Surgery is on Monday

Thanks @Zoffiel I've already had lengthy discussions with the anaesthetist that did my first surgery and there's an alert attached to my name apparently, haha! He's also elected to be at my next surgery. He could have easily handballed me to one of the other anaesthetists but I think he must see me as a bit of a challenge, haha!

Oh, and, when you have your pre-op appointment, tell the 'go to sleep now' person that the last anesthetic it made you ill. They have different combos and may be able to tweak things for you. 

#6 is a reasonable length @MrsMercury, it's a great look--edgy and bold.
These days people stare if you tattoo your face, walk around with a parrot on your shoulder, push a monkey in a pram while accompanied by a brass band and a unicorn. Pretty much everything else is just "meh"
Screw the starers anyway. Being bald does, for some of us, ramp the death stare capacity to a nuclear level--they shitting you? Turn them to salt. mxx

Hi @Abbydog,

Thanks for your messages. I'm now 10 days post surgery but have just found out I need more surgery next Tuesday for an axillary clearance to be done. Am feeling a bit down about it as I don't react well to general anaesthetics or the pain relief medication. I didn't shower in the hospital because of the nausea and vomiting so it was a week before I had a proper shower. Before my shower I shaved my hair though! It's only about a number 6 but I'm really happy with it. It's something less for me to worry about and I so wish I'd done it before my first surgery. I know that people will stare and wonder but I couldn't care less what they think! My son shaved his head short too which was a lovely gesture. I had my eyebrows tattooed 5 years ago and it's the best thing I've every done!

It's encouraging to read your journey - thank you for sharing. Going through this during COVID-19 times certainly does make it even harder.

My drain has been removed today so I'm going to enjoy the next few days not having to carry a bag around and focus on my next surgery :smile:

MrsMercury,
How did you go with the surgery? Did you cut or shave your hair?.
Hope that you are doing well

Also as hospital pillows are covered in vinyl it would actually be better having hair. Bald heads can either feel very hot or very cold, and vinyl makes it very hot.

I would wait until chemo starts. And you choose the time. You don't usually start chemo for a few weeks after.
You can shower the next day after surgery. 

All the best with your surgery. I had a Mastectomy with Axillary clearance at the same time. So a bit different. I had 2 wound drains in for 5 and 6 days. My surgeon did not want my dressings wet. I had to keep my wound dry until my first post op check. About a week later. I have a shower with a hose and shower head. So I became expert at having a careful           face washer and bottom half shower. Or shallow bath. 
I personally wouldn't shave my head yet, perhaps cut it shorter. You won't lose your hair until 2-3 weeks after the start of Chemo. For me that would have been 7weeks after the surgery.
It may not be important to you. But by shaving your hair, you would be inviting people to ask questions of you, perhaps before you are ready, re your condition.
I've almost all of my treatment done during COVID times, op on 22/2/20, then 20 weeks Chemo, now doing radiotherapy.
I'm now doing Radiotherapy at a public hospital, and finding out the different COVID interpretations between Public and Private Hospitals here in SA of the hospitals, that I have accessed.
Privately I was able to successfully use the Cold Cap, it does add 1 1/2 hrs to every Chemo session. I wasn't allowed any support people during my 20 weeks. ( finished Chemo 10/8/20)
But now at a Public hospital for Radiotherapy (no fee or gap) I have found out that their Chemo Unit allowed a support person with each patient, but that they didn't use the Cold Cap. 
You and some others may not agree, but I had my eyebrows Tattooed prior to starting Chemo. I didn't have much eyebrow before, but I have none now. I would have trouble drawing them on now. So I was happy to have had them done.
If you consider this, it probably wouldn't be considered safe during Chemo. For risk of infection, especially if you become neutropenic.
Try not worry about all of the possible side effects, just be aware of the possibilities. If concerned discuss with your Oncologist, there may well be treatments/drugs available. I consider myself lucky. My side effects were quite manageable. I had no nausea at all. Some change in taste. I had Epirubicin+ Cyclophosphamide and then Paclitaxel.
Once again, all the best. I hope all goes smoothly as possible. Try not to worry too much, and take each day a day at a time.
Keep in touch.

I I hope your surgery went well on Monday and good luck with your recovery and treatment . Take one day at a time xx

good luck today @MrsMercury They have the shower thing all figured out; a hand held nozzle will let you do what you need to do while keeping your dressings dry.