new and having surgery today

kjrpcb
kjrpcb Member Posts: 41
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have been lurking in the background and finally have worked up the courage to post. It's still early and the family is sleeping. I am having surgery in just a few hours. I am 51 and was diagnosed with BC on my birthday. A real bummer. I have an extensive history on BC in my family. Many aunts, cousins, sisters and my mom died from BC when I was young. I guess BC has always been something I have thought about. I was very good about doing breast checks and yearly mammos. I just knew something was not right and sure enough it was confirmed by BX. I have decided to have a bilat mastectomy (prophylactic on the right side). I just want this thing gone and I want to reduce the chances of recurrence. Most likely I will have chemo and possibly rads. I feel ready for today. I have hired a housekeeper. I did last minute grocery shopping, I did my reading. I love my surgeon and had my consult with my plastic surgeon. I don't think I'm missing anything but it's just something about the,house being dark and quiet,I'm putting that last load of wash in the machine. I peeked in my daughters bedroom and they are asleep, the husband is snoring,my grandson is sound asleep with his stuffed animals,the dog wants to cuddle. I'm a little irritated that shoes were left in the living room. All is well. All of the sudden the tears started flowing and I got really scared. Not for the surgery that I can handle but I want this thing called my life, irritations and all to be the same and go on forever but I know I have changed and so has my family and the future is somewhat hazy. So that led me to this post. I wrote a letter to my girls to give to them before surgery. I just wanted to give them some measure of comfort and I wanted to them to know that mom wasn't going anywhere and I was going to be around to kick *** for a long time. Is that weird? Well I really do appreciate your listening. I just checked my email and have lots of encouraging words from friends and family so here I go! I am a breast cancer survivor. Prayers to all.
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Comments

  • Dot53
    Dot53 Member Posts: 239 Member
    Hello
    I'm glad you found us.....I just wanted to welcome you and wish you luck on your upcoming surgery... we will all be here waiting for you to report back and let us know how you are doing.... there are many wonderful women on this site that are always ready to answer questions or just lend their support.

    I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers....

    Best,
    Dot
  • MNLynn
    MNLynn Member Posts: 224
    Keeping you in my prayers . . .
    praying that all goes well for you. I am glad you posted here . . . I feel like this is such a safe place to talk about everything . . . and to know that you have LOTS of people here who will be thinking of you & praying for you today and in the future. Please keep posting and let us know how you're doing after surgery.

    Blessings . . .

    ♥ Lynn ♥
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    Of course you know from
    Of course you know from "lurking" that we are a strong, supportive bond of sisters ( and some awesome brothers) who really do walk in your shoes, and embrace you with love.

    I am happy that you feel you are in good hands, surgically speaking, and that you capatured so perfectly the look and feel of your home and it surroundings in the calm before your personal storm.

    You are correct~ you are indeed a Survivor! Post again when you can and feel up to it...as you have come to know, someone is always here...

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • Snowkitty
    Snowkitty Member Posts: 295
    chenheart said:

    Of course you know from
    Of course you know from "lurking" that we are a strong, supportive bond of sisters ( and some awesome brothers) who really do walk in your shoes, and embrace you with love.

    I am happy that you feel you are in good hands, surgically speaking, and that you capatured so perfectly the look and feel of your home and it surroundings in the calm before your personal storm.

    You are correct~ you are indeed a Survivor! Post again when you can and feel up to it...as you have come to know, someone is always here...

    Hugs,
    Chen♥

    I have gotten so much
    I have gotten so much comfort from this site. I know you will too. No question is to trivial to ask. These ladies are great.

    Try to rely on help from others. It's hard to relinquish control over things but it's time to take care of yourself.

    Take care

    Cindy
  • Hope 2010
    Hope 2010 Member Posts: 62
    Wishing you well on your
    Wishing you well on your surgery and recovery.
  • Christine Louise
    Christine Louise Member Posts: 426 Member
    Best wishes, survivor
    I'm thinking of you today, praying everything goes smoothly for you. Please let know how you're doing when you can.
  • youngnana
    youngnana Member Posts: 41
    Welcome
    Welcome. As I read your post, it brought me back to that very moment with you. I was diagnosed 4 months ago at age 50, also on the right side, and elected for the bi-lateral mastectomy for the same reasons as you. I had immediate reconstruction, tissue expanders, which I just had replaced with silicone implants last Wednesday. I have never regretted my decision. It was so very hard at the time to accept, and grieve for the loss of my breasts. I had nursed my babies and has such cherished memories, but then realized those memories would never change with their loss. Then, I just wanted it done. I am guessing they will do a sentinal node biopsy. I was blessed, and fortunate that chemo and radiation would not be beneficial for me, so am on the Femara 5year plan since I was postmenopausal. The surgery is not bad, the breast area is numb so no surgery pain. Are you having reconstruction? If so, you will experience muscle pain, and will likely have 2 drains, they are uncomfortable, I had mine for 2 weeks, and they dont hurt when they are removed.
    I pray for strength and comfort for you and your family, and sending angels to be right there with you during surgery.
    Karen
  • GrandmaMir
    GrandmaMir Member Posts: 21 Member
    Praying For You
    Welcome from another new survivor. My surgery was five days ago and I'm feeling very well now. Waiting for the pathology report isn't easy but I'm dealing with the waiting well. Yes, this is a great place to get support from others who know what you are going through. Keep us updated. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member

