Surgery on Monday...

[SarahsJourney]

Well ladies, the date for my debulking surgery is looming on the horizon now, and I'm trying to make the most of my last two days of reasonable 'normality' I'm def making the most of it, and going out to lunch later with my family, then cinema with my girls, followed by a lovely dinner tonight with my Monkeyhusband, tomorrow will be spent cooking a nice roast dinner, and relaxing by the fire watching tv.

Am pretty apprehensive about what Monday will bring, but trying not to think about it too much. Surgeon seems fairly optimistic, and I'm hoping it all goes well. Will pack my bag at some point tomorrow, not really sure what to take with me, but we need to report at 7am, and given I'm going to a London hospital, and we're in Oxfordshire, it will be a fairly early start.

Wishing luck also to Jessica, who I think is having her surgery on Monday as well, and to all of you really. This forum has really helped me learn more about others in the same situation as me, without going on the dreaded internet and reading all sorts of stuff that fills you with dread. It's also a safe environment if I want to offload, or ask anything which I don't feel able to share with my friends and family.

Thank you xxx

[HogwartsDK]

All the very best on Monday Sarah! You will get loads of wisdom on here about what to take with you to the hospital but the one thing that I found invaluable was a bottle of Roche Posay spritz water! It's very refreshing on your face as hospitals get very hot!

It's daunting but you will get through it!

Mind yourself and good luck!

Dx

PS: best of luck to Jessica too!

[January-2016-UK]

Good luck for Monday. Don't forget to take your chargers for your phone, iPad, Kindle or whatever. I found a pack of baby wet wipes really useful, as was a small mirror for checking my appearance / make-up etc. Also, if you have them, take noise-cancelling earphones in case the ward is noisy.

I had to report at 7 am too but didn't go down until midday. When you see your anaesthetist, ask him what time you're scheduled. Mine let me go and have a black coffee provided I absolutely stopped drinking it at 9 am, which helped break up the boring wait while

I used the hospitals gowns and towels.

Also, when Monkeyhusband comes to collect you (is that Chinese zodiac?) ask him to bring a cushion with him which you can slip under the seat belt in case of any fast-cornering, sudden breaking, etc.

Can't think of anything else but I'm sure others will have some great ideas.

All the best! Helen

[Microbabe]

All the best for Monday ... take comfy nighties I personally prefer pyjamas but could not stand anything on tummy so nighty was my new best friend a couple of mags to flick through and try not to worry it will be over before you know it 💪🏻😍

Ps just read your post on chemo is toxic .... the post was a shocking one and very scary for all of us that have chosen chemo to save our lives ... to have chemo was the hardest decision I had to make .... I was just beginning to feel well again after surgery and the thought of making myself ill was soul destroying but then I thought there was no choice really I had to have chemo I had to give myself the best chance possible... chemo is pants but it helps us fight and for me that is what it's all about the fight to get well to be able to make memories with my family.... big hugs 🤗

[Mrs_Atko]

Best of luck for Monday Sarah. Any surgery is daunting so we all know how you're feeling. I found taking my noise cancelling headphones and iPhone in was useful especially for whilst I was waiting to go down (the second time I got bumped...so arrived at hospital at 7am but didn't have my op till 5pm!!!!) Also extra strong mints were nice to suck on the next day (& also helped relieve gas pain...) and I got my husband to bring in a flask of mint tea the next morning which also helped. Face wipes good too to freshen up without leaving the bed and magazines (I took my Kindle both times but couldn't concentrate on proper reading but a flick through a magazine or two was a welcome distraction at times).

Thinking of you & enjoy your w/e - sounds like you have lots of lovely things planned ☺

Jemima xx

P.s easy slouchy clothes to travel home in (both times I just went home in my pj's)...nice & loose & easy to do up! Possibly even a dressing gown too so when you are up and about, you can slip it on to offer some warmth and privacy whilst wandering around the ward Xx

[Cropcrop]

Good luck for Monday Sarah, you'll be fine I'm sure. All the other ladies have nailed it on what you need. Just try not to worry too much, enjoy your weekend ❤xx Jane

[Katmal-UK]

Good luck for Monday. Its daunting but I promise you ut wont be as bad as you might think, take that from a wimp lol. Just think in a few days ull be home with your family xx

[Caroles1]

Hi Sarah,

I echo all of the advice the ladies have given and would add a pair of those black out eye masks,given on long haul plane journeys.The nurses come in and out all night,checking on you,the lights are on in the corridors ect.

Just want to wish you the best,you will be fine,just take it easy,no heavy lifting!

Cxxx

[Hidden]

Hope all goes well for you on Monday. Wishing you a good recovery 💐 Jenny x

[Hidden]

Hi Sarah just adding my best wishes to you for Monday, all the very best. Bring some vaseline and handcream both are very handy to have, some magazines and music as you may not be able to concentrate enough to read. Have track suit ends for coming home as they are easy to put on, You first day post surgery maybe be a bit rubbish because you could be hooked to a lot of tubes but they will disappear gradually, all the very best

[Jessica-DianeB]

Thank you so much for thinking of me.

Same plan for me tomorrow, packing my bag, home cooked roast ( minus the meat! )

Family arriving early evening from down south to help with the children.

All The best Sarah, catch up in our recovery period xx

[SarahsJourney in reply to Jessica-DianeB]

Yes, remembered you were also Monday. Luckily my kids are older, hoping they'll look after ME once home lol

Best wishes xxx

[Katsmum]

All the best for Monday Sarah - it is not so bad. I had my debulking surgery just over a year ago and it felt good to know that most of the cancer was gone even though I have bits in my liver they can't do much about. I was really fortunate to have a room with a loo as the first night after surgery I managed to wet the bed big time as I slept so heavily! Mortified but nurses were wonderful. I managed to get home after a 2 night stay and my friend came to stay to look after me. felt so much better at home taking it at my own pace. This time next week it will all be done and dusted and you will be well into recovery so sending you my best wishes with love and hugs xx