25 Days and Healing

    I am finally drainage tube free as of 10:00 am today!

     I am so excited.  After awhile, the tubes begin to irritate your skin. I have had some bad nights this past week, which I am hoping is from the drainage tubes. I got my chest drainage tube out and a 50 cc fill Wednesday, but the pain still remained. I think most of the irritation was caused by the back drain.  I have had 8 tubes in the past 1.5+ years and the back one being removed was the weirdest sensation...can't really explain it.  I am most excited about being able to wear normal clothes and not worry about hiding the tubes!!  Slowly but surely I am getting there. I go back for another fill on Wednesday and return to work Thursday...I am a little nervous considering how tired and sore I still am...but I have to push through!!

I just keep telling myself...

"you are almost there...you are almost there...slow and steady wins the race."

Have a Blessed and Happy New Year everyone!

One Week Post Op

It has been one week already and have no idea where the time went!  I have lost days somewhere along the way  (pssst...must be those pain meds!) I am improving everyday and am able to move around much easier. Getting up from a laying or sitting position and bending over is still difficult.  The only time I am really comfortable is in my bed lying on my right side. My incisions on my back and my drainage tubes HURT!  I visit my p.s. on Friday. I can't remember if she said she was going to do a fill or not...I hope so.  I just want to be even on both sides, If you can look past the incision (which will fade over time and lighten to my skin color) it looks very good and I am very pleased with the results thus far. I just wish I could go back in time, have THIS surgeon the first time, and chosen this type of surgery.  She reported that I had a very extensive infection with the first procedure.  She could not believe the amount of scar tissue there was when she opened me up! There was even an old seroma  that she removed. That explains the constant soreness I have had the entire time...a bruise-like feeling!

I will keep you posted on my recovery. A special thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. A special thanks to Melissa and Amy S. for a wonderful meal.  Also to Carin and Dave McAtee for helping with the kids and for the meal Carin is bringing this evening...you guys are one special family!!

Love and hugs to each and every one of you!!

Update

The surgery took about 5 hours and an additional 2 hours in recovery before being taken to my room.  When they wheeled my bed in, I noticed there was another patient there next to me. Needless to say...I teared up and was very upset. I had to listen to her snore...moan...and groan for 2-3 hours. When they finally brought my parents in, my dad had a fit. Not only was I sharing a room, but the bathroom was disgusting AND they left them sitting in the waiting room for 2 hours. He informed the nurse staff that they needed to move me to a CLEAN, PRIVATE room ASAP. Well...they listened! My dad knows how to make things happen!!

Holy hell...this is no picnic! I am in a lot of pain and basically immobile. It hurts to perform any type of upper body motion. They have me on a morphine drip (that I religiously press every 6 min!) and I requested Ambien to help me sleep tonight. I am a little concerned with how quickly and how much output I am getting in my drains.   Hopefully I can get some rest!

I will keep you posted...thanks for the thoughts and prayers :)

My Big Day

     Well the moment I have been waiting for since June...I finally get my reconstruction on my left side which failed on the first try. I arrive bright and early at University Hospital tomorrow at 5:30 am...surgery begins promptly at 7:30.  NO MORE UNIBOOBY...no more prosthesis!! I am very excited, yet a little anxious at the same time.  I just hope things go smoother this time around.  I decided to go with a new surgeon who was highly recommended by a family friend.  Thank you Denise! Due to extensive radiation treatment, we have decided that the latissimus dorsi flap is the best way to go. Basically, donor tissue and muscle is taken from my back, tunneled through to the front, and replaces the radiated site. You can read more at www.livestrong.com/latissimus-dorsi-muscle/

Wish me luck and I will update how I am doing once I am able!