This site and the ladies here are a God-Send. Have my tracer dye injection on Tuesday then SLNB on Wednesday. I am trying to prepare in every way possible. I would so appreciate any tips from you all - anything I need to make sure I have. My diagnosis for IDC in right breast came on 27th Oct (4 days before my 55th Birthday) I am ER/PR + & HER2- (however the MRI showed extra areas of concern in same breast) this came back ER/PR + also but still awaiting the HER2 result for that bit! Mastectomy & Reconstruction was advised even though it might turn out only these two areas of BC so that is booked in for 7th Jan. I am so scared it there is a big gap but surgeon is away for christmas. I am married, very supportive husband who does work away for significant periods of time. I will be alone the day after SNLB with our dog. I will have friends and neighbours dropping in which is wonderful. I am planning easy meals and putting all my bits in easy reach. Just wondering, how and when I will be able to shower and wash my hair - do I just use my left hand to do this? I am assuming I cannot raise my affected arm above shoulder height. I am very fit for my age in general so this diagnosis has totally knocked my confidence. There was no evidence of lymph node involvement but we know how that can go. If there is, the plan will be that they will remove the rest at my mastectomy surgery. I have a wonderful dog, he is a hypo-allergenic breed and very calm and playful. Wonderful emotional support but sleeps in bed with us. The surgeon expressed horror at this and said absolutely not. I am not sure how Im supposed to stop him as he is nearly 8. I also hoped to hear from any dog owners who were able to walk their dog quickly after SNLB & MXT? I have dog walkers but I always walk him every day also. I have a kind of harness contraption that turns into waist belt whereby you attach his lead. How realistic would it be that I can walk him following my SNLB? And then further down the line after my MXT? Thank you
Hello. I am sorry but not able to give any advice on anything you ask - sorry - but thought I would reach out with a virtual hug.
We have a date in common - my mascetomy with immediate reconstruction is also happening on January 7th. My sentinel lode biopsy is happening at the same time as that rather than before like yours is.
I will be thinking of you and am here for you and hopefully will be able to share some top tips on this as we go through it together.
Sending love 
and so thought I would reach out and give you a virtual hug.
Dear tryingnottogoogle thank you for responding and oh gosh same date!! Still feels like a long way off. How are you doing? In between working am trying to grasp as much info from this site as I possibly can. Virtual hugs back to you 
Yes this site is so helpful isn’t it? And yes - the 7th feels like forever away but I guess it is good we have a date and a plan. We will get there! I am doing ok - up and down but trying to stay positive and am kept busy with my three children. My husband is fantastic but works away a lot so no idea how we will juggle it but am sure we will!! Thinking of you and hope the sentinel node biopsy goes well - it will soon be over so one step closer to being well xxxxx
Really so much advice. Thank you …tracer dye today. Yep trying to stay positive, stay strong, we can do this. Hope you have some support …( my husband away a lot also) are you children very little? xx