Tuesday is the big day. scared/nervous

Kit1018

Hi all ,
I am officially scheduled for a prophylatic bilateral masectomy with latissmus dorsal flap reconstruction with a expanders. I wanted to do the tummy flap but the doc said that wouldnt work for me.
I am nervous and scared and its weird because this is a decision that my hubby, doctors, family and I agree needs to happen.
This is such a huge decision and I know that it is going to be painful which is also very scary. The doc said the surgery will be approx 5 hrs long, and I will be inpatient 3-5 days. I have to be there @ 8 am with surgery @ 10 am. I am also scared of something going wrong. We have 3 small kids.
Does anyone have any advice to help me calm down about this. Or some input, would really appreciate it. Thankyou all,

AmandaMarie29

I haven't had the same
I haven't had the same surgery as you. I had bi-lateral w/ expanders alone. I can tell you that the worst part of all is wondering what it is going to be like. The first few days you will be really in a haze so you won't remember much. (at least i didn't) I was actually suprised at how much it DID NOT hurt. Because of the surgery they are doing it affects the nerves so you are very numb...and you will be for a long time. I just felt very tight across the chest and heavy. As for things going wrong I wouldn't worry about that. Medicine has come such a long way, they have ways of doing things so nothing does go wrong. They just have to inform you of everything anyway. Sometimes when you hear about the "bad" things, that tends to be what sticks with you the most. Before you know it it will be all over and you will be back into the usual swing of things. Take comfort in knowing that you are taking this step to ensure you have sooooooo much more time with your family! I will send prayers your way and I know you will do great...

Take Care

Mandi

GreeneyedGirl

AmandaMarie29 said:

I haven't had the same
I haven't had the same surgery as you. I had bi-lateral w/ expanders alone. I can tell you that the worst part of all is wondering what it is going to be like. The first few days you will be really in a haze so you won't remember much. (at least i didn't) I was actually suprised at how much it DID NOT hurt. Because of the surgery they are doing it affects the nerves so you are very numb...and you will be for a long time. I just felt very tight across the chest and heavy. As for things going wrong I wouldn't worry about that. Medicine has come such a long way, they have ways of doing things so nothing does go wrong. They just have to inform you of everything anyway. Sometimes when you hear about the "bad" things, that tends to be what sticks with you the most. Before you know it it will be all over and you will be back into the usual swing of things. Take comfort in knowing that you are taking this step to ensure you have sooooooo much more time with your family! I will send prayers your way and I know you will do great...

Take Care

Mandi

Hi Kit~
Mandi is right, the unknowns are what really make the process frightening. I have had a unilateral mastectomy (left side) and a lat flap, I had them done 6 mo apart. I too was afraid of the surgery. It helped me to ask my doctor for an anti anxiety pill to take prior to going in for the surgery (taken that morning with a sip of water). I came thru both of these surgeries very well. I did take my pain meds as directed, but tapered off after about a week. I had a "pain pump" put in with the mastectomy, and really was not in pain. I won't lie~ It is uncomfortable, they are putting expanders under muscles, and it is surgery. But, I am a big baby when it comes to needles and such~I was surprised at how strong i was to get thru all this and come out complete and feeling restored again. I am 7 mo out of reconstruction being completed. I found it very good to sleep propped up so that the fluids can drain with gravity, as you will have drainage tubes. I also treat myself to new pajama's that button down the front, a jogging suit or two that zip down the front for doctor appts, and lots of juice and treats and movies to get me thru my recovery. I make my bed a " nest" and lay low to heal.
Wishing you a great outcome!
Melanie

Sunrae

GreeneyedGirl said:

Hi Kit~
Mandi is right, the unknowns are what really make the process frightening. I have had a unilateral mastectomy (left side) and a lat flap, I had them done 6 mo apart. I too was afraid of the surgery. It helped me to ask my doctor for an anti anxiety pill to take prior to going in for the surgery (taken that morning with a sip of water). I came thru both of these surgeries very well. I did take my pain meds as directed, but tapered off after about a week. I had a "pain pump" put in with the mastectomy, and really was not in pain. I won't lie~ It is uncomfortable, they are putting expanders under muscles, and it is surgery. But, I am a big baby when it comes to needles and such~I was surprised at how strong i was to get thru all this and come out complete and feeling restored again. I am 7 mo out of reconstruction being completed. I found it very good to sleep propped up so that the fluids can drain with gravity, as you will have drainage tubes. I also treat myself to new pajama's that button down the front, a jogging suit or two that zip down the front for doctor appts, and lots of juice and treats and movies to get me thru my recovery. I make my bed a " nest" and lay low to heal.
Wishing you a great outcome!
Melanie

