Much to my surprise I'm alive

Egads007

My theme song was ‘basket case - greenday ))

Jade - look at you go washing your hair, your progress is fantastic! Sorry to read about your cold (so sucks), and getting ‘the other’...the timing isn’t fair. Hang in there

Jadedjo

Hapa

Man I haven't heard that song in years.

Egads007

It's amazing how much more cleaner you feel even with a wet cloth wash down and a hair wash, I had to hang over the bathroom sink which wasn't fun especially with the swollen boob going a little pissy with me being bent over even keeping my arms down and it's not as thorough as standing in the shower but it's better then nothing.

Thanks.Like both songs by the way.

ceanna

JJo, glad to hear it is going better than you expected and sounds like you are doing well for yourself and even getting your hair washed! It always feels so good to wash up and be refreshed. You are so strong and I'm proud of you. Hang in there. There will be good days and not so good days as you recover from surgery and a bonus cold, but you proved you can do it!! I hope the swelling goes down quickly and the drains are removed in a timely fashion. How soon do you have a follow up doctor's appointment?

The song in my mind when I woke up from surgery has the chorus "This is the first day of the rest of my life," by Matt Maher, which continues to be my theme song. Here's a link to the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sxOdBeo0BE and the lyrics:

Don't have a job
Don't pay your bills
Won't buy you a home in Beverly Hills

Won't fix your life in five easy steps
Ain't the law of the land or the government

But it's all you need, even now, let's see

Love will hold us together
Make us a shelter weather the storm
And I'll be my brothers keeper
So the whole world will know that we're not alone

This is the first day of the rest of your life
This is the first day of the rest of your life
Oh, 'cause even in the dark you can still see the light
It's gonna be alright, oh, it's gonna be alright

And love will hold us together
Make us a shelter weather the storm
And I'll be my brothers keeper
So the whole world will know that we're not alone

Thoughts and prayers continue heading your way!! Ceanna

hapa

Weirdly enough, I also got a cold right after my BMX. It was relatively mild and went away after a few days. I think it was a few days after I got home though.

Egads007

Jade - you’re right, even a sponge bath feels so much better. How did homecare go today

ksusan

You're my superhero! Also, that sucks!

Jadedjo

Ceanna

Thank you,I appreciate it.  for some reason that singer sounds familiar to me

Hapa

I guess because our systems are already compromised. Also around here we went from nice to to cold day to nice to cold again and my immune system went " what? I don't have enough to deal with" and shut down on me. Oh well.

Egads007

I think even the clean hair itself would have helped, I figured I would give a wash a try. Didn't do as well as I would have preferred but was clean enough to feel better. As for nurse the darn hospital didn't give any instructions about what was needed and told me while I was out of it so I don't clearly remember. She decided every two days since I seem to know what I'm doing with milking the drains and keeping track of all the pills I'm on (also on Advil due to swelling). Basically at this point unless doc suggests otherwise at my first check up surgery  appt they are keeping an eye on the dressings for seepage and that the drains are flowing ok.

thanks ksusan

I'm trying to step down to extra strength tylonel right now because the inability to breathe through my nose and the dizziness the t3 causes makes me too darn dizzy and it's hard to navigate this new apt setup I made Monday as it is.i might have to go back up to a single t3 to get through the night for my next dose but for now I'm aiming for extra strength along with the added Advil for inflammation which I think is causing the most of the pain during the day when I'm wide awake.

I got very lucky with generous people again and an previous professor of mine I keep in touch with got her church to donate money to buy groceries she brought last night.I got canned yellow and green beans and peas and peaches and she brought almond milk too as well as some bottled water and a big pack of toilet paper. There's some stuff I can't use like manderan oranges(citrus is an big acid reflux no no)and protein powder that has ingredients I was was warned away from when you have breast cancer.I'm giving them to the BC nurse who's been helping me and she is going to donate to a food drop site near where she works so they will still be used by someone who needs it even if not by me.

Has anybody ever got the feeling like there is trickling in the breast area afterwards? I swear I can feel the extra fluid flowing out like its trickling. Side effect? Breast Nerves going "whoa"?

Snickersmom

My drains were stitched in (only 2- 3 stitches each side) and also held in by fairly strong little bandages. No way I could have pulled them out.

