Bilateral Mastectomy
Comments
-
I'm right
behind you mine is Wed.. and I'm in the middle of cleaning too... I will be praying for you ... My Plastic surgeon said to buy stuff in litle cartons.. buy some crackers that are good to take my meds with.. I've bought several different kinds....and move stuff I regularly use to shelves that's easy to get to without bending over... I also bought a book/journal that while i'm having surgery that my Frineds and Family are going to write good well wishes to me so I can have something special to read when I'm feeling better and to always treasure... My Grandaughter is also going to take pictures of my loved ones in the waiting room so I can see them... We are calling it my waiting room party!!!
Sending many prayers your way!!!
Calleen0 -
Lady-Bug & CalleenCalleen said:I'm right
behind you mine is Wed.. and I'm in the middle of cleaning too... I will be praying for you ... My Plastic surgeon said to buy stuff in litle cartons.. buy some crackers that are good to take my meds with.. I've bought several different kinds....and move stuff I regularly use to shelves that's easy to get to without bending over... I also bought a book/journal that while i'm having surgery that my Frineds and Family are going to write good well wishes to me so I can have something special to read when I'm feeling better and to always treasure... My Grandaughter is also going to take pictures of my loved ones in the waiting room so I can see them... We are calling it my waiting room party!!!
Sending many prayers your way!!!
Calleen
I wish both of you the best in your surgery.
You both will be in my thoughts and prayers and please keep us posted when you can.
Remember we are here for you.
Gentle Hugs,
Margo0 -
Lady-Bug and Calleentommaseena said:Lady-Bug & Calleen
I wish both of you the best in your surgery.
You both will be in my thoughts and prayers and please keep us posted when you can.
Remember we are here for you.
Gentle Hugs,
Margo
I am also wishing you the very best. I will be waiting to hear how it went, and will keep you both in my prayers.
love and hugs, jackie0 -
I wish I had shaved my legs
I wish I had shaved my legs right before surgery. (And under my arms.)
I had DIEP reconstruction, so it was almost a week before I was out of the hospital, and then a week of showering only with my husband's assistance. Even after that, I didn't have the mobility to get to my legs, and I had incisions too close to my pits to shave there.
I've almost always worn a real short pixie hair cut, and I got it cut right before surgery, and then ignored it for weeks, other than washing it.
Are _you_ keeping a journal/diary? Writing what you are feeling and going through is a wonderful way to get rid of it, or to cope with it.
You'll be in my thoughts tomorrow.
Lisa0 -
Good luck!Ltalcott said:I wish I had shaved my legs
I wish I had shaved my legs right before surgery. (And under my arms.)
I had DIEP reconstruction, so it was almost a week before I was out of the hospital, and then a week of showering only with my husband's assistance. Even after that, I didn't have the mobility to get to my legs, and I had incisions too close to my pits to shave there.
I've almost always worn a real short pixie hair cut, and I got it cut right before surgery, and then ignored it for weeks, other than washing it.
Are _you_ keeping a journal/diary? Writing what you are feeling and going through is a wonderful way to get rid of it, or to cope with it.
You'll be in my thoughts tomorrow.
Lisa
Lots and lots of good luck to you both. We'll be thinking of you and look forward to hear from you.0 -
Calleen, I love the idea ofCalleen said:I'm right
behind you mine is Wed.. and I'm in the middle of cleaning too... I will be praying for you ... My Plastic surgeon said to buy stuff in litle cartons.. buy some crackers that are good to take my meds with.. I've bought several different kinds....and move stuff I regularly use to shelves that's easy to get to without bending over... I also bought a book/journal that while i'm having surgery that my Frineds and Family are going to write good well wishes to me so I can have something special to read when I'm feeling better and to always treasure... My Grandaughter is also going to take pictures of my loved ones in the waiting room so I can see them... We are calling it my waiting room party!!!
Sending many prayers your way!!!
Calleen
Calleen, I love the idea of the journal and your granddaughter taking pictures. You have so many people that love you and want only the best for you.
Joyce0 -
I agree with Lisa: you wantLtalcott said:I wish I had shaved my legs
I wish I had shaved my legs right before surgery. (And under my arms.)
