Surgery December 2018

[reddi]

OMG Got moved to a side room and thought I'd get a delightful night's sleep. But then a disruptive patient got moved a couple doors down. The shouting! All night! Haven't got a wink. Knackered. Sod's Nod's law.

[MrsG1962]

Great to hear reddi, so pleased it all went well. Take care and have a good nights sleep xx Melanie

[reddi]

My op went well -- moved to ward around 2pm and now that OH has headed home, I'm settling in to drink some tea, read a book, and rest up.

I hope you're recovering well, @crochet addict!

[reddi]

@essexgirly2 Waiting for results is hard, and harder still at this time of the year. I try to find little bits of joy in each day, and then suddenly the time has passed -- but it's not always easy. I have found talking to a therapist to be immensely helpful, too; and while talking to someone about this may not come naturally, it could be a great way to release your frustration about the wait for results. And it's a bit like posting here -- but in person. I hope today is a little bit easier.

@crochet addict Godspeed today!

[essexgirly2]

Mrs G,. I am seeing nurse on 21st just to take the dressing off. I don't see surgeon until 28th to get my results. So merry Christmas to me .. not! So pleased you have had good news and are doing so well. I am trying hard not to get upset but sobbing is my default mode right now.. !

[MrsG1962]

Crochet addict will be thinking of you tomorrow and sending you huge virtual hugs and love.
At least once it’s done every day you’ll feel a bit better and be mending. Take care, hope you get some sleep tonight and let us know when you can how you’re doing xx Melanie

[MrsG1962]

Essex girly I’m so sorry you’re having a bad day hope the blow dry has helped lift your spirits. It’s my right arm that’s out of action and I’m right handed so really hadn’t realised I naturally hold my hairdryer in my left hand and brush in my right. My hair is no where near as well coiffed as normal but I had it cut so I could just blast it and fortunately it’s ok.
Can’t believe you have to wait until 21st, had my initial results today and all looks good. The tumours were scattered throughout the breast and total 3cm but it looks like they’ve got everything. Sentinel node was clear. Definitely no radiotherapy and 99% sure I won’t need chemotherapy either. Starting on Tamoxifen tomorrow. Consultant /surgeon is on holiday from tomorrow so she’d asked for the results to be rushed through. The MDT meeting is tomorrow so if they do decide I need chemo they’ll take me back off Tamoxifen but she doesn’t think it will be necessary.
Drains are still drawing a lot of fluid so think they will be in place for a while but I’m getting quite adept at changing them and recording the output ! All these new skills 😂😂😂. Had a huge hug from the surgeon today, she’s incredible, and so pleased with how my implant looks even though it’s much smaller. Not seeing her again until 9 Jan so it’s just me and the breast care nurse for the next few weeks.
Chin up, we are strong and we’ve got this xx

[willowherb]

Hi Crochet addict

My WLE/SNB was day case and all I took was (on the advice of my bcn as a just incase) - nightie, clean nicks and a toothrush in case an emergency  overnight stay was needed.

Never used of course! - so I had my kindle and my phone. Didn't bother with dressing gown and slippers as most of the time in own clothes until gowned and soxed ready for op and as all ladies together didn't need a dressing gown for the odd trip to the loo and used shoes as slipper substitute.  A cardie might be useful just to slip on top if a bit chilly

Didn't spend much time in gown after op as was up and dressed and out the door  in a couple of hours

You may need a bra you can get on easily for afterwards - I couldn't wear a normal bra for a couple of months till the snb scar settled so lived in crop tops which I could pull up from floor if necessary

HTH  and best of luck

[Tili]

Big hugs brave girls x

[ladybowler]

essexgirl

I am sorry that you are having a bad day today, a lot of it can probably be put down to the aneasthetic which stays in your system for a while and can cause you to feel low and tearful.  You may find, in your own time, that counselling will help you to come to terms with what has happened, it can help to talk to someone who is not connected to you in any way so you do not have to worry about upsetting anyone.

Just wanted to send you a nice gentle hug

Helena xxx

[essexgirly2]

Having a bad day today, lots and lots of tears.   Going to see nurse on 21st to have dressing off, I don't see surgeon for results till 28th(which is hard to bear) and appointment for prothesis on 25th January.   Got a blow dry booked at hairdresser this afternoon as I can't cope with the hairdryer.  Feeling very low, keep being told to have counselling but the last thing I can do is talk about it, or look at it.

