Too early for April 2012 mastectomy?

Three more days of waiting for me and then the big day. Almost want to get it over with at this point.

I have a whole list of things I have to do but lets face it, it all isnt going to get done anyway.  Good luck to all.

Carol 

rtnyc - I'm kind of in the same boat as you.  Stressfull job, involved with multiple high profile projects, absolutely no way to "fly under the radar" with my surgery and needed recovery, followed by more surgery for reconstruction.  I sat down with my boss earlier on and let her know what my BC might entail, then provided more detail once my decision was made to go with a BMX.  Everyone, from the VP on down has been very supportive of my decision and my need to take time off to recover from my surgery.  In fact, they're concerned I will try to come back to work too soon and not allow myself enough time to heal.  I've learned I need to trust what they are telling me and know that others will step in while I'm out. Like you, I have good benefits, so don't need to worry about loss of income.  My plan at this point is to return part-time after about 3 weeks post-surgery, then full time within the next week or two after that.  Then, I'll need to take another week or so off for my TE's.  All to say, my boss understands there will be some stops and starts with this, but also knows I will give 110% when I can.  I do think it will help me to be back to work in between surgeries so I feel like I'm at least contributing and not getting too far behind on projects, etc.  At least that's my plan at this point.        

Keonghi , I am in your pocket today . Hugs to you . hopefully soon you will be resting peacefully on the other side ... xoxoxo

Hope all you other ladies are feeling better .

Rtnyc , I am so worried I am going to be replaced at my job although I dont have a corp job . I do private duty nursing for a man who had a traumatic brain injury and is in a coma . I have been with him about 2 years now. so scared of loosing my job . I hope to push myself to get better as fast as I can . I know the hours though as I work 8 am to 8 pm .. good luck with ur decisions . Hugs 

Diana rose . I feel for you . I have no clue if they will find anything more or if nodes will be posotive . so I need to wait for final path report after surgery , at this point.. I am so depressed my daughter has just put me through a crazy emotional few days , I feel so bad that I want to smoke and drink .. I am almost 10 months sober and I am 6 weeks free of cigs ... I feel so sad like I just want to lay down and not wake up ... I pray all the best for you 

Lisamarie

My daughter has given me a hard time also and I think underneath of it all they are concerned they may get it also, she is being self absorbed while my son is being an angel helping me all the time and getting on to her for being like she is. Girls are harder to deal with, just know it will be over soon and you can smack her butt soon, at least that makes me smile thinking about it.

LisaMarie68 - so sorry you are depressed.  reach out to friends (and to us).  i know you know that cigarettes and alcohol will  not make you feel better, probably a lot worse.  I've given up alcohol in advance of surgery.  i miss it  but i know it will not ultimately make me feel better.  I have started meditating and am trying to excercise.  also have taken 1/2 klonpan when i feel crazy stressed. a friend turned me on to a meditation at www.healfaster.com  it is very relaxing.  i recommend it to all.

Re: the work conversation.  I am an independent consultant...so when i am not working, the work DOESN't get done. I've had to cancel/delay a bunch of work scheduled for april/may/june time frame.  but at the end of the day, everyone understood that i need to get healthy and has been very supportive.seems like this is the one time in all of our lives that we need to put ourselves first.  a hard thing for women, moms, wives, and good employees.  but we need to take care of ourselves in the same way we'd take care of our children. 

My deal with my daughter is that she lives in NC with her dad , she is 17 years old . and the past and the divorce is always very ugly when it gets discussed as well as hurtful , so her visit has been so emotional . I think sometimes kids never realize how much u actually love them .I get so tired trying to how them as well . I must admit I never hit my kids ever .. but boy she came close to me wanting to knock her head into a wall.. she is going back to NC tonight but I am working my 12 hour shift ar work today so the last time I saw her was yesterday .I must admit I miss her already . 

FLislander . glad u are doing well I worry about the pain and all . I am single and live alone , but my Mom is a RN and she is coming from Las Vegas to be with me for a week then my oldest daughter said she will take days off work if I need her after my  mom leaves ..Jeeze I really just wanna give up and smoke  

Plymouthpeople - I had a BMX without immediate reconstruction which is why I was able to get off pain meds so quickly. I plan to get my TE's in in about 6 weeks....this is how both my BS and PS prefer to handle it. I'm still on ibuprofen to help with some residual discomfort, but all in all feel pretty good. Since you're getting TE's in at the same time you'll probably be on pain meds a bit longer.

DianaRose , my daughter and son live in Salisbury NC thats like 45min north of Charlotte . I am sorry your daughter cannot be there for u . my mom is retired RN ... but I cant imagine anyone else helping me .. ( i need my mom for this )  Hugs xoxoxo

Plymouth ~ You just made me laugh out loud.  I was thinking a similar thing as I was getting ready to hand wash my good bras today.  Saved some time by only washing 2! I wonder what to do with mine as well.  They were almost $100 each so I hate to throw them away.  Not sure they can be donated, though.

…and yesterday I was enhancing a model's bustline (in photoshop) while planning my own BMX with reconstruction.  I wish fixing MINE was that easy!  ;P

Ya gotta laugh. 

That IS very close to me, plymouth.  Where are you now, if not to personal?

lisamarie ~ I had another thought for you.  Have you spoken to your surgeon about anti-anxiety medication?  I didn't even think of it until a friend suggested I ask.  When I asked my surgeon if she thought it was appropriate she whipped out her pad and asked me what I preferred.  I had never taken any before so she prescribed me valium.  She said it was extremely appropriate and she said I can even take it the morning of surgery with a tiny sip of water if that helps.  Maybe it would help you as well to reduce your stress and anxiety and make what you are struggling with more manageable?  You gotta do what you gotta do to get you through right now! 

lisamarie:  you are stronger than you realize as you have the courage to tell us how you are feeling.  Girls are the worse aren't they. Mine are 16 and 24 with huge attitude so I completely understand the wanting to kill them!  Stay strong, you'll get through this!!!

 Photogamy/plymouth:  I'm laughing at your buying new bra's. I need new ones desperately and was going to start my search when I found out I have to go through all this shit.  I can't wait to throws my current old ones out - there so uncomfortable. You know that feeling. So now I'm uncomfortable from old bras but  BC to boot. speaking of which, I did buy new brown boots during this ordeal...retail therapy worked (at least for the moment)

so glad to hear tshirts will work,  hate button down anything!  thanks Gmaniki. glad your feeling ok. Good luck with the BS Wednesday, you've made it this far you'll be able to deal with whatever comes your way!