11 Tips To Help You Mentally Prepare For Breast Removal Surgery In Breast Cancer
Learning about your diagnosis of breast cancer may bring out a range of emotional responses – fear, shock, uncertainty of the future or even a feeling of numbness. Once the newness of the diagnosis wears off, the reality of the surgical and medical treatments that you will require begins to sink in. Many times the journey of your treatment begins with a mastectomy.
A mastectomy is a surgery that is performed to remove all breast tissue from a breast, as a way to treat or prevent breast cancer. It is important to understand that a mastectomy is often just the first step in a long journey to wellness. Having to live with a mastectomy scar, coming to terms with the changes to your body can be a challenge for many women.
Mentally preparing for the physical changes and the emotional upheaval can be useful. The following tips can help build your mental fortitude and make it easier to navigate this difficult time.
Ask questions
Knowing and understanding the facts of your breast cancer diagnosis is crucial. Being proactive and inquisitive can help you anticipate the steps you need to take during your treatment and recovery. This can help you feel prepared and therefore reduce your anxiety, moving forward.
Research your options
Figuring out what steps to take after a mastectomy are highly personal. Some women opt for breast reconstruction, which can help restore it to its former appearance and help regain their confidence. Other women may opt not to get a reconstruction procedure. Talk to your doctor about what is best suited for you and to understand your options
Honour your body
Many women who’ve undergone a mastectomy, suggest that a pre-surgery ritual of self-care can help them better come to terms with their diagnosis. Other women suggest a photo-shoot (pre- surgery) to either use as keepsake or use as a reference in case they want reconstructive surgery at a later point.
Let yourself feel
You don’t have to pressure yourself or pretend to be cheerful when you aren’t up to it. Giving into your feelings about your diagnosis is natural, not all days will be identical. Let those around you know when you need space or their support.
Look for silver linings
Finding the positive in a situation is not always easy, however, try not to let your mind brew with thoughts of the worst case scenario. Use your energy to focus on your mental health and wellness, focus on eating well and taking care of your body.
Stay active
Get out of the house and get active and as fit as you can before your surgery. This can aid in smooth recovery. Gentle, low impact exercises and stretches like yoga can help you feel better and shift your focus onto your own wellbeing.
Find outlets for emotion
Keeping your feelings repressed is never a good idea. Typically, people find that expressing their feelings of frustration, anger or sadness helps them process and let go of them. Talking to your near and dear, a therapist, or a cancer survivor support group can be a good outlet for pent up emotion. If you aren’t able to talk it out, it can help to journal about it or write it down.
Lead the conversations
Even for those close to you, knowing what to say or how to address your cancer and surgery can be difficult, other times, the questions they ask can catch you off guard. Try to recognize that most people you interact with mean well, and try to initiate the questions about your cancer yourself. This can also help you better control your responses in these scenarios.
Keep yourself engaged
Find a hobby you enjoy, this can be anything from learning a musical instrument, to gardening, baking or dance classes. Giving yourself a creative outlet and help take your mind off the more stressful aspects of your life.
Make a routine
Building a routine and putting your life in order can help you a lot. Having a semblance of control over your day-to-day activities can put your mind at ease and let you feel more comfortable with parts that you can’t control.
Make a checklist
Some people find it useful to prepare a checklist of all the things they want to put in order before the surgery. Talking to other cancer survivors can help you prepare better lists and ease your rehabilitation after the surgery.
References:
Mastectomy. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mastectomy/about/pac-20394670. Accessed on 03-08-2021.
Before Mastectomy: 10 Tips to Get Ready for Your Hospital Stay and Recovery. Breastcancer.org website. https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/mastectomy/10-tips. Accessed on 03-08-2021.
5 Things You Should Do Before Cancer Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-things-you-should-do-before-cancer-treatment/. Accessed on 03-08-2021.
Getting Ready for and Recovering from Cancer Surgery. American cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/surgery/recovering-from-cancer-surgery.html. Accessed on 03-08-2021.
Feelings and Cancer. National Cancer institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings. Accessed on 03-08-2021.
How to Prepare for Treatment. Livestrong. https://www.livestrong.org/we-can-help/emotional-and-physical-effects-of-treatment/treatment-issues-and-side-effects. Accessed on 03-08-2021.
Preparing for surgery. Cancer Research UK. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/surgery/before-your-operation/preparing. Accessed on 03-08-2021.
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