Thank you !!! xxx
I guess there might be some hospitals that operate on people without doing any physical checks to see if there fit for an anaesthetic, but they WONT be nhs ones.
I might not have bc, but I do have a sister in law who is a sister in a hospital and she knows what the protcol for the nhs is, and it has very strict guidelines. They do not pick and choose. Let them know on the day of the operation that you have not had any physical tests done as we all know sadly hospital DO make mistakes.
You will also see that all the other ladies who have posted on here had exactly the same physical tests.
I guess maybe you could just be having a local anasethetic, and not being put to sleep as that is done very routinely and would not need physical tests.
Its so nice that you can send each other emails to support each other. I have made some fantastic friends on facebook, and we have some lovely chats and emails.
All the best chrissie for your operation and fingers crossed that you get the all clear like I did after the lump has been removed.
love to you both liz and chrissie.
Well, I called the hospital… When I was sent my hospital appointment for the op I was asked to call to confirm. I was then asked several questions about my health and was told I could have an over-the -phone assessment. I was given an appointment for the call followed by an appointment letter stating that if I was unavailable for the call then I would have my op cancelled to a later date.
The nurse who called spent half an hour going through my full medical history and explained the op.
After Jules posting I called the hospital and was told that if at anytime the nurse thought I needed to go face to face she would have said! I will be tested further on the morning of the op. In fact I’m happier with that as there is less chance of them losing my results or mixing them up! The nurse explained that I would be under for about 30 mins as long as the lump wasn’t a bugger to get at, but after the scans etc I’ve had,. I’m sure they feel it will be easy.
I am having a general and I’ve had two previous ops in a different NHS hospital, one to have a vein removed the other to be sterilised. On both occasions I had the checks on the day.
Jules I think you mentioned on a previous post that when you had your initial appointment that you seemed to be the only one having the core biopsy. Well at mine everyone seemed to be getting the whole works so I think hospitals do differ.
Sadly, most of you have had extensive surgery but mine is just to remove my lump so they can biopsy it again once it’s out, as they said there is a very small chance it could still be cancer and my main concern isn’t the op it’s the wait for the results after.
On refection this lump has turned my life around. Out of a terrible relationship, the start of a fantastic new relationship with my eldest daughter, stopped taking things for granted, found out just who my real friends are and found Liz, who I shall drag down from the cold, cold north to the sunny, sunny south for a wine fuelled girlie weekend. Shame I’m poor as a church mouse!
Went to the pub with my eldest and her friend at the weekend (didn’t used to get out much) and screamed with laughter, mainly at the male species expense for a couple of hours. Good for the soul! ha ha
Love to all of you
Glad to hear that you are getting your pre-op checks the day of the op, many years back this was always the way it was done… and to be honest I think it was better. Good luck with the op and I will keep my fingers crossed that you get the all clear.
I’ve followed your story from the start - read all the posts in the ‘relationship problems’ thread and know what a tough time you’ve had recently … but it appears that some good has come of the situation and I sincerely hope that your life continues to get better.
What’s the date of your op?
I am so glad that you are getting the physical checks done on the day. Some hospitals obviously do them that way. They would not be able to operate without the initial physical checks, so I am glad you are having a thorough mot.
Regarding the core and fna. I was upset when I needed one because all the other ladies who had been to the hospital regarding there lumps had all been told they didnt need cores or fnas because there lumps were obviously nothing serious. Again the lady at my doctors who had a lump again didnt need one. I guess its like all tests people only have the ones that are needed. I preyed I wouldnt need a core biopsy as wanted to be told my lump was ok. Then hoped when I got my result that the core would show up that I didnt have cancer, but sadly that and the fna were inconclusive. When they mentioned surgery I was so upset as wanted the whole experience over with and did not want to have to go through surgery but was given no choice.
In reflection I am so glad I did have surgery as although core and fna tests are very accurate, they are not 100 per cent. There are a few ladies on this site who were told that there lumps were nothing, but then when they were removed they turned out to be cancer, so on reflection I am glad I had it out to be on the safe side, as I guess I would always have been thinking what if. I personally think a women should have the choice to have a lump removed just incase.
My mum has her big surgery this week. She has a partial mastectomy as she has lobular cancer. She is also having reconstruction on her breast, and also on the other breast to make them look even. She is also having her nodes taken out for sampling to see if the cancer has got in there. After that they will decided whether its chemo, rads or both. She is being so brave, think my sister and I are more worried than she is.
Thanks Lilacblushes
My op is on the 17th, next week.
Saw my sister-in-law today who last saw me 5 weeks ago and she was amazed at my transformation into happiness. You don’t realise how controlled your life has been till your out of it.
I’d like to know if anyone on here has had adverse affects when coming off happy pills. One part of me thinks that this is all down to them, the other part thinks that it’s because I have my life back and feel I’m in control.
Hope you all have a good weekend.
Love Chrissie xxxxxxxxxxxx
I can’t comment on the effects of happy pills cos I’ve never been on them … I can however comment on the difference of being in charge of your own life after being in a very controlling relationship. I think from what you’ve said you are a strong person and will be able to get on with things and move things along … by saying this I’m not suggesting that you just chuck the happy pills away, coming off them is something you should do under the guidance and supervision of the medical profession.