Jadedjo

Snickers mom 

There no fluid from what I can see I keep checking to make sure there is no leaking it's just the feeling like someone is pouring a tiny amount of fluid down my boobs and my under arms like when you sweat and there are drops but there is no actual drops just the feeling of them.

Puzzlewoman

After my surgery, I got the flu. I felt so bad I said death would have been welcome, I understand that! It’s ironic that having surgery compromises your immune system, ugh

I am so glad to hear you are getting some help! Everyone needs help, we are all not alone and check on our neighbors. 😊

Egads007

Jade - sorry can’t offer any drain insight, I didn’t have drains. Since you’re not seeing any fluid maybe it’s phantom sensations? I know the ‘zapping’ feeling post surgery from nerves healing...maybe this is the cause of your issue too...not sure. Good question for the nurse when she visits....and someone here will chime in soon. You could call the BS office to inquire as well.So happy you’re getting goodies...and the fact that you’re dealing so well that the visits aren’t required daily. Yay you!!

Beatmon

Dear J: yes, I felt something like fluid trickling post mastectomy....also a feeling like let down win nursing. All sorts of weird things.

Brenda

ksusan

Yes, the tricky feeling (often when you drink something) is normal and goes away gradually.

Jadedjo

Puzzle woman

I'm sorry you had to endure that. Just this cold has me going when is enough,enough?!

I just keep sitting here asking my body "you couldn't have waited a week or two to bring on the cold?" I have a hard enough time figuring out the pill schedule since they only gave me 20 T3's  and I have to stretch them out so I'm not super uncomfortable going to sleep,without a stuffed up brain. I tried an extra strength Tylenol today on its own. Not strong enough yet and I felt every second until my next dose.if I followed the schedule they gave me on the T3 label I would be out of them  before I can blink. At least this way it's dealable. Not pain free but dealable.

Yes I am surprised by how many are checking in and helping me and I'm quite grateful.

Egads007 

I'm going to have to ask the nurse for help with the bra sizing too as it's starting to feel loose, gonna need help anyways to change it to clean one they don't want me to remove it  unless I have a medical person helping.they really  didn't explain things well.

beatmon and ksusan 

Good to know thanks.i wasn't sure if that was normal or not. I do feel zapping like being stabbed with a tiny needle but the trickling was throwing me off I'm also getting zaps in my back shoulder. 

I'm sure the constant coughing isn't doing me any wonders either.

Thanks to all

Egads007

Morning Jade, yup the zapping is pretty common. I got the occasional zap as far as 6 months out. It fades slowly over time. Your cough isn't going to help anything....life's timing stinks!!! I hope homecare is scheduled for today so that you get help changing your bra. Bras are one of the toughies post-surgery. The first time I tried pulling a sweatshirt over my head I got stuck and had to holler for my son to come help me. Not fun for him I'm sure lol. Keep us posted!

Jadedjo

Morning!

Tomorrow for nurse .

Best I can do today is wash down the bra cloth with a slightly damp soapy facecloth without going near bandages as far as I can reach.then after they leave tommorow I will be hand washing the clothes I been wearing the past few days and hang dry cause I'm running low. They stressed so hard that I need to keep the bra on no.matter .what. they scared me from removing it on my own without the nurses supervision. Never use scare tactic words on someone who is still under the influence of anesthesia. It will freak them out so much that even the idea later on will cause them to panic.

So I refresh it with a slightly damp cloth in the parts that are bandage free. It's not super clean but feels a little fresher. Thankfully I am not sweating much and washing up daily is helping keep the gnarly feeling at bay.

Heh.That reason alone is why all my loungewear is button up right now.i can get stuck without breast surgery imagine how long I would be trapped without being able to move my arms properly.

Also right now with the drastic difference in sizes in wash side I'm having a hard time looking in the mirror.

Thanks 

Puzzlewoman

Jo - yes the flu was awful, for sure. But I made it through and survived!

I’m so glad to hear from you too. Just keep swimming! 🐠

Jadedjo

Will do.