I had DIEP reconstruction, so it was almost a week before I was out of the hospital, and then a week of showering only with my husband's assistance. Even after that, I didn't have the mobility to get to my legs, and I had incisions too close to my pits to shave there.
I've almost always worn a real short pixie hair cut, and I got it cut right before surgery, and then ignored it for weeks, other than washing it.
Are _you_ keeping a journal/diary? Writing what you are feeling and going through is a wonderful way to get rid of it, or to cope with it.
You'll be in my thoughts tomorrow.
Lisa
I agree with Lisa: you want to do whatever you can to make your daily routine as easy as possible. My hairdresser had the wisdom to cut my hair quite short right before my surgery, even though I hadn't worn it that way for several years. Now, I've decided to keep it that way. The little things take forever after surgery, and you get itred very quickly, so the easier you can make things, the better.
I also needed lots of pillows since I had to sleep on my back; these were for under my head and under my arms.
Joyce0 -
Speaking of journaling...Calleen said:I'm right
behind you mine is Wed.. and I'm in the middle of cleaning too... I will be praying for you ... My Plastic surgeon said to buy stuff in litle cartons.. buy some crackers that are good to take my meds with.. I've bought several different kinds....and move stuff I regularly use to shelves that's easy to get to without bending over... I also bought a book/journal that while i'm having surgery that my Frineds and Family are going to write good well wishes to me so I can have something special to read when I'm feeling better and to always treasure... My Grandaughter is also going to take pictures of my loved ones in the waiting room so I can see them... We are calling it my waiting room party!!!
Sending many prayers your way!!!
Calleen
is everyone familiar with CaringBridge? It is a wonderful online journal site where you can post your daily progress and others can leave notes in your guest book.
That way you do not have to repeat yourself over and over to everyone who wants to know the ins and outs of your journey. Just tell them your CaringBridge sign in name.
(Google CaringBridge.)0 -
Anything that may be high,jk1952 said:I agree with Lisa: you want
I agree with Lisa: you want to do whatever you can to make your daily routine as easy as possible. My hairdresser had the wisdom to cut my hair quite short right before my surgery, even though I hadn't worn it that way for several years. Now, I've decided to keep it that way. The little things take forever after surgery, and you get itred very quickly, so the easier you can make things, the better.
I also needed lots of pillows since I had to sleep on my back; these were for under my head and under my arms.
Joyce
Anything that may be high, get down. You wont be able to extend your arm up to get anything above your head. Journaling is a very good thing. I love to write. Its helps alot. Good luck to you and ill be praying.
laura0 -
I would say, stock up on
I would say, stock up on groceries so you have everything you need. You are already cleaning, thats good because you won't have that on your mind and it will be a week or so till it has to done again. I would enlist someone who would be willing to come over and tidy up when necessary. Also, make sure you have someone to be there at hosp. on day of surgery and someone to drive you home next day and to drive you to your 1st and maybe even 2nd post-op appointments. Good luck and keep us posted!0 -
Button upsEil4186 said:I would say, stock up on
I would say, stock up on groceries so you have everything you need. You are already cleaning, thats good because you won't have that on your mind and it will be a week or so till it has to done again. I would enlist someone who would be willing to come over and tidy up when necessary. Also, make sure you have someone to be there at hosp. on day of surgery and someone to drive you home next day and to drive you to your 1st and maybe even 2nd post-op appointments. Good luck and keep us posted!
Button or front fastening clothes. You would not believe how hard they are to find until you need them. It will be hard to use pull-overs for a while and impossible to handle stuff that fastens up the back. Hope this helps...thinking of you. Hugs Jxxxxxxxxx0 -
Get the pillows ready...Eil4186 said:I would say, stock up on
I would say, stock up on groceries so you have everything you need. You are already cleaning, thats good because you won't have that on your mind and it will be a week or so till it has to done again. I would enlist someone who would be willing to come over and tidy up when necessary. Also, make sure you have someone to be there at hosp. on day of surgery and someone to drive you home next day and to drive you to your 1st and maybe even 2nd post-op appointments. Good luck and keep us posted!
