10 days to go til surgery

Hey everyone, had my lumpectomy on Wednesday, had to be at hospital at 6.45am got transported over to imaging for the node mapping and another cat scan. (Those needles in the breast weren't as bad as I was expecting thankfully. I was thinking they would hurt as much as the biopsy but I barely felt them. I'd already apologised to the technician in advance in case I started swearing!)   Back to the hospital to sit around for another hour or so and then taken into pre op for prep.  All the nurses were really nice and I told everyone I met about my intolerances to pain relief which I was assured wouldn't be a problem.  Until this witch came barging up to me, interrupting the two nurses with me, and went through what I couldn't take and announced 'well I don't know what we're going to give you then'. I had no idea who she was and asked one of the nurses who the bossy one was and was told she was a surgeon and never introduces herself to anyone. She wasn't with my breast surgeon and his staff who were there and there was too much going on to get any info. So, I came out of anaesthetic without any pain relief whatsoever and was in incredible pain that took the nurses an hour to get under control because the witch hadn't authorised any drugs for me. They found another dr and got fetanyl and endone into me but I think I went into a bit of shock.

Sorry for the long post but the more I think about it the more p*ssed off I'm getting about the witch who's name I don't know ... yet.

Good luck @ arnlybub sounds like you've got everything sorted ! 
I found the soft sports bras from best n less the most comfortable ! Especially for sleeping in , $10 each can't go wrong 
let us know how you go 
hugs xx

@arnlybub You are super organised! Keep your eyes on the prize: kicking cancer in the bum. All the very best and I hope your op goes smoothly. K xox

Good luck @arnlybub

Thanks everyone for you suggestions and advice.  @kmakm I was fitted for my ugly bra when I met the McGrath nurse last Tuesday, I also have mum's from when she was done, we're the same size and my mother won't throw anything out because 'it might come in handy' (which I'm grateful for now!), I've never worn a bra without underwire before much less slept in one, so that will take a bit of getting used to.  Mum also gave me her slightly flattened Zonta pillow which I'll keep for driving as I'll be getting a new one in hospital and I'll use that one for sleeping.  

Right, Movicol purchased, meals cooked and frozen, all washing and 2 & 1/2 hours of ironing done (I didn't have the heart to leave that for my sisters to do), a couple of button down the front shirts purchased for appointments etc, and button down the front pyjamas borrowed for hospital.

@Jennyss I have one of my sisters taking me and picking me up from hospital, she's also taking a few days carers leave to look after me and make sure I don't attempt anything I shouldn't.  

I had a practice yesterday of trying to use my hairdryer with my left hand without a lot of success - smacked myself in the head with it a couple of times  :/ but I'll make do.  Luckily I bought a stock of beanies last week so I'll blame any bad hair on hat hair or say I'm trying new styles before I lose it!

@arpie I told every nurse and dr I met at the pre-admission clinic about my painkiller reaction so it's written all over my notes but I'll make sure I tell everyone again while I'm in hospital.

The McGrath nurse also told me I might have a drain attached to take home with me (oh joy) and that a community nurse will then come to my home to check it or clean it - I missed a bit there because I was trying not to vomit at the thought of it  :o.  She then went on to say I would probably have a picc line put in for chemo and by then I was trying hard not to faint!  I should have bought myself some big girl pants while I was shopping yesterday.

@kmakm I didn't get any answers re chemo apart from every professional being positive I was going to have it.

Last Monday I put a call in to the Cancer Council for a referral to a financial planner to help me with an application to access some of my super as I've only been in my job for a bit over 12 months and after this round of surgery and recovery I won't have any leave at all left.  So any time off I need for chemo will be unpaid.  I'm starting an application for sickness benefits with Centrelink so it will be ready to press 'go' if I need it and if it's approved at least it will cover my rent if nothing else.  Hoping I hear back this week from Cancer Council so I can speak with someone.  When i contacted my super fund they were really helpful and got the forms to me immediately, unfortunately it's not up them but DHS which I'm sure you know can be a nightmare to deal with.

Right enough about me, how is everyone else doing??

Thanks again everyone for your help xx  

https://www.zontadistrict23.org.au/what-we-do/service-projects/zonta-breast-care-cushions/

Here red is some information re the pillow

The little pillow - is made by volunteers I think from Zonta and gifted to bc patients - it’s wonderful to keep arm weight from excision site and is worn over the shoulder and tucked under your arm.

Hopefully your McGrath/breast cancer nurse will supply you with the little pillow @ arpie mentioned as well as a free Berlei post op bra.I didn’t like the latter but had already bought front opening post op bras - no wires/seams - from Target.Later I discovered the ah bra which was even better - you step into it and so comfy. Cheap to buy - called a sports bra too I think - available Best&Less , Target , K mart etc - I bought mine on eBay - they don’t look great but so nice to wear.

Re your work colleague if you can just quietly explain how much it is distressing you and not helping at this point. Unfortunately a few people need to be educated in this regard.

I second Movicol.