Hi ladies - I was given a date for surgery 5 weeks ago when I had a consultation with my surgeon - my op is scheduled for Monday Oct 28th. I already had a pre-op assessment about 6 weeks ago.
I haven’t yet had any further official communication with details of what time to arrive, where to go, fasting etc, what to bring.
Just wondering if it’s usual not
To have any info yet? When did you all get all the official info? How far in advance?
I didn’t want to be a nuisance but wondered if I ought to email my nurse on Monday to check?
Thanks
Probably not a bad idea to chase it up with your BCN but you might find it all kicks off with phonecalls etc. next week . It’s a bit like that - nothing for weeks then full on all the way to surgery . Hope everything goes well for you . Xx
Hi @roxie1
You should get appointment for preop they give you all info about what to bring fasting etc . Give your BCN a ring I’m sure they all have it all in hand , good luck with op x
Thank you for replying. I had the pre-op 6 weeks ago before I had a date for surgery and when I was going to be under a different surgeon. So that didn’t include any specific surgery admission info - just generic info.
They assigned me a different surgeon as I’m having an oncoplastic procedure now and had to wait for him to be available.
Yip I think will email BCN for peace of mind.
Many thanks for taking time to get back to me.
Think you will more than likely have another pre op. At mine I had mrsa and Covid swabs done, which need to be as up to date as possible. Also I was given a hibiscrub and told to shower with it before I came in. I was given all information at that appointment as well.
Hi thanks for taking time to reply. I think the fact I changed surgeon after the pre-op is probably the issue with delay. A general surgeon ordered the pre-op which was done 6 weeks ago and then I was passed to a specialist in oncoplastic surgery so perhaps the admin hasn’t caught up - although he gave me a date (verbally) for the op when I saw him just over a month ago.
Thanks for kind wishes - same to you.
I think the long wait from diagnosis at end Aug to surgery end October is just making me extra nervous! However it is intended to give me the right surgeon who can do best procedure for me so I am grateful!
Hi - the BCN said the pre-op I had was valid for 6 months…so no need to attend another. But perhaps they just call that last stage you described a different thing as it does sound important. Perhaps that needs done much closer to surgery date.
I didn’t have swabs etc - just blood tests and blood pressure etc and lots of health questions plus height and weight.
I am deffo now confused! Will email BCN Monday to check on everything.
Best wishes to you.
You’re right - I think pace can go from what feels like painstakingly slow to rapid! Sound advice and much appreciated! Take care of yourself and hope you stay well. Thanks again x
Hi Roxie 1
I think every trust is different I had preop but needed more surgery 5 weeks after had to have another I thought first one would cover next surgery ! At the end of the day I just leave it all to the team they were brilliant I think I over think sometimes let us all know how you get on good luck take care xx
Thanks so much Gilla! So kind to send such a detailed response.
I’ve actually done all the pre-op questionnaire and tests like ECG etc - that all happened 6 weeks ago. Just had unavoidable delay from that point to surgery date as I was reassigned a different surgeon who was not going to be available for 6 weeks. I guess fingers crossed I get all the updated info next week.
Best wishes
Sorry you had to have more surgery, that is hard, just as you’re recovering from the first.
I hope you’re healing well.
I suppose post first surgery it makes sense to have another pre-op as your body has been through a lot.
I did actually get a second pre-op invite a few weeks ago but after checking with my BCN she told me not to attend and cancelled it. It was arranged by surgeon’s secretary who didn’t know I’d already had one orders by original surgeon.
Over-thinking and over-worrying is definitely a trait filling the vacuum! Thanks for your support and wishing you speedy recovery.
Such a warm, kind message - thank you so much, Tili.
This is the loveliest community of big-hearted people. Women lifting up other women at difficult times is such a beautiful powerful thing. Bless you and bless this group of fine women.
Hi Roxie
You usually receive a letter with the date of surgery and all the info re last meal and what to bring into hosp with you.
As someone said always chase your bcn if you haven’t received anything in the next couple of days and they will chase it up for you
I’ve got all my letters and info for the surgeries so I can always send you a copy
Lynn x
Many thanks Lynn - sound advice. Will get on the case and email my BCN Monday. My surgeon should be back then too so hopefully the plan will take shape and comms will be forthcoming next week.
I’ve been away in London for last 5 days so I guess a letter may have arrived at home - I get back tomorrow so can check.
I decided to fill the fortnight before surgery with visiting family and old friends and seeing theatre, just saw my third play in 4 days - fills my heart and keeps my mind busy. We all have our own ways of dealing with the hand we’ve been dealt and this is my way.
I live in Scotland so I guess my local NHS group will have its own regime for admin - but thanks so much for offering to share your letters, very kind.
Best wishes and thanks for getting in touch - greatly appreciated.
Just a little update…I finally got a call on Thursday afternoon to say the surgery has been postponed for another 3 weeks as the radiographer has recommended a bone scan to take a closer look at some of the CT findings that were delivered this week.
It’s hard to readjust your mind when you are all psyched up for surgery in a few days time - it was scheduled for Monday. My sister who lives overseas had flights booked to come and be with me after the op, so we had to rearrange things.
Of course all of these things happen for a reason - I get that the doctors are making sure they have all the facts so they can proceed in the best way. It certainly plays with the mind though as this is the second postponement now. Each time makes you more nervous! Trying to stay calm but the last 24 hours were challenging. Now to keep positive till the next scan and results and hope it rules more worrying things out.
Thanks for being there! This is an important outlet and support group at such times.
Best wishes to all xxx
One day at a time at the moment for you, easy for me to say, but I feel your breast cancer team are looking after you. It’s best to have all the T crossed before any surgery takes place.
Hopefully a happy Sunday, maybe a nice walk or cuddle up on the sofa with a good book, be kind to yourself you deserve it.
Thinking of you, with love and the biggest hugs. Tili
Thanks so much, Tili. Just to share some very good news - I got bone scan results this morning and they were clear of any metastasis - PHEW! Consequently I am now cleared for surgery on Nov 18th - grateful and relieved.
Best wishes to you and all on here. xxx
let us all know how you get on good luck take care xx
