I have a date.

Gabe N Abby Mom
Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I finally have a confirmed date for my bilateral mastectomy. Jan 14th is the big day, but I won't know what time until the day before. That makes it hard to plan for the kids...argggh. But it is one big step on this journey that will be done soon!

And the really good news...my parents wanted to come visit. I talked them into coming before the surgery while I'm feeling better and can enjoy the time with them. They'll be here tomorrow afternoon!

Hugs,

Linda
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Comments

  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    Good - a target date.
    Moving ahead so that you can put it behind you. I'm glad your parents will be able to come, I'm sure they will be a great healp and a wonderful source of strength.

    Keep us informed. I stop everything I'm doing at the moment a test-surgery-procedure is being done so that I can concentrate and pray for our sisters, their doctors, and their families.

    Sue
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    Linda
    wishing you the best for your mastectomy surgery on the 14th. I recovered from mine in June fairly quickly. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as the date gets closer. Glad your parents are coming for a visit.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • cavediver
    cavediver Member Posts: 607
    good news
    Glad to hear your parents are coming for a visit with you! And, also glad you have a date for the surgery...it is so much easier to plan when you have a time frame. You are right...one more step forward to the end of the tunnel. Enjoy your visit with family!
    Hugs and will keep you in my thoughts on the 14th
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    cavediver said:

    good news
    Glad to hear your parents are coming for a visit with you! And, also glad you have a date for the surgery...it is so much easier to plan when you have a time frame. You are right...one more step forward to the end of the tunnel. Enjoy your visit with family!
    Hugs and will keep you in my thoughts on the 14th

    Linda .. Yes, great news .. Parent coming . check
    make and freeze as many meals as humanly possible .. check

    change all bedding and sheets .. day of surgery if possible .. check

    get as many odd, small, med and large shaped pillows for sleeping comfort after Bilater .. check

    snap up the front for button up tops, tanks .. etc for easy removal - changing .. check

    change shower head to hose/shower head - for easy removal after Bilateral -- so you can shower the lower portion of your body (as well as you underarms) without soaking or wetting your fronal ta-ta's ... Getting into and out of a tub after surgery is extremely difficult .. no upper muscles whatsoever.... check

    day of surgery .. move cups, saucers and a few plates to your kitchen counter area .. you may not able to reach up and grab items for a few days after bilateral.....range of motion and muscles will be affected by surgery....

    if your parents are at your house and able to help with your children, take pain medication as prescribed
    ...

    Good Luck and happy healing.. Please ask your Plastic Surgeon's staff about your tissue expanders .. the pro's and con's ... after care, etc.

    my bilateral and tissue expander surgery took about 6.5 hours, January 12th, 2010.

    Strength and Courage,

    Vicki Sam
  • linpsu
    linpsu Member Posts: 747
    Good luck
    Linda - Great news that your parents are helping out - take time to just rest and relax! Let them take care of you! I'll be thinking of you on the 14th - keep us posted.
    Linda
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    That's wonderful Linda!
    That's wonderful Linda! Another leg of the journey will come to a close and another step towards getting all this behind you. So very happy to hear your parents are coming, it will be such a special time with them.
    hugs
    jan
  • aysemari
    aysemari Member Posts: 1,596 Member
    Linda......
    you had me going... I though DATE, date, like lovey, kissey date LOL

    I wish you all the best with your surgery and NO complications, whatsoever!!!

    Pretty sure you kind of know what's coming from these boards and if anything
    comes up or that little monster called anxiety flares up, you know where to
    find me.


    Love,
    Ayse
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    I'm sure that having
    a surgery date is a relief of sorts. It is nice that your parents are going to be there to spend time with you before hand. Looks like you will have help in getting through this part of the journey. I will keep you in my thoughts.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • SusanEliz
    SusanEliz Member Posts: 50
    That's Great News!
    I felt better once I got a specific date, and I hope you do to. Although it's scary, this means that by the evening of January 14th, you will be HEALING! And everyone hear will be praying for a smooth recovery.

