surgery tomorrow..

Just wishing you good luck
Just wishing you good luck for your surgery tomorrow. I had a lumpectomy, so, I can't offer advice on the effects of a mastectomy. I am sure that others here that have been thru it will post for you. Sending you prayers too!

Sue

Mastectomy was less painful than I expected
I was surprised how little pain I had with double mastectomy Jan. 25. Things felt (and continue to feel) strange and sometimes uncomfortable, but I make a real distinction between discomfort and pain. Any pain was well controlled in the hospital with their morphine. Once home, I couldn't handle my narcotic pain pills (had nausea and vomiting second day), so I stopped taking them and found I didn't need them anymore. Now I use ibuprofen quite successfully when needed.

I could start household chores by week 3 or 4. Doesn't mean I could work for long at all, but I could do a load of laundry, or some dishes, or a bit of meal preparation. Some days are way better than others. Careful, though, it's really easy to over do it!

Normal sleep -- depends on what you mean. Six weeks later, I'm still sleeping in a recliner, but I'm getting good nights' sleeps. I'm just more comfortable propped at a bit of an angle instead of flat on my back.

You'll be blasted at first, so don't beat yourself up thinking you should be "normal" right away. Be patient, relax, surgery is hard on you! Hopefully, you are sleeping right now. I wish I'd seen your post earlier. I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow. I will be thinking of you.

KayNYC said:

Sending you good thoughts and prayers for tomorrow
I was diagnosed last week and have an appointment tomorrow with the surgeon. I am thinking of you and hoping you will be on the mend and on your feet again soon. Please let me know how you are doing. To all the brave ladies who have gone through this before us,I send a big hug.

Good luck with your surgery!
Good luck with your surgery! Sending you positive thoughts and prayers!

I had a mastectomy of my
I had a mastectomy of my left breast. I became an emotional wreck the night before my surgery too. I had been brave about it and I try hard not to think negatively, but that all went out the window when I realized what was happening. When I woke up from surgery, I felt extremely relieved... one, that it was overwith and two, that the cancer was finally out of me! The most difficult time of sleep I had was the one night in the hospital because they don't 'let' you sleep. I toss from time to time while I sleep, so when I was home, I slept hugging a pillow and when I would roll over onto my left side, I brought the pillow with me and tucked it slightly under me. I had two weeks off from work but felt like I could go back to work after a week. I think most of the time there are a lot of nerve endings cut during the surgery, so it's mostly numb. I had my surgery in August of 09 and I'm still numb in spots. I can't tolerate pain meds either but I honestly never needed them. If I started to feel anything at all, I took ibuprofin and it was enough. I'm sure you'll do fine. Just concentrate on the positive and that's that you will be cancer-free! And when you feel up to it, please let us know how you are.

Hugs, Mar

MyTurnNow said:

Wishing you good luck with
Wishing you good luck with your surgery today. Give yourself time to rest and recuperate and let us know how you are doing, when you can!!

Sending you good luck today
Sending you good luck today and praying for you!

good luck
I had left mast on Jan. 26th after 2 other lumpectomy attempts. I can tell you I wish I had gone with the mast the 1st time (or atleast the 2nd). My first surgery was on Dec. 11th, so I went almost 2 months without moving my left arm around much! BIG mistake! Even with the drains, I wished I had been advised to move some!! I am paying for it now . . . physical therapy twice a week to try and get my range of motion and strength back.

I was freaked out before surgery day as well, but it really hasn't taken long to get used to it. I even think now, that I wish I had done some homework on double mast and been done completely! Who would have ever thought I'd feel that way!!

Rest, relax, don't push too hard. Let others help you when they can and be patient!! Time will pass and you will feel better soon.
Stay strong and good luck to you!