Nervous about surgery

Hi @annajjj - Hoping that you're recovering OK from your surgery - I know that I was AMAZED at how quickly I recovered afterwards (tho I only had a lumpectomy & mini reconstruct) and also how relieved I was mentally to have it over & done with!

Just make haste slowly - make sure you accept any help that is offered to you - and also make sure you take your pain meds for as long as you need them.  ;) 

Take care xx

It is what it is and the only way forward is...well...forward.  You will get through it, no matter what "it" is.  Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to deal with it as you need to.  If you need professional counselling then, go for it - it's common.  In fact, it can be a little disconcerting, when you think you're being so original in your not-coping and drama, to realise that you're just the same as everyone else.  "Yes, we often see that reaction about this time in treatment"  Oh well...it just means that the machinery is there to help you deal with things.  I would suggest that if your hospital has a garden, take a gown and easy slip on shoes or slippers that you can wear outside.  Far better than walking the hospital corridors if you surgeon will allow it, and much better for your state of mind - although being Winter, the weather may not be on your side.  Oh...and do your exercises as instructed!

Hi @annajjj,

Oh sorry to see you here but wishing you all the best. 

I had ilc. Had  - very important. I had a rhs mastectomy. No reconstruction. I asked for some skin to be left in case i wanted reconstruction later. I had a big tumour so there wasnt really an option. 

The surgery itself is not that long. I felt reasonably well after and sitting up able to move my rhs arm etc. They just put a little sort of pad over it for the first night which was removed the next day. Under was a thin strip of something across the scar not unlike if you have a caesar. My mum wanted to see so i let her and she said it looked nice snd neat and seemed relieved. I didnt look for about 2 days and i felt nervous about showering and looking at it but in the end i was surprised that it was all ok. I did have  night where i was upset and couldnt sleep a few nights in. I think it was sort of a post surgical reaction as im blood phobic. They gave me a sleeping tablet as i felt distressed. The dr came to see me and said kind things like the cancer is gone now.

I ended up needing chemo and radiotherapy. It was a big tumor and im relatively young, 49 now. Risk management. 

Remember to be kind to yourself always. How you feel is how you feel and its ok. But body is amazing, not amazing enough to grow back a boob but to knit itself back together and tackle getting well. Im still amazed all that happened to me. 

It takes a few months to feel a bit right sleeping confortably. Hopefully theyll give you a little pillow to help and a bag to carry the drains for the first week. If you get the opportunity stay and be cared for. I oddly thought id be back to work quick smart but that proved a bit silly in my case. I worked 12 hours and my head was a bit not there emotionally so i took the opportunity to take a longer break. Its the shock i think. I needed to process.

Im good now. Just passed 1 year since diagnosis, waiting for my 1 yr mammogram ( my dr is in quarantine for 2 weeks so its been delayed a week).  Not expecting any problems. Still just the one boob and planningcto get skin removed at the end of the year rather than reconstruction - but glad i had the option. 

Best of luck.
Michele

Dear @annajjj

I echo @AllyJay’s comment about a dressing gown with pockets - drain management can be - well, draining! - and pockets made life easier. You don’t want to be tripping over drains. I had a single mastectomy, no reconstruction, so I wasn’t in hospital long but if you are not accustomed to dining at five-ish or sleeping before eleven, something better than hospital tv is good to get you through the evenings unless you have hordes of visitors! Best wishes for your op! 

A few more "nuts and bolts" ideas for hospital. I found my kindle easier to read in hospital as turning the pages is just a finger tap. Also some Bickford's lime cordial as the bottled water at room temperature is yuck. I also too some cup o' soups for when I was sick of tea or coffee... (my own). Make sure your slippers or shoes have non slip soles or the nurses will take them from you...slip risk. Also make sure you don't need to use a finger to get them over your heel. I found a dressing gown with large pockets on both sides worked a treat for my drains. So much easier than two cloth bags. Also take some cash change for the "Pink Ladies'" trolley and vending machines in case you get the midnight munchies...some don't have a card option.

My lump was found in late Oct/early Nov & not confirmed as cancer until Jan 5th & was lucky to have my surgery 10 days after that - so I know all about the waiting!  :(  ILC is usually slow growing ..... so shouldn't spread in that time. xx

I lead our local Uke Group, @annajjj - and it was with their support and humour (and family & friends & then this forum) that helped me get thru my active treatment and afterwards too.  You'd be a 'natural' to join a uke group!!  Most towns & cities have Uke Groups - check them out!  :). We have a few uke players here, too!

I am in a total time warp re music - I don't recognise anything much after the mid 80s either ....... I just love anything from the 20/30s onward to the mid 80s!  ;) 

Just turn that music up LOUD & enjoy!!  Make sure you take your ipod/music supply with you to the hospital too as you'll get sick of any piped music (and make sure you take all the necessary chargers for them & your phone - AND take them home again ...) Hospitals are noisy, brightly lit places - so take ear plugs & eye masks to wear at night too!!  ;)  Magazines and puzzle books are better to take if you like reading too - as it is hard to concentrate on a novel with all the constant interruptions!  Take your favourite coffee/tea too, cos theirs usually SUCK! LOL

@arpie @Sister @Julez1958 @Cath62 Thank you all for your words of encouragement and support. Some great suggestions and reassurance which I really need. I especially like the advice about the small pillow and letting myself cry if I need to, and also @FLClover suggestion about dancing and singing to music. I'm an 80s music tragic and this is working well for me. Turning up the music and distracting myself has been great. I'm tentatively booked in for both breasts in 3 weeks. I thought it would be sooner since it has already been a month since diagnosis but I've been assured the cancer won't spread fast. I have to trust the professionals I think, and try to keep calm. I'm not great at meditation but it is also a good suggestion and I am trying to do it every day. Thank you all once again.

Sending best wishes to you 🌺

Hi annajjj
It is  completely normal to feel anxious following a breast cancer diagnosis.
it is a huge shock and a lot to take in.
you are at the right place on this forum as we have all been there.
Even though rationally I know I had a great team of Doctors  and was in a great facility, the emotional side of me was running riot ( there is a great lady on here with the pen name of “ riot at midnight” which really resonated with me).
There are many suggestions for trying to calm yourself down including deep breathing, meditation, and listening to music.
whatever works for you.
it WILL get better , I found myself a lot calmer once I had a confirmed surgery date ( I had a left mastectomy for lobular cancer) and then once I was being wheeled into the operating theatre I did feel all my cares drift away ( actually I think that was the anaesthetic!) 
One other thing is you will cry a lot and that’s ok, it’s all part of coming yo terms with the loss.I called it “ the loss of my bulletproof self”.
Keep well and don’t hesitate to post on here and read other’s stories, I found it really helpful.

Yes to all of the suggestions and comments above.  It's hard not to feel really anxious but you will get through it as so many of us have.  I remember joking (my reaction sometimes) to the surgeon that my room's balcony doors were locked because they were worried that we would escape!  Take care.