    Enjoy your parent's visit. My mother came from out of state and stayed while I was going through the surgery and recovery and my house never looked so good- who knew it could get that clean?! But the mental support was even more valuable, so soak it up and have fun while they visit!

    Susan

    PS- You're kids are beautiful!
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    When I read the subject
    When I read the subject line, I thought you had a going-out date. Nooooooooooooooo....it's your surgery date. That is a good thing too, just not romantic. I will be thinking of you January 14.

    It is good that your parents are coming. What a blessing. Can they stay for awhile? You will need to focus on YOURSELF after surgery so that you can mend and be back on your feet. Be sure and accept every bit of help that is offered. It will help you heal and it will help the people who love you, too.

    xoxoxoxo Lynn
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    Great news!
    When I saw the subject line I also immediately began thinking of a response regarding life continuing during and/or after treatments, then saw it was a date for surgery. That's even better because you are getting closer and closer to the completion of ALL the treatments and surgeries involved in dealing with this beast. I think VickiSam covered the basis on preparing yourself and your home. Having your parents there for a visit will be special and also keep your mind off of all the waiting. I had my bilateral in August and my exchange in November. My only recommendation would be to accept the offers of help because you will be somewhat limited to activities right after surgery. You will do well and if you have questions regarding any portion of it, you know right where to go for assistance.....right HERE! Have a wonderful time with your parents!!
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    VickiSam said:

    Linda .. Yes, great news .. Parent coming . check
    make and freeze as many meals as humanly possible .. check

    change all bedding and sheets .. day of surgery if possible .. check

    get as many odd, small, med and large shaped pillows for sleeping comfort after Bilater .. check

    snap up the front for button up tops, tanks .. etc for easy removal - changing .. check

    change shower head to hose/shower head - for easy removal after Bilateral -- so you can shower the lower portion of your body (as well as you underarms) without soaking or wetting your fronal ta-ta's ... Getting into and out of a tub after surgery is extremely difficult .. no upper muscles whatsoever.... check

    day of surgery .. move cups, saucers and a few plates to your kitchen counter area .. you may not able to reach up and grab items for a few days after bilateral.....range of motion and muscles will be affected by surgery....

    if your parents are at your house and able to help with your children, take pain medication as prescribed
    ...

    Good Luck and happy healing.. Please ask your Plastic Surgeon's staff about your tissue expanders .. the pro's and con's ... after care, etc.

    my bilateral and tissue expander surgery took about 6.5 hours, January 12th, 2010.

    Strength and Courage,

    Vicki Sam

    vicki:
    I love your check off list...
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    Having date great help
    when ever I need anything done I ask to do asap...to get it over...works for me...

    good luck...i'll be thinking of you
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    I am so glad you have a date
    I am so glad you have a date now. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. VickiSam has given you an awesome checklist and I'm not sure that I can add to that except, after surgery, take your pain meds and then wait about 1/2 hr and then get up and walk. Early ambulation is the key to recovery! Of course, always ask your doc first if you have restrictions on activity.
  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
    Hi Linda, I really just read
    Hi Linda, I really just read your expression page,I joined the website in September also,I have a friend that was just diagnosed in November with IBC and she had her 2nd chemo on last Wednesday,your worst part is over with, the surgery will go much better,I will be praying for you,how are your kids with the whole ordeal?do they ask a lot of questions? i have two boy's 19 and 13,it doesn't seem to bother my youngest but my oldest is in college and his major is nursing so he watches me closely,God will be with you he didn't bring you and the rest of us this far to leave us.enjoy your parents.do you have brothers and/or sisters? I have one brother that lives in Englewood N.J. keep us posted. MollyZ
  • racergirl
    racergirl Member Posts: 50
    VickiSam said:

