It sounds like you’re tackling it all with the right attitude! I kept being told by the nurses not to get ahead of myself but go one step at a time!!
It helped that a work colleague who’d had BC went through her experiences with me so that I had a clearer idea of what to expect - she gave me a little heart shaped cushion to use under your arm in bed (and other times) after surgery to just keep the weight of your arm off the wounds in the early days. It worked a treat - I think you can get them online. I would recommend one. The medical team never mentioned them.
What’s good about the forum is that you realize everyone else goes through the same gamut of emotions - we are not alone! x
Hi all again
It’s now two months since I first posted here and since I found there was something wrong. Surgery is now tomorrow and suddenly it’s all real! Been trying to keep busy to stop me overthinking but will be glad to get this bit done (lumpectomy, goodbye nipple) Then there’ll be the wait for the next results but at least I will have hopefully got rid of most, hopefully all, of the cancer . I am sure there are plenty of you out there having your op tomorrow so will think of you all
Wishing you lots of luck with your surgery tomorrow, health and happiness going forward. Remember to take all the help offered. Will be thinking of you and all our other lovely ladies having surgery.
Thank you so much @Tili . Your message made me cry, I’m so emotional it’s ridiculous! I keep telling my other half it’s not because I’m sorry for myself, it’s just the whole thing gets to you. Really appreciate your good wishes though xx
I’ve lost my left nipple I do grieve for it from time to time, but it was a relief to have had the mastectomy and in my case reconstruction. They have said I can have a nipple recon too but I feel enough is enough, no more surgery for me. You will take time to recover, so really take it easy, have afternoon naps and put yourself first. I found this hard, but you really do need to wind down from life for a while. That’s what I found anyway, Take what you like and leave the rest…or rather take what you like and take a lot of rests too.
As well as resting I did do the exercise programme I was given which had a number of exercises to build up strength again after the op but which started easy, and then gradually got a bit more taxing as I got fitter.
I don’t do them now but I did join a gym and did training on different machines to build up strength in my arms. I also did rowing and bicycling exercises on some machines.
I am quite competitive so I found this great for a time until I got bored!
Hi @Seagulls and everyone, all seems good now. They nearly didn’t go ahead as suddenly my bp was high and I had a temperature! So glad they weighed up the risks and did it anyway. Ok now the sickness has abated and I’ve had a good sleep at home! Been a bit wobbly but having a pj day Quite a lot of purple bruising under my arm especially but can manage that. I feel lighter today both physically (have lost that feeling of pressure I had behind the nipple) and also mentally! Now to wait 3 weeks or so for results…. thanks for all your support!
Hi @naughty_boob I’m taking your advice - sat in bed till 11.30 then changed into new pj’s! Have done exercises only once so far but will continue. Realised yesterday how good it is to keep your strength if you can and am glad I’ve kept up with yoga. Helps when you’re a bit compromised. My danger is having so many things I want to do in this down time! So nice to have your support so thank you
. I am sure there are plenty of you out there having your op tomorrow so will think of you all 
xx