How do I prepare for BMX?

Hi Mermaid!

I am sorry that you aren't having a good experience with the surgeon A second opinion, or a complete change may be in order.

When it come to the preparation, I guess we are all a bit different. I had the same Dx as you, but my reason for going straight to the Mx was because I didn't want to have the rads. My husband is a c5/6 quadriplegic, from a hang gliding accident 36 years ago. We live in a small coastal town and the nearest facility for radiotherapy is quite a distance away, so I would have had to stay in that town for 6 weeks, just not an option I wanted to embrace.

I didn't want to go for the BMX because there wasn't any involvement in the other side. I am almost 10 months out now, and absolutely no regrets. In fact I am amazed at how easy I found the adjustment to be. I call it the "New Normal".

There are threads on these boards that list all the stuff you need when preparing for this. I found I didn't use half of it. It's a lot of common sense really. Button front tops, nothing that has to go over your head. Satin pj bottoms, to help you slide off the bed. Amoena camisoles are very popular for the drains. I just used a lanyard and a cotton shoulder bag to hold mine, but again, I only had one side to deal with.

I found a "V", or Boomerang, pillow invaluable, in fact I still use it to sit comfortably for long periods. A small pillow for in the car to keep the seatbelt away from your chest.

My numero uno suggestion is throat lozenges! I had no idea that I would have such a dry sore throat from the breathing tube. I woke up ravenous, but couldn't eat because my throat was so dry. The nurses tried to find something but they only had those awful anesthetic lozenges which I hate.

You'll likely go home the next day. I would strongly suggest that you move things from the high cupboards down to a manageable height, and keep in mind that 10kg is the max weight they suggest you lift.

These are all practical things for you to consider. The mental issue is of course different for all of us.

For me, I just wanted it gone and really didn't have any emotional attachment to my breast, after it went bad on me. In fact, although I stress this is not for everyone, I spent the night before my surgery alone in a Hotel close to the Hospital for my early morning Sentinel Node Biopsy and Surgery, and decided I needed to disengage from my breast. I actually looked at it , and said "You've let me down, you have to go!" I know it sounds crazy, but a calm came over me and lasted all night. It really did work for me. I went into the Hospital ready for what was to come.

My surgery went exceptionally well, there was absolutely no pain, just strange sensation. I didn't need any pain meds, and actually spent the night wandering the halls and having coffee with the Nurses. I was out of there just 16 hours after I returned to my room from the surgery. I had the main bandages removed and had my first shower before I left.

There are a growing number of women who have decided not to have reconstruction. It was never a consideration for me, even as a Uniboober with a "D" puppy to contend with on the other side. I occasionally go half flat, but have found that I have been able to source all types of boobs, foobs and prosthesis, to suit any outfit for me, and I have a huge collection of bras camis, and tanks that work really well.

There are many ladies who go "Flat and Fabulous!" you'll find them on the boards here or on Facebook, and they will help you out with info about their experiences.

I do hope some of this is helpful to you. I wish you all the very best for your surgery, and I hope you find a surgeon that you're happy with. I do think it is important that you feel confident with your team.

It is a scary time, but I would say that coming here and seeking advice and support is a very positive thing to do. I am so grateful to the ladies who took me under their wings when I was starting the process.

Pleas let us know how you are getting on, and feel free to Pm me if I can answer any other questions or help you at all.

Take care!

I am an artist also, I make beads on a torch so my arms are extremely important to me. I did have to have lymph nodes removed and I wish I had been better informed about how many they were going to take. They took 9 and I do have mild lymphedema issues. I wish removing 1 would have been possible, but I was not educated to know that was a possibility.

Secondly, I was given an occupational therapist trained in lymphedema for 6 sessions, best thing that ever happened to me to learn how to move and take care of my arms. manual lymph drainage, exercises, all to keep my arms in the best shape possible. my insurance covered 80% and worth every penny I had to spend.

if you do have lymph nodes removed, of course you can still be a potter, I am still on the torch...and you will learn the right ways to work. You will adjust and while some things are difficult for me now, my creativity compensates for my inabilities. So ancer nudges me into different places with my art. Stay in touch!

good suggestion, Mary, I used thin white gift-wrap ribbon as a lanyard, threaded thru the loops on drain bulbs.