Booked for lumpectomy and sentinel node next Monday, any advice, tips, welcomed

Yep, I know...… I manage it well most days, and have a very "black"  sense of humour, but gosh there are the dark thoughts that flash by.....or flood in!! I know for me, staying at work, has keep me going my work buddies have been the most amazing people!!! I feel truly blessed,  and have kept that part of my life pretty much the same!

You're on the right road Spillsy. Laughter is the best medicine and there will be lots to laugh about. I had a night in a fab hotel in the city living life with 2 intact bubbies. Then I had a weekend away before chemo. It's good to have these treats along the way. I loved your doughnut and croissant. Keep on the sunny side up. It will go a long way towards a much better recovery. I'm not going to say there aren't demons, but being positive and sunny will help deal with the mind games this crap causes as I have found. After all the treatment and I landed back on planet earth, it's now a matter of getting my head straight. All I want to do is forget about it but I'm surrounded by reminders. A bit like when you buy a car and you haven't seen many of them around and then all of a sudden as you drive down the road every other car is the same lol. You will do well my girl You have a good attitude and it will get you everything good. . If someone says it hurts = it won't. If it can't =it can,etc etc. 

Hey @Spillsy.

The thought of the hook wire is really a whole lot worse than what it is I reckon.   I think by that time you are kind of just going through the motions.  It's got to be done so you just go with it. 

My breast lump was a b+++h to find, so once they put the hook wire in I had to have another mammogram to make sure they had got it in the right place. 

I had auxillary clearance straight up so can't help with the biopsy side of things. 

Pain was well controlled by the drugs well.  I found the worst thing was the drains.  They are annoying to say the least. 
 I went bra less for the first week (couldn't put one on with the drain anyway) that came out at the end of the week.  Jammed myself into a bra the next week for my step daughters formal.  i had awesome cleavage by that time as the thing swelled up like a balloon. LOL  For the next couple of weeks I went to the soft bras that best and less or target sell then back to a normal one after about 6 wks I think. I refused to wear that ugly bra they give you...yuk, at least make it a different colour for goodness sake.

I would say there was more discomfort than pain for those next few weeks, a cross between half numb and super sensitive  (a lot of that was under my arm) and Yep lots for boob clutching going on as well. Driving around in the farm ute was both hands across chest!

I had already booked a month of leave before diagnosis and was due to start holidays three days after D Day.  Some holiday.  All up I took three months off but that was mainly because I had the time up and well, why not.  I could have gone back to work about a month after surgery I think though. The extra time was good for my brain and to come to terms with what was happening I think.

All the best lovely.  xoxoxo

Stellar emoji work @Spillsy, love it!

Good luck Spillsy. I had my sentinel nodes injection and markings the day before surgery. Then I left my results in a Coles supermarket basket and realised at 9 30 that night as I was getting things ready for next days surgery that where the hell were they. I rang the store which shuts at 10 and thank the Lord they had them. I could not have had surgery without them. Had hookwire the next morning and I was first in the waiting room. Where I sat there was a 5 cent coin on the floor and I immediately knew this was from one of my darling clients of 104 years who had passed the year before. My op was the day of her birthday and I saw it as a sign she was watching over me. My desire to get the lump removed ASAP overrode any pain or discomfort I had to endure. I just wanted it gone. All credit to my surgeon who did a fantastic job I don't recall having any pain to moan about. The drips were unpleasant but didn't last long  The cushion they give you will be your very best friend. They are a godsend made by volunteers  There was a name of the group and their names plus phone number on mine so some time later I texted and thanked them  The needlework on my scar looked like the sewing on prison mail bags but it's turned into a very smooth and faint line and it's only 7 months ago I had it done  Having voluptuous breasts I've always had underwure bras so was surprised how supportive the soft bras are  I have yet to find one in my size so in the meantime I'm crammed into my front fastening bras.The BC Nurse put me in the system for my care pack which included a berlie bra. I had radiotherapy too and my skin got very sore underneath but I was well looked after. This has since made wearing bras not as comfortable and I tend to only do up the top fasteners so as to take the pressure off. There are occasions I need to wear an underwire bra due to the kind of clothes I'm wearing and I have a soft pad I put between my bra and my still tender underneath  Oh and driving over speed bumps, if you are the passenger you'll need to support your breast  little bumps in the road too are noticeable. I was back at work 2 weeks after surgery whilst waiting for chemo , and driving myself.  It was such a relief to be rid of the lump. Wishing you a successful op  

Hi Spillsy, I am also being treated in Hobart, find out my surgeon on Friday, I too have the joys of hookwires and dye injections ahead of me. Good luck with your journey, and please let us know how you coped with everything xx

You'll be right @Spillsy!

@Spillsy Pretty much what she said (@kmakm)!!

I had all mine done in the same place on the day of lumpectomy.It all seems to hurt for a bit then it eases , the dye thing is a very weird sensation ! Panadol was all I needed after the op ,I had 3 weeks off work but probably could've gone back after 2 but due to the crap that happens at my work 3 was better !
I didn't drive for 2 weeks & cant remember If that was a directive from the surgeon or not !

Target had a bra that did up at the front ,my berlei one I was given didn't fit properly . I also brought soft sports type bras from best and less $10 each in a larger size than normal ,these were great & I could sleep in them easily .
Good luck , hope it all goes well 
Hugs xx