    Linda .. Yes, great news .. Parent coming . check
    make and freeze as many meals as humanly possible .. check

    change all bedding and sheets .. day of surgery if possible .. check

    get as many odd, small, med and large shaped pillows for sleeping comfort after Bilater .. check

    snap up the front for button up tops, tanks .. etc for easy removal - changing .. check

    change shower head to hose/shower head - for easy removal after Bilateral -- so you can shower the lower portion of your body (as well as you underarms) without soaking or wetting your fronal ta-ta's ... Getting into and out of a tub after surgery is extremely difficult .. no upper muscles whatsoever.... check

    day of surgery .. move cups, saucers and a few plates to your kitchen counter area .. you may not able to reach up and grab items for a few days after bilateral.....range of motion and muscles will be affected by surgery....

    if your parents are at your house and able to help with your children, take pain medication as prescribed
    ...

    Good Luck and happy healing.. Please ask your Plastic Surgeon's staff about your tissue expanders .. the pro's and con's ... after care, etc.

    my bilateral and tissue expander surgery took about 6.5 hours, January 12th, 2010.

    Strength and Courage,

    Vicki Sam

    That is a great list. I
    That is a great list. I just had my rt mast on 23 Nov and everything you listed is exactly what is needed. The nice thing about having chemo first is no bed-head...haha, because <at least I wasn't) allowed to fully shower until the drain came out.

    The only thing I would add it getting the post surgical camisoles, the DR can write a scrip for them. They are worth it.

    Linda, Best wishes on your surgery we are there with you. ((hugs)) Patti
  • Findingout
    Findingout Member Posts: 132
    Dear Linda,
    How wonderful to

    Dear Linda,
    How wonderful to be able to plan - and get through one more step! And that your parents are coming... it's all good. We might be on a close timetable here; I might get my date today! Having unilateral mastectomy. I love the list that was posted - info we need, FOR SURE!!! A concrete list of Things To Do helps manage the 'unknown.' I'm going to be thinking of you Every Day and sending prayers for your recovery. Hugs back to you, Lin
  • cookie97
    cookie97 Member Posts: 200

    Dear Linda,
    How wonderful to

    Dear Linda,
    How wonderful to be able to plan - and get through one more step! And that your parents are coming... it's all good. We might be on a close timetable here; I might get my date today! Having unilateral mastectomy. I love the list that was posted - info we need, FOR SURE!!! A concrete list of Things To Do helps manage the 'unknown.' I'm going to be thinking of you Every Day and sending prayers for your recovery. Hugs back to you, Lin

    at first I thought....
    Date like going to the dinner and a movie date; but this is soo much bigger!!! Enjoy the visit with your family and the best of luck to you. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

    Peace and Love,
    Edie
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143
    That's great.
    Hope all goes well. Listen to VickiSam, she has good advice. Hope your parents are a good source of support for you. Good luck on the 14th!

    Mimi
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    VickiSam said:

    Linda .. Yes, great news .. Parent coming . check
    make and freeze as many meals as humanly possible .. check

    change all bedding and sheets .. day of surgery if possible .. check

    get as many odd, small, med and large shaped pillows for sleeping comfort after Bilater .. check

    snap up the front for button up tops, tanks .. etc for easy removal - changing .. check

    change shower head to hose/shower head - for easy removal after Bilateral -- so you can shower the lower portion of your body (as well as you underarms) without soaking or wetting your fronal ta-ta's ... Getting into and out of a tub after surgery is extremely difficult .. no upper muscles whatsoever.... check

    day of surgery .. move cups, saucers and a few plates to your kitchen counter area .. you may not able to reach up and grab items for a few days after bilateral.....range of motion and muscles will be affected by surgery....

    if your parents are at your house and able to help with your children, take pain medication as prescribed
    ...

    Good Luck and happy healing.. Please ask your Plastic Surgeon's staff about your tissue expanders .. the pro's and con's ... after care, etc.

    my bilateral and tissue expander surgery took about 6.5 hours, January 12th, 2010.

    Strength and Courage,

    Vicki Sam

    Love the check list! Thanks
    Love the check list! Thanks for the good tips.