Operation Boob!

The day of my operation was on the  20th November, but first and foremost this was my 'great nieces'  4th birthday.....Happy birthday Teagan xx (picture to follow!!)

So....after getting to NHG at 7.30 am and a delayed hospital admission, I had my operation about 1pm..... Steve was with me all the way up until this point, and he kept me from slipping into any state a dread and gloom;

During an initial meeting with Dr. Salisbury, I could see Steve try to stifle a burst of silent giggles as she wrote the procedure I was to have on my breast and put an arrow pointing to my left breast (that looked like a smiley face)...I'm not sure what he was laughing at, but Steve's 'silent' giggles are quite infectious at the best if times, and I joined him as usual....our giggles were of course slightly different this time......as we looked at each other,  it was clear from his eyes that they were laced with worry and concern.

                                             The smiley face on my boob !

When I finally was admitted about 11.00...Steve was initially reluctant to accept a drink from the Nurse in sympathy for me as I was 'nil by mouth'.......having been convinced, Steve eventually accepted the Nurses kind offer and asked for a 'Stella' .......This was followed by a bellow of laughter from the Nurse!!! Steve's comedy timing is impeccable!

Any feelings of 'dread' arrived only after the visit from the  anaesthetist as it was a stage  closer.  I was so grateful for Steve, who with his humour and 'tenderness' throughout this day prevented me from being overcome and paralysed by the seriousness of it all .LYS x

It took me a while to come around after the operation . I remember ripping out my cannula in recovery and the nurses gossiping about people in whispers right next to me!!!! WTH!

I was taken back to the day surgery ward as there were no beds on the main wards for me ... The Nurses and health care assistance were just fab!

I must say I wasn't prepared when I looked under my gown and saw that there wasn't a dressing over the scar. There it was .... My new left nippleless boob, with a scar that looked like a draw string purse!! I was on my own at this point and felt a little 'lost' to be honest!

Steve , Danny, Becky and a new 'boofle' came to visit me and my new boob! I was really looking forward to their visit and was so frustrated that I couldn't stay awake to chat to them for long, but can remember so much love oooozing from them (thank you DD's)

My new Boofle... thank you Mr and Mrs G!!

Dr Salisbury undertook her post operative rounds, and we heard her go from bed to bed explaining exactly the same thing to each patient!!  Words to the effect of 'every thing went as planned, we are really pleased and we didn't find anything we didn't expect to!! So it wasn't a surprise when she said the same when she got to me .....and then  said the same to the next patient!

Dr Salisbury is the one who seemed so confident at my initial breast clinic appointment 'that there was likely nothing to be concerned about'.... So her words after the op were really not that reasurring or comforting.

I was wise not to be reassured; I later found out through my 'own' discovery and questions, that  I had another 2-3 inch scar near my arm pit (later described by Mr Dawson as a 'mistake ' caused by a burn from the inside during the procedure) and that the implant that they put in was smaller than what was taken out!! Details, Details but important to me!!

Mr Dawson also saw me after the op and I was pleased that his 'people skills' were more developed and more comforting,  but I feel frustrated that it was through my questions that I got told things, even such a thing as I have an extra scar from a mistake!!! All I would say to others is just ask,ask and ask questions!!!

Mr Dawson, again when prompted, also told me that he had removed a number of  suspicious hard lymphnodes, some that were 'almost getting there' and others because they were in the area!

By all accounts ,Dr Salisbury comes with a lot of medical professional respect, and I'm probably in good hands, but the 'under developed people skills'  does undermine my confidence in her!!!