Surgery Scheduled, Scared

Hi Blue,

We're sure you're not alone with this fear of surgery -- of course it's very common to have some amount of trepidation!

Soon there should be a new thread started in the Surgery forum for all members who will be having August 2016 surgeries (a la the July 2016 Surgery thread), where you can discuss with others who will be preparing for, undergoing, and recovering from surgery next month. These monthly threads are a great source of support! Since it hasn't been started yet, perhaps you'd like to be the one to initiate the thread?

Regardless, we're all here for you and thinking of you. You should enjoy your yoga retreat if you think that's something that will help prepare you for your upcoming treatment!

-- The Mods

Blue, this whole thing is scary especially as a younger woman - I was 41. It is natural and very ok. Give yourself permission to think those scary thoughts but only for 5 minutes, then jot them down and talk about them with your BS or the anesthesiologist. Let them allay your fears. I had a bmx last year (6.10.15) and I had not had previous surgeries either . I met the anesthesiologist prior to my surgery date and I had total confidence in him. He told me that if you are young and healthy it is a breeze for them, he also told me that this is his job, one which he takes great pride in conducting as safely as possible. He told me things are so advanced these days (equipment, anesthetic, procedure) the risk is very minimal especially if you are relatively healthy.Then, they asked me if I had a living will and the tears came again! Yes, your boobs will be gone, and that IS a big deal but the cancer should be gone too, plus the risk of recurrence, this junk darkening your door again, will be as low as it can be.. for me, it was worth the trade. It is really tough especially at first, but I am a great believer in redirecting one's personal dialogue. Instead of thinking, "I might not pull through' tell yourself " I will pull through this and be healthier/stronger/more assertive" or insert appropriate phrase for you. Perhaps your yoga retreat will help with finding that little peace? Sounds amazing to me. Wish I could come! Not sure if you are having reconstruction, but I did and for what it's worth, I really like my new boobs, they look like mine did when I was 20 something! This is hard, it is scary but it honestly will get better. Feel free to contact me if you'd like to chat more. Sending you blessings and light as you walk through this, hugs.

Laura x

Hi Blue, do you have to go all 5 days of the retreat? It's sounds like a good idea, but I image spending time with your daughter is so important to you and her. How old is your daughter btw? My son was 6 when I had my BMX last September. I wanted to spend time with him too, knowing that I'll be out of commission for a little while after... You can prepare for it also by getting all the stuff you'll need, getting the house ready etc. It helped me, because that's the only thing I really had control over. I was also terrified by the anesthesia and told my BS who then requested a specific anesthesiologist that she liked who was very good in dealing with people like us And he was truly comforting and answered all my questions and concerns. It all goes so quickly once you're are the hospital and the IV nurse comes in. No time to even be scared. So try to surrender. They have it down, they know what they're doing and you will be fine

I am sorry you have to go through this. I had my reconstruction surgery this past week and it made me miss my old warm and squishy boobs all over again even though these new ones look so perky. At least we got to use them to breast feed (I'm assuming you did too?) which to me is a fond memory.

Hugs

Hope your surgery went well.