Before Surgery

Hrv17

My surgery is next Monday (11/23) Is there anything you wish you could have done before surgery? I'm nervous to get this ball rolling but excited to have it out of my body! Worried they will find something else or more but I guess that's natural! Husband and I went away for a few days to a cottage to have some alone time. I read everyone's post and love all the support. I'm just so scared!

moth

You're having a lumpectomy IIRC? Really, it will be fine, you'll be fine.

Mine was day surgery. I even thought I would be able to attend a speech the following day (I had tickets and everything) and *that* was seriously silly, not because I was feeling ill but just because I was so sleepy so I couldn't go because I just wanted to sleep lol. I got up for meals and to use the bathroom and otherwise kind of slept for 24h. I walked as much as I could (up & down the hall) and then slept. The next day I was going outside for walks with my dogs.

If you don't get your pain prescription ahead of time, make sure you know where the pharmacy is which will be open around the time you get discharged - the surgeon gave us rx in post-op & dh dropped me off at home (adult kids were there to look after me) and then went to fill the rx. I get nausea from anesthesia and told the anesthetist this so they loaded me up with extra anti-nausea meds in the OR. I did take some disposable basins from post-op for the car, just in case but I was fine. Don't sign any legal documents & make sure you're not alone for 24h. The anesthesia meds can make your judgement pretty bad.

If you get some gel ice packs (approx 4x8) you might appreciate having them on hand. I used an oversized shelf type bra to hold the icepack. I bought something really inexpensive which I didn't care if it got stretched out or stained and just threw it out after.

It will be over before you know it!

MinusTwo

Hrv - there are lots of great threads under the 'surgery' section. Here is the link for tips.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics...

I found it useful to join one of the current threads just approaching or finishing surgery. Maybe November surgery or fall surgery. Helpful to go through it with other women on approximately the same time schedule.