Getting nervous, counting the days until I have preventative breast surgery.

[tiredteddy]

less than a week now until I have a double mastectomy and reconstruction. I feel really nervous about the anaesthetic as I have never had one before. I am worried how my boys will cope with me away. I am nervous about my recovery and what I will feel like and be able to do. Has anyone had this operation who could advise me or reassure me. Thanks for reading!

Morning ladies. Another long night. So hard to get comfy and I wake up feeling so stiff! Did you feel like that? Fingers crossed they send me home today, the relative peace of my house is so appealing.

morning,sounds like you're doing well.I'm having surgery(gyne) in a london hospital soon and live miles away,how have you managed with the kids visiting? We think ours probably won't come unless I'm in for longer than expected.
I should think the stiffness is from not moving freely all night.I bet you'll sleep loads better in your own bed.

Morning Teddy - yes is the answer. Very hard to sleep, as you're stuck on your back and probably the bruising's starting to come through too, which can make you feel pretty ropey. Doesn't last forever, but it's annoying not to be comfortable. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you getting home today. Let us know.

Hi 14K we are lucky as my parents are retired and live near us at home just 15 mins away. The kids haven't visited though I didn't want then to have mental images of me out of it or with tubes and stuff. It seems to have worked for us and staying in school etc has distracted them. My DH has done the morning school run, worked from home then come up for visiting everyday. My folks have done the afternoon pick up tea and bedtime.

I guess that I will sleep better at home it will def be darker it's so bright on the ward. I am slowly getting used to sleeping on my back so hopefully it will get easier. Now I think its the antibiotics making me feel sick as they started those again yesterday and now the nauseous feeling is back. Thanks for checking up on me ladies!

Forgot to say hi smee and ledkr xx

tired it might be the GA still working it's way out - I know I felt sick for about a week after my op. I am a bit prone to that, but it does knock you about a bit. Any news on coming home??

Got my painkillers and I'm going home! Just waiting for my DH to get me. Maybe you are right smee and it's the GA as I tend to feel sick when stressed/tired/headache etc so it could be how I'm reacting. Can't wait to see my two yummy little boys

Cant remember much tbh tired but i had a section 9 months ago and defo slept better in my own comfy bed but its bound to be uncomfortable for a bit.Are you tsking your pain killers?

smee im a bit sicky too.When i had chemo they had to scour the planet for anti emetics that worked

YEAY..! hope you're home now and snuggled on the sofa. Did you get the final drain out?

Me too ledkr on the sickness front. They never found one that worked, but I tried them all..

So I have just woken up at home after the best nights sleep this week. The drain was taken out so I am more comfortable. Still taking lots of pain killers. I find I am very stiff in the mornings. Appointment next weds for the grand unstrapping...

you must be so relieved.
enjoy your weekend

I need some advice. How did you find sleeping after your surgeries? I am finding it so hard, I can only sleep for about 1.5/2hrs at a time. My back and shoulders get really stiff over night and by the morning the pain is quite bad. Did this happen to you? How long did it last? I feel like I need a good nights sleep and then a lie in and I would feel so much better. I am so tired now that I am starting to feel emotional and teary again rather than positive. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks x

tired, that sounds familiar to me, so the only good news is that it's normal. Day by day you'll find it easier, so hang onto that. I staggered pain killers at night at first so I could take some in the small hours, rather than having to wait 'til morning. Depends what you're taking, but that might help. If it's really bad, could you get some sleeping pills to help knock you out?

So I am off today to be unstrapped and get a proper look at things! Wish me luck

good luck! hope you like what you see although I doubt they are looking thier best atm.Thinking of you.

Well I nearly fainted I was so nervous and panicky and had to lie down! but they took the strappings off and it's not looking too bad. My right side is healing well and a great shape. The left had a bit of fluid which they syringed out and is apparently slightly larger (I had skin sparing surgery) so it needs to settle for two weeks and then the surgeon plans to fill it slightly more (he left it emptier in the operation) underneath to match them up. We were then dispatched to John Lewis to buy some very carry-on style bras to help mould the implants to shape. Not very glam but they are doing the job. So relieved that everything is looking ok and healing! Given myself a stress headache though

Just popping in to say well done Tiredteddy you sound amazing and have come a long way in such a short time. Be really kind to yourself and I hope you really get to like your new pair! I've had a wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy and I'm keeping on top of the painkillers, timing them carefully so there is no big pain to get on top of. I write down what I've taken and when I am due more. Someone mentioned timing so as to take something in the small hours if you are awake, I did this last night and so not too bad this morning, just stiff at first.

Thanks 14K for the luck!
Thanks Driftwood999 as well. Nice to meet you too, good advice about the pain killers thanks I will try that tonight I think. I can't wait til I can curl up on side and sleep like a baby again! I am wearing my new bra and the shape looks better already. At the moment I am avoiding having a close look at the scars and stitches I will look when u feel ready to. My DH has seen all and says it is not as bad as he was expecting. Thanks for checking up on me the support on here has been brilliant.

Ooh good - first look's always a bit eek, but sounds like you've got a great surgeon. Takes them a while to make it all match, but if mine's anything to go by, they're pretty diligent. I've had to ask my surgeon to leave me alone for a while.