Hint for surgery
I was diagnosed just before Christmas and just found out the date for lumpectomy surgery. I wondered if anyone has some advice they wish they’d been told before surgery to pass on to help me.
Forum Discussion
Sorry to see you here, @Jwrenn - we have lots of info & good advice here tho, for you to draw on. xx
A small oblong cushion to support the wounded 'wing' after surgery - I found my affected arm just didn't like lying on the bed! So the cushion just held it up at 'body height' - a great help for sleeping. I then also used it as a buffer/cushion when being driven home, cos every bump on the road transfers thru to your most tender spot - the point of surgery. Sometimes your breast care nurse will organise one for you - but I didn't have one, so knew about it from previous shoulder surgery.
Try not to overthink the whole thing - our minds are in overdrive & it doesn't take much for us to turn it all into a dragon, when it really is a mouse. It really mucks with your brain! Make sure you take any painkillers 'as advised' - do NOT wait for the pain to kick in. I had a lumpectomy 2 years ago & the pain wasn't severe - but if it gets a hold, it takes longer to hit it on the head.
A front opening nightie is easier than pulling one over the head ..... also make sure you take any 'other' meds with you & give them to the nurse - they like to make sure nothing will counteract what THEY are giving you.
I was given a free Berlie Post Op bra too - make sure any that you may buy don't have any metal wires in them. Sports bras are pretty good. The Berlie one opened up at the front, too.
There is a whole list of stuff you 'can' take with you to hospital - don't forget your phone & charger!! Check them out here:
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/181010#Comment_181010
All the best for your procedure . xxx
A small oblong cushion to support the wounded 'wing' after surgery - I found my affected arm just didn't like lying on the bed! So the cushion just held it up at 'body height' - a great help for sleeping. I then also used it as a buffer/cushion when being driven home, cos every bump on the road transfers thru to your most tender spot - the point of surgery. Sometimes your breast care nurse will organise one for you - but I didn't have one, so knew about it from previous shoulder surgery.
Try not to overthink the whole thing - our minds are in overdrive & it doesn't take much for us to turn it all into a dragon, when it really is a mouse. It really mucks with your brain! Make sure you take any painkillers 'as advised' - do NOT wait for the pain to kick in. I had a lumpectomy 2 years ago & the pain wasn't severe - but if it gets a hold, it takes longer to hit it on the head.
A front opening nightie is easier than pulling one over the head ..... also make sure you take any 'other' meds with you & give them to the nurse - they like to make sure nothing will counteract what THEY are giving you.
I was given a free Berlie Post Op bra too - make sure any that you may buy don't have any metal wires in them. Sports bras are pretty good. The Berlie one opened up at the front, too.
There is a whole list of stuff you 'can' take with you to hospital - don't forget your phone & charger!! Check them out here:
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/181010#Comment_181010
All the best for your procedure . xxx