Kit, haven't had my surgery
Kit, haven't had my surgery yet but know what you're going thru. This is a big part of getting rid of bc, so I'm looking forward to getting it over with. Then we can start the road to recovery and be closer to the finish line. You'll be in my prayers for a good result and a quick healing. Keep us posted when you're up to it. Take care.

Kat11

Sunrae said:

Kit, haven't had my surgery
Kit, haven't had my surgery yet but know what you're going thru. This is a big part of getting rid of bc, so I'm looking forward to getting it over with. Then we can start the road to recovery and be closer to the finish line. You'll be in my prayers for a good result and a quick healing. Keep us posted when you're up to it. Take care.

Hi Kit, I did not have the
Hi Kit, I did not have the same kind of surgery that you are having, but I did want to let you know I will be thinking of you and hope you have a speedy recovery.

susie09

Kat11 said:

Hi Kit, I did not have the
Hi Kit, I did not have the same kind of surgery that you are having, but I did want to let you know I will be thinking of you and hope you have a speedy recovery.

Wishing you the best of luck
Wishing you the best of luck with your surgery Kit! Sending you virtual hugs!

♠♣ Susie ♠♣

pinkkari09

Hi Kit, I'm right behind
Hi Kit, I'm right behind you....i'm having my surgery on 2-11...(double mastectomy, all lymph nodes on the left side, both ovaries and immediate reconstruction with the latissimus flap) so I feel your anxiety. As it has been said on here, it's one step closer to beating the beast. You can do this and your going to be just fine, I know this in my heart. And soon you will be telling me the same as my surgery is similar to yours and right around the corner for me...take care of yourself and keep us updated, your in my thoughts and prayers.
~Kari

MyTurnNow

Kit, we're thinking of you!!
Kit, we're thinking of you!! You won't read this until your surgery is over but know that you're in my thoughts. You'll do just fine, I feel it. Rest and wishing you a speedy recovery. Post and give us an update when you can. (((Hugs)))

limegreen

tuesday surgery
Hi Kit,
I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction with implants on Jan 13th. My surgery was 4.5 hours and I had my surgery on a wednesday and was home by saturday afternoon. I expected it to be more painful that it was. I am a little more than 2 weeks since surgery and eventhough I took pain medication in the beginning, I hardly take it now. I still have alot of healing to do, and some discomfort, but that is to be expected and I am making progress everyday!

The dorsal flap you are having is a little more involved than mine, but you will get through it just fine! Don't be afraid of the surgery, this is a standard surgery that is done all the time and it is tried and true -- the day of my surgery the anesthesiologist was wheeling me into the OR and said "for you it will only feel like 4 minutes". He was right! The docs and nurses are there to see you through and want to make you as comfortable as possible.

You will wake up and your beautiful family will be there to make you smile and you will start your recovery. Focusing on thinking about pain will NOT help you feel better! To heck with pain!! PAIN/SCHMAIN!! Focusing your thoughts on getting better and feeling good will make everything a little easier!

Find comfort and strength in the fact that you made the right decision for yourself and you are moving forward to get rid of this cancer and make your life better. Don't question it or look back. Look forward. Move forward. This will be behind you before you know it. I wish you all the best and will be thinking of you. Don't be afraid, you are going to do great!

SherryAF

Kit, I'm sorry for what you're going through.
Kit,

I had a bilateral mastectomy with free TRAM reconstruction on January 5 (3 weeks and 3 days ago). While it was a painful surgery, I'm so glad that it is over with now. They did find more cancer in the pathology workup, so it affirmed that we had made the right decision in getting the mastectomy.

I was nervous and scared, too, and I went to my primary care physician and got a prescription for Xanax. I asked my plastic surgeon if it was okay if I took it before surgery, and he said that it was fine. I also took it the week before surgery when I would be around a lot of people, and I knew people would be asking me a lot about the cancer and my surgery.

I hope this helps.