[Beckett]

Hi all,
Good to hear that you seem to feel better quite rapidly after surgery.
Had my preop on Monday so just need to get my Christmas shopping finished and wait for 31st for my op.
I feel a bit detached from it all at the moment.
Becks xx

[essexgirly2]

Hi crochet addict, So good you don't have to wait another week, the waiting was the worst part for me I think.   I was in hospital for two nights and I found my pack of baby wipes most useful, also a 'Take a Break' magazine, cheesy, but the little puzzles were just enough to keep the fuzzy brain cells occupied!  

I had my drain removed today, by the district nurse! wow! ouch!!!

Now I am bathed, dressed,  got my softie in place and starting to feel more like my old self! 

Hi, Mrs G,  Hope all is well with you and you don't have to have the drains for much longer, mine was really hurting where it went in, such a relief to have it gone!

[MrsG1962]

Crochet addict That’s great news, I’m so pleased for you. To be honest I took far too much in with me, all I really needed was my slippers, my phone charger and power pack and a few toiletries as I was in overnight. The one thing I wish I’d had was a boiled sweet to suck ! My throat was quite sore from being intubated.
Been back to see my breast care nurse and surgeon today and doing so well I’m really chuffed. I have very sensitive skin and had unfortunately developed four hefty blisters under the strapping. They’ve removed the strapping and cleaned the blisters so feeling grand now. Very used to my drains now and wouldn’t be without my heart shaped pillow under my arm ( especially when I’m asleep ). With no strapping on now and my only dressing covering my drain site I feel really free and so much easier to move. Seeing surgeon again tomorrow but I’m managing everything fine.
Will be thinking of you on Thursday. Take care xx Melanie

[reddi]

@crochet addict Congratulations on the new date!

[crochet addict]

@Reddi thoughts are with you with the op, hope everything goes well. xx

essexgirly2 & MrsG1962 hope you are both recovering well. xx

I have just had a phone call from the hospital they have a cancellation for this thursday, I am over the moon only tomorrow to get through as apposed to another week. I'm only in for the day and my hospital letter might not arrive, apart from taking the obvious slippers, dressing gown can anyone recommend anything else to take. xxx

[reddi]

@crochet addict What a drag! Will you get to meet your new surgeon this week? I hope so.

@Magsv You're welcome!

@MrsG1962 A second thank-you for the Cancer Research pointer -- I suspect I won't finish hand-stitching my eye mask by Wednesday (can't find the elastic I bought for the strap!), so bought a plush back-up. Worst case, I find the elastic and sew up a storm and my OH gets it in his stocking.

@essexgirly2 & MrsG1962 Hope you're both cosily resting and recuperating.

[Magsv]

I'm really glad all December ops have gone well so far 👍.
Thank you as well for the the info 're websites reddi and Melanie.
I've just ordered pillows from Jen's friends. l don't have a paypal account but messaged them and was able to donate via bank transfer.
I've also ordered a few items from the cancer research shop. What a great find - can buy really useful things (and not just for hospital stays) 😍.

[crochet addict]

Essexgirly2
Glad to hear your op went well and you are home now. Wishing you a speedy recovery xxx

[crochet addict]

MrsG
Glad to hear all went well, wishing you a speedy recovery xxx

[crochet addict]

Hi Reddi

I hope everything goes well for you, will be thinking of you xx

My consultant meeting went ok but my operation has been put back to the 19th now. I'm anxious as i am to have a new surgeon and the consultant couldn't pronounce his name ! I'm sure all will go well it's just having another week of anxiety and trying to keep positive thoughts in my head.

[MrsG1962]

Essex Girlie fabulous to hear you’re home now relax and allow others to look after you for a while xx Melanie

[reddi]

@essexgirly2 Welcome home! I know you were worried about being discharged too soon, but you sound so much better now that you are home -- I am happy for you.

OH will adjust to the bed -- my OH and I had to do a similar swap midway through my chemo, and now I fear I won't ever get "my" side of the bed back!

[essexgirly2]

Just a quickie before I drag myself to bed!  I think I'll have the drain for a few more days, still oozing and very sore where it goes in on my left side.  I think it is just the drain that is giving me grief.

Journey home was bumpy, husband did his best but the potholes round here! OMG!  We have changed sides of the bed so I can sleep on my good side and can get out to the loo easier ... I don't know how he will sleep on the 'wrong' side! lol..

