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Re: Surgery Completed :)
@arpie - thank you, I remember you talking about your long drive home from surgery and I had no idea just how bad it must have been for you until I had to experience it myself!! Thankfully mine was allot shorter trip. Mine is just sore but thankfully the lumpectomy site is not giving me any grief. The only time I have been taking that support pillow off my shoulder is when I go to the bathroom, the rest of the time I am surrounded by pillows :)11Views1like0CommentsRe: Surgery Completed :)
Thank you ladies, I am taking it easy. I was surprised at how painful the drive home was even as a passenger so I am avoiding the car at all costs for the moment and Netflix is getting a good workout. I plan on taking the full 2 weeks and a bit off work at this stage but will reassess when it gets closer to the time to go back. The lumpectomy scar is not that painful but where they removed the lymph nodes is another story. Thank you again for your kind words and I am staying positive for a good result when I receive the pathology results. Hopefully the oncologist appointment follows soon after the surgeon's appointment. xoxo4Views4likes0CommentsSurgery Completed :)
Hi all. Just wanted to thank you lovely ladies for all the help and reassurance before my surgery. As an update, I went in for a lumpectomy on Wednesday. It was a very long day as we were told to arrive at 8am and my surgery did not take place until 6 pm but I am very glad it is all over. I had 6 lymph nodes removed and the initial pathology results showed that no cancer had spread to them but I will obviously need to wait for the final pathology results in the next couple of weeks. I came home yesterday and I actually feel allot better than I thought I would have, a little pain but only when I move around too much. Honestly just glad to be home and grateful that it all went so well. Thank you all again and I wish everyone success on your journeys.323Views6likes11CommentsRe: New at this
@Sister - thank you, I have picked up a few. I don't have anyone to take shirts off if I get stuck so I might grab another couple. @kmakm - I'm as prepared as I can be, I packed my hospital bag this morning and after talking with the nurses and anaesthesist at my pre-op appointment on Thursday, I am not going back to work until after I have healed somewhat from the surgery. It is one less thing that I have to worry about :) I am lucky I have such supportive friends and am pleased I can come home.6Views3likes0CommentsRe: New at this
@Emim - thank you for your kind words. I'm quickly learning that I need to put myself first and I believe I am coming to terms with that. I had my pre-op appointment at Calvary this morning and that was an information overload. I have developed a virus this week and was petrified that the surgery would be postponed. Thankfully I got straight to my GP on Tuesday and the fever has gone down, not completely but it's getting there. I was up front with the nurses and anaesthesist and he does not seem to see a problem with it but they have all have advised that I should not be going back to work and I have just delivered the news to my workplace. Looks like I'm going to have allot of time over the coming weeks to catch up on some Netflix shows!!! @KarynJ - what an emotional roller coaster this diagnosis is, I'm so up and down at the moment. Thank you for the book recommendation, I will pick it up, sounds like an interesting read. I will take your advice and do something for myself, will be booking myself in for a massage before surgery next Wednesday. @LIttleBlueWren - thank you, I didn't think about the towel situation but it is a good point, I only use those massive bath sheets so I will put that on my shopping list. I plan on moving some things around in the kitchen on Tuesday after some great suggestions from those on this forum, my microwave may be too low down so I will move that too, thank you. One of my friends is picking me up from the hospital and has offered to stay the night with me so I feel a little less anxious about being out of my own environment now :) I am unsure what the next couple of weeks will hold for me but I am so grateful for the support I have received from this forum. Thank you ladies!!1View4likes0CommentsRe: New at this
@Zoffiel - my daughter left home quite some time ago and I now enjoy having my own space and just looking after me for a change!! I'm sure it will all work out how it is supposed too and I am probably being overly sensitive but control over something in my life is what I need at this moment. I'll have a chat to my friend over the weekend and explain it to her, I'm sure she will understand. Have a great weekend.31Views1like0CommentsRe: New at this
