Hi Callista,
I know a diagnosis of breast cancer comes as a shock so totally understand the anxiety.
I presume the biopsy showed stage 1, which indicates it has been caught early.
When I was diagnosed just over 6 years ago I read quite a few medical studies and at that time the conclusions were (exactly as my oncologist had informed me!) that breast conservation surgery (ie lumpectomy) potentially with other treatments has just a good a long term outcome as a mastectomy.
The oncology and breast cancer team will be guided by all the scans showing the lump and will remove the lump along with a margin around it and then test the tissue in the margin (as well as double checking the lump). Another operation is only required if any cancer cells are detected in the margin or in the lymph nodes if being checked via a sentinel node biopsy (results usually come through a week or so later - for me this was during a post-op follow up check with the surgeon).
If you think it might help you could phone the Breast Cancer Now helpline and/or ask to be put in touch with someone who has gone through a similar diagnosis and treatment. Alternatively you could try to contact your breast care nurse at the hospital.
Bra’s and what to take to hospital - loose button up soft cotton nightshirt or top. I took some loose T-shirt bottoms to put on when leaving the hospital (anything easy since you may be feeling a bit groggy).
Many women tend to get some swelling post op, and a good supportive bra (non-wired) helps post op (support re the wound area, plus helping reduce swelling and any bruising). I went for a seamless sports bra, rear fastening, with some bra extenders to get round the post op swelling (M&S, John Lewis etc sell extenders). Some women prefer bras which do up at the front (personally I would have found these a bit tricky and you can’t use the extenders with them so possibly slightly less flexible - but some women prefer them). ASDA and M&S do various post surgery bras and/or sports bras.
I appreciate you would ideally like your partner to be able to take you in/collect you afterwards. As a fall back ask a reliable good friend, preferably someone who is quite calm, to take you and visit/collect you after. A friend did this for me since unfortunately my partner had to go to the other side of the world since another family member was having a major health crisis (worse than mine!)
You might find it helpful to try some mindfulness to help calm you on the day. Or anything else which may distract you. For me I imagine I am at the top of cliffs next to the sea, hearing the sounds, imagining the breeze and sun on my skin, the grass seed heads rustling, birds overhead etc. It really helped me - and might be worth you trying?
I found the surgeon was very neat and my scars healed really well (very faint now - hardly visible). Besides a good diet, eating protein at every meal can help since it’s used for cell repair/building.
I hope the above helps. If you have any other q’s please post if you think any of us can help.
Be kind to yourself - the medic’s know what they are doing.
XXX Seabreeze