Terrified of what lies ahead!

Hope you're feeling well, @CathyMac . Rest and restore.

Hi Cathy, been thinking of you today. Wishing you a speedy recovery, rest up and be kind to yourself. Sending hugs and kisses your way. 😘

Hi Cathy. I hope this message finds you comfortable, pain free and relieved that you're over this big hurdle. Thinking of you. Big (but very gentle!) hug, K xox

@CathyMac your last post made me cry - sucj beautiful work friends!

I agree 100% with @Afraser with regard to people waiting and visitors. I had a single MX  - but with immediate recon - surgery was 8+hours.......and theatre schedules can vary so vastly day to day. My daughter went to school, my husband to work.......albeit a modified day. Hubby was there to pick up daughter from school and 'do something special'. The special thing my daughter wanted to do was to see mum in hospital, so after a cafe visit to stall things a bit, they ended up in my room soon after I was conscious. It was nice to see them (and only them) at that stage.

I realise your surgery is today and you may not read this. wishing you all the very best today. This will be another step towards being cancer free and recovering - bring it on!

For my wide local excision and re-excision, my husband dropped me at the hospital and came to see me after the surgeon had called him, and I was awake. I didn't want him hanging around and waiting. He was able to go home for the afternoon. My 14yo daughter really wanted to see me that night so she did. All the kids went to school. That was exactly one year ago today. Do what feels right for you. K xox

Cathy, what a beautiful thing for your work colleagues did for you, just shows the love and how much they care for you.
Wishing you the best for tomorrow, will be thinking of you. 
Cancer free here we come. Yah!
I know that my daughter isn’t going to work on the day of my surgery, she will be staying with an auntie for the day whilst my husband comes with me. 
You have a beautiful caring son that loves you dearly, I’m sure you will make the right decision for you and him whatever you decide to do. There is no right or wrong answer here, just what’s right for your family. ❤️

Hi @CathyMac - I agree with @Flaneuse, it's up to you and those closest to you to work out what is best for you all. However you may want to remember that even the best run hospital has "creative accounting" in its timetable. My mastectomy was booked for 2.30, I finally got to theatre by 6.30 and wasn't really compus mentis again until about 10pm. I had elected to go by myself and was glad I did, as that's a long time for someone else hanging around. Good to warn family too that taking a lot longer than planned is just the outcome of a busy theatre schedule, it doesn't mean anything has gone wrong for you! My single mastectomy was remarkably pain free, nurses pushed drugs with commendable zeal, you need have no fear while you are there but but I really didn't need them.  Visitors the next day when I was up and around and fully awake were very welcome. Particularly bearing decent coffee! Best wishes.

To be honest, @CathyMac - I think they'd be better off at school, being kept busy.  As @Sister says - let the school know, to keep an eye on them ..... and then when they see you after surgery, they should feel 'happier'?

A tricky one .... which ever answer you are more comfortable with!!

All the best xxx big hugs xxx

@CathyMac That's wonderful from your work colleagues. You'll find that from now on, you'll feel extra-surrounded by love from all those who do normally love you anyway.
I wanted to go to the hospital alone, but my adult son insisted that he would drive me and wait until I'd been checked in. Then I was alone through the prep process. One of my best women friends was in my ward when I came out of surgery, which was wonderful.
Probably if your daughter wants to be ready to come and see you when you come out of surgery, that would mean a lot to her. But it's really up to you - your gut instinct about what YOU want, not what other people want. That's something we've all learned as time has gone on. 

I think it depends on who your child is with. I probably wouldn't say yes if he/she is home alone.  But do let school know what is going on, regardless.  That was also on my list who I contacted - the teacher.  My surgeries were both during the holidays and my 3 stayed home together with a list of contact numbers. First surgery, my husband stayed with me from early in the morning until whatever time I came out of recovery. Second time, I sent him home when I was taken to theatre.