3 more days till surgery

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Nursie
Nursie Member Posts: 28

Freaking out a little over here! 3 more days until my bilateral mastectomy. I'm so scared. I'm already grieving my breasts but they have to go.

Any words of wisdom or advice?

Comments

  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited November 2014

    I remember feeling that way too. I don't have any words of wisdom, my dear, except perhaps that the feeling of loss won't last forever. I'm 3 years past diagnosis and about 2 years past mastectomy and I don't have the feeling of loss anymore.

    Are you having reconstruction or are you going flat?

  • Nursie
    Nursie Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2014

    I'm having reconstruction, they are putting in the expanders at the time of the surgery as well as my infusaport. Next month I start chemo.

  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited November 2014

    On the bright side, you'll really appreciate your port. Luv me port! I still have it after three years and I'm reluctant to give it up, being Stage IV, you never know when you'll need it again. I hope you do well with chemo. What are you going to take?

  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited November 2014

    (((Nursie))) hang in there…it's been a couple years now but I remember how scared I felt just before my BMX. I couldn't explain why but I was a wreck. I had immediate reconstruction too. What I can tell you is I do not regret it one bit…the surgery went really well and I haven't had any problems with the reconstruction. They predicted 6 - 7 hours in the operating room but I was out in 4 1/2 hours. I stayed one night and went home the next afternoon. Worst part was the drains but they were able to pull them in a week. As one of my BMX sisters said, her breasts tried to kill her so she got rid of them - that's how I feel too, I don't miss them. I had skin sparing MX and was able to keep the feeling in my breast skin so that was good. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, this time next week it will be behind you (((Hugs))) Maureen

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2014

    Dear Nursie, we wish you the best of luck for your operation. Sending our best wishes for an easy and quick recovery.

    In order to get ready for your surgery we recommend you to read the section called What to Expect With Any Surgery, on the main site, that provides the basics on what you'll experience with any surgery – before, during, and after. Some of the articles you'll find there are:

    • The Day of Surgery
    • Myths About Surgery
    • Dealing With Surgery Fears
    • Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
    We hope this helps!
    The Mods
  • RaiderGirl
    RaiderGirl Member Posts: 419
    edited November 2014

    I cried so hard after diagnosis. I felt sincere , true terror and despair. One fleeting moment I though I would even prefer to kill myself than to face all that I feared. My loving husband knows me so well. We have been a couple since I was 15! He very patiently held me through one of the nights of terror and asked that I try to voice exactly what I feared and that we would slay each demon one by one.

    At that time I did not yet know stage, or grade, or what type of surgery or treatment, or outcome or anything. My fears were many, huge and all very real.

    We talked about each fear . Very patiently he talked to me about the best scenario and the worst scenario. What we could do for each fear. What we may need more education on. What we may have to just try to set aside for this night. Mastectomy was of course one of the big fears .

    I understand fear and I now understand that most of what we fear does not happen at all. Most of what I needed materialized the second I needed it but never a moment sooner.

    I hope for you all that you need and a little more to spare.



  • Nursie
    Nursie Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2014

    surgery is done. Boy was I in a lot of pain! The drains were a pain but I just got them out today.

    I also got my pathology back.

    I am stage 3! 3/18 lymph nodes and 2.5 cm tumor and one smaller tumor.

    I will be having ACTH and possibly radiation.

    I am scared. I did not expect stage 3. Am I going to die? When will I be considered "out of the woods"?

  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited November 2014

    Nursie, happy to have you back. I think a long chat with your onc is in order to answer your questions. But first things first, no one can predict your outcome, but its good they're treating your cancer aggressively. Your biggest fear right now is of the unknown. Once you get started I think things will start to feel more hopeful for you. I recall telling my father the loss of my breasts wasn't nearly as frightening as the thought of chemo, but I survived and it wasn't nearly as awful as I expected. You will receive support from many others in your same situation. Listen to them, read these boards and check out the December chemo board. I found this immensely helpful and supportive. Hang in there Nursie.

    Amy

  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited November 2014

    (((Nursie))) so glad your surgery is behind you... Hang in there, I wish I could answer your questions. All I can say is once I had a treatment plan I felt more in control. I did ACT, dose dense every 2weeks, it's been over 2 years now, my hair has grown back, most side effects àre gone, so far so good but I know there's no guarantees...good luck in your decision, as others told me, we make the best decisions we can with the facts we have, then don't second guess yourself...(((hugs))) Maureen

  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited December 2014

    hello sweetie, i too felt that way, and even more for i was planning my wedding when i found the lump, i was so sad to go into a second marriage with the right man i,d prayed for,i was having a L mast, and felt so un whole going into this marriage, but my wonderful Fiancee, now husband said, that he rather have me here, than keep my breast(lumpectomy) and nothave me here. So sweetie, u see whatever keeps u here with family and friends was my choice, now going on 21 ys Survivor(Praise the Lord GOD. msphil(idc,stage 2, 3 nodes, L MAST, CHEMO BEFORE SURGERY AND CHEMO AFTER, WE GOT MARRIED AND THEN i did rads, 5 yrs on tamoxifen0.

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited December 2014

    Hang in there, and remember to breathe! You and your docs will discuss your treatment plans. Don't listen to Dr Google, he's usually wrong! Once that plan starts to happen, you will feel more in control.

    You can do it, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not a train!

    Best wishes

  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited December 2014

    Hi

    Good luck!!!! It can be a huge relief.

    I had glamour shots taken the night before. Sleep deprivation helped a great deal.

    I have decided to wait for breast reconstruction. Initially by choice

    Now just waiting to see how things go :)

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