Hello @Fiveoclocksomewhere Thanks for the tag - and gentle reminder that I should be posting my update! So here I am, out on the other side, day 10 post-op, and all is good 😊 Firstly, I must thank all you brave warriors who did this before me and provided SO MUCH comfort, support, advice, encouragement and reassurance to help me through. You were all amazing. Thank you. Secondly, to all the newbies joining this scary journey that they never thought they have been on - you will be absolutely fine. Stay strong and be positive. The worst bit is definitely the week or so before the surgery. Fear of the unknown. Your mind is in turmoil. Keep busy, catch up with friends and enjoy life. Going into hospital is scary especially when you’re on your own and knowing there’s no visitors because of Covid. Don’t pack too much - you don’t need half of it. Usual toiletries, dressing gown and slippers, phone charger with a LONG lead, and your bras and knickers as recommended (couple of each) and a button up nightshirt for when you come out of the hospital gowns. The best thing I took (and definitely my top tip!) was a large sports top drinking bottle (with an integral straw) that you can drink from lying down without any strain whatsoever, and without any spills! I also had a facial mist spray which was refreshing and cooling. I packed a little sports rucksack and made sure all my ‘essentials’ were in it before I went to theatre - all the things I thought I might want in the first day or two without having to ask the nurses to scavenge through my suitcase every time. (Water bottle, facial mist, phone and charger, headphones, lip balm, baby wipes, tissues, book, notebook and pen, specs, boiled sweets and flapjacks) So I arrived at the hospital at 7.10 am and was in theatre by 8.30 so there was no dithering about. Everyone was very kind and calming. Plastic surgeon drew all over my boobs and stomach - looked like a child’s treasure map! (X marks the spot!) And then gown and compression socks and off to theatre. Chat to a lovely nurse and anaesthetist while they prepare everything and then ‘whoosh’ you’re fast asleep. Next thing they’re waking you up and they’re telling you that you’ve had your operation and you’re asking what time it is and working out how long you’ve been asleep! There’s lots of dressings, drain in my left boob, drain in my right side, catheter, oxygen cannula in my nostrils. But it’s all ok. I could even manage to text my husband, sons and a couple of friends to say I’d done it! The nurses are checking you every 15 minutes and that’s ok too. It’s quite reassuring to be so well looked after. Drink loads of water - as much as you can (especially while you’ve got the catheter in and don’t have to worry about getting up). You’re wrapped in a heated plastic inflatable cover - it’s very hot but not unpleasant. Take all the painkillers that are offered - don’t wait till till you think you need them as that means you’re in pain. And if you need extra in between just ask. It is a painful operation and I’ll be honest, the first couple of days are tough, but work with the nurses to make sure you have good pain control. It can be done! You will need the laxatives too though (and fig rolls and dried apricots also help!) Had my op on Thursday and was sitting out in a chair for a couple of hours on Friday afternoon. Couldn’t have even imagined that on Friday morning. Had this absolute fear that my body would rip in half at every movement - once you realise it hasn’t you can then concentrate on your breathing and you’re little shuffling movements guided by the nurses who know exactly what they’re doing. Trust them. So Friday afternoon the heated cover goes, the oxygen goes and I’m eating shepherds pie for supper. Saturday morning out comes the breast drain and the catheter. Going to the toilet the first time was like running the London Marathon (not that I have) - it was a challenge and a struggle but a huge sense of achievement. It got a little bit easier every time. Sunday they said I could go home but I did decline their offer. I was geared up to go home Mon/Tue and had support in place. I didn’t want to jeopardise anything and felt I needed to be stronger, more mobile and pain to be fully under control. Stand your ground if you need to - don’t push yourself. I felt much better on Monday and was ready to go home. You need lots of pillows and cushions for the car journey. And then you go home, go to bed and get looked after. It’s your turn now after all those years of looking after everyone else. I’m lucky to have family - get a friend to stay a few days if you haven’t. I came home with abdominal drain in (called her Daisy) and kept her in a cloth shoulder bag next to me. Went back to the hospital on Thursday and had dressings changed and the drain removed. Felt much better once the drain was gone. Pain relief was immediate. Have a bit of a wound infection so on antibiotics for that and I go back again next Wednesday. But I’ve done it. Not only has the wretched cancer been removed (first priority) but looks like I have a neat firm boob and a tighter flatter tummy than I’ve ever had! Still taking things one day at a time and enjoying being kind to myself and NOT feeling guilty. (Ignoring the gentle bickering between my husband and sons about ‘whose turn it is’, ‘whose mess it is’ and chuckling quietly that they’ll just have to get on with it!) Be brave. Stay strong. Think positive xxx
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