I will be thinking of you on the 17th … the surgery itself is fairly minor but in the great scheme of things it’s such a major step, once the lump is out you will be so releived, lets just hope that the results are favourable.
Hi Chrissie
Good to hear from you, I will be thinking of you on Thursday.
Dawnflower
xxxx
Sorry - Jules is wrong re pre op - it is not the same everywhere - my nose def not swabbed for MRSA, i didn’t have an ecg etc… but i did have a pre-op apptment where a junior doctor arranged bloods to be done, weighed me, measured me and went over my medical history.
Different NHS areas have different criteria - it doesn’t mean one is wrong, just that they are different.
Best of luck ladies awaiting ops.
J
Rjenr, I agree that all hospitals have different procedures.
But I am NOT wrong in that no hospital will do an operation without physical checks first as a pre op assessment. If you know of any hospital that puts someone on the table without checking there physical health at all I would be very shocked. As you said you had your bloods checked and weight. That could not have been done over the phone could it.
When I had a G.A. at the Fulham Road Marsden, the pre-op assessment could have been done over the phone but as I had been seeing a heart consultant the previous year they said I would need to go in prior to the surgery for the pre-op assessment. Had it not been for that, they would have done it over the phone!! Yes certain procedures were done when I was admitted for the surgery but I would have thought that was stating the obvious.
dawnhc
You would hope so, but sadly hospital do make mistakes. Procedures are missed. I went down for surgery on a benign tumour on my leg and when I got to theatre they said its your right leg isn’t it! Fear took over and I was like no its my left is it not down in my notes!!! They shuffled some papers and said oh yes. Hmmm, did make me wonder!!!
Hi girls
Going to be a crazy couple of days for me before my op. Need to get the house up together, big food shop and tackle an ironing pile that is huge! My girls seem to have so much going on, two have track training tonight and one of my twins has decided she wants to join air cadets tonight which is out of town. Then one has a dance festival Saturday and then they all have a race in Bournemouth on Sunday. argggghhhhhhhh. I can’t say no to any of it so I’ve managed to arrange lifts.
As for my pre-op, my height and weight I was able to give over the phone. I don’t need a chest x-ray and the nurse said they will take bloods if necessary. I was asked if I’d had adverse effects after any previous ops and I told her that I was quite poorly after one which was due to low blood pressure, the nurse said that they just inform the anaesthetist before hand. I’ve heard from others that the hospital (Haslar in Gosport) is excellent.
They will get the right tit as I’m going to write ‘Neat stitching please’ on it. ha ha
Thanks girls, I admit to being a little concerned after reading Jules post about exact NHS Pre-op procedure especially as her sister is a nurse. Not that that worries me, it was the thought of turning up and being sent away till a later date, therefore having to wait for even longer for the final results. Still a quick phone call put my mind at ease and now I can’t wait to get this over with!
Chrissie xx
Hi Chrissie
Have you got somebody to look after the girls if you do end up staying the night in hospital? sorry to say that but you never know!!
On my discharge the nurse was going through the procedure I had had and said right mastectomy. I said no - left and she said are you sure ??? !!! Erm yes ! you took the drains out of the left side. So she said show me just to make sure so I had to lift up my top and show her ! it was at this point too that I found out I had tissue expander in and not the implant the surgeon said he would put in.
I am just glad I was marked before I went down to the theatre ! it was actually handwritten on my theatre notes that I had a right mastectomy, and not only the once.
Yo have a lot to get done these next couple of days. What time do you have to be there for?
Liz xx
Hi Liz
Well in that case I shall paint my right tit fluorescent yellow. Two of my girls are staying with friends Thursday night so I shall only have one coming home Thursday and the eldest will be here to look after her.
I have to be at the hospital for 7.30am and it’s a good half hour drive away. I’m really hoping I shall be one of the 1st in and home for lunch. ha ha.
Chrissie xxx
Home for lunch ??? I’m sure you will !! - straight to the pub !!
How are you feeling though?
Liz xx
Home to a large G&T.
Feel OK about it actually, tomorrow may be a different story.
Nob called today to ask if I’ve made a will DUH!
Can’t eat anything after 6pm tomorrow so I think I’ll take my girls out after school for a feast!
I’ve convinced myself that the op will be no big deal so lets hope it doesn’t go tits up. ha ha Pardon the pun!
Chrissie xxx
My surgeon came to see me in my room just before the op … he remembered what boobie he was going to have a go at and marked it with a big black star in felt tip… no mistaking which one when I was on the table.
Good luck with the op and an after school feast sounds a very good idea … if it were me I would be off to one of those all you can eat buffet places.
Am sure all will go fine and you will be home asap
As for asking if you have made a will … what a damn cheek, did he expect a mention???
Hi Girls
Had my op today and have no idea why I ended up feeling I should move my post amongst pub quizzes and word games on chit chat and fun! This does not feel like fun, I feel dreadful. I have a large dent in my boob and the surgeon told me it doesn’t look like a fiber thingy to him so had to scoop quite a bit out and I have to wait 2 weeks for the results. Feeling rather grim and I’m sure the tube they put down my throat was the size of a drainpipe.
Much love
chrissie xxx
Oh Chrissie - you poor thing. It’s a fibroadenoma but not sure exactly what that is. Are you all stitched up?
You need some TLC.
It’s that awful time in between waiting for the results. Did they give you an appt or will they send it on to you ?
Liz xxx