Best wishes to all... X

[MrsG1962]

Essex girlie I had the same problem with blood pressure, mines always low so ironically when they thought it was normal it was actually high for me but they didn’t seem to understand that.
Hope they get on top of your pain. It’s the drains I find uncomfortable they are just by my navel so catch every time I stand, sit or lie down. Have now sussed out how to lie on my good side in bed which helps. Also using an old fashioned wooden towel rail next to my bed for the drain bag. Loop the bag round the top a few times and I’m able to pull it really close so I can have more drain in the bed.
Only forgotten the drains twice but me and the drains survived 😂😂😂. Struggled going to the loo too until I moved the bag to hang round my neck so the drains are in front and dangle between my knees ( too much info I know but god it made a difference ).
My consultant is amazing she hugged me, hugged my husband and my brother and really made us feel like she cares. Hope you’re getting the same support. Take care and take everything at your own pace only you know how much you cannot can’t do xx Melanie

[MrsG1962]

Mags, Essex girlie and Reddi thank you all so much for thinking of me it has really touched me finding your messages.
Op went well, I had to go to the hospital for 7:15 and was met by the night nurses who wanted to introduce themselves as they would be looking after me that night. Anaesthetist then arrived swiftly followed by breast care nurse then my consultant and I’d barely had time to blink before I was on my way to theatre.
Consultant and anaesthetist came back to see me later that afternoon and both were really pleased how I’m doing
I’ve had the right side mastectomy, sentinel node removed and implant so have two drains in place.
Consultant came back Saturday morning and was pleased with how I was doing as was physio. Came home late Saturday afternoon, feel much better being at home. I’m so lucky I’ve no pain ( Essex girlie I’m heart broken for you the discomfort and tightness is enough without pain so dread to think how it is for you).
Can’t shower as I can’t use waterproof dressings but had a good wash down and had my hair washed so that made me feel better.
Stayed in pjjamas today as they are really comfy. Taking care of my own drains, both vacuum and really easy to change so all went well with that this morning.
Have been very nauseous but think it’s the anaesthetic, hope it’s not the antibiotics as I am allergic to most of those too. Not eating much at all, must be very naive as I hadn’t anticipated feeling unwell ! Nuts or what.
On paracetamol and ibuprofen and antibiotics but that’s it.
Seeing consultant Wednesday and breast care nurse Friday so going to have a couple of lazy days.
Before I went in I purchased a gift set from cancer research online specifically for mastectomies. Have a velvet heart shape cushion, a black cord drain bag, cushion to protect me from sestbelt and eye mask they’ve been a godsend.
Thinking of all of you who still have your surgery to come, stay strong ladies you are so much stronger than you think xx

[Magsv]

Oh dear Essexgirly 👎😪. I really hope you're feeling a bit better today and that the car journey is bearable. I think some staff just seem to have a better bedside manner than others - although I'm sure they all mean well 🤞. I'm the opposite to you and have high blood pressure - I'd be really upset if it was implied that I could somehow control it myself. Hopefully they'll give you some strong painkillers to take home? It doesn't sound like the usual over the counter stuff will be enough. I'm really hoping I don't have a drain. I'm not sure why they're used but when I mentioned it to the BCN she said they weren't used routinely in my hospital. I'll find out soon. It was difficult enough showering / washing hair after last 2 lumpectomies for the few days following surgery. Must be a nightmare with drains. Fingers crossed the district nurse removes yours when she visits?🤞
Big hugs - and I'll be thinking about you today. If you get a chance let us know how things are ❤xxx

[essexgirly2]

Hi Mags, Friday i was scared but the hospital staff were great, especially in recovery.  I was in a great deal of pain and had a big dose of morphine - i felt wonderful.  Today (Saturday) is a different story.  I have been nagged by nursing staff for low blood pressure! Not a lot i can do, it's always been like that!  Going home tomorrow. And will have ditrict nurses come in as i still have a drain. Very sore and had scant attention. They wantedme gone today but i could not stand the drive, every movementis painful and i am dreading getting in the car. I won'tget results till after Christmas. Feeling very low. Wish i could have a shower or even a wash. Excuse awful typing/grammar.  

[reddi]

@MrsG1962 and @essexgirly2 Seconding what @Magsv said -- and I hope you are recovering well today! I also hope any pre-surgery jitters have settled. I know I certainly wouldn't have signed up for this particular life event, and I'm feeling nervous, too. I think that's totally natural with such a major surgery -- major, no matter how much tissue is removed, because of the underlying reason for it as well as the effects the surgery has on both mind and body.

