I was diagnosed with grade 3 BC two weeks ago. I am due to be operated on the 19th Nov. I am having bilateral surgery. I live on the Gold Coast and I am very scared and anxious. Is there anyone out there that would like to talk to me. I am staying strong and positive for my family, but feel like falling apart. I am 68 years old and have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. I have had breast screens every two years for the past 15 years, my last one 18mnths ago was clear? I will go to Robina Hospital and my Dr is Doctor Gault. Has anyone else had him?

I am also on the Gold Coast, and had bilateral surgery last year at Pindara. Waiting is the worst part of this journey, so just get through the next 4 days keeping as busy as you can. The surgery is surprisingly pain free, and after the first 24-48 hours I found panadol was enough, but you will probably start on Endone when you wake up. Don't forget front-opening pjs so the nurses can access your dressings easily (I only had a strip of tape - amazing!) A small pillow tucked under each arm will also help with comfort and sleeping on your back, as you won't try to roll over. Two of the girls on this site have your surgeon also - TinaW, and Casjsa - so you could message them for information. All the very best with your surgery. Sending you a big hug. Michelle xxx

Thank you so much Michelle. It's nice to communicate with you as you have been through it. Can you buy special pillows somewhere? Did you have chemo? Not sure I want reconstruction, dont want another op. How long were you in hospital? I know everyone is different. This was not exactly in my life plan. Instead of thinking "why me" I am thinking "why not me". I have had 68 years totally illness free. Have never been on medication. How lucky am I? I am telling myself that this will be a walk in the park. (actually to be more accurate "a walk along the beach") Hugs Michelle and thank you so much

You don't need special pillows - I just asked the nurse for 2 - in fact I think she suggested it. Just not too bulky - regular pillows are fine. Yes, I had chemo for 12 weeks. Be sure to take all the medications for before-&-after that they give you (making a chart and ticking them off helps), because it is easier to prevent side effects than it is to cure them. I was lucky and coped very well. I did find that green tea with slices of fresh ginger in it really helped - ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and also good for nausea - and it was the best tip I had from anyone during chemo. I also had a portacath inserted for easy access. Like you, I was always very fit and healthy - walks on the beach, cardio classes, yoga - and my cancer was also found between mammograms/ultrasounds every 2 years. Sometimes they call them "interval cancers". Mine was Triple Negative, so chemo/radiation were the treatments as drugs don't work for tnbc, followed by a hysterectomy. I was in hospital less than 4 days - surgery Monday evening, home Friday morning. (With 1 drain in, which was removed the next afternoon.) I did not have reconstruction - I just wanted to heal asap. I am deciding now if I want it or not. There is light at the end of the tunnel. 18 months later I feel fit and healthy again. Just take things one day at a time and let the roller coaster take its course. Once you start, it all flows very quickly. Get a big file ready, and keep all your appointments/treatments/financial records from Day 1, as they will follow thick and fast. If I can help at all just message me. Big hug. Michelle xx

Thank you so much Michelle, This has helped me a lot. Its nice to talk to you about it. I am keeping myself busy to try and take my mind off it all. The only time I have been in hospital is when I had our kids 35 years ago, so it is quite daunting. I guess like everyone else going through the same thing, it is the mere thought of having my boobs removed seems overwhelming. Mind you, they are very tiny and one probably wouldn't notice them gone, its not like it's a leg or an arm. haha. My sense of humour is really kicking in. When I asked the surgeon if this means I don't have to have a mammagram again for the rest of my life, he was quietly amused. A girl has to do what a girl has to do. Thanks so much for your kindness Michelle. It has helped me heaps. Hugs to you. xxxx

I'm so sorry you have had to join us on this journey but welcome to this wonderful network. Michelle is a lovely lady, I think she was to first to respond to me all those months ago when I was new. She was so calming and caring. But you'll find all our Pink Sisters are here to hold your hand and support you through all the speed humps along the way. I was diagnosed just days before last Christmas (through a routine mammogram, I had no symptoms at all beforehand) with two lumps of two different cancer types in the same breast, one was triple negative and the other ER & HER2 positive. My beautiful family have been so loving and supportive but I still felt quite alone and so frightened. I was aware of this site from diagnosis but it took me a while to actually get up the nerve to post anything. I'm so glad I did because it's literally saved my sanity. I felt enveloped in understanding and empathy. I've have been through lumpectomy, 4 months of chemo, bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. I've now commenced taking a daily hormonal inhibitor tablet for 5 years and am still having three weekly Herceptin infusions until next May. I have had my ups and downs but I'm recovering and looking forward to next Christmas being almost back to normal all-be-it a new normal. It's amazing how quickly this year has gone. Know you are not alone and we are with you every step of the way. Sending you warm hugs and wishing you good luck for your surgery. Keep us posted how you get on. Love Janey xxx

Surgery | BCNA Online Network

16 Replies

nolawunderle
Member
12 years ago
Hello everyone.

