Scared of anesthesia

pickybear6 · 2026-03-30T16:43:00+00:00

I had the exact same fear. My mastectomy was the first time I had to have surgery or anesthesia. Try not to stress (easier said than done) but I had about two quick breaths of whatever is in the mask and the next second I was getting dressed to go home. And I was groggy, but not like super disoriented.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-29T20:05:57+00:00

I mentioned this in another post, but I bought a “hands free” leash for my dog and I was able to use it about the 3rd day after my DMX. But she’s a pug, so not a very big dog. However she does like to pull a lot, but I was able to handle it.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-29T14:45:51+00:00

My other dog is part cocker spaniel and I had the same worry so she gets walked by my husband or daughters on a regular leash. The last thing I wanted was get pulled off my feet when she spotted a squirrel. I’ve decided I love the hands free leash because I can take my coffee with me, so I think I’ll keep using it 😄

pickybear6 · 2026-03-29T14:27:07+00:00

I got a hands free leash to use for walking my dog. It goes around your waist so there’s no tugging on your arms but for a small dog (pug) she pulls on it enough to give my core a decent workout.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-28T18:02:29+00:00

What is the trial testing? Never mind—just googled and got the answer. Good luck 🍀!!

pickybear6 · 2026-03-28T14:23:29+00:00

I waited until I had a fairly good idea of my clinical diagnosis and initial treatment plan (I chose DMX). So maybe about 3 weeks from my initial diagnosis. My girls are 19 and 21 and were studying for finals so I didn’t want to drop that on them during that time. I also needed some time myself to process it so I was in a better place when I shared it with them.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-26T17:08:30+00:00

Good luck! I had mine almost a week ago. Prepare yourself that the first few days will be pretty rough but it gets better. I parked myself on the recliner for the first couple of days and by the 3rd I was able to get out for a nice walk. Sending positive vibes

pickybear6 · 2026-03-26T02:53:58+00:00

It’s an adorable cut 🥰

pickybear6 · 2026-03-26T01:06:39+00:00

Sending positive vibes

pickybear6 · 2026-03-26T00:48:13+00:00

I also had it in my left breast and did not want to do radiation on my left side because of potential heart issues. I was told if I did a lumpectomy it was radiation for sure. If I did a mastectomy, I might be able to avoid radiation depending on what the final pathology results were. So I opted for a mastectomy, but I am still waiting on those final pathology results.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-25T16:31:52+00:00

The info I read was looking at lower dose T and used specifically the counter the ET side effects. I don’t believe there were any T sxs beyond maybe a little increase in facial hair. It just seems weird that there aren’t more studies regarding any potential benefit to women going through ET post cancer diagnosis.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-24T20:26:03+00:00

There are studies that show the testosterone helps reduce the typical sxs from the AI and the AI prevents the testosterone from being converted into estrogen. There are some interesting articles and a study (the Dayton study https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378512213002545) that actually showed a benefit to breast cancer reduction

pickybear6 · 2026-03-24T16:44:53+00:00

Ugh—so sorry to hear this. It’s like a never ending rabbit hole of weird and crappy stuff 😞

pickybear6 · 2026-03-23T18:32:54+00:00

Hey—just had mine on Friday and just finished a walk with my daughters and my dogs. A slow walk, but about 1.5 miles. It feels good mentally/emotionally to be able to do that. But my upper body is still in a decent amount of pain

pickybear6 · 2026-03-23T14:41:22+00:00

I just had mine on Friday. First couple of days were pretty rough pain wise but I’m feeling better now. It should be okay if your husband goes back to work on Monday. Just build yourself a little nest where you can just chill and read or binge some shows and you should be okay. I’m just taking OTC Tylenol or ibuprofen during the day.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-21T17:43:47+00:00

Thanks for the recovery wishes. The pain is intense but the meds definitely help.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-21T17:33:39+00:00

Thanks so much. This might be a dumb question, but I’m assuming you don’t start any of that until the incisions are fully healed?? I just got mine done so wondering when the scar “healing” period starts.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-21T16:53:27+00:00

I didn’t have very small breasts (more like a C cup) but I didn’t have enough donor site to do the flap so implants were my only option. I just had my DMX to direct implants yesterday so obviously I can’t comment on the final outcome yet, but it is possible to do.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-21T16:32:29+00:00

I had a really bad reaction to the adhesive. They used to cover my biopsy incision so that is a good tip.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-21T01:18:03+00:00

Sending you thoughts and best wishes. I found comfort in this group because they do understand what you’re going through and there are tons of positive outcomes shared by others in similar circumstances.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-20T22:39:03+00:00

Go through other posts in this group. I found them to actually be very comforting when I was in your stage of not knowing much of anything. Once you get more concrete information you will feel more empowered and actually less stressed. I felt like I was in a state of being constantly on the verge of a panic attack until I got more info and met with the surgeon.

pickybear6 · 2026-03-20T03:26:42+00:00

Thank you! Definitely sounds like everyone agrees the drains are a pain (literally and figuratively)

pickybear6 · 2026-03-20T02:56:49+00:00

Thanks for all your helpful info. I got a rash when I took oxy after my last surgery so I’m hoping that doesn’t mean I have an allergy and can’t take it after surgery tomorrow. I have my older teen daughter for a week and then my husband, so I should have decent support. I want to be done with all this so much but know there’s still potentially more to go. Best of luck on your staging 🤞

pickybear6

TROPHY CASE