I have spent the majority of the morning speaking with a retired nurse across the road who I know had a mastectomy. Another wonderful person.
She had her surgery in 1978, and in those days, you were kept in for at least 10 days. She was out in 6 after the Consultant got fed up with her demanding to go home. I would normally have been sent home the same day, but they have decided to keep me in overnight.
We talked about everything, during and after, and I feel even more relieved and confident that everything is going to be just fine.
I’ve had a letter today from a Macmillan Clinical Psychologist. I am somewhat confused as I was waiting for a pre-op assessment which would be held in a different part of the hospital and only on a Friday. I’ve left a message on the ansaphone as I’m unsure as to what this is about, though I will keep the appointment anyway.
I’ve already had a call about reconstruction and making an appointment with the plastic surgeon in Bristol. That offer I have declined as I’ve decided against it anyway.
All in all though, I am feeling pretty good…….. scratch that……….. very good in myself.
Darts tonight, so I shall be letting the team know that I’ll be away for a couple of weeks for surgery. They knew I’d been called back so this will be the first time I’ve seen them since my diagnosis.
Meanwhile, MSM is arranging furniture and bedrooms with the help of another mutual friend to accommodate us.
Thank you everyone
pensitivity101 
It must be reassuring to talk to someone who has had the surgery.
They have both been so generous by sharing.
That’s is really nice of them.
It’s wonderful.
👍😊
I’m really impressed with how organized they are at your hospital. And it’s terrific that you have women to talk to who have been through it themselves. It makes such a difference. And one cannot say enough about your friend you and your hubby will be staying with. All of this takes such a load off and just allows you to concentrate on your recovery and kicking Dick’s butt!
His ass is going to be so damn sore, it’ll make me feel so much better!
LOL!! Damn right!!!
Ha!!!!
You will be fine. About two years after my diagnosis, my good friend was diagnosed with the same kind of breast cancer. She opted for a mastectomy and reconstruction (mostly because it meant a tummy tuck for her and she had lost a lot of weight). She recovered fairly fast and the reconstruction part is a much larger surgery. As I remember the first week was the hardest with tiredness and aching but she had medications to help with the discomfort. After that they started her with exercises and other PT. She was fully back at work after 6 weeks. That was at least 10 years ago and she’s done well since. I’m so glad you have MSM. With her, hubby and Maggie, you will have a great support group.
I am to start my gentle exercises the day after surgery and I should be given pain meds.
I have so many people in my corner, I am overwhelmed.
I decided against having reconstructive and am very pleased that i did. Since I was never enthralled with my breasts it was actually no big deal…plus I just think about all the money I saved by refusing.
Thanks Suze. I hope all is good with you now. We’re lucky as it would be on the NHS, but I don’t want it. It’s not going to make a difference to the person I am.
Sounds like plans are all coming together and you have a good team!! Wishing you well!! 🦋
Thanks Ruth. The sooner it;s done, the sooner I can get back to normal!
Yes!!
I’m so glad you had someone with ‘experience’ to talk with. That’s something, that in my opinion, is sorely lacking in the medical field – the realistic talk about what’s going to happen, how one is likely to feel ‘after’, sensible advice from someone who has been there, not just the doctors. Often enough those doctors mean well and may be excellent at their JOB, but they have no common ground with the patient in regard to self wellness. I was aware of what would happen, clinically, after my first hip surgery, but nobody talked about the fear (immobility and dependence on others), the pain – they tended to poo-poo it (you’ll be FINE was the buzz word), and the sheer oddity of having oneself cut into. (sorry if that last bit is a little blunt given what you’ve just been through). Do keep the appointment. It might not be useful, but then it may give you a chance to talk to someone about the FEELINGS of your particular surgery. I’ve never had that, I’m still lucky enough not to have it – my maternal aunt and a maternal cousin both had cancer and mastectomies – BUT. I heard the following when I was a young woman and it’s always stuck with me.
Also this is NOT to say you feel this way, maybe you don’t.
There was a woman I knew slightly in the early 1980s who had been a hippie back in the day. Taken birth control pills (the early version) so she could safely indulge in free love without getting pregnant. Later she married the guy she had been with for most of that time, and they had six or seven children. When the youngest was about ten, she got the news that she had breast cancer and it was widespread enough that they took both breasts. Her husband promptly dumped her because she ‘wasn’t a woman’ any more (didn’t look like one). She talked about how losing a breast is like losing your femininity and your sense of being a woman. Lots of therapy to get past all of it. She eventually met and married a guy who knew the inner package is what counts, not the wrapping and from what I heard they were very happy together. The Clinical Psychologist is, I suspect, there to address any concern or fear you might have IF you are experiencing those kind of feelings of loss.
I knew the news wasn’t great, I had no idea though. Big HUGS and healing thoughts sweetie. You’re amazing!
Thanks Melanie. I’ve heard such sad stories too, and I’m grateful that Hubby is not like that. Ex partner would probably have been of the mind that I could have a double D cup as he was a boob man, but I think he would have seen me as less and shied away.
Breast cancer affected my paternal great grandmother, my Dad’s twin sisters and one of their daughters. Gram died of TB though and my aunts and also cousin had mastectomies, though I don’t know if it was cancer or something else that they died from. Dick the Shit is another type to Humphrey, DCIS, and in my case non invasive. Prognosis is good, it’s not a death sentence, but as this is my second strike, they’re not taking any chances. Ho hum It happens, but I have a lot of support of friends and neighbours, plus my fellow bloggers and that is second to none.
I admire your self-talk and reassuring yourself. You are such a dynamite woman with amazing strength. 💗
Thanks Beckie. I’ve been here before, but the first surgery was a doddle compared to now. I know I’m in good hands, have every faith in my surgeon and the hospital, the love and support of my Hubby, and MSM who is letting us all stay with her until I’m fit for the journey home. Not to mention friends and neighbours here and everyone who reads my blog. Their positivity drives me. I can do this.
All of those factors make a world of diference. You’re always in my thoughts and prayers, but I already know… You’ve got this, girlfriend!!! 💗
Thanks Beckie. It won’t get the better of me.
Good Girl! That’s the way to think! Keep praying and positive thoughts with you at all times! xoxoxox!
😀