@crochetaddict How did your meeting with your consultant go? I hope you got all your questions answered. It seems we'll be the two in this thread having surgery this week -- though, of course, some late-comers might join our party. I'll be thinking of you on Wednesday. 

@Pulapula Our journeys seem to have been somewhat similar, with neoadjuvant chemo, then some choice between a very wide WLE and a Mx. And I, too, work for myself from home, and recovery was a factor -- though for me, it was more a factor in considering whether to go for immediate or delayed reconstruction. I just felt I'd like to try immediate, since I knew I wanted reconstruction and I'd prefer one big surgery to two. We'll see if my body agrees to that plan!

Apologies for being so quiet this week -- I've been busy consenting to surgery and going through pre-surgery assessment, with this coming week no better, with more pre-surgery bloodwork, Herceptin injection (first post-chemo), follow-up with oncology, and check-up with ophthalmology (for an inflammation in one eye that seems to be a side effect of chemo) squashed into Monday through Wednesday. So I may be quiet again til I'm discharged home next weekend. I'll be thinking of all of you and eager to hear reports when/if you're ready.

As to me, I've signed on the dotted line for the lumpectomy on the left and the mastectomy on the right with immediate reconstruction using a prepectoral implant. Fingers crossed, the implant will take and my margins will be clear, and at most I'll need a little lipo top-up surgery to balance things up in late 2019 or 2020. At this point, though, I'm prepared (as much as I can be) for any turn of events. 

@Magsv Thanks for your packing list. I think I've now got my list sorted, but I'll have to pare back a bit in order to fit it into a suitable bag: button-front PJs, thick nonslip socks (cold feet!), front-closing sports bra (probably not required in my case), drain dolly, earplugs, eye mask, toothbrush & toothpaste & hand sanitizer & moisturizer (for my post-chemo care regime), throat lozenges, dandelion tea bags, book, mobile phone & charger & extra battery & headphones, and thank-you card for the nurses on the ward (my mother was a nurse, which is why I do this). I'm hoping to wear in what I wear out, but if my shirt doesn't fit over the swelling and bandages, my stretchy jersey PJ top should.

I got some post-mastectomy pillows from the fabulous Jen's Friends (if you're having surgery, I highly recommend them -- they were great after my sentinel lymph node biopsies in the summer). However, I don't know that I can fit them in my bag, so either my OH half will need to bring them to me in the ward after surgery, or I'll just leave them at home. (I have to report at 7:30am, so I'm going in on my own -- my OH is not a morning person.)

One nice early present: I found out that I'll only have drains on the mastectomy side, and I'm being given a type that I don't empty myself: they're vacuum-sealed, so if they get full, I have to go into the hospital to have them emptied. I'm going to have to be sure I know what to do if they need attending to on the holidays, especially as both my surgeon and my breast care nurse will be on annual leave. Tis the most wonderful time of the year!

[Magsv]

Thinking of you both today Melanie and essexgirly 

I hope your ops went ok? 🙂

Mags xxx

[Pulapula]

Thanks jane. I think I will have mx and recon as it just feels like I’m reducing the risk of recurrence. It will be a longer recovery but I work for myself from home so I can hopefully work when I feel ok and rest when I don’t.

[Janie123]

Hi Pulapula,

Welcome to the forum. I send my best wishes to you, and can empathise with your dilemma as to the best option. I had a triple positive tumour, but, although it completely resolved with chemo, I had a large area of dcis, so a mastectomy ended up being my only option. I still need radiotherapy to prevent recurrence, so I wasn't able to have an immediate implant. Although I wasn't happy about having a mastectomy, I did feel pleased to think that I am cancer free, as my nodes were negative too.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Jane xx

[Pulapula]

Hi ladies, I thought I should come and join you. Here’s my journey so far:

I found a lump in July and was diagnosed in August with triple negative IDC measuring about 30mm.

Had a SNB in Sept (nodes tested negative) and started FEC chemo 2 weeks later. Had my last chemo on 22 Nov and mri last Friday. Just been for my results today.

Although my tumour could no longer be felt it still is about 24mm in length. My surgeon said I could choose between lumpectomy or nipple sparing mastectomy with implant.

My surgery is booked for 21 Dec and I go back on Monday to discuss and decide with my BCN.

