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Hi everyone, I was called in for a follow up at the Breastscreen clinic in Canberra in early January 2019 and officially diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma grade 1 shortly after. Waiting around for the surgeon's appointment has been hell and the more I read, the more terrified I have become. I finally had the surgeon's appointment on Tuesday and he assures me that this is a good diagnosis to have and the prognosis is good. It is still terrifying and the loss of control in my life and what the future holds for me is all consuming at this point in time. I was called yesterday with a surgery date of 13 February for a lumpectomy which thankfully isn't too far away so I have been reading allot of posts to get some ideas on what to take for my overnight stay and am working my way through putting together a list. I have a 6 week trip to Europe planned in early June this year and I am mentioning it to every medical professional that I meet in the hopes that the surgery and radiation will be over before I am due to fly out. I have travel insurance but the thought of having to cancel something that I have planned and research for well over 12 months would be disappointing to say the least. Even though I am assured that the prognosis is good, I had a meltdown at work yesterday morning, I just couldn't hold it together so I am home for the rest of the week and my supervisor said that she will do anything I need in order to support me whether that be going part-time for the moment, working from the office or at home. I am so grateful for the support of not only my colleagues but my close friends as well. One of my friends has been to every appointment so far which has been terrific as at least one of us will hopefully retain all of the information thrown my way. I live alone and have one grown up daughter who lives about 4 hours away and my friends and family are adamant that I am not coming home after the surgery. I am very independent and in a bid to keep myself busy and organised, I have been cooking up a storm and have enough meals to get me through an apocalypse. I feel more comfortable coming back to my own apartment rather than being a burden on my friends. To all you wonderful ladies that have been through a similar surgery, are you able to advise if it is realistic for me to be able to be home by myself for the first few days post-surgery please? I have been lurking in this forum for the past week and it seems like such a safe and supportive forum so I hope you don't mind me putting forward some questions as I think of them!!! I have met my breast care nurse and she seems lovely and I have also been out and purchased the post-surgery bras, button up pjs and dressing gown but feel free to suggest anything else that you wish you had thought about before surgery. I am looking forward to being a regular contributor to this forum.

invasive-ductal-carcinoma

lumpectomy

surgery

32 Replies

Cruiser
Member
7 years ago
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@Sister - thank you, I have picked up a few. I don't have anyone to take shirts off if I get stuck so I might grab another couple.

@kmakm - I'm as prepared as I can be, I packed my hospital bag this morning and after talking with the nurses and anaesthesist at my pre-op appointment on Thursday, I am not going back to work until after I have healed somewhat from the surgery. It is one less thing that I have to worry about :) I am lucky I have such supportive friends and am pleased I can come home.
kitkatb
Member
7 years ago
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Sounds like you are well organised @Cruiser wishing you all the best with everything. Let us know how you go.xo
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
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Well done @Cruiser. It sounds like you're as well prepared as you can be. I'm pleased you've got someone driving you and staying the night. I think that's a good, and safe, idea. Good luck. K xox
Sister
Member
7 years ago
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This may have already been mentioned but if not - try to make sure you have some front opening loose shirts (and pjs). It can be hard to get your arms up over your head after surgery (I got stuck and had to get my 16 yo son to take my t-shirt off).
Cruiser
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7 years ago
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@Emim - thank you for your kind words. I'm quickly learning that I need to put myself first and I believe I am coming to terms with that. I had my pre-op appointment at Calvary this morning and that was an information overload. I have developed a virus this week and was petrified that the surgery would be postponed. Thankfully I got straight to my GP on Tuesday and the fever has gone down, not completely but it's getting there. I was up front with the nurses and anaesthesist and he does not seem to see a problem with it but they have all have advised that I should not be going back to work and I have just delivered the news to my workplace. Looks like I'm going to have allot of time over the coming weeks to catch up on some Netflix shows!!!

@KarynJ - what an emotional roller coaster this diagnosis is, I'm so up and down at the moment. Thank you for the book recommendation, I will pick it up, sounds like an interesting read. I will take your advice and do something for myself, will be booking myself in for a massage before surgery next Wednesday.

@LIttleBlueWren - thank you, I didn't think about the towel situation but it is a good point, I only use those massive bath sheets so I will put that on my shopping list. I plan on moving some things around in the kitchen on Tuesday after some great suggestions from those on this forum, my microwave may be too low down so I will move that too, thank you. One of my friends is picking me up from the hospital and has offered to stay the night with me so I feel a little less anxious about being out of my own environment now :)

I am unsure what the next couple of weeks will hold for me but I am so grateful for the support I have received from this forum. Thank you ladies!!
LIttleBlueWren
Member
7 years ago
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Hi @Cruiser

My suggestions for when you get home would be to make sure you have a lightweight towel! I found my normal towel just too bulky and heavy, also if possible put your microwave at waist height (if it isn't already). I did what you have done and prepared loads of frozen meals to make life easier, it helped so much.

I must say, I completely understand how hesitant you are about losing your independence, I am the same and if I lived alone I would not want anyone staying or 'looking after' me either.

I found that post op I did not have a lot of pain and my drain (for wide local excision) was removed before I left hospital.

Wishing you all the best.
KarynJ
Member
7 years ago
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@Cruiser excellent news that you are taking time off work to recover. Even if you feel ok after the surgery, I think it's the mental and emotional exhaustion that you need to deal with as well. There's a book called "Body Keeps the Score" by Dr Bessel van der Kolk where he examines just how much trauma affects all parts of the body but especially the brain and the neurotransmitters. Self compassion is something I really struggle with but it's something that's very important during these horrible times of stress and cancer. So put yourself first - that's the priority.
Emim
Member
7 years ago
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Hi Cruiser, I am in Canberra too. Best of luck with your surgery. I had a stage 2 grade three tumour and had a lumpectomy last year followed by chemo and radiation. I also still have six months of herceptin infusions to go. II took six months off work, due to the amount of treatment I had and I am now back working four days a week. I didn't require drains after my lumpectomy, and it did not really hurt. The sentinel node biopsy under my arm was a bit painful and made it hard to raise my arm for a couple of weeks. The main advice I have for anyone going through any treatment for breast cancer is to look after yourself, take as much time as you need to heal, accept help from friends (as you have) and if you need it, seek counselling. The first couple of weeks after diagnosis were the most difficult for me personally as I had to come to terms with having cancer, as I got used to it I found it easier to deal with, although I do still have challenging days. It is great talking to other people on this forum who understand
Cruiser
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7 years ago
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@Zoffiel - my daughter left home quite some time ago and I now enjoy having my own space and just looking after me for a change!! I'm sure it will all work out how it is supposed too and I am probably being overly sensitive but control over something in my life is what I need at this moment. I'll have a chat to my friend over the weekend and explain it to her, I'm sure she will understand. Have a great weekend.
Zoffiel
Member
7 years ago
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Yep, playing it by ear is a good idea. I know there are lovely children out there, but it's taken me 10 years to get eau-de-teen out of my son's room and I'm still not sure it's gone. The thought of a house full of that post surgery....Never mind, I was somewhere else when the mothering genes were being distributed. Good luck and let's hope it's a small blip on your life's radar. Mxx