AWAKE.........

Hi AnneCC

Can I just ask what reconstruction you've had from where and what other surgery you've got to have 

Only I had bilateral reconstruction from my stomach with a 12 week recovery due to the stomach scar more than anything else

Then when I was ready I had the nipple reconstruction which I opted for the to use the existing skin on the breast and the just sew it and it looks very real think I was of work 2 weeks max if even that then the tattooing of the areole I did in my lunch hour but with the last two I choose when to have them so it fit in with me

So I'm not sure which surgery he's on about I had a colleague who had the skin saver surgery and had to you a pump to keep stretching the skin till it was the same size as her other breast but she worked through that 

Hopefully it will only be a small surgery that has a short recovery time but you can always pick the time to suit you not when they say 

Hope you get it sorted and wishing you a speedy recovery listen to your body and don't overdo it otherwise that will result in a longer recovery time 

Lisa xx

Hi Lisa and thankyou for the reply.

I promise I will not be a martyr.  If the short shifts don't work I promise I will go off sick.  I would tell any of my colleagues in my situation to go off sick and management can just deal with it!!!!! Lol.  I think I need to try the shift change first.  I don't think it will be long till my op (2 - 4 weeks), but will have a better idea after appoinment today.

Puzzler ...... Oh my god, I'm so thick!  Lmao.  OH not OT, doh!!!!!!  I blame menopause brain, lol.
Yes, my manager had me fill in a form for OH yesterday, haha.

Lisa ....... I haven't looked into sick benefits yet.  I believe it is dependent on how long you have been working for the States (the government here, who run our hospital), think I should be entitled to full benefits as I've been working for them for 10 years, fingers crossed.

xxx

Michele

Wow this is a busy thread this morning. 

On reconstruction: Maybe it's time to re-assess all the reconstruction options. They vary in recovery times, how many times you have to be seen and so on. You didn't say what kind of reconstruction you're planning, so it's hard to offer any suggestions. Think carefully too about not having a reconstruction, or at least right now. I have decided against it and am very happy with the decision. My hubby is totally supportive and when dressed no one can tell I'm using a knitted knocker, even in swimmers. I decided against reconstruction because I've had constant problems with fluid. Originally I had a saved skin mastectomy and implant, but had to have that removed because of fluid issues. Then I went for a full mastectomy and still have a small seroma 16 months later.  I have come to the conclusion that further surgery is likely to result in more fluid problems, which I definitely don't want. So I'll stay a happy and contented lop-sided Lizzie.

On sleep and sleeping pills: yes many of us have sleep issues - one of the reasons why this thread is so long lol. I go through stages but at the moment I'm doing ok, only waking once per night and taking about an hour to go back to sleep. It's a combination of hot flushes, achiness, drugs, anxiety and all the other little presents that go along with BC. Carolyn28 had great success with anti-anxiety meds rather than sleeping pills but I can't remember the name of the drugs so I've tagged her. I'm a bit of a fan of sleeping pills for short term sleep issues or if you're going out of your mind for lack of sleep, but I'm not sure how much they help in the longer term as you need to keep increasing the dose for them to remain effective. Personally, I've found the old fashioned method helps me most - a cup of hot chocolate. For a while there I was in the kitchen at 3am every night swishing cocoa in the cup and trying not to overboil milk in the microwave. Ironically, I bought some of those chocolate pieces designed to melt and haven't needed a hot chocolate since!

Not sure about knitting as you really need to be sitting up and out of bed or else your arms will ache. I have a sudoku book by the bed and try to avoid the tablet or kindle as they say the flickering of the screen stops your brain from going into sleep mode.

Hoping everyone has a better day today.

Big hugs

LOT

Lorazepam

Oxazepam

Temazepam

these are metabolised in the gut rather than the liver

I had 1 Lorzepam to put under my tongue for the PICC line insertion

:D

xx

Hi Lisa,I am booked in for a latissimus dorsi(back) flap on the 26th.i I had been hoping to get it done sooner than this so I could get back to work in September properly but due to a mix up at the hospital I wasn't on the list when I should have been.getting this date now,think it must be a cancellation,is great and I had planned things out but being told I need the 2nd op to complete the procedure (and lift the other boob but I'm not bothered about that)has thrown a spanner in the works.I have been weighing up the pros and cons and still can't decide.think I'll take the weekend then make up my mind.my husband is no help as he just says it's up to me.

Thanks LL for your   support and advice.i am trying to weigh everything up and work out what's best but it's hard.one minute I want to have the op whatever happens then the next I wonder why I'm bothering when it's such a hassle.if only I had had immediate reconstruction!at the time they thought I may have radiotherapy so said it wouldn't be a good idea.in the end I had chemo no radio.

Well sometimes you just read something that puts your problems into perspective. Here I am moaning and complaining about lack of sleep, hot flushes etc. I've only been like it for a few years and I do get a few hours each night, so I suppose I should be happy with that.

I want EVERYONE to understand how LUCKY we are and that we have absolutely nothing to moan about! So tonight as you lie awake in the early hours or you can't drop off to sleep, take a minute to think of thousands of others who are much worse off, who are these 'others', well these little Guys...........

Hee hee hee hee hee, SORRY I just couldn't resist! Xxxxx

This describes my week

That kitten tells it how it is!hope we all get a few hours tonight ladies.

I'm crossing my fingers for everyone xxx

Michele xxx