Hi all. My first post to the forum # newbie!
Diagnosed bilateral breast cancer grade 2 on Oct 10th, 1 side HER2 positive, P6+, age 37.
So I have had my surgery date through for a week Wednesday (15th Nov). I’m having bilateral mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction. I’m pleased it’s so quick, but I can’t get my head round the surgery.
I have only ever been in hospital to have my children - both natural births. I have never had surgery, never had a general - and I’m terrified!
My consultant is lovely and tried to reassure me - but my head is full of what ifs. I’m scared about how it will feel when I go under - and if I will be aware of anything.
Can’t get the fear out of my head.
I had to get my mirena removed due to the hormonal aspect of things - went to get copper coil re fitted and completely freaked out - had a panic attack when the nurses touched me - and I know this must be connected with my fears about what’s coming. The last thing I want to do if panic before I have surgery.
Any advice or experiences you lovely people could share would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance xx
Crazytimes
It is quite normal to be scared of having an op if you have never had one before, as with this journey with bc it is fear of the unknown.
Honestly you will not feel a thing when you go under, I promise. It literally is one moment you are talking to the theatre staff and the next thing you are waking up in the recovery ward
Sending you a hug
Helena xxx
Crazytimes
I can confirm what Helena has said - I too had never had an operation before my right mx and complete lymph node removal on 19 September. I can honestly say all was absolutely fine - before you know it you’ll be back on the ward - feeling a huge relief that the cancer is out of your body.
The nursing staff will look after you so well.
Hi ! I understand your concerns completely. I’m 51 and had a mastectomy with reconstruction in May of this year . Prior to that I’d never been in hospital for any procedure at all . The nursing staff will guide you through the whole procedure and i even had a nurse hold my hand and talk to me as they administered the anesthetitic. All I felt was a pleasant drowsiness spreading through me and I was gone ! The next think I was awake , with no pain , and had no after effects of the anaesthetic . Im fact I even remember telling my husband it was all ok and I’d have no problem doing it all again if necessary . Little did I know that , as the wound didn’t heal quite properly ,three months later I had to have it restitched , under another general . Again it was as easy as the first time and now I’m fully recovered . Please try not to worry ,the thought of it is far worse than the reality , but if you have any other questions feel free to ask . Hope it all goes brilliantly for you x
I can only echo what others have said - my feelings were exactly as you describe, but really, after the slightly floaty feeling as you are put to sleep, the next thing you are aware of is being told it is all over.
This was 3 years ago for me, and I now volunteer in a hospital. Recently I was allowed to observe an operation, and was so impressed by the care, especially in recovery - it was great to see. If I was facing surgery for the first time again, I would be so reassured by this.
Thankyou so much everyone. Really helpful to hear of your experiences. I’ve finished work now - so trying to have a nice ‘treat’ week.
Would welcome any further comments from peeps who have been through this.
Hi Crazy Times
Well I’ve done this three times now, and am about to have a fourth op. Each time has been absolutely fine, and I’m always surprised at how little it hurts afterwards! I’ve had two WLEs and breast reduction to the good side for symmetry.
So I’m sure you’ll be fine, and it will be such a relief to get the surgery out of the way, once it is done you can start to move on.
Sending you a hug, and wishing you all the best with your surgery.
Hi Crazytimes - I just wanted to add my experience to all those other lovely reassuring messages. I think most people are scared, some more than others - that was me. But all the staff, surgeons, the team and nurses were all wonderful. I was given a sedative beforehand to calm me, then just like everyone else has said it takes seconds from being given the anaesthetic for you to “fall asleep”.
The doctors/nurses by law have to warn you of the risks, but that doesn’t mean they will happen - you just have to be fully informed to sign the consent form in our now very litigious society. I too worried about being aware of things going on - but I have had a few operations now and that never happened. You will be totally out of it.
You will have a pre-surgery appointment with a nurse and ask her all your questions. She will reassure you about everything. See if you can have a sedative before you go to theatre.
I had a mastectomy, implant reconstruction and node clearance. Happy to answer any questions if I can.
Sending you strength and hugs. You can do it. Chat away on here as much as you need - this Forum helped me sooooo much, to chat to others who had been through the same or were going through it.
Evie xx
Hi had right mastectomy a week ago and despite a nursing background and part of my mind telling me you know all will be okay the other scared part was shouting louder! The whole experience was very reassuring, staff briliant, kept me informed and calmed me. Being wrapped in a warmed blanket before going into theatre was so comforting. The theatre nurse held my hand til I was asleep, the recovery nurse sensitive and the ward staff great, indulged my worries about my drain. Had a brief problem with leakage and blockage but was delt with in a calm reassuring manner. Sending hugs.
Bev x
Thankyou everyone x
Pre-op today…going to ask lots of questions, and get a chance to see where I’m going for surgery - hoping this will help with some of the uncertainty
Got to have my isotope injection the day before my surgery…any advice on this? Some say it hurts loads?
Hi Crazytimes,
For me, the isotope infection part was fine, all very relaxed & nothing more than feeling a scratch.
It will be fine.
ann x
Hi Crazytimes
Like you I was terrified of going for my surgery. I was totally impressed with all the staff on the day & when I went down to the pre theatre room I had a few tears before the anethestist gave me a pre med to chill me out. The staff were so lovely & reassuring, one of the nurses held my hand. The pre med was very relaxing & then the next minute you’re on the recovery ward.
My friend bought me a lovely gift about a week before my first lumpectomy. A bottle of pillow mist from L"Ocotaine. I used it every night at bedtime…then took it with me on day of surgery. I sprayed a little on my face when waiting to go to theatre just to stay relaxed.
You will feel so much better once you’ve had your surgery. Xxx
Scooter
Hi everyone,
Well I’m now 4 days post surgery! And I must say the whole surgery experience was as you all described…so much easier than I ever expected.
I was terrified on the day but the anaesthetist was amazing. He talked to me about my work and where I had been on holiday while putting my cannula in. He asked me about the best part of the holiday and I couldn’t remember! He then asked if I wanted to go there again…and I was out!! He didn’t even tell me he was doing it…no dreaded counting or anything!!
Woke up in recovery, bit slow to come round but otherwise ok. Surgeon very happy with how everything went.
Cross fingers now for my biopsy results…but just gonna spend the next few days with my feet up chilling out x
Thanks for all your support everyone xx