Surgery 15th July

[louby_lou69]

@Wendy_ 

Thank you for your kind words.

I just want the cancer gone. I too have had a rush to get sorted for Monday. Medical stuff and home stuff as I can’t lift anything heavy for a couple of weeks and can’t drive for 3- 4 weeks. 

[Wendy_]

Thanks @Lemonsqueezy 😊 I think my husband’s starting to get really anxious now so I’m now reassuring him which also distracts from my anxiety! It’s funny how this journey is so different for us and our nearest and dearest….. We’re going through the same challenge but our fears are very different 😢

[Wendy_]

Hey @louby_lou69 - saw your message that your surgery’s been brought forward. Wishing you all the best for Monday 🤗 Let us know of it goes.

It’s been crazy hectic for me the past few days fielding I don’t know how many phone calls from the hospital as they suddenly got in to a tizz about the fact I had COVID a month ago. I now have to get tested today and Monday to confirm I’m clear, and it was doubly confusing because my surgery is being done in a private hospital but with the NHS team and neither hospital seemed to know each other’s policy on this! So after ten weeks of waiting for my full diagnoses and finally getting to surgery it’s turned into a very hectic and chaotic run up! Oh well, I suppose it’s distracted me from my surgery phobia! 🙂

[louby_lou69]

My lumpectomy is now on Monday. I’m pleased and want the cancer gone.

Im not scared about the operation, it’s the chemotherapy I’m terrified of 

[ZippyZoo]

Hi Louby Loo, I've just re read the posts and realised you've already experienced general previously so i was getting the messages mixed up. You've also said it was like an amazing sleep too. Well hopefully if anyone else is reading my message prior to their first surgery this might help them. I know i scoured the website for someone who had gone through it before me so hopefully this will be some comfort to others in the same position xx

[ZippyZoo]

Hi Louby Lou, hope you didn't mind me joining in the convo as i see you have your lumpectomy on 10th Aug so just wanted to say re my experience as well if it helps. It was very positive one too.

I've had a dentist phobia for years due to my fear of local - takes ages to numb me then they seem to give me too much so half my face feels numbs for the day and i felt I was a bit of an inconvenience for dentists and my reactions to local. So the thought of general was one of my worst fears. I spoke to my consultant, nurse, anaesthetists and probably anyone who would listen lol to my fears. They were very reassuring. I also looked up positive experiences on here and anywhere i could find positives about it. At times i honestly didn't think i would be able to do it without having a total panic and wondered how an earth am I going to do this. But I did it and in hindsight it was no way as scary as i thought. Like Lemonsqueezy said, I'd have one no problem now. You are so well cared for by the team. My memories are my legs feeling a bit tingly then i took a few breaths through the mask they gave me and next thing i was being wheeled out. I didn't believe they had even started but it was all over. I was up out of my bed walking (well staggering like I'd had a few too many wines!) to the loo within 20 mins and Like many others I've not had to take any pain killers. Obviously everyone recovers differently and there is no right or wrong but it was not the scary experience i thought it would be. For me i felt like I'd had a fantastic sleep and whatever is in the anaesthetic made me very feel good indeed. I hate taking any drugs, paracetamol is my limit and i did worry i might feel a bit loopy with the anaesthetic (my fear of being out of control) but i can now actually see how people can get addicted to feel good drugs!! I didn't feel loopy, well not that i was aware of anyway!! So from my experience and from what I've read from others when it comes down to it, it's actually far from scary. The worst bit is worrying and wondering beforehand as it's an unknown if it's your first general like mine was but the reality was far far less scary than i imagined. Hope that helps in some way. You've got this xx

[Lemonsqueezy]

Oh @Wendy_ it's horrid isn't it and really annoying! I've heard so many good things about hypnotherapy though, so fingers crossed it takes some of the edge off for you. Honestly, if I had to have surgery again I wouldn't be in the tizz I was. Phobias just create all these dreadful scenario's that are really just stories in our mind. 

Wishing you well lovely, keep me posted!! x

[Wendy_]

So glad you are feeling better Robyn, and thanks for posting. I too was freaking out about the surgery when I was first diagnosed, but I have done some hypnotherapy sessions and I really think they have helped... Saying that, I am starting to get anxious now that surgery is just a week away, but it does feel good to feel I have made some progress on what has been a lifelong phobia (i.e. surgery). Still, I think those looking after me next week will be similarly earning their wages when I rock up, hopefully in not too  much  of a tizz... 🤞

[Eglis]

@louby_lou69 
Triumph also do a really comfy soft bra with no scratchy seams.  
Good luck 

[Lemonsqueezy]

@louby_lou69 ask away lovely!

