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operation fears

Burse
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Hi. I a m 70 years old, and have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I have an appointment next week to discus treatment. I am told that I will need an operation. 

I have never had an operation before. My children were born by caesarian section  and I was awake.

I am stressing so much about being put out. Has anyone else worried about this?

  • Online

    I too had never had an op before and was diagnosed with breast cancer in July. I had a long wait 6 weeks and it was a horrible time as it was playing on my mind and was terrified of the treatment and being put under.  Accepting there was no way out helped on the lead up. The day itself was overwhelming but the good thoughts that it will be out and I can get on with my life helped. I found the whole walking to the anaesthetic room and waiting to be put under awful but it was a temporary situation. Next I heard a voice saying it’s all over , as I started to become aware and there was no memory of anything and you are back to the recovery room. That all went well and on results day 2 weeks later, had good news - lump is out, single node clear BUT we didn’t get enough of a margin on one little bit! I felt sick to the pit of my stomach as that meant another Op. I just couldn’t believe my ears esp as I hadn’t expected that so sadly back again through the process a month later but it was shorter. It was easier second time as you know what to expect- the fear of the unknown is the worst thing. Please don’t worry too much as it’s an everyday thing for the experts and almost like a conveyor belt with multiple surgeries each week.  You will be fine and cancer free. Wishing you well soon.

  • Offline

    Hi Burse

    I think everyone has these feelings due to apprehension of having a general anesthetic, whether first time round or multiple times.
    My great fear is that you may not "wake up" again, I'm sure you have had lots of tests to make sure that you are fit enough for the operation. So heart, lungs, kidney, blood pressure, weight, height and so on are tested.
    On the day you will be admitted to a ward where you will put on a surgical gown, you can have a dressing gown on top of this to keep warm and your slippers. You will have visits from a nurse who will take your temperature, blood pressure and ask about any medicine you are currently taking. They may give you a couple of paracetamol to take. You will be visited by the surgeon and the anaesthetist for a chat.
    Usually you walk to the operating theater, they put you at ease, fit a cannula in the back of your hand and attach it to a bag suspended above. Know that you will be in good hands by an experienced surgeon and team and the anaesthetist will be present throughout the operation monitoring you. You will be asleep within 10 seconds and be aware of nothing until you wake up in the recovery ward where you started out. As you come to you will be offered a hot drink and be monitored for a while before they either send you home or admit you to a ward to continue your recovery.

    I hope that this can help a bit to dispel the fear of the unknown. I recently went through this and although I like you was dreading it, it was not too bad after all.

    Best wishes

    Ed

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