Im thinking mx at the moment, as I worry about recurrence as I’m triple negative.

Now I really need to get organised with buying and wrapping presents, food shopping etc as I’ll be out of action from 21st!!

[MrsG1962]

Hi Mags, it is strange isn’t it how different it feels once the decision is made. Will certainly let you know how I get on and if I have any tips ( or things I wish I’d taken in with me ) I will let you know.

take care xx Melanie 

[MrsG1962]

Hi Essex Girly I’m so pleased you’ve managed to get the guidance and advice you needed. Must admit my surgeon is brilliant, I’ve got so much confidence in her, so when she told me it was non negotiable and I have to have a mastectomy and loose my nipple I felt really calm about it. Funny how once the final decision is made you get an almost serenity and ability to concentrate on what needs to be done.

Good luck for the radio active dye and for Friday and let’s both look forward to Friday night when we can actually get some sleep xx Melanie 

[essexgirly2]

Hi Magsv, I feel we have been down a very similar path in the way we have agonised over what choice to make, but, as I have explained in my post to Mrs G.   I really just wanted some 'guidance' which I got today, and now I am happy (well, as happy as I can be about losing a breast) but at least I am not sobbing every half an hour like I have for the last couple of weeks!

I was told that the recovery was very similar in both operations, drains with both, but I am not worried about a night or two in hospital, I worry more about being sent home 'not quite ready' as happened with my hysterectomy 25 years ago (I ended up in hospital for another week after being sent home too early)

I want to 'move on'.   We get the keys to our new house on Thursday and I get my op on Friday!!  I want to be free of this thing so that in the new year we can look forward, no more worry about 'is it going to come back' and all that.

I will never know, maybe a lumpectomy would be ok, but do I want to take the chance? or be in and out of hospital for goodness knows how long?  No, I have songs to sing and places to go... life is too short! 

After so much agonising I am so happy to be calm and be 'myself' again!

Wishing you all the best for your New Year op.

[crochet addict]

Thank you so much for your advice, after spending hours trying to read up on diagnosis and treatment you start to feel quite insecure. I will be spending more time on this forum and less on google. xx

[essexgirly2]

Hi, Mrs G!  snap!   

My BCN arranged a quick meet with the surgeon today ... I finally got what I wanted, he said 'if you were my wife or daughter I would want you to have a mastectomy'  really, that was what I wanted to hear, its all very well saying to us, 'you choose' but my head has been bouncing between the decisions and I felt I was going nuts!!  I know it may sound daft to be pleased to be having a mastectomy, but I am now calm in my mind. 

Yes they offered options, but I do not want to be going back for more surgery and I do not want to be getting an implant replaced when I am 80!   He did say that one area would be easy to find but the other one would be 'challenging' and that he was not sure if something was 'going on' between the two areas of calcification.  He also said he was not sure what the cosmetic appearance would be like.  So I am thinking, and knowing, that a mastectomy will give me peace of mind and no further operations.

Good luck to you on Friday.

[Jobey68]

Hi and welcome to the forum, I think Stereo is referring to a wire they insert in to the area to be removed, Im sure they call it a stereo wire. I had one Inserted and it's done via ultrasound with local anaesthetic so it wasn't painful, it does hang out of you like an Ariel which would explain the term stereo! 

This stage is very stressful and your nerves will be shredded but it becomes easier the more you find out about your treatment plan, its best to just deal with the facts and not to speculate about the things you don't know yet, it only adds to your anxiety and isn't helpful. 

There will always be someone around to listen and help answer any questions for you Xx Jo 

[crochet addict]

Hi I'm new here and am due to have WLE with targeting clip on the 12th December, I have been diiagnosed with pleomorphic LCIS which from what i have read up on is treated the same as DCIS. I am due to see consultant on 6th December and my nerves are shattered already. 

Silly question but does anyone know what stereo WLE mean does it mean two incisions ?

This forum is amazing, it's uplifting reading other peoples experiences and everyone is so helpful. xx

[Magsv]

Hi Melanie,

Good luck with the op on the 7th! Please let me know how it goes, and if you've any retrospective advice about what to take to hospital - and things to prepare for post-op 🙂

Magsxxx

[Magsv]

Hi Essex Girly, I can understand your dilemma as I also agonised over my decision about whether to have 2 WLEs for one definite High Grade DCIS and the removal of a further suspicious area (like you, there was a third area which was biopsied, but mine showed up to be benign so wasn't removed) or a mastectomy. I hated having to make the decision, as I wanted the 'experts' to advise.

