Can’t Sleep
Hi, I was diagnosed Thursday after a routine mammogram screening call back. So hard to understand and everything has moved so fast. Booked in for surgery on Wednesday next week. Had to make the decis...
Forum Discussion
@"Annie C" - that brought tears to my eyes - what a beautiful story & lovely people xxxx If Keith & I get over there, he could do it!! He's painted animals on the base of our Palm Trees! ;)
Gosh @Wonk - I am thinking of you as you approach your time in hospital - I am coming up to my 12 months from 'detection' scans .... Everyone here is just wonderful - and will have answers or suggestions for pretty well anything you may think of to ask!!
Sleep is the first thing that is affected, I reckon - and I hate to tell you - it is often ongoing :( Melatonin tabs can also help.
Re hospital - As well as the ear plugs (I use these ones below) - you squash them into a really thin sausage & shove them RIGHT INTO your ear & block out most noise!) You can get them from Bunnings (and possibly chemists.) They are great - and when shoved in, are not at all uncomfortable. I also take my airline 'eye mask' as well - as hospitals always have lights on everywhere - it can be very difficult to block out the light. Short stories or magazines are good - no point taking a 'Novel' in - as you get interrupted more often than not & just read the same chapter 10 time! :(
Make sure you have a little cushion (mine was like a 1/3 size cushion size) to help support the arm on the affected side whilst you sleep after your surgery .... Sometimes your breast care nurse may provide you with one - I had one from previous shoulder surgery. I used it for at least a month afterwards!
And make sure you take ALL the medication regularly for as long as you need after your surgery, whether you think you 'need it' or not. Specially in the early days - you don't want to full pain to break thru as it can be difficult to control otherwise.
If any of your buddies suggest they can help you in any way - see if they can cook up a few meals & freeze them for you, so that on your return home, you don't have to worry about shopping & cooking for a few days. One buddy did that for me & it was wonderful. I was able to milk them out to last a week of evening meals.
Best advice - make haste slowly afterwards. Accept any help that is offered from family & friends xx
Take care & all the best for your surgery this week. xx
Gosh @Wonk - I am thinking of you as you approach your time in hospital - I am coming up to my 12 months from 'detection' scans .... Everyone here is just wonderful - and will have answers or suggestions for pretty well anything you may think of to ask!!
Sleep is the first thing that is affected, I reckon - and I hate to tell you - it is often ongoing :( Melatonin tabs can also help.
Re hospital - As well as the ear plugs (I use these ones below) - you squash them into a really thin sausage & shove them RIGHT INTO your ear & block out most noise!) You can get them from Bunnings (and possibly chemists.) They are great - and when shoved in, are not at all uncomfortable. I also take my airline 'eye mask' as well - as hospitals always have lights on everywhere - it can be very difficult to block out the light. Short stories or magazines are good - no point taking a 'Novel' in - as you get interrupted more often than not & just read the same chapter 10 time! :(
Make sure you have a little cushion (mine was like a 1/3 size cushion size) to help support the arm on the affected side whilst you sleep after your surgery .... Sometimes your breast care nurse may provide you with one - I had one from previous shoulder surgery. I used it for at least a month afterwards!
And make sure you take ALL the medication regularly for as long as you need after your surgery, whether you think you 'need it' or not. Specially in the early days - you don't want to full pain to break thru as it can be difficult to control otherwise.
If any of your buddies suggest they can help you in any way - see if they can cook up a few meals & freeze them for you, so that on your return home, you don't have to worry about shopping & cooking for a few days. One buddy did that for me & it was wonderful. I was able to milk them out to last a week of evening meals.
Best advice - make haste slowly afterwards. Accept any help that is offered from family & friends xx
Take care & all the best for your surgery this week. xx