Booked for lumpectomy and sentinel node next Monday, any advice, tips, welcomed
Dear all,
After 6 months of being ' chemoed'…. I am due for breast conserving surgery, next Monday. I have to have Node scan and dye, then hook wires stuck into me, then surgery. I am wondering if anyone has any tips, tricks or advice that they would share with me, for the next stage of this 'journey' round 2! How long is recovery, how many weeks of work ? What bra do you wear? Exercise? Driving?
Hi everyone, thought I would check in, surgery went well, went home the same day too, all over for now, until results!! pain not too bad, resting up, which is actually quite
@Spillsy - I have a BUNCH of ebooks (reading ones, not listening) that I can send you (or anyone) if you have a favourite author that you'd like to read before, during or after your procedures ....... :wink:
Just let me know your favourite authors & I'll see if I have any on file! (I have about 2000!!)
Best tip of all ..... try & keep 'busy' doing what you love, before, during & after your procedures. The 'more physical activities' may be curtailed for a while - but slowly get back to it as you are able!
Or even think about starting something 'new' as the 'new you' emerges ...... I can thoroughly recommend learning to play Ukulele!! There are some terrific groups in Hobart in particular (HUGS) ...... and no matter where you travel, you can take your uke with you & join in with other groups (like us up here in Forster!) xx
@Spillsy I’d recommend investigating ebooks at your local library and uploading some on your tablet and maybe even some music on your phone plus earplugs. They even have e audiobooks some of which are quite good - eg Benedict Cumberbatch reads Sherlock Holmes and I enjoyed Bruce Springsteen reading his autobiography .Daytime tv is a bit patchy.
Gee @arpie wish someone told me about getting an eye mask and ear plugs at the time - getting a decent sleep in hospital was impossible - great idea @Spillsy
haha - I loved the doughnut/croissant description! Humour really helps!! I told all my buddies to not be too serious about it - and send me jokes!! That really helped - tho I still get the 'And How are YOU???' every now & then from extended friends! LOL
All the best for your surgery next week .... I 'second' the 'Pillow' tip ..... I have a small oblong '1/2 pillow' - and it was my best friend for a couple of months until the pain/discomfort passed. Just keeping your arm/shoulder level with your body really helps. I wasn't aware that they were available to BC patients - but I had one left over from previous shoulder surgery & it was a godsend.
Make sure you take a good pair of ear plugs and an eye mask in with you to hospital - it is almost impossible to sleep otherwise! Too much noise & too many lights on. I recommend THIS brand (all chemists & Hardware shops have them.) You just need to roll 2/3 of it into a small sausage shape & then jam it right into your ears (it feels weird at first ...) They take the shape of your internal ear & are just brilliant!!
You will not be allowed to drive initially after the surgery - so make sure you have someone to pick you up & maybe do shopping for you, if needed. Otherwise, stock up over the weekend & do some 'pre cooked' meals to freeze if you don't have someone to cook for you. I was lucky - one of my uke ladies gave me some frozen meals & that was just wonderful!
Re Time off Work - everyone heals at different rates .... so it is a bit open ended. However ..... if (like @kezmusc) you use some of your 'holidays' to tide you over - you SHOULD be able to 'reclaim them' as 'holidays' - with a Drs certificate! I know that used to be the case when I was still working & if you 'got sick' during your holidays. So even tho you may have to take 'unpaid leave' - with a bit of luck - you may still have some holiday left at the end of it. Don't go back too early ..... the emotional aspect sometimes takes longer to heal than the physical surgery.
Re pain - make sure you DO take the pain medication at regular 4hr intervals to keep the pain under control - particularly at night, even if you use an alarm for the 2am ones (to start off with.) Don't let the pain 'kick in' or can take a lot longer to control it again and it can be debilitating.
Re post op Bras ..... Best & Less here in Forster have some wonderful 'no wire' support bras (pull over the head) - that won't break the bank (some are really trendy looking Sports Bras.) I took the 'pads' out of them & found them to be more comfy. Your Breast Care Nurse (or BCNA) can line you up with a lovely Berlei post op bra too (front opening.) Kmart has some good ones too in flesh and black colours. The 'aha' bra is also very popular.
