Hello.
Due to have my last chemo this Wednesday (woohoo!) Such a relief to be ticking that off!
Chemo has done a good job of eating away at my lumps! They’re like swiss cheese now & lymph nodes have responded too which I’m happy about as it makes all the suffering worth it 
However, after an appointment with surgeon last week I now have a date for my surgery for 24th February. I am absolutely bricking it! I’m having a left side mastectomy with an implant with 2 tier lymph nodes out. I know, this is the bit where the nasties come out but I really am so scared 
I trust my surgeon I really do & she is a wonderful lady but OMG!!!
Thanks for reading xx
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Hi @sybil79.
Thanks for sharing with us! I truly hope that you are able to find comfort and support in the run up to your surgery. We’re always here if you need us.
Sending love,
Chloe
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Hi,
Please try not to worry. I had surgery last Wednesday (WLE & reconstructive flap & nodes) and was beyond stressed. Completely irrational. Genuinely barely able to function or concentrate properly due to my fear.
Roll on to 5:30pm Wednesday afternoon, (I went down to the theatre at 1:45) and I was chatting away with the nurse in recovery absolutely fine and ridiculously happy it was over. Home later that evening and I feel as though a huge weight has been lifted.
Is it the procedure itself you’re worried about or the anaesthetic/hospital experience that concerns you?
You’ve come so far, keep believing in yourself xx
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Hi there.
Thabks for replying. It’s a bit of everything I think. Worried I won’t wake up, the recovery, being bored at home etc. Xx
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@sybil79 I am in the reverse fear to you - as am now awaiting oconotype score and probably chemo which scares me silly! I had my therapeutic mammoplasty 16/12 and I had the Fear too. It turned out to be far better than expected, the nurses and surgeons were reassuring and kind, I very much liked the morphine hit prior to going to sleep and pain management post op work well. I took a good book, a fluffy blanket and extra pillow which kept me comfy whilst I waited preop. My only regret - my fluffy dressing gown (which I walked to the operating theatre in) could really have done with a wash (
) which I will make sure I do before heading back to surgery on Monday for them to clear my margins better. I am hoping second time around I will be braver and less tearful! Good luck - you’ve already done the really tough stuff in my opinion.
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Hope your surgery went really well today. I finished chemo Friday 23rd January and booked for surgery 3rd March. I could have written your post here, hope you’re recovering well x
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Hello there.
Aww thank you for your well wishes, that’s so kind.
I was a nervous wreck the days leading up & trying to get as much cleaning, washing & organising done as possible.
This morning I was due in for 11am but called around 9am asking if I could come earlier in because there was a cancellation. This threw me but I thought sod it & went. Arrived at 9.45am ish. Got there, cried & got in a state, calmed, cried & got in a state….just went on but to be honest. They gave me a Temazepam tablet which helped as they took me down to the anaesthetic room. Still a bit anxious so the kind anaesthetist gave me something straight in my cannula & to be honest within seconds I was all crazy & sleepy lol Then next thing I know as coming round I said “ I need to go to M&S for jam & marmalade” which the recovery nurse laughed at hahaha. He was lovely. Came round pretty quick. No sickness. Saw my surgeon & said all went well then back tk the ward & my incredible BC nurse was waiting to give a hug. I said “ I did it! I bloody did it” she gave me a gentle hug 
Tea, toast & a wee. The nurses helped me get dressed & went through all with me. I have 1 drain. Obviously I’m quite well drugged up so pain is really minimal right now. But I have everything at home to manage & keep on top off it.
I am so pleased my chemo & surgery is done. They nasty little bugger is out!
I can assure you, you’ll be absolutely fine. If you want any reassurance or questions answered (although hospitals & surgeons may be different in techniques & guidance) please just ask xxx
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Hi, how are you doing? I do have a few questions if that’s ok! Did you have full lymph node clearance? Are you managing the drain yourself or seeing district nurses? How are you doing with basic things around the house in terms of being able to use the arm on the surgery side and the other side? Also, were you given an anti microbial liquid soap to wash with before and after? Mine didn’t arrive in the post but I managed to get some from Amazon. Using it before surgery is fine but I’ve been told by the surgeon not to shower after and I think it’s going to be difficult to wash thoroughly and rinse properly just using the basin - I was intending to use bed bath wipes to avoid getting too wet. Did you get any explanation about washing before you left the hospital? Sorry that’s quite a lot! Hope you’re recovering well and feeling loads better for having it over with, hope you get good results from pathology too 
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Hi ya. Sorry only just seen this.
Yes I had all my lymph nodes out from underarm.
The drain although a pain is ok. You just have to be mindful it’s there. I was told I wouldn’t have to empty it so just let it do it’s job. No district nurse needed. Although yesterday I had to go up to the hospital (our BC unit is closed over the weekend otherwise I’d have called them) because the drain lost pressure & the tube pinged off 
and although I am due to see my surgeon/ nurse tomorrow I obviously needed it sorted. They were great & changed the bottle.
I wasn’t asked to use any hospital wash. Just shower & wash hair on the day of op.
Washing after, my eldest daughter helped me for a few days. We used the hand held shower to do my bottom half then sink for top half. After 48hrs I was told I could shower properly but not get the dressing soaking even though it’s waterproof so I tried to have my back to the water as much as possible. It is tricky not going to lie but just go steady. Need some help dressing but can do my skincare & put make up on!
In regards to pain & managing things, it just ached. Like I’d been on a chest press for a week! 
No actual pain. I just keep up with all the pain relief as advised & don’t wait for it to set in. I also have a course of antibiotics too.
First few days I had my eldest over who did so much for me, cleaning, washing loads, a bit of shopping etc but a few days after I was pottering about more with her help. And my mum has been helping or we have played Scrabble to keep busy! Day after I went out for a walk which done me the world of good. Since yesterday (Saturday) the aches I describe are getting better. I have a really good range of movement in my op side arm too. The exercises will help with this & I am so surprised how much more manageable I am finding this than I thought. I’ve been eating well, moving & everyday finding I can do more. Yesterday I got out with my husband after the hospital stop off! Just to get a bit of shopping, obviously he drove.
So all in all, good. Like I said earlier in message, I see my surgeon/ nurse tomorrow morning for a check up. Hoping the drain will come out but they know best. They said the output had to be 30 or under for 24hrs or more before they can do so. I think it might be but I need to check before I go to bed.
When is your surgery? Was it this week coming?
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Thanks so much for giving so much information, surgery is tomorrow morning and I’ve been really busy sorting everything out to be out of the house overnight (staying with my auntie to have someone during the night). Hope you’re doing really well xx
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You are so welcome.
Great you’re stopping over with your auntie even just for peace of mind
You are going to be fine though. I’m sure you’re feeling anxious & scared but try not to worry overly, you really will be well looked after by your team. I wish you all the best. Don’t forget to pop back here to let me know how you are once you feel up to it xx
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All done, feel fine, thanks so much for your support xxxxx
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Oh great to hear from you. Good you’re feeling ok. It’s not so bad is it. Not sure exactly what your op was but I just ache not stingy pain.
Rest, keep hydrated, eat well & take all your pain relief etc religiously. In a few days you’ll start to do more & more each day. But rest imbetween.
Bet you’re so glad it’s all done & dusted. Xx
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