Starting to get very nervous

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bam320
bam320 Member Posts: 111
edited February 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

My surgery is on Feb 21st and this week I had my pre-op assessment and tests as well as appointments with the plastic surgeon and the surgical oncologist. At these appointments they went over the surgery again as well as all the post op teaching. Even though I had heard most of the surgery information the first time we met, after hearing all this information again as well all the do's and don't for before and after, I am completely overwhelmed. I had been feeling pretty confident until getting all this information and of course hearing the worst case scenario information that they give before any surgery has me freaked out.

Please tell me you felt this way too and everything worked out okay. My head is swimming right now.

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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited February 2019

    I was pretty nervous. Before the lumpectomy/SNB, I had never had surgery before or been put under.

    Are you having a lumpectomy or a mastectomy?

    For me the surgery ended up going exactly as planned, and everyone was really nice. The recovery (from the SNB mainly) has been annoying but totally bearable. And it turns out I loved being sedated (I'm a terrible sleeper) which is a little weird but w/e!

    My surgeon gave me a print out with all the instructions on it and it was helpful to me to read it over and be sure of what I was doing.

    Also it might help to remind yourself how incredibly effective surgery is at treating cancer. Like huge. And so effective they do it for 80+ year olds.

    Hang in there! If the anxiety is interfering with your life in an unmanageable way, you can ask for a prescription for Ativan or something similar. I think it's pretty common.

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  • GreenHarbor
    GreenHarbor Member Posts: 265
    edited February 2019

    bam32p, of course you’re nervous. That’s a completely normal reaction! I felt like my life was spiraling out of control and I just wanted to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head. The waiting is hard... waiting for appointments, for results etc. Definitely work on distracting yourself- binge watch a new series, crochet, clean out your closets, read a book. Be careful about the internet; there is a LOT of inaccurate info out there. The day of your surgery, do tell them it’s your first operation. They’ll be sure to explain everything to you as they go along. I had surprisingly little pain after my lumpectomy. I iced it 3 or 4 times a day and alternated Advil and Tylenol. Good luck! Keep in touch and let us know what happens.

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited February 2019

    Maybe trying to turn the nervousness into preparing for the surgery. I always feel better when I make a list and check things off...either on paper or in my head. For example make a few casseroles, get a wear home blouse to wear home from surgery. I mention this because I didn’t have any button blouses and had to get one. A few things checked off of your mind may help

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited February 2019

    Bam320....and I think we all got nervous prior to surgery. It’s such a big thing to wrap our minds around. It did help me reading on these threads, education and support very important.

    Waiting until the 21st is quite awhile to wait increasing your nervousness and feeling overwhelmed. I had less than 3 weeks from mammo to biopsy, mri to surgery.


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  • Cin17
    Cin17 Member Posts: 51
    edited February 2019

    I'm still waiting on a surgery date and I'm incredibly nervous too. Seeing my GP on Monday for the pre-surgery EKG so I think I'll ask her for a prescription to help with the anxiety.

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  • applejuice
    applejuice Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2019

    There is a thread for February surgeries if you feel more comfortable reading posts from other ladies with the same mind set at the same time. My surgery was Feb 1st and i learned a lot about what to expect reading the January surgery thread. There is much encouragement and for some helps sharing own experiences or just being heard!


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