March 2014 Surgery

First day (physically)  back to work today! Feeling a little anxious but also excited.  I also have another fill this afternoon.  Big day! 

I worked 3-1/2 hours last week on Tuesday, which was 1/2 hour too long. Stayed home the rest of the week. But going back today for 5 or 6 hours. And switching hours tomorrow, so will be there 4 hours in the evening instead of 3 hours in the morning ... The gal that has been covering for me these last two weeks asked for the switch tomorrow but I think it will be okay. Then surgery again on Wed to get the one spot where the margin was less than 1mm and then home for 10 days as will take Thurs off and we are closed all of next week due to Passover and Easter. 

Have felt better these last few days and the gorgeous weather yesterday really helped! Walked around the yard with the dogs a few times and threw the ball for my one dog who is ball-crazy. He has been glued to my side this whole time, so that made him very happy :-) 

Thank goodness my job involves mostly sitting (front desk in a dental office) as I think that will help. I think my bed will be calling me by tonight though! :-). I don't have pain, just itching occasionally where the sutures are and mild pressure from still being a little swollen. Would love to be able shave my armpit, but that won't be happening with sutures still there from the lymph node dissection - that area still feels tight.  I had never had surgery before and it just floored me how much it can take out of you!  Am hoping this next surgery won't be as bad as I shouldn't have to be under for as long. 

Good luck to everyone returning to work. And for those who aren't, take a little nap for the rest of us :-)

Good morning all,.. it's so nice to see so many heading back to work. it seems just like yesterday we were all jumping on the pink bus. I have decided to take an extended leave of absence, given my son had a tumor removed the same time as my surgery. He just went back to school today for the first time since his surgery, so I have so much to be thankful for today.

My TE was giving me so much grief last week I thought there was a problem. I think it is just settling in and I have to get used to it. Some days it is bad, and others it is fine,...pain wise.  It is still flat against my chest wall so there is a lot of rubbing going on which is irritating. I think once I get some more fills, it will change position and relieve the discomfort. I just can't imaging having this thing for 5 months,...I guess it's the price of reconstruction. 

Have a good day at work Julie and Iwannaseeyoubebrave,..

SpecialK, I hope you heal quickly and no more infections!!!

footballnut..I didnt have a dr. appt without crying for SO LONG!  I remember thinking "I wish my PS really knew me.  He only sees me as a miserable basket case!!!"   One day, between sobs, I told him that I was not crazy and that, in spite of how he has seen me...I am usually a really positive, happy person!  The good news is...I havent cried the last couple of times I saw him...and we actually laughed quite a bit together.The first time I started to cry and apologize, he put his hand on my shoulder and said....."remember, you are on a roller coaster of extreme emotions right now...the highs are very high and the lows are very low.  Both are normal, and You will get through this.".  He also said this the first time I came in smiling and laughing.  It is good to be reminded.  and feel normal. Now, when I break down, I dont see it as a setback...just another step in the journey.

mnmbeck tx for sharing. We seem very similar you and me. When I saw my surgeon for the 3rd time before my surgery date I told him a it about myself too because I had been crying. I told him that I play guitar and kept yapping and also apologized for crying. My surgeon is a great dr but more of a straight shooter by his own admission. He helped me to be strong on his own way

Last night I broke out crying for no reason while my hubby and I were watching a tv show. Funny it lasted about 2 minutes like a sudden rain shower!!

Like u said just another step in the journey!!

:-)

I'm the opposite. I smile too much & act too happy with my drs. And it is like I put on an act, that things are great & I am doing fine.

Crying spells are normal!  I've tried to be so positive through all this but I've had a couple of crying spells and a few down days. You can only put on an act for so long before it all catches up to you.  Hang in there, ladies.  I know a lot of you have more rough challenges ahead.

I went to work today and worked 9 and a half hours!  I have a deadline to meet tomorrow.  I got home a little while ago and took an inuprofen.  My chest is burning.  After my fill 4 days ago, I seem to have more pain right between my boobies on the sternum, like my expanders were pumped up so much that it feels like it's pulling on the skin and muscle there.  I can't believe how sleepy I feel!  Other than that, my day went well and everyone was happy to see me.  I got a lot of hugs (of course I hug people by practically leaning over to protect my chest!)

The tears...Mine seem to pop up at the strangest times. I haven't cried tears of sadness since surgery.  My tears start flowing when I'm happy.  Weird.  I think they are thankful tears. :-)  

Julie, wow! You had a long first day back.  My first day back went great as well.  I had another fill this afternoon.  Another 60 cc in each.  I must say,  the new girls are looking pretty good! It'll be another 2 weeks until my next fill. I'm also feeling more pressure in my sternum area lately.  Overall,  things seem to be improving.  :-)

I walked a mile with my coworker today at lunch.  Not too much to be proud of but at least it's a start!  My goal is to do this everyday and build on that. 

Take care 

2 weeks post op. 2 drains remain and will hopefully be pulled tomorrow at my PS visit.

kitty....the picture is fuzzy, but I am assuming this is post exchange surgery?  Looks very symmetrical and size is wonderful!!!

having a heck of a time posting pics tonight....grrr

I give up! Maybe I will try to post the clearer ones in the am. Sheesh!!! Lol

good morning all!! 

Today is the day that I have my consult with the oncologist at 2:30. I must admit that I'm nervously calm and cautiously optimistic. While I'm 99.9% that I'll hear chemo I just hope that there is some good news. I already know that my bone and CT scans showed NED and that only 2 of 21 lymph nodes had cancer so not sure how much more positive things can get

Good times!! Lol

Have a good day everyone!

good luck with your appointment Footballnut!

Vlnmam - good luck to you too - hope you nipped this attack in the bud!

I will be going back to work again this afternoon after I call the surgeon's office for my surgery time tomorrow. Was very much encouraged by getting through yesterday.  So many other things I would also like to do, errands etc., but going to slow myself down so that I am not exhausted before surgery. 

Have a great day everyone! The sun is shining here after a dreary day yesterday!

Sandra, sorry for the mess I left on the board last night. I must have loopier than I thought. Would you be able to delete my posts from last night? Thanks!