@rose - thank you, the breast care nurse said that the longer I take off to heal the better I will feel in the long run so I will see how I feel. Good idea about a counsellor, I will give her a ring next week and see who I can see. I am having my op in Calvary as I live northside. Colleen's in Garran was recommended to me and I have been in on Wednesday and bought myself a couple, seem pretty comfy but don't offer allot of support. @Zoffiel - I too want to be left at home and I have very little control over any of this and being able to choose if I am well enough to go home is a choice I would like to able to make. I will, however, take advice from those more experienced if I do feel I need support for a couple of days. I think I just need to play it by ear at this stage but I will pack for being away from home for a few days. Don't get me wrong, they are lovely kids and my friend is just awesome but I just feel I would be more comfortable at home. Thank you both for your comments, it is much appreciated.7Views0likes0CommentsRe: New at this
@SoldierCrab, thank you I have some friends who are going to support me with cleaning and washing and luckily I have enough clothes to last me weeks. @arpie, thank you I thankfully live alone in a small apartment so no animals or others to look after. After everyone's helpful tips and a conversation with my breast care nurse this morning, I have now advised my supervisor that I will not be able to drive for a few weeks and will not back to work the week after the surgery. It's been helpful in managing my own expectations as well given I have never had surgery before. She also advised that I will be receiving a zonta pillow at me pre surgery appointment on Thursday. As someone else suggested, I have added a triangle pillow to my shopping list. I have insomnia and always have sleeping tablets on hand even though I hate taking them they can be a godsend. I'll mention this on Thursday as it would be nice to be able to get the prescriptions organised before I go to surgery instead of after. Because of the position of the lump, the breast care nurse didn't think I will need drains either so I have my fingers crossed that that is the case. Thank you ladies, I feel allot calmer and more prepared for what is to come and I appreciate all of your feedback <36Views2likes0CommentsRe: New at this
Thank you to all the lovely ladies who have commented, provided answers to my questions and emotional support. You have all given me allot to think about and tips on what I should expect are invaluable. I was not aware that I would not be able to drive for some time (I have a manual) and I will now be able to pass this onto my work colleagues and let them know that I will work from home once I am feeling up to it. I don't like the idea of going back to work with drains anyway so at least I can manage expectations ahead of time. I will take the help as and when it is offered but I believe I am as prepared as I am going to be as far as my stash of frozen meals and I will make sure that I go shopping and have my cleaning done before my surgery. @KarynJ thank you for your comment re reaching for glasses in high cupboards, that was definitely something I had not considered and I will move these to somewhere easier to get to. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have found this awesome forum, everyone on here is an inspiration and I have gained more practical knowledge in the last 24 hours from this thread than I have from all the medical professionals I have seen so far. Thank you to each and everyone of you and I wish you all luck in your journeys <36Views0likes0CommentsRe: New at this
Thank you so much ladies, I will take all your advice on board. Most of my friends are married with children so I don't think I have anyone that can come and stay with me and the challenge for me is that the one friend who insists I move in with has teenage boys and it all just seems a bit awkward. I also have insomnia and keep myself amused at night if I'm in my own home but getting up and waking the whole household seems a bit inconsiderate. I know Mum is busting to come down and help but, being 8 hours away, I just don't feel like that is fair to her. I may just have to swallow my pride for a short time. I guess I just thought I'd be up and racing by the time I left hospital but seems that may be a bit delusional on my part :( The surgeon did mention blue dye and lymph nodes so I'm pretty sure I'll be having that procedure as well. Thank you @Annie C, I won't rush into cancelling anything at this stage and it will be full steam ahead on what little planning I have left. If it turns out I can't go then my travel insurance can reimburse me. The breast care nurse told me to keep reminding her of my holiday plans in the hopes they can speed along my treatment which most likely will involve 3-6 weeks of radiation so I have all my bits crossed that it's 3 weeks and not 6. I will do whatever I need to do to rid myself of this though and ultimately my health will always come first. Does anyone know how long I can expect not to drive for please? I need to give work an indication of how long I will need to work from home for although I will be resting for at least 5 days after the surgery. I'm so glad I found this forum, you lovely ladies rock :)5Views0likes0Comments
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