New To BCNA

Good to hear from you @GavinCh, and glad to hear all went reasonably. Keep on giving Karen that great support, but don't forget about looking after yourself, too

Hi All,

So sorry I’ve not been back earlier, just been head down and busy supporting where and when I can.

Thank you for your wishes and thought, the 158th was a long day for all but all went well, Karen has had the procedure as described with an area of around 80mm removed, the node however were a tad deeper than expected and as such took a bit more to take away. Karen received the best of care from everyone and only needed to stay in the one night (as expected).

We took some of the suggestions mentioned earlier in this thread and the weekend prior enjoyed some time out and hit the shops, some food joints and just had a good time. Now we’re on the other side an d a couple of weeks post-surgery Karen is feeling much better about things, she is sore as expected however more so from under her arm pit as this was also a drain site due to how deep they needed to go to get a couple of her nodes but as from today is much easier to deal with. Karen is back to being herself mostly and whilst still having discomfort she seems to be dealing with her diagnosis in a more positive attitude still however worried on the post-surgery visit which is scheduled this week to find out from the lab if all was removed and / or this has spread any.

I’ll keep you informed on her final results and if all good, the next stage will be radiation therapy for a number of weeks and medication which was all as expected. The treatment team here in WA are fantastic, caring and supportive and we pass huge thanks for them to date, I ended up setting up a “Go Pink” site highlighting that whilst we all know about this issue and donate, support, help etc when we can, you never really understand how involved or how many are effected from this and asked my friends and family to pass around my link to friends and family and see what we can raised to help this foundation. One of Karen’s best friends donated $250 in one hit and while she lives 600KM’s away she has been a wonderful support for Karen so much so she jumped on a train to come down the weekend before surgery to spend a couple of days with her as we hosted a birthday party for our 23 year old and had a dress up event and had a ball.

Love to you all and our thoughts to those having to experience this worry as a newly diagnosed, it does get a bit easier.

Hi, @GavinCh, just popping in to say that I'm thinking of you both. Hope recovery is going smoothly

Hello @GavinCh wishing Karen all the best for surgery today and remember the health care team is there for both of you 

Hi @GavinCh   Wishing you both the best with Karen's surgery today hope all goes well and a speedy recovery  xox

The anaesthetist should be able to give her something prior to surgery if she is anxious.  Also, don't forget to let him/her know if she has suffered from nausea after anaesthetic in the past.  My other big tip is to keep up the pain relief, but also make sure that constipation doesn't get the slightest look in.  And if she's staying in a couple of days and the hospital has a garden, take some easy slip on footwear and a decent dressing gown - you're supposed to get up and walk and it's much nicer to do that in a garden than it is to do laps of the corridors (make sure the surgeon gives permission).

Gavin and Karen, make sure you write both your name and patient ID number on everything you take into the hospital. I also made a list of all those items. Hospital b'fast is mainly sugar so you may consider packing a few health bars. The little pillow is essential for car travel and sleep. I kept my 'pressure' stockings for future travel. Hoping all goes well!

How terrific that chatting with the WA Breast Care team has relieved Karen of some of her worries and anxiety.  

That is terrific you are able to take time off to be with Karen too.  

Make sure (as @kitkatb says) that Karen has a small supportive pillow, hopefully given the day she arrives at the hospital - I wasn't given one, but had one from previous shoulder surgery that worked just as well.  I found that once the anaesthetic had worn off, my arm didn't like being 'by my side on the bed' - and the pillow under the arm lifts it up to mid chest height, which was perfect.  Eventually, when I was able to roll onto my side, I put the pillow on the other side to control the 'angle'. And it does come in very handy for the trip home, re bumps, which can be really painful in the first week.   I ended up just 'holding my boob' every time I went over known bumps in the car to stop the 'bounce', driving around town .... and I always remembered where 'new ones were' that prior to my surgery, I had never noticed.  That discomfort lasted a few weeks.  

I also had a lumpectomy/sentinel node/breast conserving surgery with immediate 'tidying up' and now 15 months later, my scarring is negligible.   I was given some basic pain care tabs & encourage her to take them for at least a week after the surgery, to minimise pain.  If she is in pain, she won't sleep well & it can set back recuperation.

I found these ear plugs to be the best and still use them ..... just squish half of it down to the thickness of a pencil - and shove them in as far as you can - and they take the shape of your internal ear & are brilliant!  Easy to fit & you don't even know you are wearing them - no discomfort.


Re the DVT - I was fitted with a pair of 'blow up leg pressure' thingies that I assume were to prevent DVT?  Maybe advise the Medical Clerk/Nurses/Matron specifically about it when she is admitted. 

Take care xx

(The meds need to be in the original boxes showing her name etc .... they don't like loose tablets just for the night!)

Thanks for the replies.

I have booked a couple of weeks leave to help around the house, I’m not going to stop Karen doing what she need to ensure movement is made but to be their even if just to chat. Really appreciate the suggestions and will assist in the preps for hospital.

In short Karen was advised of three options and the one selected is a lumpectomy and any a couple of nodes removed, Karen had once of the Breast Care WA team come visit earlier in the week and was a huge help with Karen and her acceptance / understanding of the road ahead, however it was a good chance to just sit and chat about anything. Whilst this is such a horrid situation for Karen and you all, the support, services and care we have seen and experienced is so wonderful and a huge credit to everyone, including those helping me vent on these boards.

At this point Karen will only be staying overnight however she did suffer a DVT a few years ago from a prior surgery (Foot) and the casts she went through would have been the main factor but in saying this everyone knows so might cause a second night stay for precautions.

iPad with charger          Mine is old so great reason to replace it :)
Ear Plugs                     Can provide as we have heaps at work (not sure Karen will use them tho lol)
A few magazines          Great Idea, I’ll get a couple of these for her.
Treats (biscuits/lollies)  Yep a must, Karen love a bit of Chocolate now and again :)
A Worm Open Top        Yes, I read this in one of her books

Don't forget to take any 'regular medications' with you that Karen may be on as well.  Let the nursing staff know what she needs to take.

Thanks @Arpie  I hadn’t even thought about that xx

Appreciate your comments as well @kitkatb, thank you

Cheers
Gavin

 

 

Hope all goes well @GavinCh and ditto to what Arpie has said re previous post for preparing for hospital I also included a packet of baby wipes which I found handy and a small bottle of something to drink ( instead of water all the time ).  Is Karen having the lumpectomy and any sentinel nodes removed.  ( in which case they will insert a blue dye to map out the nodes )  For me I found this procedure to be quite painful although some don't have a problem. The pain from the op is really okay and manageable and not as bad as what we have built up in our minds and the medications they supply work wonders.  Just have a spare pillow in the car for support on the way home as Karen will feel every bump.  Normally on the day the breast care nurses provide a special Zonta pillow which goes under the arm and is great for support and comfort even when recovering in hospital as well as when you get home.  Thoughts are with you both. xo