Can’t sleep, I’m scared

I just wanted to give you a massive virtual hug and tell you that you are not alone. I have frequently found sleeping a problem. The anxiety of procedures can get overwhelming. However, I am out theother side - as in six weeks post operation and you will feel relieved once you have got today and Thursday over with.  Im sure most of us feel like giving up at some point, but you will feel betterwhen you know you have got rid of the cancer. Hold on there and good luck today - deep breaths and another virtual hug. Mickey xx️

Big hugs. I know the feeling only too well. There have been many sleepless nights and many more to come. You are not alone. We are all here. 

I had a single mastectomy and axillary clearance just shy of 2 weeks ago. I hadn't realised how much I had bottled up my emotions until they came to take me down to theatre and i had a proper cry. 

I have good days and rubbish days where I want to ask go away and go back to my days of ignorance and bliss before cancer. 

Which surgery are you having on Thursday? Xx

You can do this. I had same last Thursday, over in the blink of an eye!! Now awaiting more results, appointment just arrived for Thursday 3rd to see consultant plus a second Irwin infusion. We CAN did this together!! 

Iron infusion, predictive text!! 

You've got this.  It's normal to feel scared .  

My daughter introduced me to this app.  She says very good for helping with panic attacks 

https://www.thewhatsupapp.co.uk/

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/whats-up-a-mental-health-app/id968251160

You can do this honey️️ 

I can only backup what everyone has already said.  You're not alone in how you're feeling. Hopefully the biopsy went well, and once Thursday's behind you, you'll sleep a little better.

Your medical team will only have your best interests at heart, as it's in their interest that your health improves. 

Make sure, if you can take it, that you ask your GP for a prescription for codeine...it will help.

I ended up sleeping propped up with pillows in a reclined position as going from vertical to horizontal and vice versa was very uncomfortable immediately post surgery.

In the meantime, stay away from Dr Google...get any information either from Macmillan or your breast cancer nurse. That's what they're there for and nothing is ever too much trouble for them. 

I hope you're able to rest tonight. Wishing you well for Thursday .

Hi Katiecat13,

Just checking in to let you know we're thinking of you. Hope the surgery went well yesterday. It's hard, but try to rest as much as you can. 

Reply only in your own time. This isn't a race. Take care of yourself. Sending you hugs and healing thoughts

Kathryn x. 

Hope you're doing okay. We're all here for support. Off to bed now, battle with best sleeping position. Wonder how many hours sleep I'll manage tonight? 

Dearest Katiecat13,

By now if all has gone to plan you will have had your operation and realising so long as you have clear margins ...... 'it' has gone now!! It's out, it's gone.  

We all understand how you feel, we all deal with things in different ways - but more than anything 'we understand'.  Please know your feelings are normal, it is very early days and before you have even had time to take in what is going on you are having an operation - it is a crazy, crazy rollercoaster of a ride.....

One thing is certain, you are on this ride and its going along as it is suppose to - you will have scary times, you will have quieter times and before you know it you'll be waiting for results and back to scary times whilst waiting.

YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS - and you know what, you may even get through it a lot easier than you ever realised.

We are all here for you - any worries or concerns just let us know and I'm sure between all of us we will have some answers.

in the meantime, if, like many of us you have trouble sleeping - look out for the AWAKE thread (I'll put a link to it) - many of us seem to have problems with sleep at various times - it seems more so during the autumn and winter months - then as the nights grow shorter and we are able to enjoy the outside more - slowly our sleep tends to come back (and then runs off again if we have a check-up or a scan).

Please let us know you are and here is the link.

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/chat-breast-cancer/f/new-here-say-hello/232819/can-t-sleep-i-m-scared/1682166#1682163

In the meantime, please know we are all thinking and supporting you xx