoopy

Hi Barbara @BJp47, I realise you probably won’t be on here for a bit, just wanted you to know I remembered your surgery today so I prayed for you and will keep doing so for the next few days - as I’m sure many in your family and friends are doing. I hope you’re feeling ok. God is good 🙏 ❤️ Big hugs from Helen 🌷💕🤗

BJp47

Hi @HelenlovesSnoopy thank you so much for your prayers. I came home Saturday but didn’t go to church Sunday. I’ve had a couple of weepy moments but I’m better today. I’m quite tired and haven’t been doing much except the exercises. I keep nodding off to sleep I suppose that will wear off.once I got past the nuclear medicine part I felt better, that was the worst of the pain, the man told me it would feel like a bee sting!! It must’ve been a big bee!! I was fascinated by the whole process. Jesus wa right there as I’m claustrophobic and having to go through the scanner was scary but I closed my eyes and focused on Jesus Name and I felt quite brave after 😃everyone was so very kind, very comforting right from the word go. The young anaesthetist kept calling me darling, bless him. I go back in one to two weeks to get the pathology results and then take it from there. If they have to go in again I’m thinking and praying about having the whole thing off but I will cross that bridge if and when I come to it. I really appreciate your prayers and your kindness. God bless you Helen. ❤️

Blossom1961

Hi Barbara @BJp47 Bee sting? More like an angry wasp nest. Glad that part is over. I must admit I missed numerous church services over the course of my initial treatment due to sheer exhaustion. Things do get better. I am now stage 4 and now go to church most weeks with my treatment not interfering. Praying your journey is smooth and that the pain and side effects are kept under control. Sending big hugs

HelenlovesSnoopy

Hi Barbara @BJp47 so lovely to hear from you, and you've been very brave!  You are right - some medical staff are so wonderful, with a kind word or gesture at just the right time.

@Blossom1961 I'm sorry that you are on your second BC journey - I probably should have known and remembered that, but sometimes have got muddled between the different women I've spoken to on this forum.  You are amazing - like someone in my exercise class who is turning up even while doing chemo.  Anyway, I'm definitely on your prayer team too now, sending lots of hugs to both of you.

Helen