Thank you

Snickersmom

I had a BMX last year. No bandages at all. Just lots of stitches and then glue on top of the stitches. One drain in each side under my arm. So I was happy not to have to bother with bandages, etc. Couldn't wear a bra for a while anyway except the cami they gave me at the hospital. That had drain pockets. I had lots of zapping and sometimes I still do. But I don't recall any feeling of leaking. My DH was really good about stripping my drains, so I never had to do it.

So glad you are doing okay. We are tough!!

Ann

ksusan

Arms are up over your head during surgery--might account for some shoulder pain. It aggravated and increased my rotator cuff pain, but physical therapy took care of it pretty quickly.

Jadedjo

Snickers mom

Thank you. Yes.sadly it's a kind of tough you are forced into instead of choosing. I think what's kinda bothering me right now is the balloons feeling on my chest. I can't tell yet if it's the implants or bandages but suspect it might be both. I wear a button up pajama top with the drains safety pinned to the front of them and when I actually put pants on, which is only when someone is here really, I attach them to the top of the pants. It's worked out so far. 

Ksusan

Thanks.That actually might explain my left shoulder constantly making a popping sound. It does that if I overuse it.

Small update::

I'm down to extra strength Tylenol along with Advil every six hours except at night  , I can handle the discomfort during the day but at night I need a little more. Also tmi but the baby food prunes packets totally worked.more then I wanted it to. Something I would share for the aftermath of surgery that others might bump into on their journey.i keep checking for fever daily and so far so good.

Also everybody is right. The drains are annoying. Get in the way of everything,are a mental pain to empty and measure especially when the cup your given doesn't have a good etching to see the number (got there today with a sharpie and a strong flashlight to figure out what and where the numbers are at)and where they are stitched in is starting to get itchy. I suspect when they are removed the healing factor might speed up for the most part. I'm sore and I miss lying on my side while watching tv but so far I'm carrying through.

Since I'm prepec with adm my mobility is admittedly pretty amazing. I accidentally, cause I was reacting and not thinking  reached behind me today (pillow falling down)and didn't even feel a twinge.did some dishes too but I think that's because I lucked out on the pre pec placement.if I had to guess I would say those workouts with the three pound weights ended up working in my favor.

I do have some aching under my armpit and the side right breast on the node side but I thought it would be worse then it is.i couldn't get much info but it sounds like they only took the sentinel node.i don't know if that means they don't think it spread or they will go back for more later if it has.

I am well aware I got lucky on the placement of implants which is making healing and mobility easier then for others whose placement was elsewhere.part of the fending for myself thing is I have had to take care of myself since I was a wee child. So hurting or sick I know the only one around to take care of me is me and I need to push through. Having nausea due to antibiotics but haven't so far gone down the path of I did those years ago. That said I have 4 1/2 doses left to go so who knows how it will end.

Sadly I don't think the drains are coming out at the week after follow up appt. Wish they were. They really are restricting. You would think it would be the pain and soreness but for me trying not to catch them on anything is driving me nuts. Clumsy and drains no mixy well. The lopsided boob thing right now just has me quirking my mouth and being thankful that it's cold enough here to wear my floofy cardigans to hide the size difference when I finally go out in public which isn't for another few days. I walk around my apt a lot to exercise my legs.im in better shape then I thought I would be and knew the feeling of the implants would feel off to me I'm just hoping I get used to them once the bandages are off and I can start wearing my front closing sports bra instead of this horrible surgery bra.

Whelp...not so small update then...

Vslush

Wow, Jadedjo...you are doing remarkable!!! So happy for you, and glad you've been posting your progress. Hoping things keep getting better and better for you!

Vickki

Puzzlewoman

So glad to hear your update! It sounds like things are going better than expected, but obviously still not great. Hopes for it get even better quickly!

ksusan

You're doing great, Jo. If it's useful, think of your functionality as a big FU to your medical system!

Egads007

Ksuze - LOL.....love that! Jade won't have to even raise 'the' finger.

Jade - Well lady, barring the obvious and the crummy cold, it appears you're doing a great job at recovery! YAY!!! The drains must be such an annoyance. After reading your take on them (and many others on the threads) I feel very lucky not to have had to put up with them post-surgery. Really happy that your tummy is holding out well so far......crossing fingers.....as for the prunes lol, yeah, 86 the prunes I imagine things will keep getting better from here, your determination will see to that. Love the updates, keep em' rolling!

ceanna

JJo, glad to hear you're making progress everyday and you have more mobility than you anticipated!!! How's the cold--hope it is disappearing quickly!! Thanks for the updates!! Thinking and praying each day brings you back to full strength quickly!!

