The night before surgery

Like many BRCA + bloggers, this is my open diary of my journey from start to finish.  Those blogs helped me tremendously which is another reason I felt inclined to do the same.  I will also post pictures; those were very helpful to understand exactly what I am getting into and to know there is some normalcy after all of this.  So be warned, if you don't want to see, don't look. 

Since I stayed up late finishing a school paper, its about 9 hours before I have to be at the hospital and 12 until my actual surgery.  Today was my pre-op at the hospital; I registered for surgery and had my tests done.  The tests were pretty simple, blood draw, urine analysis, chest xray, and an EKG.  My doctor had originally advised me to wash with antibacterial soap (Dial) but the hospital gave me some antibacterial towels to scrub all over.  I didn't mind those at all, I am all for lessening my chances of infection!  The Dr. also gave me some cream to apply an hour before my surgery to apply to my nipples and areola to numb them.  This seemed odd to me since I will be knocked out and not feel anything anyway but I will get that done too. 

I have all of the things I will need: my nipple cream, zip up bras, button down shirts, comfy robe, pads not tampons (oh yeah, started my period, SO awesome), I can't forget to remove my toe nail polish; I heard the toes/toe nails help the Dr's. and nurses that my circulation is good.  Glasses on, no contacts in .. yet, and reading materials.  I have to study, do homework, a paper, and a test due within the next 5 days (cross your fingers that I can do that too).

The last nurse that I saw today was telling us (my sister and I) about her family's history with cancer, especially breast and ovarian.  She just kept saying its so heavily in the family that even their pets have cancer.  I'm sitting there with the nurse with 20+ experience thinking - Hello!  What is stopping you from this procedure!  It just makes sense to have a mastectomy so you don't get cancer either!  So even with the depression, anxiety, uneasiness of this surgery I am about to have, I think that there is no reason not to have this done for myself and family.  It just makes sense.