Hi Trudes, sorry to hear of your situation. I had a wire guided removal of a grade 3 tumour and sentinal node removal last March followed by 6 cycles of chemo, radiotherapy and now am enduring the nasty side effects of letrozole which I have to take for the next 10 years. Cancer is the gift that just keeps on giving! With regards to your surgery I wouldn't worry too much about what to take. Are you having it done as a day case? I did, although I was warned to be prepared to stay overnight as I live alone and they wanted me to have someone with me in case of problems associated with the general anaesthetic. In the end I was allowed out around 9pm and got a taxi home with no ill effects. I took a nightie, toothbrush and paste(the hospital had soap and towels), most importantly I had a book and my crochet to keep me occupied during the waiting around and there was a lot of that! Leave your jewellery at home as you will have to take it all off. You need to take contact lenses out or glasses off. That's about it. The nurses will be lovely and if you need anything don't be afraid to ask. Wear a sports type bra afterwards if you need to. My tumour was at the top of my breast so I was back in my underwired bra the next day. I was lucky in that I had very little pain, more sore than painful. Oh, one last thought- make sure you do your exercises! Everyday, more than once if you can, it really does make a difference. I wish you all the very best and do try not to worry. Easier said than done but you can do this and you will get through it. Good luck, take care, xx

Hi Moggymad62, thank so so much for your reply. Gosh you have gone through a lot.This has been a bumpy ride. I am holding it together for everyone else but so very very worried. It all happened so quickly. I am clinging to the hope that because they can't get to them because they are very close behind the areola they could be be benign.  I cope on the good days but it's so difficult on the bad. Once they are out on the 24th I will feel better. They are going to take the area out where they are but don't understand why I would need a further op if it is cancer.  Why not just take more out while they are at it. I can't fault there care they are all lovely. I am presuming it will be a day case. Thank you so much your response was very reassuring.

Hi Trudes, wondering are you up early or a bad sleeper like me? (I suffer badly from restless legs syndrome so have been awake all night but that's a whole other story!). I think the reason they are saying you may need another op is that they will be hoping to remove the tumours with a clear margin of healthy tissue around them. If after the op the lab results come back that there was no clear margin then they would go back in and take more. Try not to think of that. Concentrate on getting the procedure done on the 24th and cross other bridges as and when you come to them. If you are lucky your cancer journey may end with the surgery but if it doesn't then just take one day at a time and you will get through it. I live alone so dealt with it all on my own and like you put a brave face on in the outside world and no one saw the tears I shed in private. It's normal to feel worried, I finally made a will after meaning to do it for years! I'm not saying you need to do that but I am saying that it's just human nature to think the worst. Just think of all the other times in your life that you worried unnecessarily. I bet there of loads of them!! I am going to take part in a knit/crochet-a-thon on the 24th so will remember the date. Keep your chin up, I am here if you need to chat, sending a big hug, Mog xx

Good morning Moggymad I am having a bit of moment.  I am trying hard to keep it under control but it's getting a grip on me I was fine until I received all my appointments through pre op assessment covid test letter for surgery and appointment after surgery. The closer it's getting the more panicked I'm getting. I thought it would be a relief to just get them out but as it stands I don't have cancer but that will all change after the 24th if I am told I have, how on earth do you get your head round that? My family are being so good but no-one can reassure me as they have not been through it. I am sure I will be ok once mine mind adjusts but it is so tough sometime

Hi Trudes. So sorry to hear that you are so worried about your procedure on the 24th. I promise you, the op itself is fine, you will be blissfully anaesthetised while it is done and hopefully you will have little or no pain after. I had a little soreness, that's all and it soon went away. I did my exercises religiously and healed well. I thoroughly recommend vitamin e oil on the scars once they have healed. It's a tip I was given by a nurse many years ago when I had wrist surgery and it really helps the scars fade. As for the diagnosis, if it is cancer(and it is if at this stage) you will be stronger than you think. I did it all completely on my own and if I can do that then so can you. You think now that you will fall apart but you won't. You will just take one day at a time and you will surprise yourself. I am more than happy to support you through what, if any treatment you need. This is the worst bit, the waiting and worrying. Once you know what's what it is easier, I promise you. I am sure that your family will rally round, make use of them but if you need someone who's been through it, I'm here. Take care, try not to worry too much, I'll be thinking of you, Mog, xx