I - eventually! - made the choice to have the 2 WLEs followed by sessions of radiotherapy to kill off any remaining areas as this seemed to work when I had my first bout of breast cancer in the opposite breast 3 years previously. I also had 2 nodes removed. The weekend before the op, I made up my mind that I was going to phone up the BCN and tell her that I'd changed my mind and would just go for the mastectomy after all. I didn't, though, because I worried about having a bigger op with possible drains to cope with afterwards, as well as an overnight hospital stay instead of being a day surgery case.

That operation was in October, and I've now decided to have the mastectomy after all - hence the New Year's Eve op date. I made the decision because of conversations with the BCN when I received my pathology report which said that there was a very small residual bit of DCIS remaining in the anterior margin. It didn't seem to worry the surgeon, but he did offer to go back in and remove it in a simple 15 min. op. I also worried about the 3rd area showing up as benign which wasn't removed - 'what if it wasn't really benign?' kept going around my head.

Anyway, my BCN said that it was important for me to 'move on' and maybe the only way for me to do that was to have a mastectomy. Again, the decision was mine. This time, though, I instinctively knew that I was now ready to do that. I'm mentally prepared for the op now (well - not the op, but the loss of a breast!). The BCN really hit the nail on the head with the 'moving on' bit. Apparently there's no survival difference to each op decision, but if I'm going to always be wondering instead of just puting this behind me (again) and getting on with life then a mastectomy it needs to be. And now I won't need radiotherapy either.

I had the choice of lumpectomy and follow-up radiation or mastectomy with my first (invasive) cancer 3 years ago, and after agonising over the decision, decided on the lumpectomy. I put it all behind me after the op and just got on with life. That breast is fine now and this other one probably would be as well ... but decision has been made 🙂

Mags xxx

[MrsG1962]

Hi Essex Girlie,I’m having my injection Thursday and my mastectomy Friday too. Not sure if it helps but I have two lumps both 6-8mm one is invasive lobular and the other invasive tubular they are 4mm apart. I was given no choice but to have a mastectomy. I tried really hard to have lumpectomies but for my surgeon it was not negotiable, I also cannot have nipple sparing surgery but am having reconstruction with implant done at the same time.

I’m sure you wouldn’t have been offered the option to not have a mastectomy if they weren’t confident this course of treatment would be ok for you.

I’ve been so strong throughout my diagnosis, carried on with life as normal but today it’s hit me like a freight train. I’ve been so busy getting the house ready and doing all the Xmas prep I’ve not seriously thought about it until today. Guess I knew it would hit me eventually. We’ve got this girl, it’s **bleep** but **bleep** happens and we can look forward to being waited on through Xmas. Take care xx Melanie 

[essexgirly2]

Hi, I am due to have two WLE's to one breast, on Friday 7th, I had my pre-op assessment today and am not coping at all well, my anxiety levels are through the roof.

I have two areas of High grade DCIS, I am to have the wires inserted with the aid of mammogram as the markers are very difficult to see.  On Thursday I am going in for the dye injection as I am having sentinel node and one other removed.  If I am going to change my mind I need to do it now?!!

I am very frightened, since my surgeon said that he thinks 'something else might be going on between the two areas' - which are 6 cms apart.

I chose WLEs because I wanted to try to save my breast but now I am wondering if I made the right decision, I have agonised over this for a month now!   I just don't want to have a mastectomy to be told afterwards that there was nothing more than the two small areas of calcifications they saw on the mammogram, but then again I don't want to have to have another operation in the New Year because they could not get good margins and/or the nodes are nasty.... I also wonder which operation would be the easiest to recover from?   In a way I would love someone to say 'you MUST do this ... or that..'  My mental state is really not good right now, I am not sleeping, there are just so many unanswerable questions going round and round in my head.

