Compare this time to 13 years ago.

Hello and welcome to the community although I'm sorry for the reason you find yourself here. 

Firstly, I just want to say, Good Luck for your surgery today! I hope you've enjoyed your coffee and early breakfast, and have everything prepared for the hospital later today. 

In regards to your care after the procedure, you didnt mention what surgery you had in the past, but if they aren't giving you the same level of care when you get home, it may be because they think you might manage ok without it. My best advice, is that if after your surgery today, or in the next few days, if you think you or your husband are going to struggle/are struggling, then to get in touch with either Macmillan or your breast care nurses to see what support they can offer you from then on. 

You sound as though you had some wonderful friends, and a lot of good times. Keep those memories with you, as those sound like wonderful ones for you to hold on to. 

Lots of love, hugs and best wishes for today, and I wish you a speedy recovery! Let us know how you get on, you're a superstar. 

Alex xxxx

Silverberg ......I hope it all goes well for you today.

I have been so encouraged by the twelve years you have had ' in betwen' but also by your bravery...... It is what it is......has been your approach and however unpleasant you know the next few months will be, you have never tried to depress those beginning their treatments for the first time, only to assist them with matter of fact advise. You deserve this to be sucessful.

My own lumpectomy was nearly four years ago and I had a sentinel node removed. I didn't need a drain .....I wonder if developments in surgery have improved things here in certain circumstances....and fortunately as the node was clear, I didn't need anymore removed with all the subsequent discomfort. So hopefully, you won't need a drain either which will make it easier for your husband. I don't remember the recovery from surgery causing too much pain. I did have the anti coagulation injections but my husband did those as he's an insulin dependent diabetic of nearly forty years and expert with a needle!  I did have radioactive dye to identify the sentinel node in the hour before the surgery so lots of coloured wee afterwards. The fear of the unknown was the worst thing that day and at least you will know what is going on.

I'm sorry we can't be with you in person tonight to lend a shoulder to cry on and share a glass of wine but I'll raise a glass for you anyway and if you get a chance......let us know how it all goes.

Take care.

Love Karen

Hi Karen

Nobodies mentioned anti co agulant r! Not that they are a problem, I've had surgery on both feet in the past two years so using tummy as a dart board isn't an issue. 

As for hubby, he's a great nurse as long as I don't go near him with a needle. Last time I got an infection. The wound had to be packed daily by a district nurse. She taught him how to do it so we could go away in our campervan for a few days.

It is a responsibility for partners and families who are less aware or capable.

The number of nodes being removed shows the research that has developed in the 13 years. 

I'm looking forward to some interesting conversations with my three year old granddaughter and I expect to see her later in the week with her stethoscope and thermometer. 

One things for certain, I'll get a decent afternoon nap today.

Silverberg

P.S. wish I didn't have to take my nails off!

Good luck todsy Silverberg and really sorry you are having to do this again.

The nodes thing seems to be regional.  Mine were all removed - biopsy had shown in one. When I asked why as some hospitals only removed a few I was told that different hospitals did different things but mine elected to remove all.  Ultimately 4 out my 21 tested positive and this after neoadjuvant chemo.  But so glad you don't have to go through that bit again - i think it was that that was most painful.

Enjoy your afternoon nap  . . . 

Hi , good luck for this afternoon, like you I had a pm operation (last on the list I think) and came home early evening. I had lumpectomy and node sampling, both via the same excision, the scar was very long compared to a previous lumpectomy 13 years before (which turned out to be benign) but it has healed well. No drains or anticoagulants. I was nowhere near other patients (small day unit where beds seemed far apart) so just sat with book, magazine and phone, passing the time in a bit of a daze. Some places allow friends or family to stay pre op but at mine it was quick goodbye at the entrance and you’re on your own! But friendly staff and I’m a weird person who rather likes an anaesthetic so it was all straightforward. Afterwards I went back several times to the breast clinic (nearer than the hospital where I had the op) for dressing changes and wound checking. I did develop an impressive haematoma but it sorted itself out without intervention and it was really reassuring to have the BC nurses check it regularly. I’m not usually one to seek help but was very grateful for their support on this occasion. 

Will be thinking of you this afternoon, wishing you good dreams and a great night’s sleep tonight! Gentle hugs, HFxx

Hope all went well.  I went down at 3pm and was home eating leek and potato soup and bread by 8pm.  I required no painkiller at home.  I had wire guided lumpectomy to top of left boob. 

Follow up was phone call late next day from BCN and appt with her 2 days later.  I had fabulous BCN who was sweet but not patronising in her recognition of just having had surgery for cancer xx

Hi Grogg, lovely to read your post, hoping you're keeping well. Mine was lumpectomy in my left boob - I still can't get over the fact that I had surgery and didn't need painkillers when I was at home.  I kept thinking the pain is going to start soon and thankfully it 'didn't' - the only painful part, not really painful thought, more of a 'stinging' was the area where they lymph node biopsy was carried out.

I wanted you to know  we are all thinking about you and really hope today went well for you xxx

Hi all

Home with my unicorn boob and unicorn wee. Both bright blue. I was last on the list but I had to have morphine. I've a massive bruise and swelling.

To be honest they could have done that putting the wire in. It took nearly an hour first trying to find clip with ultra sound then doing multiple mammograms. I needed painkillers after that on its own. An exception rather than the rule.

By the time I got out of theatreDaycare had shut and I had to go on a ward because of the morphine.

She nearly didn't let me out this morning because of the bruise, but I showed her some spectacular bruises from other things I have on my phone so I'm sat here now trying to stay awake.

They have a great system, they asked me if I wanted something to help me sleep. I never sleep after a general anesthetic so said yes. They then disturbed me ever 30 minutes to do blood pressure etc until it started to get light.

I've no pain in the site now at all. If I remember from last time the pain was all on the site of the lymph nodes being removed. It was a much bigger wound than last time.

Time for lunch. I hope the person who occupies my bed now likes fish in parsley sauce.

Thanks for all the good wishes