Off for surgery

Robyn450​    Welcome to the club that none of us ever expected to join!   :(   SO sorry to see you joining our select little group  …. but Whack up ANY questions that you may have, as we’ve all ‘been there, done that’ and all of us combined, should be able to give you some helpful answers. xx

Have you decided if you are having reconstruction or will you remain flat after your surgery?  If remaining flat, ask for an 'aesthetically pleasing' closure .... You might like to join the Reconstruction Private Group or the Flat Chat (no reconstruction) private group here:
Groups | BCNA Online Network

Everyone remembers the shock of hearing the ‘diagnosis:  “You've got breast cancer” ..... Causing great sadness, distress and even anger.   This diagnosis really mucks with your brain, sometimes even more than your body!  It can be highly stressful & upsetting in the early days of diagnosis - so if you feel a bit overwhelmed by it all, give the BCNA Helpline a bell on 1800 500 258 (Mon-Fri, 9-5) for a confidential chat with one of the Mods xx.

Make sure you take a trusted friend or relative with you to all your meetings from now on (for physical and mental support - and also a 2nd set of ears!) & also consider recording your appts too, on your phone xx. It is almost impossible to remember everything that is said & this way you can go back over it in the quiet of your home & take notes. xx

Make sure you stay away from “Dr Google’ (difficult tho it is) - as a lot of info there is not only out of date - it probably also isn’t even relative to your own diagnosis.  Going down that rabbit-hole will also muck with your brain.

If you feel a bit stressed or 'down' ..... Consider listening to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts on her own experience with BC - as she explains it all very well xx  She is a specialist breast cancer Counsellor who had a double mastectomy following her own diagnosis, choosing to stay flat. She was surprised at her own reaction to the news/surgery/treatment, as she'd been counseling others for many years & thought she 'knew it all'!   She has done 2 ‘podcast seasons' ... check out the 1st season, right from her diagnosis onwards and how she coped, then move on to the 2nd season. She is very easy to listen to & you'll probably recognise your own reactions in many of the podcasts.
http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html

Check out this thread too - there is a lot of info on the forum & what to take with you to hospital - my essentials were the ear plugs and eye mask, as hospitals are very bright & noisy places, even at night!  Front opening PJs are essential (as well as the clothes you wear to the hospital & go home in) - as you won't be lifting your arms for a little while after the surgery.  
This info has been gleaned from many  members over the years ... I hope it helps you xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest

take care & all the best