[Magsv]

Well reddi - until now I've only concentrated on the obvious things (V-shape pillow, front fastening pjs, bra, going home shirt etc. ect). I'm actually very new to planning for an overnight hospital stay as my previous surgeries were lumpectomies - so both day surgery cases.
I have had a thought though about the follow-up GP nurses care. The previous 2 times I was very happy that the hospital arranged for practice nurses to visit me so that they could check wounds and change dressings etc. This time, I'll be discharged during a major holiday period (everything closes in Scotland at New Year) so I think I'll phone my GP surgery soon and try to organise the visits myself just in case. I really appreciated being looked after so soon after going home last 2 times - I'm a real coward when it comes to looking at own op sites ... I need to psych myself up for it 😳😅

[reddi]

Hi Mags and Beckett! We're all three of us old hands, thus far. I am somewhat envious of your NYE surgery dates -- neither my OH nor I are big fans of the night, and I bet the surgical ward will be quiet (though perhaps depends on who comes into A&E!).

Mags, as the veteran, is there anything off the beaten track that you're packing in your hospital overnight bag?

[Beckett]

Hi Mags and Reddi,
I too am having a mastectomy on New Year's Eve. At least I get to enjoy Christmas! Just finished 5 months of chemo. I can't have immediate reconstruction due to radiotherapy after the op. I have a meeting with the breast nurse this week to discuss the op.
Mine is a grade 3 triple negative tumour that was 83mm to begin. Had final MRI last week.
I feel ok about it at the moment but that may change!
Becky x

[Magsv]

Hi Reddi,

I got my date this week for my right breast mastectomy (going flat, so no reconstruction). It's on the 31st December, so will be bringing in the (Scottish) new year a little differently in 2019!

I had a lumpectomy on the left breast 3 years ago (nipple couldn't be spared) and on a routine follow-up mammogram in May of this year, an area of high grade DCIS was found. To cut a long story short, after lots and lots of needle guided biopsies and MRI procedures, I had 2 WLEs and SNB in mid Oct. The pathology report showed up more areas of high grade and an area of DCIS still remaining in the anterior margin of one. Hence the decision to have the mastectomy.

If I had my way I'd have had a double mastectomy, but this wasn't considered necessary by the hospital team. I'll keep chasing it up once I've had this latest op.

I think I'm organised with everything I need post op - thanks to the great advice I've had from the ladies on here 🙂

You seem to have prepared yourself well for your procedure. Like you, I'm very thankful for the help and advice I've received from others who've actually experienced this.

Mags xxx

[reddi]

I thought I'd start a thread for those of us having surgery in December 2018.

I was diagnosed back on 2d May with bilateral breast cancer and have just finished neoadjuvant chemotherapy (right breast is HER2+, but no lymph nodes are involved, per sentinel lymph node biopsy done back in June before I started chemo).

I had my post-chemo MRI yesterday, 29 Nov, and my team will review the response to the HER2 antibodies on Monday, with the goal to confirm & consent to the surgery plan on Wed, 5 Dec, with surgery on Thu, 13 Dec -- assuming my immune systerm has recovered adequately from chemo and my (new) surgeon can slot me into her schedule. (By chance, I was initially assigned to a surgeon at my hospital who doesn't do oncoplastic procedures, and just got transferred to a colleague.)

The tentative plan is a nipple-sparing lumpectomy on the left for a 14mm mucinous invasive ductal cancer lesion (ER+ 8/8, PR+ 4/8, HER2-) and a nipple-sparing mastectomy on the right for IDC-no special type and extensive DCIS measured at about 63mm on MRI (IDC is ER+ 8/8, PR+ 6/8, HER2+), with immediate reconstruction using a prepectoral implant, meaning the implant will be place over rather than under the chest muscle.

I'm a small cup, and also a keen walker and freelance/self-employed, and I'm thinking this reconstruction option would afford less time off recovering and less time off work, plus it will also leave my tissue donor sites intact should I need to have future mastectomy of the left breast and/or if the reconstruction of the right breast doesn't take. During the surgery, they'll take some tissue from the right nipple, and if it tests positive for cancer, the nipple will be removed in a subsequent procedure; same story for the left breast if they don't get clear margins. This is still all to be confirmed -- until a couple days ago, I thought I may only be able to have delayed reconstruction, and it wasn't clear if either nipple might be spared in the first round of surgery. The plan may very well change -- and at this point, I've wrapped my head around that. (Counselling has helped.) 

Anyone else scheduled for surgery in the next weeks? Fabulous timing, isn't it?

I suspect for many of you, surgery will be the first step in your treatment journey. I feel like an old hand at this point -- since I got my referral to the breast clinic back in early April 2018, eight months ago, I've been reading up. More important, I've been given the gift of amazing help, guidance, and support from dozens of people on various Breast Cancer Care forums. We can and will do this, together.