Hi - recently diagnosed & awaiting surgery.

Dear 

What operation are you having ? 
I had a single mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using my tummy tissue and most lymph nodes removed . I had no pain . Honest ! 
I wore Hospital gowns for 5 days then Night shirts with buttons up the front .I wore leggings and support bra and support pants plus blouse and cardigan to go home . Lots of pillows in the back of the car - 30 mile journey home .

my operation was text book and no problems . Read my profile I think I wrote more there . 

Before my operation I had good days and days when I wanted to run away !!! But I stayed and was brave , you will be brave too - we get the strength from somewhere . 

have a peaceful nights sleep 

take care 

Ruby Rose  

Dear Ruby Rose,

Many thanks for your info - very helpful - Ta.

A full mastectomy isn't planned - but the amount of tissue removed will depend on what they find when they have a rummage.  Lymph glands will be biopsied on the table & sent to the lab; the results will be phoned down & lymph glands will be removed if necessary.  So I won't know until after the op, if that needed to be done.  I've been told I may need chemo after, but the result of the test to determine that wasn't available on my last visit.

I'm very relieved to hear you say you had no pain.  I'm a total wimp and I must admit that that's what I found most worrying.  Losing a chunk of my boob doesn't worry me that much - it's not as though I'm going to be doing any topless sunbathing at my age!  

I will certainly take your hint about the pillows in the car; I've got a 30 mile journey home too.  And as for being brave - well, got no choice, have I?  But I do understand your point about good days & bad days; I'm up & down from hour to hour, sometimes....  Doesn't help that hubby was in for repeat surgery for nasal polyps today but passed out on his way to theatre & they're worried his heart isn't right.  You really couldn't make it up!  I'm trying to see the funny side of everything, but it's difficult to dredge up any humour today.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.  You've been a great help.

Yours,

Sandra xx

Hi,as to what you should take with you,I took in change of underwear,few freshen up toiletries, slippers, pyjamas no bra,loosely fitting shirt,button up,vest top.i woke up with no pain at all,but each of us are different, so I took in my own paracetamol .Hope this helps a little,good luck 

I also recommend a pillow for your car journey home,so helpful xx

Thank you, Chav.

Every little bit of info helps; I wouldn't have thought of a vest top!  So now got to go shopping again....  

A lot of people have recommended pillows for the journey home - another thing I wouldn't have thought of.  And I've been out today for earplugs, since hubby spent a night in hospital this week & said the ward noise was horrendous!

I've been told I'll be in for 2-3 days; should I take my own towel?  The info from the hospital says only to bring slippers & a dressing-gown, but I suspect that's aimed at day surgery patients?  (The last time I had an op was over 40 years ago, & the list to bring then was a mile long...)

Thanks again,

Sandra

Hi hun hope you're well, as for taking in towels, I did take few extra bits just in case, I took in a face cloth and a medium towel,but am positive they would supply all that you need,I was at Wythenshawe hospital, they were amazing, best wishes, chav x

This advice could be a bit late for you, don't know when your op is. I would definitely take slippers. I say this because although I ordered some, they didn't arrive in time and the Nurse wasn't pleased that I didn't have any.....she therefore found me some in the hospital cupboard which she stuck on the end of those compression stockings (green) and then nearly had a breakdown when she noticed they were childrens' slippers and didn't fit. They were tiny. They were bright yellow and emblazoned with the letters "CH" with sticky pads on the bottom of them. In an effort to be gracious/grateful and to calm her I said "Who's going to know? Doesn't CH mean Cheshunt Hospital (rather than childrens' ?)" I felt and looked like a frog as I stickily padded into the operating area......

Joking aside, you may need to take compression bra/surgical bra. I was given one beforehand by Breast Cancer Nurses and instructed to put it on straightaway after the op and I did this. I regretted not putting on a button up top at the time, but just didn't feel up to the task. Have lived in button up tops since as I have had difficulties with weakness in one arm and did need help from Nurses to get tops on and off.

Cushions are a Godsend. Never travel in the car without a cushion. Had sore back after my op - I was told by a friend (retired G.P.) that this was due to the amount of tough scrabbling around with tissue in the op and this was a good thing, as removing any cancer found. You will need cushions in bed, helpful when sitting down too.

Puzzle books if waiting about? Books ?

Things to take to hospital … do you have an iPhone? Take some headphones and listen to radio - there’s so much stuff: plays, comedies, quizzes, it takes your mind off your worries. I sleep like this every night, if I don’t have my headphones in I start to think and that’s no good at all! A cardigan in case it’s cold … my op was in Jan and due to pandemic all windows were open! Good luck x

Thanks, Jigsaw61.  Got earbuds & have made a playlist of cheery music to listen to, which I think will be helpful. Also got new really good book (which is taking a lot of willpower to avoid starting) and sudoku,  Hubby was in hospital last week & said he was cold because all the windows were open; but I've got a fleecy dressing gown which I can wrap myself up in. xx

Lol! Thanks v. much.  I haven't been told anything about a compression/surgical bra.  Maybe because I'm not particularly well-endowed & they don't think it necessary in my case?  Lol.  I've planned to wear a buttoned blouse to go in/come out (easier to put on after?) & have bought buttoned jammies (I usually sleep in a nightie).

The hint about pillows/cushions in the car has been mentioned by several people & I'm really grateful; got a long drive home & I would never have thought of it myself.xx