March 2014 Surgery

Frostecat, are you sure your surgeon (breast surgeon or plastic surgeon, I'd try both) doesn't have an on-call surgeon for urgent matters from existing surgical patients? My breast surgeon's office has that. That's how I ended up with a prescription for antibiotic (Levaquin) when I ended up with an infection late in the evening (I think it was a Sunday evening around 9 pm). I'd call the office (again, try both your surgeons if the first one doesn't), and listen carefully to the message. When I called my BS's office, the message was different than when I call during business hours, and gave an on-call number to call for existing patients who have an urgent issue. I called that number, left a message, and the on-call surgeon called me back within 5 minutes!!

Something about your situation with your drain doesn't sound right.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you that you can reach an on-call doc!!

Keep us posted, ok?

Good morning ladies, I'm very late to the party but I had my surgery in March as well.  I had a BMX with immediate reconstruction/implants so I've been hanging out over in the One Step with Alloderm thread.  

Holly, I just went through all my papers from the hospital, doctors, etc. earlier this morning trying to figure out what we should scan (in case we need anything for future reference) and what I can pitch.  At my pre-op visit with my PS the day before my surgery he said I could shower three days after surgery.  In looking through all my paperwork this morning, there were instructions about showering in two different places - the info packet from my PS and the discharge paperwork from the hospital.  If you can't find anything in writing, I agree, I'd wait and call your doctor's office on Monday.  We've been using antibacterial soap in the shower since right before my surgery and my skin is so dry. It's making me crazy.  I'm going to switch back to Dove when I shower today and just use the other soap in my chest area.  We asked the nurse at the PS office about that yesterday when I went in to have a drain removed (finally!) and she said it was fine.  Today is day 17 post op and I still have one drain left.  Hopefully next week I can get rid of it too!

Beth

ucfmom, My PS usually requres 30cc or less for two days, but I think he figured as long as I am having trouble with it, and by Monday that gives it a couple of more days.  I always wondered about the one step procedure, it seems soo much easier than having to keep going back in for more fills and surgery.  If I could have had one and done I so would have.

Thank you so much vinmama for your concern!  Now enjoy your Saturday!

Like I've been saying throughout this whole journey "expect the unexpected".

Sandra - you guys are adorable!

Sandra, that's awesome you were able to do that only two weeks post op!  I had my BMX one step two days before your surgery and went on my first "outing" today that wasn't a doctor appointment since my surgery.  My husband took me to Target to buy an electric shaver since I've been fretting about the jungle growing under my arms.  Neither my BS or PS said whether or not I could use a razor, but I figured better safe than sorry because I keep forgetting to ask.  Anyway, 20 minutes in Target and I was done for the day, had to come home and plop down in the recliner.  lol  I'll be glad when I get my last drain out so I can be more active and build my energy level back up.  

Great pictures, Sandra.  I did the walk for a friend years ago.  My BF said we should do the next walk that's in the area.

KLJ and Ucfmom, I think fatigue is completely normal.  I'm starting back to work Monday and I'm really going to miss my 2 PM naps!  I hope I can jump right back in and be the hard worker I've always been.  I'm a little nervous.  Everyoby there knows why I've been out a month.  With my 300cc expanders, I think I actually look a little bigger than I was.  I bet my coworkers will curiously check out my chest size :-p

Wow, Sandra, that's an amazing accomplishment, even with taking some rest breaks! I know I couldn't do that right now!! Great pics too.

I'm starting to teach violin lessons again next week, but I only have 4 students a week, so I know it won't be a problem. I have worked up my violin playing to 2 stretches of 15 minutes each by now, so hopefully by Monday I'll be able to play and practice closer to an hour total. I used to practice 1.5 to 2 hours each day, plus I had a 2 hour orchestra rehearsal on Mondays, and then also played some while teaching. Slowly but surely I'm working up to being able to do that again; each day it's a little less painful. Also doing my PT exercises twice a day.

I am also still dealing with fatigue, fortunately at this point it mostly hits me in the evening. It's 8 pm now and I'm getting really tired again. Still have to do my 2nd session of PT exercises, and make sure my kids get their butts in bed. My youngest is taking a shower right now, I just fed him another snack - both my kids seem to have hollow legs; all I do all day is feed them, and hear "mommy I'm starving"! LOL 

Anyway, I haven't been taking any naps anymore since after the first week after surgery, but I do seem to need more sleep at night still, between 8.5 and 9.5 hours (normally need 7.5 to 8 hours of sleep). But I do ok most of the day with that, until about 7 or 8 pm, then it gets tough. 

I went shopping for another couple of new very light short sleeved buttoned tops today to wear over tank tops. Guess I'm using this occasion as an excuse to buy some new clothes; most of my shirts (and clothes in general) are really old, quite a few of them are older than my kids (both are 9 right now)! Even though I'm not much of a shopper most of the time, this time shopping for new clothes has been quite therapeutic! I bought 3 tops so far. Probably better stop soon though, before DH starts complaining! LOL

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

You all make me wish I had a job to go back to. Finding a job in our small town was my goal when we moved back here from Florida. I hadn't planned for breast cancer, finding doctors, and surgery. Big time change of plans. I have always worked as a dental assistant which requires being on your feet all day and using your arms a lot. I think I will set my goal to start walking a few short walks a day and work up. Baby steps.

WTG Sandra!

How is everybody's weekend going? I'm having a really good weekend so far. I finally felt well enough to make it to church this morning. Then I was able to really practice (not just play) my violin for half an hour in one stretch, with very little discomfort, made lunches and enjoyed my own yummy and healthy, organic lunch outside on the patio. I just finished my PT exercises (the first session, will need to do another one later today). I'm about to have a cup of green/ginger tea, while enjoying the cacti in the backyard, and then I get to go to a really good chamber music concert, ON MY OWN!!! It's a series we usually go to together, but my husband didn't think I'd be up to it yet, so he ended up scheduling play dates for both kids (he arranged that last weekend apparently), so of course they don't want to miss out on those. I'm actually really excited about going on my own, not having to worry about whether or not the kids will behave. Then, since I will be home too late to make dinner, my husband will pick up some sushi and sashimi for dinner tonight! Hopefully I'll have enough energy left after that to play a little more violin too tonight.

I hope everyone is healing well and enjoying a great weekend. I'm having a blast, and feeling really grateful and happy to be where I am today!

Sending lots of hugs to each and everyone one of you wonderful ladies!!!

Edith

Sandra this is where they coined the phrase "making lemonade out of lemons", or maybe even a margarita!  You're making the best of your situation so don't be too hard on yourself.  I for one couldn't keep up with you!