Hi motherducky,
I just wanted to say I had my surgery yesterday. I felt okay while I was initially there, I was first on the list, 9am so I wasn’t waiting in the hospital too long. When the theatre nurse came to take me down and they were running through their checks for the 10th time, that’s when I cried. The nurses were lovely and reassuring and we chatted about nice things on my walk down to theatre. Anaesthetics were lovely too, so was the surgeon, I felt calm (ish) lying there. I’ve had 8 surgeries previously so know the effects a general has on me so always request an anti sickness. If you’re quite sensitive to meds then maybe ask for one too. (Gas an air while I was on labour made me feel sick also so I didn’t use it)
I woke up in recovering at about 10:40, the nurse said I got there at 10;15. However I’ve just had a simple mastectomy and the SNLB with no reconstruction. I was very cold shivering all over teeth chattering, she put a warming blanket on me which worked quickly. At 11am I went back up to the ward on a drip. They were keen to get me eating and drinking which I was happy to do.
Obviously were having different surgeries, but I just wanted to say that now I’ve had the surgery and I’m hoping with all my fingers and toes crossed that they’ve taken all the cancer away, regardless of what’s next, I still feel a huge sense of relief the tumours have gone. I hated walking around with it, while it’s there doing its evil thing. I think because of this I’m feeling on a bit of a high ( maybe it’s the drugs talking!) but I know it was 100% the right thing to do.
Also, the 8 previous surgeries I’ve had were all abdominal, so I didn’t want to have more surgeries on that area. So do just be very gentle on yourself, don’t push too hard and listen to your body. My mastectomy pain so far feels mostly on the side of my chest and armpit area, just sore muscles when I move around. They gave me a cute little heart cushion for under my arm and that’s helped a lot!
Sending lots of positive vibes your way for tomorrow xx