Surgery booked in

Hi Jacqui, it's a time of high stress & anxiety, without your history of depression. It's ok to feel overwhelmed, it's actually normal. I finished treatment 8 weeks ago, and still have night when I struggle to get to sleep.i'm glad you've conyacted your psychologist. Also, remember that the cancer council have phone counsellors available too, in the meantime. 

Take care, Lyn

Hi Jacqui. Its like your mind is on a roller coaster and it just won't stop.  Sleeping just didn't happen and my stress levels were through the roof. I think now it was the unknown of what will happen to your body and how will it cope with operations and chemo. After a bilateral mastectomy and node disection I am now onto 2nd round chemo. I really cant believe where the time has gone. Its just a blur. Day by day Jacqui is all I can say and you will know what decisions you need to make for you. Hugs to you and thinking of you. X Airlie ?? 

It's  huge Jacqui. I cried all the time...just be doing something...or try to do something and the tears would just come  flooding out. I struggled with everyday things...planning particularly, and had frightful sleep....just reading reading reading everything about breast cancer. I stopped work...as I am a counselor and was in no fit state to do it. I found having a buddy with me helped and organiding stuff like...buying some scarves, finding out about wigs, checking out eyebrow makeup all helped me have some control back. Won't be long and you'll know what's  next. Take care. Kath x

Hi Jacqui

Yes, it is extremely overwhelming and it just feels like you are in a spin. My pre op appointment was the last thing I went to by myself. I thought I was handling things well so went by myself. It was my 49th birthday. Due to the fact that I have some other fairly serious health issues, they made me wait as they were waiting on some information from my other specialists. By the time I was seen it was 4.30pm, everyone else had left, including the desk staff, and I had gotten myself in such a state that I was shaking and crying my heart out. Boy did I feel like a fool. But the lovely doctor sat me down and asked what was going on and talked to me about it all, explained everything to me, held my hand and told me that I would be alright. By the time I got home to all of the family, I was a mess and certainly didn't feel like birthday celebrations. Keep trying to take one day at a time and if you can get someone to go with you. You too will get through this. Hang in there. Karen xox

Pre op is no big deal although you will need to write on the forms a list of medications you normally take, any allergies you have, any other ailments and any surgeries you have had in the past.

A lovely nurse will explain a bit of what will happen prior to surgery and take your weight and maybe height and give you instructions on when to have nothing to eat or drink and at what times the night before the op. She will also give you a tube of antibacterial wash to wash yourself with before you go in to surgery. Warning- take a pair of scissors in to cut the top, I twisted my cap off and it didn't come off right and the hole was so small the back crimp exploded and put soap in my eyes. Not fun.

They may also have an anaesthetist to interview you and give you an idea on what to expect on the day and see if you are allergic to any medications.

I also sat up a few hours through the nights and couldn't concentrate on a darned thing. Not even music made be feel any better. You just have to weather it I think. Time does pass and nothing bad will happen. Just have faith and hang in there.

Hi Jacqui, my head felt like it was in a 24/7 spin until surgery was done & sleep was definitely elusive. Thinking of you , Rosetta ????