I hate this
I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction last Thursday .I'm in hospital , drs think I might go home on Wednesday .I have a 22 month old and a 7 month old .My partner is undergoing chemo and rad...
Forum Discussion
Hey @El.mumof2 we hear you!
When I had my mastectomy, I can remember bursting into tears when I went to have a shower and the nurse brusquely helped take off my top and I looked in the mirror for the first time....I was hurt, angry, sad, confused. I think she should've prepped me a bit better before the 'reveal'. I know she was very sorry but my reaction wasn't what I had expected. I was shocked.
It was the first real chink in my armour - I had been so 'positive', like a trooper...and then came crashing down.
Luckily, I really only wanted my family and a couple of close friends to visit in hospital. I didn't want to have to put on a face, and just wanted to concentrate on my recovery. It was the best choice for me (unfortunately, one 'friend' was very offended by this and we no longer have much to do with each other.)
As you know, 3 weeks ago I had my DIEP Reconstruction.....again, I managed who was to visit but this time the nursing staff were beyond amazing. One very experienced nurse said to me early on: "expect on Day 3 or 4 to come crashing down...it's like the post-baby blues....if you know it's coming, you'll handle it better". So, she was right: Day 4, I felt nauseated, sore, hadn't slept much and a bit lost. But, by the end of the day, I felt ok again.
It's not a linear journey - sometimes it's two steps forward and one back or a couple sideways and there are those little trigger points (like, for you, picking up your kids...and for me - as my kids are a bit too big for picking up :) - not being able to walk my dogs) which set you off.
Feel the anger and let it out, grieve over what's happened, share with your closest confidante (and with us) how you're feeling.....you will make it, you will move forward. One step at a time - sometimes it's one minute or one hour or one day at a time....but each day it's about moving forward.
Sending you the warmest of virtual hugs (guaranteed not to hurt ;))
Nikki xxxxx
When I had my mastectomy, I can remember bursting into tears when I went to have a shower and the nurse brusquely helped take off my top and I looked in the mirror for the first time....I was hurt, angry, sad, confused. I think she should've prepped me a bit better before the 'reveal'. I know she was very sorry but my reaction wasn't what I had expected. I was shocked.
It was the first real chink in my armour - I had been so 'positive', like a trooper...and then came crashing down.
Luckily, I really only wanted my family and a couple of close friends to visit in hospital. I didn't want to have to put on a face, and just wanted to concentrate on my recovery. It was the best choice for me (unfortunately, one 'friend' was very offended by this and we no longer have much to do with each other.)
As you know, 3 weeks ago I had my DIEP Reconstruction.....again, I managed who was to visit but this time the nursing staff were beyond amazing. One very experienced nurse said to me early on: "expect on Day 3 or 4 to come crashing down...it's like the post-baby blues....if you know it's coming, you'll handle it better". So, she was right: Day 4, I felt nauseated, sore, hadn't slept much and a bit lost. But, by the end of the day, I felt ok again.
It's not a linear journey - sometimes it's two steps forward and one back or a couple sideways and there are those little trigger points (like, for you, picking up your kids...and for me - as my kids are a bit too big for picking up :) - not being able to walk my dogs) which set you off.
Feel the anger and let it out, grieve over what's happened, share with your closest confidante (and with us) how you're feeling.....you will make it, you will move forward. One step at a time - sometimes it's one minute or one hour or one day at a time....but each day it's about moving forward.
Sending you the warmest of virtual hugs (guaranteed not to hurt ;))
Nikki xxxxx