May 2013 surgeries

Thank you ladies for the kind words... Leah you said it perfectly.... it is very comforting to know that others know just what we are going through.  Family and friends try to understand but unless you are going through it you never really know.  I come to this board and I feel like I can say what is truly on my mind and all of you are here to listen.  Thank you all so much!!

Lisa 

Cheri, you made me laugh! I just love reading all these inspiring posts from so many strong women. I've learned SO much from everyone and I am grateful that I found this site. I feel so connected to everyone.



Leah, I love how you said we can link hearts, that is exactly what is happening.



Ann

I just want to let anyone know that is newly going through this...I am here to help you.  Last year on April 25th I was diagnosed with BC at age 36 with 3 kids ages 10...16...18....and the month before that in March we had a little baby girl, Karsynn Lily!

I wrote a booklet with as much info jam packed as I could with questions answered, resources, and helpful tips.

This booklet is related if you know you are going to be having a mastectomy.  Its called "Life After Mastectomy".

When I came home from having this LIFE changing surgery...I felt lost.  Not only is it an emotional rollercoaster....I also felt like I didnt know certain things.  Like "how do I do this?"  "how is this supposed to feel"  "is this normal"  "how do i get comfortable"

So I figured most of it out on my own, or through extensive research.

I want to help women any way that i can of the awareness before their mastectomy.

Please if you are interested you can email me your address and i will send a.s.a.p.

They are $10 /free shipping (via paypal)

XOXO

CHRISSY

OK, I was feeling all super-humanly optimistic and brave for the past 5 weeks and now that I am one week away from my BMX I suddenly feel a real sense of sadness when I look down at my 'girls'. I find myself wanting to apologize to them, thank them for trying to deal with this cancer, and say good bye. And now part of me is worrying that mastectomy alone is going to be enough to get rid of the cancer, even though it's what's recommended. I feel fear about looking less attractive. My DH tells me I'll still be sexy to him w/o breasts. What a sweetheart. 

Thanks for listening all. I'm so glad to have this circle of sisters to share our sorrows and worries, hopes and joys. I want to gain strength from our connection.

Run4us and Bamboogirl,



We all seem to be having the same feelings. I too have been so upbeat and positive the last 5 weeks and now I'm getting a little nervous. My DH said he was worried about me. Thinks I've been acting a little depressed. You'd think I was parting with a loved one or something. These girls nurtured my three babies. Now, they're trying to kill me. I'm hoping like you, Bamboogirl, that the BMX alone will be all I have to do to get rid of this beast. I'm also worried about not being attractive to my DH, but he also says that he loves me not my boobs. Hope all goes well with you both and I hope we'll be back on here soon bragging about how easy it was and that we're cancer free!!

Best wishes to all of you as you prepare for your surgery.  

Here are some suggestions from someone who has "been there."

Make sure the caps on your medications are not the child-proof kind.  If they are child-proof, loosen them before the surgery.

Also, practice getting in and out of bed without using your arms (try folding them across your chest).  You can't use your arms/hands to help you reposition yourself for awhile.

Be sure to stay on top of the pain.  Take those pain pills when you start hurting, not when the pain gets bad.  Remember to take stool softeners- constipation can be worse than you can imagine.

My prayers will include each of you as your day approaches.

Chineymae bamboogirl run4us. I am sitting here with tears running down my face as I read each of your posts. It brought me right back to the days leading up to my UMX on Dec 18, 2013. You are doing the right thing by acknowledging your fears, sadness, disappointment, etc. now rather than just post op . It is a loss that is real and has a profound effect on you. Take the time to say goodbye,whatever that looks like for you. I spent the days before surgery privately going thru thru the checklist of emotions, and was able to truly be at peace with what came next. DH and I also had a going away party, complete with lots of tears and sadness. ( righty was both of our favorite!) There will of course be many more emotions and feelings post op that you will be confronted with, but having allowed yourself to process on this side will truly help. So glad that you each have found the freedom to express these vulnerable parts of yourself. They are as much a part of you as your breasts are.

My prayers continue for each of you! You can do this !



Leah

I had my UMX last month April 10th - I went back to work part time 10 days post surgery and then full time 19 days post surgery. Good luck to you all

Hi Ladies,

I am scheduled for a BMX (Nipple sparing) with TEs on May 6th. My DX was in March but it seems like it has been for ever.  The hardest part so far has been agonizing over which surgery to have. I met with my surgeon today and she went over everything that will be happening. Although I'm scared, I am trying to be positive right now and hope and pray that it is not in my lymph nodes. I have lympedema from my hysterectomy surgery for endometriosis so am even more nervous about having it somewhere else. 

Thanks for all the good advise about surgery. We will be moving a lazy boy into the bedroom this weekend.

I wanted to wish good luck to all of you, 

Sunnyskys (Laurie)

Leah, what you said was beautiful. I am facing a second mastectomey on May 22 and share the same feelings as so many others. I am typically a positive, upbeat person, but lately I've experienced moments of great sadness. I am giving myself permission to mourn the loss of my breast (I even took a picture of it - crazy as that may sound!)



Hugs & prayers to everyone,



Ann

Okay, here's one for all you veterans, and those of us that are waiting on upcoming surgeries. Does any of you have or had feelings that you are going to die during surgery? That is all that's been on my mind these last few days. I keep thinking that I won't be able to handle being under that long. I can't even sleep for dwelling on it. I've been scared to even mention it for fear that I might jinx myself but I'm about to bust. I have never been a worrier nor a depressive person. Anyone that knows me knows that I've always been a fun loving, playful, and upbeat type person.



AnnBR, I've already planned to take pics of mine. I thought I was the only one.

Chin- Yep, I have the same fear. I might have two MSX three weeks apart and I worry about that being to much surgery to close together.

Chinneymae- I have that fear every time I go under general anesthesia.  I did talk to my surgeon about it and she reassured me that despite all the bad things that could go wrong that is so highly unlikely that now approaching my third surgery since February (granted second was under IV sedation) I no longer have that fear.  The first time I had surgery last year (hysterectomy) I wrote long letters to my husband and daughter just in case I died under anesthesia.  I did not write new notes this year for my lumpectomies and do not plan to write notes priot to my BMX next Friday.  

I'm sorry your mind is going 90 miles an hour.  Sleep is so important in keeping yourself in balance.  Have you tried relaxation breathing, soothing music, herbal teas?  Be sure to stop reading cancer materials and this discussion board at least an hour before bedtime.  Also, there is no shame in asking one of your docs to give you something to help you sleep.  Good luck.

Barb

Chinneymae- I had the EXACT same fear.  My BMX was yesterday.  You will NOT die during surgery, I think that is a common worry.  I had so many worried about the pain of TE's, the numbness etc... but my biggest concern was that I would die- now that it is overwith, I am so happy I did the surgery and you are going to be fine.  Tell those thoughts to go away and immediately think of something positive in your life.  You are going to be so relieved once the surgery is over.  I am!

Hi Ladies... I thought I would check in tonight before my surgery.  I have found such comfort and strength reading all of your posts. Thank you all for keeping me in your prayers tomorrow. I'm nervous but know that it is time and I am ready. I promise to come back after and let you know how I am doing.

Tonight I broke up with my bras.... they all went in the garbage.

                                          BREAST IN PEACE!!!