Hi I tried to reply to your other post re cream after radiotherapy but it wouldn’t let me. The hospital gave me zerobase moisturiser and it was great.
I had lumpectomy 4 July and had no problems , was driving 2 days later, did all my exercises and really had no pain. Didn’t use any of the painkillers the hospital gave me. Radiotherapy 1-5 then 8-11 September again no issues apart from fatigue. I’m now 6 months after radiotherapy and apart from having some swelling ( lymphodema, which isn’t sore just annoying) I have been really well.
Once everything starts you just kind of go with the flow, rest when you need to and when you don’t live life.
Hi mummy, first of all what you are feeling is completely normal. It's fine to be afraid, it's fine not to be able to sleep, it's fine to worry, this is your body's way of dealing with your situation. This is going to sound crazy but it worked for me . Embrace these feelings knowing that it's normal and ok. Don't fight them , let them flow like a river through you at out. Don't build a Dam and back it up. This is your journey/ diagnosis. And no one else's . If you feel like crying, cry. If you feel like laughing laugh. If feel like taking about it, talk and if you don't then don't. It's yours own it how ever you need. Sending you hugs, laughter, and cozy pillow to hug . Haha. Let us know how you get on as I will be thinking of you.
Hi. I have surgery in 5 day. I am scared shitless. This is me going in for the third time. I know what is going to happen. I know which bit will be hard and which will be Ok. I've had surgery on my feet before too so I know all about the Not being able to shower. How to survive strip washes etc. It doesn't really help.
What did they say about fighting a war as a soldier? " If you said you wernt scared you were lying. " It is the most normal thing in the world to be afraid of these steps we are taking. However we are not alone. I got a hug from my sister today. I think the last time she did that was when out Dad died that's about 35 years ago. Next Friday my son is coming over so OH can go for a bike ride. He thought we both would be ready for a break by then. I'm quite sure I'll be getting texts and long lines of emojis from my granddaughters. They'll look after me on here, just like they did last time, when the going gets a bit tough.
The NHS in my opinion are pretty crap at some things but BC care they seem to have pretty much sorted. I've never had anything but the best of care by kind, efficient and skilled people.
In a couple of weeks time we will both be wondering what the fuss was about as life goes on and the panic has faded. Meanwhile I'll put lavender on my pillow, play my meditation app and try very hard to get some sleep. We will be fine. Sending a big bone crushing hug because In a couple of days only gentle ones can be managed.
Hi, right let's get down to the facts (I think it is the best way to face challenges)
I will tell you how I dealt with my surgery day. I am being treated for 2 types of cancer, 1 which is aggressive Lobular Grade 3 and has spread to lymph nodes.
So over a week ago I was like you - I was facing surgery. Couldn't sleep, was always worrying and so on.
However, somehow I managed to control my emotions because, let's face it, you can either have the surgery which will give you a better chance of the cancer being taken away and stopped - or not have it
I decided to "go with the flow (it is my 2nd face off with cancer - my last was on the other side 13 years ago).
I don't know what time you have to report to your hospital on surgery day but at mine I had to be there by 7 am
I was up and out by 5.45 am to get to my daughter's who was going to take me from her house. My daughter lives closer to hospital than I do
By the time I had arrived and booked in, the nurses, doctors, anaesthetists and my lovely consultant had all talked to me, asked questions, drawn in me etc, time flew by.
It is a long time since I had so much attention from numerous men so in a way I enjoyed the fuss
Suddenly it was my turn but it was past mid day, I had fasted since 6.30 pm the previous day and I had been awake since 5.10 am. I was soo shattered.
By the time I lay on that trolley in the Anaesthetists room all I wanted to do was sleep
I half remember the anaesthetist asking why I was soo chilled and was I alright.
The next thing I knew I heard my name being called and the operation was over
I had had my lymph nodes removed so I have a drain which my daughter comes and empties each day.
Yes it is a nuisance especially if I forget about it when I move (it is in a cloth bag attached to a ribbon and hung around my neck) but it is there for a reason.
I go back on Monday to have it removed.
Re next steps treatment, I am expecting both chemo and radiotherapy because of the aggressive spread to my lymph nodes.
Whilst a bit scary, if I am told I need chemo then again I will go with the flow and if there are complications from the treatment I will try and find ways of dealing with them.
It is pointless getting wound up about something which is supposed to help you with your cancer battle because fretting will make you feel worse.
Radiation is something I had before - it is relatively easy - lying on the bed - closing your eyes and allowing the machine to scan over you. It doesn't physically touch you.
My message to you, and anybody else facing surgery etc, is, try not to fret, you will be alright, you won't feel a thing during the op, and it is easier to try and accept what is happening and go with the flow with any treatment than get worked up about it.
Big gentle hugs to you - you can get through this (I have so far) xx
The best thing I've found for sleep issues is not to try to get to sleep. I do something that I find relaxing purely for the enjoyment I get out of it without the goal of falling asleep. The result is usually that I naturally nod off. It's kind of like weight loss being a side effect of an exercise you enjoy rather than it being what you're striving for. Activities that work for me are reading and listening to podcasts. Ones that don't are music and films as these are just that bit too much fun.
Your family are telling you that you will be fine because they want to make it all better without realising that this is not what you need. I got a lot of this from my family, but I adjusted my expectations of them, accepted their attempts to comfort me and found that validation of my fears from others who truly understood instead.
I can't see that you say what type of surgery you're having, but I had removal of a 1cm tumour with margins and 5 lymph nodes, and the recovery was not even a little bit as bad as I'd expected. Yes, it was annoying not being able to do certain things for a few weeks, but on the flip side, it was also nice not to have to do certain things for a few weeks too!
I hope you manage to find a bit of peace and wishing you all the best for your surgery x