Snickersmom

I didn't do reconstruction so no implants. I did have a drain on each side for a week. Then when I had revision surgery 10 month later (because of fluid that came back-nobody's fault) I had them again. that was also only going to be for a week but I got a Staph infection on one side and ended up having them in for a total of 3-1/2 weeks. That was horrible.

Glad you are doing so well, Jjo

Jadedjo

Vslush

Thank you

Puzzlewoman 

Mostly now it's irritation. With the drains and the itchiness.thanks

Ksusan

Thanks Some of them in the medical system are good, others not so much. They forget we are not files but actual people. People that need to be informed about things.

Egads007 

Except for discomfort from the tightness and  the drains and stitches are the worst of the pain is mostly fading. I take one Advil mostly for inflammation ( the bigger boob) and one extra strength Tylenol every 6 hours or so. Not gone but not occupying my every thought either. 

I can't shower and that bothers me (cloth washes don't really cut it)and I'm desperately hoping the drains come out with my one week follow so after 48 hours from removal I can have a real shower instead of a cloth wash.hard to find a comfortable position cause my body naturally wants to turn on its side.

I think my recovery is going so well due to implant placement being pre pec.also why my mobility is so well also.

Also I be trapped in my apt, I can't go down the inside stairs due to likely not being able to get back up them just yet and I can't go down the back ones due to snow and ice rain turning them into a danger even for someone not recovering from surgery.Rock salt only works if it's stops snow  raining which it hasn't since I was in the hospital.

Thanks

Ceanna

Thank you. Suspect it might be bacterial cause while not gone it's started improving not long after I was on antibiotics regularly. Nose is slightly stuffed still as I still have a cough but it's very so often instead of every five minutes and I can breathe actual air through my nose now. Like trying to breathe through a very skinny straw but air is going in. Taste has returned too.should be down to slight sniffle and rare cough after thanksgiving.

Snickersmom.

Thanks geez that's horrible. I'm already getting antsy not even having them in a week. I can't imagine almost a month.

I dot  know if the changes the size of the bra insnirgery or what but the second one I changed into today feels much tighter then the first.feeling it more in the drains and node area. Nurse thinks it's because other was stretched out a tad from wearing it. I handwashed it and have it hanging to dry. I will see for sure once I change back into it next nurse visit. Still take T3 for bedtime because the new boobs hate me lying in my back on the wedge. Could also be my body protesting as I'm normally a side sleeper.

Thanks to all.

Egads007

Jade - omg yes, I saw that.....you poor folks are up to your neck in winter like weather! I wondered if you were going to start feeling cabin fever soon...and it’s another sign you’re feeling better if you want to go outside. Maybe a friend could accompany you after the ice rain stops?....would do a world of good. I’m thinking that first shower is going to feel like the old herbal essence commercials for you..shouting Yes! Yes! Yes! LOL crossing finger and toes those drains are out after the follow up. Oh btw, as soon as possible dump the Advil...really bad stuff for the GI...really bad.

Snickersmom - Ouch! Staph is no joke!! Sorry your drains experience was soawful!

hapa

Hi Jo! Just checking in to see how things are going. Looks like they are going swimmingly so far. I also had pre pec implants and I almost feel guilty posting the the August Surgery thread because my recovery was so much easier than everybody else's. I didn't even touch my opiates. I was on antibiotics for 10 days and ate (organic fat-free) greek yogurt and good belly shots and had no stomach issues. I took a couple stool softeners in the initial days and avoided bananas. Good luck getting your full mobility back. I wound up going to PT but really there was nothing I couldn't do myself, I just didn't know what to do or how far I could push it. I think your implants are probably stitched to the pectorals right now and as those stitches dissolve they will shift and things might start to feel weird in your chest. I keep getting spasms on one side when I don't wear a bra and I think its because most of the stitches have dissolved and now the implant is hanging on by one spot, but I don't really know.

Sorry about the crappy weather. I live in Phoenix and it's freaking beautiful here right now.

I hope things continue to progress uneventfully for you and your path report is all good news.