I now have a date for surgery - 20 March
Quote_Queen_67 OK, so I now have a date for surgery - 20th March, which is soon. Feeling good that it's sooner rather than later but apprehensive too. Realising I won't feel the same when I come...
Forum Discussion
Terrific that you now have a surgery date, @Quote_Queen_67 - you will be amazed at how much better you will feel afterwards, even tho a bit sore!
Depending on which surgery you are having - your Breast Care Nurse should be able to access a Berlei Bra for you post op - they are soft, no wires, and very comfy that open from the front. You can also buy 'Aha' type bras (pull over your head ones) if you prefer - tho there may be some restriction on lifting your arm up initially.
I found a pair of soft ear plugs & eye mask (like they give you on airplanes) to be very handy, as hospitals are quite noisy, even at night, & lights are always on somewhere!! This brand is good - you squish them down to a narrow tube & shove them in your ears - and they take the shape of the inside of your ears & are very comfy. Chemists and hardware shops have them.
I was only in overnight ..... but took all the below! Plenty Tissues!! I was a bawling wreck when I was admitted (having worked myself up to it!) & they gave me a whole box for my overnight stay! LOL In hindsight, it was just the fear of the unknown - my procedure (tumour removal & immediate recon) went smoothly & no hassles.
Don't forget your iPod/ipad if you want to keep in touch with people (ask for the WiFi code.) Take magazines or crosswords instead of novels - it is just too hard to concentrate on a novel! I took some butterscotch to suck on as well.
Don't forget any medications that you may be on - you may need to give them to the nurses to make sure you get them when you need them.
I also took my own pillow! It is such a 'thin one' - any others are just too uncomfortable!
Ask your breast care nurse about a support pillow - I had a small oblong one from previous shoulder surgery & it was a real bonus to support your arm after the surgery and when at home. It is an essential part of being able to get comfy.
Where abouts are you - Town/City - other members may be aware of more services available to you.
On the drive home - depending on your surgery - any 'bounce' of the car on a rough road or going over a kerb into a service station/house driveway etc ....can REALLY hurt your boob - so make sure you grab it in advance to stop the bouncing boob!! I live in a regional town & the roads are a shocker ..... I learned where every bump was on every road - as you may have discomfort for a few weeks.
All the best for your surgery - once you have your pathology back, you'll have a better idea of overall plan .... and can get on with it! xx
Depending on which surgery you are having - your Breast Care Nurse should be able to access a Berlei Bra for you post op - they are soft, no wires, and very comfy that open from the front. You can also buy 'Aha' type bras (pull over your head ones) if you prefer - tho there may be some restriction on lifting your arm up initially.
I found a pair of soft ear plugs & eye mask (like they give you on airplanes) to be very handy, as hospitals are quite noisy, even at night, & lights are always on somewhere!! This brand is good - you squish them down to a narrow tube & shove them in your ears - and they take the shape of the inside of your ears & are very comfy. Chemists and hardware shops have them.
I was only in overnight ..... but took all the below! Plenty Tissues!! I was a bawling wreck when I was admitted (having worked myself up to it!) & they gave me a whole box for my overnight stay! LOL In hindsight, it was just the fear of the unknown - my procedure (tumour removal & immediate recon) went smoothly & no hassles.
Don't forget your iPod/ipad if you want to keep in touch with people (ask for the WiFi code.) Take magazines or crosswords instead of novels - it is just too hard to concentrate on a novel! I took some butterscotch to suck on as well.
Don't forget any medications that you may be on - you may need to give them to the nurses to make sure you get them when you need them.
I also took my own pillow! It is such a 'thin one' - any others are just too uncomfortable!
Ask your breast care nurse about a support pillow - I had a small oblong one from previous shoulder surgery & it was a real bonus to support your arm after the surgery and when at home. It is an essential part of being able to get comfy.
Where abouts are you - Town/City - other members may be aware of more services available to you.
On the drive home - depending on your surgery - any 'bounce' of the car on a rough road or going over a kerb into a service station/house driveway etc ....can REALLY hurt your boob - so make sure you grab it in advance to stop the bouncing boob!! I live in a regional town & the roads are a shocker ..... I learned where every bump was on every road - as you may have discomfort for a few weeks.
All the best for your surgery - once you have your pathology back, you'll have a better idea of overall plan .... and can get on with it! xx