Got my surgery date so scared

I'd never had any surgery until I had my lumpectomy in February.  It was fine.  The staff will know you are apprehensive and scared; they will be able to reassure you and calm your fears.

Best wishes for your speedy recovery.

I was the same I'd never stayed in hospital.  The food was indeed awful but it was one night.  Everybody was lovely too xx

Hello Nonitodi, 

I am sorry you find yourself here, I know its not what you want - however, you are surrounded by such loving and understanding people.

Your anxiety and panic attacks will be though the roof - you are in unknown territory - your feelings are normal and of course your feelings are heightened due to your the complete unknown.

I hope what I write will ease your mind .......

I was like you so scared, not had surgery, not stopped in hospital, etc etc - however the power of my mind took over 'just wanting 'IT' somehow gave me a strange inner strength - I was that scared, I think these feelings pushed fear of the operation out of the way....
it seemed once I had the date I focused on 'getting it out'  (I was very scared and had my head in the sand about it all, wanted to run etc).

I had a lumpectomy / wide local incision and I truly can honestly say, the recovery after the operation made me feel a little bit of a cheat - there was virtually no pain on the operation site - I did have pain killers 'in case' for the next day (this was out of fear - thinking I needed them to keep any pain away - I didn't).  I would say the pain after having tooth filled is far worse (although they seem to be on top of this too these days).

I will be honest, the following day the area the sentinel node biopsy was taken from was 'sore' (a strange sore - not pain, like a raw sore type of feeling - its so hard to explain, I think it was where the healing was taking place) - just as I would get to the point of thinking 'I need to take something for this' - the sore feeling would go - sort of came in a wave over the course of a few hours......

This said - it was nothing, nothing on what you would be thinking you would have.

If you focus on what the operation is 'actually for and what it will do - and take away' you will start to (get this) .... I feel you will start to look forward to your operation - you know this will mean to you.

The crying - well I will say this ...... you are human, this is natural and in a way you are crying 'for you, the old you' - your life changed when your heard those words or 'that' word - so you will cry, you will, its normal.

Keep in mind you are on a journey, a journey that is helping you - you will come thought this, you will.

We are all here for you, if you have any problems sleeping look out for the 'AWAKE' thread - we all tend to pop in and out of there at all different times - whether its a question you need answering, a problem you want to share, even to just talk - we all understand - we do.

I'll post the link to the 'Awake' thread people - pop in whenever you like, just don't ever feel alone - we are all here for you....

sending great big hugs and lots of love xxxxx

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/breast-cancer-forum/f/general/128753/awake/1786673#1786673

and remember.....

So very true about worrying...  waste of energy 

Thankyou so much everyone I can’t believe how much this group really helps I can say how I honestly feel and with your replies helps me see things differently I’m going to be positive and get through this Thankyou hugs to you all xx

I had my surgery on 4 August. Like you I was worried about being put under but I can honestly say that the whole experience fascinated me. The Surgeon and the theatre staff are fantastic masters of distraction. In the end I never knew I was under until I heard the Nurse calling my name to wake up. They truly are amazing, caring professionals. Its only natural that you would be worried but really it will be over before you know it. Good luck to you and I hope that all goes well.

!!!!!!UPDATE!!!!
had my surgery today and I’m now at home yes I was very scared and a bit panicky but I coped really well I’m so pleased with myself I’ve done it and no it wasn’t as bad as I thought I had a lumpectomy and a sentile lymph nodes biopsy I’m ok just starting to get tired and feel a bit sore but Thankyou everyone xx

Well done you!  It's good to have that behind you; rest and take it easy for a few days.

Best wishes

Well done, now to rest & recover x

Well done. 

I'm 2 weeks ahead of you, I was so anxious about the op but it was nothing like I feared, in and out same day, why do we do it to ourselves! I’m healing well, have had some lymph fluid leakage from breast but all to be expected and Dressing  will come off once it stops. Do your exercises, and I speak from experience when I say be careful pushing yourself to sit up and move around on the sofa etc, my arm is strong and range of movement good but I know when I’ve pushed it a little far! Be wary of doing too much! 

Yesterday I received the wonderful news that no live cancer was found and no signs of cancer in the 4 nodes removed! I really hope for the same news for you 

Rest up and take care of you xxx