That was a great suggestion. I had to sleep on my back for almost 2 months after my dbl mast (w/reconstruction at the same time). I had a bolster under my knees for my back issues, and pillows along-side of me to keep me from inadvertantly rolling over and to elevate my arms a bit, because it was more comfortable that was. And then, of course, you need the pillow to support your head and neck. Some women have slept on comfy recliners post-op...
Oh...during the first 2 weeks, I used a cloth belt around my waist, in the shower, to hang my drains on so they were on me but not in the way or pulling down. (This will make more sense once you see what drains actually are!)
I had a "Ta-Ta to the Ta-Tas" party the night before. Just a few close friends of mine and I, and my sister who had flown in to help out for a couple of weeks, got together for dinner and a drink. It helped me stay relaxed and it was definitely better to laugh than to cry!
Other than that, accept help from everyone who offers, i.e. swallow your pride for a month or so and let others do for you -- cooking, cleaning, errands, chauffering. People who ask to help want to be needed, and it's just for a relatively short time when you really will be too tired (for me it was more about being tired than pain).
Good luck tomorrow. Enjoy your family tonight.
With love,
Debi0 -
I used a 'lanyard' for mybfbear said:Get the pillows ready...
That was a great suggestion. I had to sleep on my back for almost 2 months after my dbl mast (w/reconstruction at the same time). I had a bolster under my knees for my back issues, and pillows along-side of me to keep me from inadvertantly rolling over and to elevate my arms a bit, because it was more comfortable that was. And then, of course, you need the pillow to support your head and neck. Some women have slept on comfy recliners post-op...
Oh...during the first 2 weeks, I used a cloth belt around my waist, in the shower, to hang my drains on so they were on me but not in the way or pulling down. (This will make more sense once you see what drains actually are!)
I had a "Ta-Ta to the Ta-Tas" party the night before. Just a few close friends of mine and I, and my sister who had flown in to help out for a couple of weeks, got together for dinner and a drink. It helped me stay relaxed and it was definitely better to laugh than to cry!
Other than that, accept help from everyone who offers, i.e. swallow your pride for a month or so and let others do for you -- cooking, cleaning, errands, chauffering. People who ask to help want to be needed, and it's just for a relatively short time when you really will be too tired (for me it was more about being tired than pain).
Good luck tomorrow. Enjoy your family tonight.
With love,
Debi
I used a 'lanyard' for my drains when I showered: they go around your neck and you get them at conferences for your name badge. I suggested that my plastic surgeon hand them out to his patients with the name of his practice on them. We agreed that no on would want to use them afterwards so it wouldn't be a very good advertisement.
Joyce0 -
Thanks
Thank you everyone for the encouraging words. Will let ya'll know when I get home.
Deb0 -
Best wishes for surgery...Ladybug-Chunk said:Thanks
Thank you everyone for the encouraging words. Will let ya'll know when I get home.
Deb
Ladybug-Chunk: for tomorrow; and,
Calleen: for Wednesday.
I'll be hoping for the best possible outcomes, for both of you. With no complications, and quick recovery.0 -
Prayers
Thinking of you, Ladybug and will pray for your surgery to go well tomorrow.
Calleen, you are on my calendar for Wednesday.
Sending You Both Cyber Strength,
KC0
Pammy 
Discussion Boards
- All Discussion Boards
- 6 CSN Information
- 6 Welcome to CSN
- 122K Cancer specific
- 2.8K Anal Cancer
- 446 Bladder Cancer
- 309 Bone Cancers
- 1.6K Brain Cancer
- 28.5K Breast Cancer
- 398 Childhood Cancers
- 27.9K Colorectal Cancer
- 4.6K Esophageal Cancer
- 1.2K Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine)
- 13K Head and Neck Cancer
- 6.4K Kidney Cancer
- 673 Leukemia
- 794 Liver Cancer
- 4.1K Lung Cancer
- 5.1K Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
- 238 Multiple Myeloma
- 7.2K Ovarian Cancer
- 63 Pancreatic Cancer
- 487 Peritoneal Cancer
- 5.5K Prostate Cancer
- 1.2K Rare and Other Cancers
- 542 Sarcoma
- 736 Skin Cancer
- 657 Stomach Cancer
- 192 Testicular Cancer
- 1.5K Thyroid Cancer
- 5.9K Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
- 6.3K Lifestyle Discussion Boards