💗 August 2026 Surgery Thread — You're Not Alone. Come Share, Ask, Update & Support One Another 💗
If you have surgery coming up in August —whether it's a lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction, lymph node surgery, or another procedure—this thread is for you.
This monthly Roll Call is more than a list of surgery dates. It's a place to find people who truly understand what it's like to prepare for surgery, count down the days, recover afterward, celebrate milestones, work through setbacks, and navigate all the emotions in between.
Whether you're feeling confident, anxious, hopeful, overwhelmed, or somewhere in the middle, you're welcome here.
✨ Introduce Yourself
Start by telling us a little about yourself.
Share:
- Your surgery date
- What procedure you're having (if you'd like)
- Where you are in your journey
- Or simply say, "I'm here."
Then keep coming back.
The best part of these monthly threads is watching everyone's journeys unfold together. People who start out as strangers often end up cheering each other on through surgery, recovery, pathology results, follow-up appointments, and beyond.
💬 This Is Your Place to Check In—Again and Again
This isn't a "one and done" thread.
Think of it as your surgery journal, your support group, and your cheering section all in one.
Come back as often as you'd like to share:
- How you're getting ready
- Questions that come up
- Pre-op nerves or excitement
- Surgery day updates
- How recovery is going
- Milestones you're celebrating
- Challenges you're facing
- Good news
- Tough days when you could use some encouragement
No update is too small.
Whether you're posting a long update or simply saying, "Today was a little better," we'd love to hear from you.
💞 Ask Questions—and Share What You've Learned
One of the greatest strengths of this community is how much we learn from one another.
If you're wondering about something, chances are someone else is wondering too.
Ask the questions that are on your mind—big or small. Whether it's about drains, sleeping positions, lifting restrictions, emotions, returning to work, reconstruction, pathology reports, or anything else, someone here has likely been through it.
And if you've learned something that made recovery easier, please share it. Your experience could make someone else's day a little less stressful.
🌸 Celebrate Every Milestone
Finished surgery?
Got your drains out?
Walked a little farther today?
Slept through the night?
Received good pathology results?
Rang the bell on another appointment?
Tell us!
We love celebrating every victory, no matter how big or small. Recovery isn't just about major milestones—it's made up of lots of little wins that deserve recognition, too.
đź’— Support Makes This Thread Special
One of the most meaningful things you can do here is reply to someone else's post.
A few encouraging words, a shared experience, or simply letting someone know, "I'm thinking of you today," can make a tremendous difference.
Even if you're having a difficult day yourself, your kindness may be exactly what another member needs.
The more we talk, encourage one another, and keep checking in, the stronger this community becomes.
🌼 Already Had Surgery?
Please stay with us!
Your experience is incredibly valuable to members who are just beginning this part of their journey.
Sometimes the most reassuring words are:
"I remember feeling exactly like that."
Your practical tips, reassurance, and perspective can help someone feel less afraid and more prepared.
✨ Easy Ways to Participate
- Introduce yourself.
- Share your surgery date.
- Check in before surgery.
- Let us know how surgery went.
- Ask questions whenever they come up.
- Celebrate milestones.
- Share recovery tips.
- Encourage another member.
- Come back anytime you have an update—or simply need support.
There's no such thing as posting too often. We'd love to follow your journey from beginning to end.
đź“Ś Helpful Resources
- Shopping, Packing, and To-Do Lists for Surgery & Recovery
- Surgery preparation and recovery resources in our Surgery section
🤝 Looking for Additional Support?
Our Virtual Support Groups are here for you before surgery, during recovery, and every step in between.
đź’— One Last Thing
If you've been reading without posting, we'd love to invite you to join the conversation.
You don't need the perfect words. You don't need to have everything figured out.
Just start where you are.
Whether today is your first appointment, the night before surgery, surgery day, your first week of recovery, or months down the road, there's a place for you here.
Come back often. Share your journey as it unfolds. Celebrate your wins, ask your questions, lean on us when things are hard, and cheer on others whenever you can.
Together, we'll get through the countdown, surgery, recovery, and everything that comes after.
đź’ž
— The Mods
Comments
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Having surgery tomorrow, Aug 3 (Australia) to remove cancer in an another auxiliary lymph node not removed during previous clearance. Cancer confirmed on July 24th. 3rd diagnosis, details of first two are in my signature.
When I called to pay the anesthetist prior to surgery (standard practice here) the service told me there would be "No Gap fee" this time which here means no additional personal top up cost, Medicare will cover all of it. I asked if it was because I was a Frequent Flyer, she said yes, this would be my 5th surgery using them in the past 2 years. We both had a little laugh out of it… gotta laugh I guess.
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I’m having a lumpectomy and oncoplastic surgery to reduce both breast from DDD to a small B/large A in an attempt to reduce the density for future mammogram and management. I’m ok with this part of the journey. It’s the after treatment that scares the daylights out of me. One day at a time I keep telling myself. I pray everything goes well for all.
Surgery August 7
Diagnosed June 26
Left Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) Grade 2
size about 10 mm (1 cm)ER positive: 91-100% (strongly positive)
PR positive: 11-20%
HER2 negative (1+)3 -
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Surgery went smoothly. They removed the lymph node and a mass beside it which may or may not be involved. Really tired but not much pain at all. MO appointment next week to review tumour pathology & next steps.
@major913 hope your surgery goes well on Friday! I've done the "after" treatment twice already. Possibly in for a third time… but having done it already, I know what to expect. It is very doable. I just don't want to lose my hair again. Not that I minded being bald, I didn't… just hated the growing back in stage. I know, I know.. .small thing in the big picture : )
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Hi all,
Just looking for some encouragement! I’m 11 weeks out from a successful right side lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy, and two weeks out from radiation completion. I ended up in the ER with shortness of breath a few days ago and they said I had some small blood clots on my left lung. I’m on blood thinners now for three months. The muscle recovery has been really difficult IMO for what I was expecting, (the surgeon had to shave some of the muscle wall) but I’ve also made some lifting mistakes I’m sad and embarrassed to say. I’m struggling with this phase, I had really hoped to be doing more and having more strength and flexibility by now, but maybe it’s just how the dice landed for me? Anyway, it’s been a journey and I’m happy to be here and learning about other’s journeys, as well as sharing my own.
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Welcome, @kayem13! We're sorry you find yourself here, but you've come to the right place for support and encouragement. And we're so sorry to hear about some of the setbacks you've experienced in your recovery! It can definitely be a struggle, and it's not a one-size-fits-all linear process. It's so important to give yourself grace during this time, but we certainly sympathize with feeling like you're not where you expected to be.
Has your surgeon cleared you for physical therapy? Many of our members have found it hugely beneficial in regaining range of motion, strength, and flexibility following their surgeries. If your surgeon has cleared you, the patient advocate or nurse navigator at their office should have some recommendations for physical therapists that specialize in breast cancer surgery recovery.
Everyone's recovery timeline is unique, but you will get there! And we're here for you every step of the way.
Your Community Navigator Team
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Not August, but September 1st…having a bilateral mastectomy, sentinel node biopsy, and the first part of reconstruction (tissue expanders). The current plan is DIEP flap in a few months.
I was diagnosed 6/3/26 with Right DCIS. My options were lumpectomy/radiation/5 years tamoxifen vs bilateral mastectomy. The mastectomy is the right decision for me. I am more nervous about the 2nd surgery (the DIEP!) than the mastectomy.
I am still learning and figuring things out here. Looking forward to connecting.
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Welcome, @shorttoes! We're so glad you've reached out to connect before your surgery - it's so helpful to have a support system, and we are here for you every step of the way!
Your Community Navigators
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