Just a thought that might help others....

Earth_Sky

I had a Double Mastectomy April 9th. I was terrified with the Coronavirus & the surgery. The hospital would not allow anyone to be with me before, during, or after. My husband could only drop me off at the door. The doctor stayed in contact with my husband the whole time. The hospital actually assigned me a private nurse to sit with me before & after the surgery. Kimberly was actually holding my hand and when I work from surgery she was right there holding my hand. The hospital assured me of my safety and was kept me in a safe area the whole time. I so hope this helps so many of you who are pending a stay and so hope you get the treatment that I received. I would ask for it from the hospital if all else. No one should feel scared or lonely in this time.

I took only stuff that can go into a hot wash when I got home. including my bag/shoes that I took with me. A mask & gloves the whole time as well.

It is one thing to battle cancer and a nightmare to be doing it with the virus out there. Please stay safe and I wish you all only the very best.

HotFlashes

Hi, thanks for this! I'm having the same procedure on the 23rd and think it's terrifying enough under normal circumstances. My doctor assured me that they would keep my best friend informed throughout, let her know when she could come get me, etc., but I wish could have my phone with me while I'm waiting, at least! Just in case I need that last-minute pep talk. I hadn't even thought about Coronavirus being transmitted to or from my clothes and things...

How are you doing now? I hope you're recuperating well, getting the rest you need to heal!

MountainMia

I'm glad you had that reassurance and feeling of safety in a difficult time. My brother-in-law went to the hospital by ambulance this morning. He's in ICU and it's still not clear what is happening. My sister wasn't allowed to be with him and was told to go home. My understanding is he had one nurse with him all day, and she will be with him all day tomorrow. This will certainly help with his continuity of care.

toria1212

You are so courageous! I pray that you are resting and healing well. My lumpectomy is scheduled for May 11, and of course, I have no idea yet whether or not it will happen when scheduled. It is so comforting to hear that you were tended to and cared for well during your hospital stay.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and sending many positive thoughts xx

Earth_Sky

HotFlashes I am so sorry you are going thru this and with the Coronavirus as well. I so hope you have a nurse like me who sat with me the whole time I was waiting for surgery & to wake up having her holding my hand will forever be in my memory. They will take good care of you & will help you get back to your best friend. I made sure my hubby had someone be with him as well when waiting for the call from the doctor. He said it helped him a great deal.

I am doing okay. I have pain, but manage it with Tylenol. Lots of rest when I need it & walk about in the garden. Something that works for me also is lavender essential oil on a towel. I practice breathing exercises, count or do math in my head. it takes my focus off the pain to something else. I have learned it is okay to cry. So many on this board said Crying is part of the healing. If I want to cry I will cry like a girl. We earned it.

I get to see the doctor tomorrow to remove the drains. Keeping toes crossed on that one. I will get to see my chest for the first time as well. A little nervous for sure, but will take a deep breath & will embrace it. I decided to remain flat & will make plans for pretty camisoles full of lace. I love lace on my undergarments. No one can see it but it makes me feel good.

I wish you all the very best before, during and after your surgery. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. You are part of the Sister hood and we sisters stick together all the way.

I send you so many hugs and best wishes. (((((Huggggsss))))).

Earth_Sky

MountainMia Oh my goodness I am so sorry your Brother-in-law is in hospital. So stressful for you and the family for sure when you are told go home & we will call you. I am so glad he has a nurse with him. Our nurses in the hospitals are saints. They show such compassion and they really understand that at this moment and time that it is so important. As so many told me they went into nursing to give the care people need at that most important time of their life.

I will be saying prayers for you and the family today & everyday that all will be okay and he is home so very soon. Please keep me posted.

Sending many hugs to everyone there. (((Hugs)))

Earth_Sky

toria1212 Than you for the kind words. I am finding that the more I write about my experience the better. Trying to keep a journal through it all.

I am so sorry your having to have a lumpectomy. I so hope you get the surgery on the date scheduled. I really think waiting is the worst part. Breast Cancer is something I would never wish for anyone.

I would ask hospital for any extra support they can give you such as a nurse to be with you and to help reassure you on your stay. I had ask my doctor when & where will I be during the stay. Will I be far away from the Coronavirus patients and will I be in contact of nurses & doctors who are working with the Coronavirus patients. I was reassured that my doctors & nurses are kept in a save environment and I would be kept in safe zone. I was allowed to wear a mask when I wanted to and everyone around me had a mask on & there was constant hand washing at all times. Whenever someone enter the room the first thing I saw was hand washing. & as soon as they would get ready to leave more hand washing. They loved it when I would say can you help me get up so I too can wash my hands.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me. I wish you all the very best and many (((Hugs))).

HotFlashes

Thanks for the well wishes, Earth_Sky! Big hugs back at you .

I just found out that I will be allowed to bring my cell phone/have it with me after all, and most of the nurses I've interacted with so far have been very sympathetic and caring, so I'm hoping for the best. I'm glad your husband had some support, too, while waiting. I have to remind myself sometimes that those close to me are going through this, too, though obviously in a different way. No doubt this is one of the many reasons why I'm still single! ;-)

I'm so sorry you're in pain, even if it's "manageable." That seems the most we can hope for, which is still unfair somehow! But I'm glad you've found some ways to help you cope with it, both the physical pain and the psychological/emotional. You sound incredibly brave and strong, and sharing your thoughts/experiences on here--while you are in pain, no less--is proof of it! I'm also going to embrace any urges to cry, as well as release myself from any pressure to be "productive" during this time. Do you like doodling? If so, have you seen the Google Quick, Draw! game? (I can't link to it but the url is quickdraw[period]withgoogle[period]com.) It gets a bit repetitive after a while, but I find it a fascinating distraction to see what the AI recognizes and how other people draw the same things...

I'm going flat as well, so I hear you about that first look under the bandages. You've probably heard or read this before, but remember: it's better than it looks. You are on your way to being healthier than you were before! (This is what I plan on telling myself.) Soon you will be able to wear all the pretty, lacy things, so I hope you treat yourself to some new camisoles! Personally, I've always wanted a tattoo but could never decide what to get... Working around whatever scars I have could help me finally decide, and the decreased sensitivity on my chest has to be a bonus.

Good luck with the drains tomorrow! Let us know how it goes! xxo

Earth_Sky

Hello HotFlashes I am so glad you will have your cell phone with you and that your able to meet some of the Nurses. It so help with easing the unknown. Just breath, cry and do everything the doctor/nurses tell you to do. Right before I went into surgery I did mountain pose yoga in my bed just to clear my mind. A nurse held my and but it was perfect. You will do great.

Thank you so much for the complement. I live my life to inspire others & even when I feel a little down I still try to lift the spirits of others. It is the way I am programmed. When I inspire someone it lifts me up.

I will check out the URL for sure. I do a lot of instagram. (my account is _earth_Sky_) I usually pop one of my photos up with a inspiring message to others. some are short but my overall message is Find your zen of Happiness.

You will do great my friend and over time we will embrace our new look. You will have a cool tattoo and I will be rocking it in beautiful camisoles. We will look back and say what a journey we had and with all the pain of the unknown was so worth it for it made us stronger then we relized. Keep me posted on everything. and always reach out if you have any questions.

Many hugs and lots of positive energy as well. May you find that moment of Zen and lots of happiness as well.