    Praying For You
    Welcome from another new survivor. My surgery was five days ago and I'm feeling very well now. Waiting for the pathology report isn't easy but I'm dealing with the waiting well. Yes, this is a great place to get support from others who know what you are going through. Keep us updated. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Myself like youngnana .. found out I had bc in left
    breast -- opted for bi-lateral. Chemo first in my case, mac'tmy and reconstruction followed.

    Welcome to our sisterhood ! We are a wonderful, loving and resourceful site.

    Best of Luck ..


    Vicki Sam
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
    Welcome
    Hope your surgery went well. Keep us updated. I was 51 earlier this year when I was diagnosed. First had a lumpectomy, but my margins didn't come back clear. Therefore, I had a mastectomy with reconstruction on May 4th. Turned 52 in June. My birthday present from my oncologist was 4 chemo treatments. Have my second tomorrow. I too, was very scared. But everything is fine and I survived. Found lots of comfort and had lots of questions answered here. Unfortunately, didn't find this site until June. Wished that I had found all my wonderful breast cancer sistas before that. Take care. Hugs, Jean
  • terri805
    terri805 Member Posts: 122
    best wishes
    wishing you the best outcome possible. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and that your surgery goes well. Let us know how you are doing.
  • Pinkpower
    Pinkpower Member Posts: 437
    Dear kjrpcb
    I just read your post. Hope by the time you read ours, your surgery is a thing of the past and it all went excellent. I too am fairly new here and I sure have found a huge support to my anxiety, fear and just everyday blahs... Looking forward to your next post.
    Lupe
  • QuiltingMama123
    QuiltingMama123 Member Posts: 124
    I'm so sorry you had to find us like this, but welcome!
    You are in my thoughts and prayers. I have only been at this sight for about a week, but it truly is a wonderful, soft place to land. We are all with you today.
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    Your surgery
    Your surgery is over and I hope all went well. Visit here when you're up to it. There is a wealth of info from all fellow bc sisters. Many have been exactly where you are now. I had bilateral mastectomies 3 weeks ago today. I'm still sore and waiting for the steri strips to fall off but doing ok. I was advised not to start reconstruction until after rads and now that I know that I don't need chemo or rads I've decided not to have any more surgery. I'm 61 and can live with prostheses. I'm praying for your speedy recovery.
    Char
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    Praying for you
    I pray you are now on the road to healing! Welcome! Let us know how you're doing just as soon as you can.

    We're all here for you.

    Blessings,

    Sylvia
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    First of all, WELCOME to the
    First of all, WELCOME to the site you probably never wanted to join but will be very glad you did. The women on here are wonderful, we all share in a common bond and we all get each other through the toughest time in our lives. I'll send a prayer up for your surgery to go well and please keep us posted as to how you are doing. Hang in there and keep that survivor attitude, you will kick cancers a$$.
    Hugs,
    Kari
  • SamuraiMom
    SamuraiMom Member Posts: 295
    welcome!!
    So glad you decided to join us!

    Don't be a stranger!!!

    xxoo,
    SamuraiMom
  • anitap1
    anitap1 Member Posts: 25
    good luck
    I hope you recover from the surgery as quickly as I did.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    anitap1 said:

    good luck
    I hope you recover from the surgery as quickly as I did.

    Welcome
    I hope your doing well. I just wanted you to know that we are all here for you. Post when you can, let us know how your doing. Thoughts and Prayers and Hugs.
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    Dot53 said:

    Hello
    I'm glad you found us.....I just wanted to welcome you and wish you luck on your upcoming surgery... we will all be here waiting for you to report back and let us know how you are doing.... there are many wonderful women on this site that are always ready to answer questions or just lend their support.

    I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers....

    Best,
    Dot

    Welcoming you too to this
    Welcoming you too to this great site, full of support and encouragement.

    Best wishes for your surgery! Post when you feel like it.


    Hugs, Megan