Thanks for the support girls. It has now been a week since my bilateral mastectomy. I am feeling excellent. I really have had no pain at all. Funny how that is the one thing I was so afraid of, the pain, and I have had none. It is a bit uncomfortable to sleep because I can't sleep on my back. I sleep curled up in the foetal position. I managed to find a way, by using my boomerang pillow tucked under one arm and my other arm over the top. This elevates the chest area slightly allowing for a comfortable sleep. I feel a bit of discomfort in the chest area, I think due to the see through tape which feels tight. I will get that off tomorrow as well as my results for the next step on this unexpected journey. I am not having reconstruction. I really don't mind my flat chest at all. I seem to have a lot of bruising?? I suppose this is normal. There are quite a lot of patches of bruising down one side of my body??? I am trying to rest, but I'm not used to being idle, so I have to smack myself everytime I want to jump in and take over the house again. The crumbs on the floor annoy me and little things that I can't do frustrate me. I think that is the hardest part for me. Anyone having surgery at Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast?? They are absolutely fantastic. You will be in the very best of hands. Lots of hugs to you all....Nola Wunderle
Chris
Member
12 years ago
Hi Nola, I will be thinking of you tomorrow with your surgery. It's will be over before you know it. Take care, love Chris xx
mgndam1603
Member
12 years ago
Good luck for your surgery tomorrow, I do remember how daunting and scary it is in those early days. I hope that everything goes as smoothly as possible for you.

cheers

Donna
nolawunderle
Member
12 years ago
Thank you Michelle, Chris and Janey235 for your responses. I am feeling remarkably calm. I am hoping to come out of the theatre tomorrow in one piece (albeit two pieces missing) I will be happy to just wake up. The rest I will take in my stride. It is very comforting to come to this site and talk to you all. You have been through it or are going through it and when you try to be strong for your family, its good to let go a bit and be vulnerable. Stay well everyone, and I thank you xxxx Nola
nolawunderle
Member
12 years ago
Thank you Michelle, Chris and Janey235 for your responses. I am feeling remarkably calm. I am hoping to come out of the theatre tomorrow in one piece (albeit two pieces missing) I will be happy to just wake up. The rest I will take in my stride. It is very comforting to come to this site and talk to you all. You have been through it or are going through it and when you try to be strong for your family, its good to let go a bit and be vulnerable. Stay well everyone, and I thank you xxxx Nola
Janey235
Member
12 years ago
You are right to put things into perspective Nola. I didn't look too far ahead and concentrated on what was immediately happening to me. I did find it hard to always be 'up' for my family and broke down a few times (and still do). I think you need to release all that pent up tension and fear. It's good to to let them look after you for a change. You a number one through this and you'll need to let go sometimes. When all was said and done, I haven't mourned my old breasts. They served their purpose in breast feeding my two children for which I am very grateful but they were going south, saggy and baggy anyway so I do not miss them now. I had skin sparing mastectomies so I'm happy to say I still have some stretch marks to call 'original'. Nola the great thing about coming on here is that we are all so open, honesty and frank and can 'get things off our chests' (pardon the pun). Love Janey xxx PS. You have a beautiful profile photo Nola. :)
nolawunderle
Member
12 years ago
hi Chris I live on the Gold Coast xxx
nolawunderle
Member
12 years ago
Dear Janey,

Thank you so much for your message. You are all wonderful to embrace a new comer. Congratulations, it sounds like you have come through the past year and will have a wonderful Xmas. I am going in to Hospital on Tues. Am feeling very anxious. Trying to be a big brave girl for my family. I don't like to see them concerned for me. I am just focusing on it all one step at a time.

My doctor said I will have chemo and maybe radiation, but I am not thinking of that until the op is over. This has all knocked me for a six as I have never been sick or in hospital in my entire life. Except to have our kids. ( I am lucky) I keep telling myself its not an arm or a leg its just my boobies and I wont need them anymore. I have no plans of breast feeding anyone. They served me well, feeding our two boys for over 12 months. I am trying to keep the whole procedure simple in my mind. This helps me.

Thanks for your support Janey....Hugs xxxxx
nolawunderle
Member
12 years ago
Dear Chris,

Thank you for your very kind response. Where do you live? It is so comforting to talk with other ladies who have been through the same thing. I feel very anxious, but am not showing it to my family. I don't want them to feel worried about me, so am continuing on as normal. I have a lovely husband who has recovered from prostrate cancer and 4 adult children and two grandchildren. I want to be around a bit longer to be with them. In my mind I am thinking, I hope it hasn't spread all through my body. It still hasn't sunk in as its only been a couple of weeks ago that I found out. No doubt these are feelings everyone has at this very stressful time. Thank you so much for reaching out to me. Hugs to you..... Nola xxxxxxx
Chris
Member
12 years ago
Hi Nola, I too have had a bilateral mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer that did not show up on a mammogram. I had a clear mammo in August 2010, went on HRT due to the hotflushes, and 3 months later discovered I had breast cancer. An old lump had me concerned, and as my recent mammo had been clear, the Dr ordered an ultrasound. The lump was only Fibrous tissue, but lurking underneath was an aggressive cancer. A new mammo still showed nothing. I had a mastectomy, then chemo, and went back 6 months later to remove the other one and begin reconstruction. I was going to struggle to believe any future mammo reports. Also, like you, I was healthy, had 4 children in my 20's and breast fed them all. I am 55 and have one grandchild. I have never ever regretted my decision to have a double mastectomy. It has given me peace of mind. Good luck with your decision. The surgery wasn't very painful and I have no residual pain. Love Chris xx

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