I'm wearing a cotton post surgery bralet type of thing as I had no idea what to get! I'm finding they work for me, enough support without any poky bits and comfy to sleep in. https://www.next.co.uk/g25215s18/679339#679339  

I can drive two weeks after surgery. No lifting in those two weeks either, heavy washing baskets, shopping etc. I took the washing in from the line yesterday and it must of taken me 15 minutes just going backwards and forwards with each item 😂 still I don't have much else to do so I don't mind.

Robyn x

[louby_lou69]

Hi Robyn

i don’t have anything planned for 2 weeks after surgery but I’m having chemo mid September so need to get organised for that. 

Ive bought a couple of shirts as I’ve heard they’re easiest to manage. What type of bra are you wearing?

When have they said you can drive? 

Sorry for all the questions 

Lou x

[Lemonsqueezy]

Thanks Louby x 

I was given the choice to stay in overnight, which is what I did. I just felt more assured in hospital and my family could get a good night's sleep without worrying to look after me. I've also taken it really easy and am healing well. If you can, clear your diary and keep everything to a minimum after. 

Please keep me posted x 

https://robyn-may.blogspot.com/ 

[louby_lou69]

Glad it went well Robyn.

I have my lumpectomy on the 10th August so I'm right behind you.

[Lemonsqueezy]

Thank you so much to all of you with your practical, helpful support. I won't lie, I was a mess on the day 😆 The staff were incredible and consoled and comforted me. My surgeon was also amazing. She held my hand and kept talking to me while the anaesthetist did his bit. I remember waking up crying saying "Am I okay?" all the time. I made the staff earn their wages that day I tell ya 😂

But if I have to have any more surgery I won't be as terrified. I'm a week post surgery now, my dressings were removed today and I've had hardly any pain at all. 

Thank you lovely ladies x

My blog: https://robyn-may.blogspot.com/ 

[louby_lou69]

@Lemonsqueezy 

I hope your operation went well. And you are now at home recovering. I'm having a lumpectomy on 10th August. I'm nervous but know I'm in safe hands.

I had a hysterectomy in 2017 so I know how weird that feeling is when they put you under. It's such a strange sensation. But it is an amazing sleep.

Lou x

[Eglis]

Hello lemonsqueezy

I did lots of yoga breathing exercises - breathing down into the belly.

I also found Adriene yoga for anxiety on you tube to be really helpful.  I‘m convinced this stopped me being nervous on op day.

When my children are nervous about things like vaccinations, I use lavender drops.  Pop a few drops on a hanky and keep smelling it.  Lavender candles or drops on an infuser are also good.

Play solitaire on your phone - it’s a good distraction 

All the best to you 

[LouJP]

Hi Lemonsqueezy

I had my lumpectomy on the 13th July last year (in the pandemic).

Like you I was worried about surgery as at 54, had never been put under before and I did stop them before they put in the sedation to make sure there was no way I would wake up mid surgery - I can laugh now!  The next thing I know I was coming round and I was desperate for a cup of tea.

I repeatedly told them I was anxious and everyone was lovely and reassuring.

I had a drain when I woke up which I had been warned about but I was well looked after and went home that evening (after more tea and toast).

I also understand the control thing - the weirdest part was being 'out' for 2 hours literally as it's something you have no idea of what was happening but it was a nice sleep.

Good luck and please let us know how you are.

Louise xxx

[Tricks24]

Hey LemonSqueezy 🦹🏼‍♀️

Try Fearne Cotton’s books Quiet, Calm and Happy.  There’s lots of little exercises probs would go thro in that order xx Also Calm app is fab or it works for me 😉 short 10mins meditations and Jackanory story telling to help you nod off xx

Any surgery is daunting, I was agog at the detail my surgeon’s gone thro so far (SNB on 16th then MX & recon early Aug) I found myself asking if he could actually do it?? And without a pause, eye roll or snigger he simply looked me in the eye and kindly and confidently said ‘this is what I do’ those words calmed me.

We’ve got this, together 🦹🏼‍♀️🦄💕

Trick xx

[Lemonsqueezy]

My lumpectomy is booked for 15th July. I'm not as worried about the after and I expect to be sore etc. I'm just terrified of surgery. It's getting me down and I have a week left to go. My brain goes to the terrible places of "what if's ... " and I find it hard to quieten these thoughts down.  It's the feeling of lack of control I hate, my life being in other people's hands. I had a difficult childhood and find it hard to trust in others. Any words of wisdom or advice please? I'm not sleeping.