Really struggling with anxiety I’m so scared of the op I’m not feeling brave at all xx
Hi Lisa,
Thats fine to not feel brave, you haven’t got to be anything that you don’t want to be right now. What about the op specifically is it…is it the actual physical operation…or the loss of a part of you? Or what follows afterwards? Or a combination of everything and more besides. I’ve not have a mastectomy, but there are lots of others here who have and I’m sure they will be able to help with some support.
Charys X
Oh, Lisa, this is such a hard thing to be facing. Maybe speak to the helpliners… they are so patient and kind.
Or keep coming back to the forum, we can’t magic the anxiety away but for me it does help to say how I feel. Charys is right, try to strand out the bits you feel anxious about and ask for reassurance.
I’ve dived off to see my GP, just to tell him what’s happening and get a bit of support, and to check out what I can ask for from the practice, post op. Or your BCN should be able to talk to you and give you some comfort.
So don’t sit alone, find some one to talk to and be gentle with yourself.
Hope you find a bit of calm, come back and tell us how you get on
With love
Caroline
Hi Lisa, it’s a difficult thing to face and the only thing I can tell you is that I was so nervous when I went for my mastectomy 6 weeks ago but in my case it wasn’t the mastectomy I was scared of but the general anaesthetic as I’d never had one before. A week before my op I had a nightmare that I was in a coma for 5 days so when I came round from the anaesthetic I was so relieved I had tears rolling down my face. So that was the thing I was most worried about. In your case it may be the operation itself or how you’ll feel at losing your breast or something else entirely and whatever we say on this forum may or may not help reassure you. Anyway for me the operation itself didn’t worry me and I wasn’t worried about how I’d feel at losing my breast. It was strange seeing the scar at first but I’ve got used to it now and I don’t feel sad at not having the breast which surprised me. My youngest daughter who is 9 wanted to see the scar when the dressing came off and she thought it looked gross but we’ve all got used to it now. I’ve just had a second operation to remove the rest of my lymph nodes last week so this time I wasn’t worried at all as I knew that I’d had a general anaesthetic without problems.
The thing with breast cancer and surgery is its such a different experience for everyone so you’ll get lots of different views of what it’s actually like. For me the hardest thing is the recovery as I’m not a patient person and it took a long time for me to get full range of movement of my arm without pain as I had bad cording in my armpit after the mastectomy and then I’m starting from scratch again after my second op last week. I’m learning that it’s a slow process and I wasn’t expecting that as I thought I’d be back at work after 6 to 8 weeks but I now realise that was unrealistic.
Anyway if there’s any particular aspect of the mastectomy you’re worried about and would like more information on how it was for me, am happy to give you more of my experience.
Try not to worry and enjoy the time before the operation as much as you can. I treated myself to a massage 2 days before my op to relax me and I spent time watching my favourite comedy sketches. I also made myself a playlist on my iPod of happy tunes.
hugs
Nomadic
x
Hi Lisa
I had a mastectomy and axilla clearance last Wednesday and am doing ok. Everything at the hospital went well. I was up to the loo within a couple of hours of being back on the ward which was good physically and psychologically. Had a drip, a wound drain and leg massagers in for a few hours and felt much better as one by one they were removed. Pain has been manageable with paracetamol, now just at night. Slight seroma under arm and where breast was (like a mini boob!) but not sore nor too uncomfortable. Been doing my exercises and trying to take it easy - I feel so ok I am in danger of doing too much.
I have had weepy times, especially in the middle of the night - such as breaking my heart that I can never risk going mountain biking again in case I damage my arm - but this has lessened each day. Have not mourned loss of breast like I thought I would. Just pleased to have taken the first step to getting rid of cancer. Am sure there are more challenges ahead but, for me, this first big hurdle has gone ok so far.
Wishing you all the very best
Pat
Hi Lisa . had my mastectomy 4 weeks ago i too was very scared of the whole thing and what may follow , i did think i would be horrified with my new appearance as wasnt able to have an immediate reconstruction but i am so pleased to say i wasnt . The first week or so i was in a little pain tbh but soon managed to wean myself off the dreaded codeine , be prepaired that you may need to be drained as i did 3 times in all but that was painless . Am going back into hospital for my lymph glands removing on wednesday and am not worried this time so be kind to yourself and let people run after you for a while you will be fine xx
Hello there
I was very scared before my mastectomy. I will tell you what a lovely BCC helpliner told me the day before…“this time tomorrow you will be in a better position than you are today.” I remember that phrase and it is true. The breast is gone but so was the rapidly growing lump so the sense of relief after was immense. I was a day case, only took 3 ibuprofen a day for a week and had drain out after a few days. Best of luck x
I just found out for me. I feel for you. I am sure all will go well.
I just found out for me. I feel for you. I am sure all will go well. I am having my mx 7th July. That much going on. Anxious