I found that my imagination was worse than the reality in nearly every stage of my cancer treatments. I ended up asking my oncologist to just give me the bare info I needed, so I wouldn't think too far ahead and get worked up for nothing. I learnt meditation between my first cancer diagnosis in 2002 and my second in 2011 and it made the hugest difference to my happiness and my perception of how bad things were.
Having said that, I've currently got air expanders in to stretch my skin for my recon implants, and they are hurting more than I imagined they would!! I just keep reminding myself that the end result will be worth it. x Jane