Lumpectomy - what can i expect?

Shayne

I wish I knew a way to calm your nerves.   I get the impression that you live a distance from your treatment center making you feel out and alone.

Don't be afraid of the lumpectomy.  You will suddenly be out and the next second waking up.  The odd thing is that it is not painful.  I took one pain pill, a combination of hydrocone and tylenol and that is all.

It is what come next that concerns me.  Don't worry in advance.  I am confident that they can cure both you and me.  Just how are they going to do it.

When not on pre surgery restrictions, I take Ateril ( the recommended dose is 2 but I take only one) to sleep.  It is all natural with melatonin and el-triptophan (sp?) also cammomiel.  I sleep soundly and restfully.  I didn't wake up last night when the racoons were raising hell in the backyard.  You can be awakened if necessary though.  Not like those over the counter meds that really knock you out and not in a good way.  But you need to ask your doctor because they don't want you fighting the free radicals because that is what radiation is.

I usually manage my anxiety pretty well with yoga breathing and chanting but even I woke up one night before the surgery in a panic, crying, scared. But I have learned tools through therapy to deal with it without drugs, which helped. But even today, I'm feeling the blues after my surgery. I plan to chant and just take care of myself today. Maybe try some meditation and things like that so you won't be so reliant on drugs. God, I sound like hippie LA chick, which I'm really not. But this is what I found helps me. Do whatever you can to relax. Good luck Friday! I'll be thinking of you.

Great advice, cancerstinks! Don't deny the emotions but find a way to channel them into something positive.

This is one of my favorite articles on dealing with sadness and emotion in general. It talks about sitting in the emotion, acknowledging it and seeing where it goes. Hope it helps.



http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/2513

a great big smile.  It is all abouit attitude at this point. At least it was for me.  You are going to get that stinking cancer cut out of you in less than 24 hours!   Yeehaw!  Now that is somethin g to celebrate.  I'll be thinking about you.  

Gosh.  I'm so, so sorry.  I am sure you won't wake up without a breast.  Did your doctor give you any indication that was a possibility?  I know I still ask why they didn't take any lymph nodes and they look at me patiently and say:  It is noninvasive DCIS and according to pathology, according to the clean margins we got, it, the cancer, is all in their lab.  You are cancer free."  I'm sending pleasant thoughts that you will be the same in just a few short hours.  But let yourself be what you are and tell little Mary Sunshines like me to jump in the lake if you want.  I mean it.  It is scary so allow yourself to feel every little bit of that and don't force the happy face just cause you think you should.  You are exactly where you should be.  And I know you are ready.  You have done everything within your power to be ready.   

Wear something comfortable. I wore comfy sweats and a cami top that was easy to get in and out of. My hospital put me in a surgical bra that I'm supposed to wear for 14 days. I've taken it off occasionally to give my skin some air and to wash it out. I, too, was worried that somehow they would decided to do a MX while I was out and that I'd wake up without my breast but that didn't happen. The scars appear a bit larger than I nad anticipated but not too bad. I also wore a clown nose to the hospital for my own sanity. Good luck tomorrow. Sending good vibes.

Shayne - good luck with your surgery - you will be just fine! I am about 7 weeks post op and doing fine. Just into my rads treatment now. I am a planner and like to know what's being done to me and why, so that's how I cope.  I also believe that positive thoughts help tremendously, so I am sending some your way!! Ice will be your BF (not forever but for a while) so use it from the get go and wear a soft sports bra. Target sells some nice ones with thin straps that I wear a lot, although I'm back in my regular bras when I want to.  I told myself "you can do this...just breathe". (((hugs))).

Shayne

You know we are all waiting to hear from you.  I expect you will be heaving a big sigh of relief. 

You know I had the lumpectomy re-do.  I told the doctors that some women are addicted to plastic surgery, well, I am addicted to lumpectomies. 

 Shayne

I have been waiting for you to come home.  You can breath a sigh of relief and party on Monday. 

I know about the resections.  The surgeon is cutting in the dark and just hoping they get it all first try.   If you should have to have a second one, it is less traumatic, less cutting, milder anesthesia.   I told the nurses and doctors that some women have an addiction to plastic surgery.  I have an addiction to lumectomies

So it is June 11 for both of us. 

You could call your doctor and find out when you're cleared for the gym. Probably once your stitches heal. The first shower I took after surgery was almost better than sex.

Shayne

I am pretty sure as soon as you feel up to it.  There are no muscles in your boob.   As long as there was no surgery affecting your chest muscle and no nodes, you should be good to go.

But I would not run and do anything to bounce the breast.  Got to keep it supported while it is healing.  That could be for a while.

I have a stationary bike, Schwinn AirDyne, which I have used every day for 15 years.  Bikes are great as they do not put strain on joints and no bouncing.  The doctors do encourage us to exercise.

But what do I know?