still not worried

Hi Tanya,

Just wanted to say thanks again for the great tips.  I asked for a breast pillow and was given a home-made bag with three different size pillows.  One shaped like a heart, the other a handbag and just a soft small pillow. 

The ladies from CWA make them for us, I treasure my pillow even more.  I have it with me all the time and even given it a name......"Brepi" short for breast pillow, cant seem to sleep unless it is attached to my under-arm.   So glad you told me about them cause it really was and is a great relief to use.

It has been six days since operation and to look at my breast just looks like I have had a breast reduction, my fabulous surgeon (can we name them here on this site) did such  great work on me that everyone has commented things like...."wow thats brilliant"  "wow thats the best I have seen"  etc etc.

I feel great and have been doing little bits of housework every day.  Just wondering how you were after surgery, the only thing that is wrong with me is that the itchiness is itchy.  I can move my arm quite well but only taking it slowly.  The swelling has gone down and now just looks  perky and not heading south.

bye for now

julianne

xxoo

Hi Tanya,

Thanks for the great tips, I will write it down in my diary so I can remember,  I forget things easily.  Had a bad car accident many years ago, went down a 30m cliff in a 4 wheel drive.  Came out sort of OK, but did a bit if damage to the brain, hence the cannot remember stuff much, always have pen and paper with me.

Anyway back to the breast surgery,  a.k.a.  "the girls"  yes I am having 3 or 4 nodes only taken out so any relief for uncomfortable pain will be wonderful.  Also will only be staying one day in hospital but will now take a button down the front p.j.s. 

going to have stuff put in my right breast for surgery tomorrow so my journe now begins.

talk after surgery, cause I dont plan do be down long.

lotsa luv

julianne

xx

Hi Sam,

Your hubby sounds like mine, that is very funny I never thought of that.  Its good to laugh about our illness sometimes.  Going to have stuff putt in my breast for surgery tomorrow.  Starting to think a little bit more about it now.  Just had to go back and read your letter again, laughed again.

thanks for your wishes and will let you know how surgery went

lotsa luv

julianne

xx

Hi Julianne

Not much more to add that the others haven't said, only a big Hi from me and on a more practical note, ask for the breast pillow if you are having nodes removed , they really are great  (look like a little spongy handbag with a short shoulder strap) and also remember to pack button down the front shirts cause they are easier that lifting your arms over your head.

Again, good luck for your surgery and please let us know how you get on.

Mwah!!

Tanya

Hi julieanne...no bits to keep for me..don't think i got asked if i wanted any...but my hubby did ask my surgeon (in jest) if he could take both boobs and put the good one back in the centre!!!..Gave him a giggle :)

Good luck with the start of treatment and hope u stay as well as possible throughout..

Sam  xx

Thank you so much for replying, I was not sure how to reply to everyone at once and thought I would just add a note at the bottom to all.  So If you can please let me know if I have done the right thing. 

I feel more confident after reading all the replies, and also dont feel so alone.   Still lots to learn.  My head is just full of stuff and reading what everyone has and is going through sure straightens my thoughts out.

I look forward to staying in touch

lotsa luv

julianne

xx

I was pretty calm before my operation too.  I was diagnosed on 3 December and had my operation on 21 December so it was pretty quick.  Like Chrissy, I just wanted to have the breast off and start fighting this thing asap.  I had a period of time where I knew I had cancer but didn't know the primary site so I think that finding it was breast was actually a relief for me - I knew what I was dealing with.  Since the op, I have been mainly up but have had some down times too - the breast care nurses are fantastic to talk too and my husband has been a great support too.  This site has also been great.  The "my journey" kit was invaluable - my breast care nurse ordered it for me together with the "hopes and hurdles" pack.  Good luck!

hi Gwen, welcome to our group of don't want to be here's, but glad we have got it. sorry to hear about your diagnosis, hopefully you will get through your journey feeling as you do now. we are all going through or have been through the ups and downs of bc, this is where this site comes in, because we are all so different, we can help each other in different ways. there is a great bunch of women on here who you can laugh, cry or chat, and gets lots of information and support, so good luck with your treatment, and please keep comming back, we say on here by helping yourself, you can help  others. Good Luck Moira.  Have you got your "my journey kit from here", its free and has lots of info in a language we can all understand, ajournal to keep appt dates etc, and a cd for family and friends. (invaluable)

hi Gwen, welcome to our group of don't want to be here's, but glad we have got it. sorry to hear about your diagnosis, hopefully you will get through your journey feeling as you do now. we are all going through or have been through the ups and downs of bc, this is where this site comes in, because we are all so different, we can help each other in different ways. there is a great bunch of women on here who you can laugh, cry or chat, and gets lots of information and support, so good luck with your treatment, and please keep comming back, we say on here by helping yourself, you can help  others. Good Luck Moira.  Have you got your "my journey kit from here", its free and has lots of info in a language we can all understand, ajournal to keep appt dates etc, and a cd for family and friends. (invaluable)

Hi,

Welcome to our world as Sam said above. I was very calm prior to my mastectomy and axillary clearance. I think because i felt very confident in my surgeon and breast care nurse. I just wasnted it off and it couldnt happen quick enough. I only had to  wait two weeks after diagnoses for the surgery. I am half way through chemo and just lost a good friend and work mate to cancer last saturday (we were diagnosed at the same time from the same office..spooky hey). I am only now just starting to feel the effects and mentally things are catching up with me. His death has knocked me for six. I felt I was under control of this cancer until about 2 weeks ago. But I am getting counselling and lots of support from hubby family and friends/workmates.  I works differently with everyone i expect. We all handle grief in different ways.

I wish you all the best for your surgery on Tuesday and hope all goes well for you. Let us know how you get on when you're well enough.

{{{HUGS}}

Chrissy D :) xxxoxoxo