June 2014 Surgery Sisters

I had one sore throat, one not, and one possibly chipped tooth.  The one no sore throat surgery I talked to the anesthesiologist beforehand and she said she would use a smaller throat tube. That worked for me.

No showers for me till all drains out.

sandra4611 you are so right about everyone being different. We are all different stages and have different doctors with different treatment options depending on where we live. Looking at this board is very educating because it gives us all so much information but we also have to learn that everything that happens to another sister may not apply to everyone else.  It's always good to take a step back and reevaluate your situation. Thank you for your knowledge and insight. 

Tomorrow is a week since my surgery and I'm feeling very good considering what I've been through. Yes I'm still sore and very bruised but I don't feel too bad. My third night home was not a good night and I had a lot of pain after having the drains removed that day but since then, I've felt much better. I've been very fortunate that friends have brought dinner in every night and either my mom or sister-in-law have stayed with me at night because my husband went back to work on night shift. Other than taking a couple walks down the street, I've done nothing but rest and relax. 

It will definitely be a while before I get to my new normal but I'm feeling very positive and know I can get through this. 

Very well said Sandra! If one more person says to me "well at least you get a free set of perky new boobs" I think I will come unhinged. I was just thinking today that I wish my PS would have shown me pictures of what I was really going to look like after surgery. And that he would have explained the possibility of the "fat" that is now off to the side of each expander. Which, by the way, I am now being told that it is a completely different surgery to remove that and another scar. I'm not mad at him and I know that things can change dramatically after the exchange but I look at myself and I see misshapen breasts that are as hard as rocks and shaped nothing like a natural breast. Maybe I need to see a counselor! I think a lot of my sadness is also coming from the Femara (generic whatever it is) that I am taking. Really messing with me. More tears since taking this med. Sleeplessness and hot flashes! So, I dare the next person that say something to me that thinks this is a cake walk! Rant over

Kfinnigan - glad your recovery seems to be going well! Only a few of us at least this month doing the lat flaps. 

People think I'm nuts to have worked today and going in tomorrow too, but honestly it helps to keep my mind off Wednesday's surgery. Had a nice visit from friends tonight bringing food by for my husband and kids later this week. 

Marren, thinking of you and wishing you all the best on your surgery tomorrow.

Sandra

@ing pretty and perky??Maybe my pain meds are making me crabbier instead of the other really bad word......I'm more emotional than I thought I'd ever be to people. This frustration and anger and some kind of insanity has taken a few months to build up. I know I'll never be the same. I'm ok with that. Didn't think I was going into a beauty pageant. I knew I wouldn't be perky or ever even remotely look like I did before. I have 1 very important thing to be thankful for. My Life . But I'm dealing with all of these cry/ laugh....crazy woman feelings a day at a time, or sometimes I find myself dealing a few minutes at a time. Thanks for listening to my rant. I'm  so greatful to be able to come here and read, Learn and support one another. Think I'd be totally lost without this forum.

I hope I haven't posted this in the wrong place.

Marren 

Your in my thoughts for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

All of you other wonderful surgery sisters your all in my thoughts still.

I'm aboard with pink confetti to celebrate Marren's successful journey!!  Woot! Woot!!

Ally

hi ladies, checking in. Seem to have my meds under control which has helped with the pain management. I had a pounding headache for a couple of days and then it dawned on me I hadn't had any coffee for a few days, yikes. Caffeine headaches are the worst....none of the narcotics I've been taking helped. Yesterday I started back up on coffee and headache gone! I'm pretty sore and tight. When it's time for my meds I'm ready. The Valium is helping with relaxing the muscle. On Sunday I took my bandages off and had a shower with the help of my cousin and DH. That felt wonderful and cannot wait to have another today. My chest looked good considering. I didn't know what to expect but the expanders looked like they were in the right place. They put 100cc in each one....not sure if that is hi or low for the first fill. I did get my TE card that has all my info. It says recommended max fill at 400. Wondering if that will be enough? Guess I'll have to start posting questions on whippetmom's thread. Every time I get up to go pee I make sure and do five to six walking Laps around the house. I'm trying to focus on the big picture as how I look now will change.....trying to keep the bigger picture in mind. I guess it's good seeing myself didn't make me sad or have an effect one way or the other. All in all I think I'm doing pretty good just 4 days from surgery. Hope this finds all you sisters well...we all kicked some major C butt this month! xoxoxo

ojoyjoy-  You seem to be doing great!!  I think the coffee deprivation headaches have happened to others so you are not alone there!  I had 150ccs at the time of surgery but that amount depends on the TEs, the condition of your skin, the amount of breast tissue removed, etc.  In other words, everyone is different.  Great job doing laps when you get up to pee..every little bit helps.  Just keep healing and take it slowly!  Let us know how you are doing and know we are rooting for you.  

Ally

PS  IMHO, the expanders always seem to look ALOT better once you get several fills so don't pay much attention to them now!

Hi all,

It's hard to believe my turn is finally here. Worked half a day, came home and went for a walk, friends dropped off food, now running a few errands with my husband and then planning for another walk once it cools down outside, followed by a shower. That should take me to around 11:00 tonight! Up and out bright and early at 5:30 to arrive at the hospital by 6:00 for pre-op stuff. Then surgery at 10:30. I'll be wearing my pink feety jammies and look forward to meeting you all on the other side tomorrow. Take care everyone and thank you so much for your support!

Purplegurll  Sending you best wishes and good vibes for a smooth surgery tomorrow! Sounds like you have awesome friends and good husband, those will help you get through this trying time and back to living life. Will be thinking of you tomorrow. xoxoxo

Sweetjam - good to see you back and that the scan was negative - had been checking in here to see how you were doing.  Good luck today purplegurl!!  Hope everyone continues on the path to recovery!

Thinking of you today purplegurll and praying for a successful surgery. See you on the other side. 

Ojoyjoy glad you are doing well and looking forward to hearing from marren that she's doing well too. 

And mulligan, Pink Pockets are great for the drains. A friend gave me some and it made the drains much easier to deal with. Anyone who has surgery coming up should definitely get them. 

hello,

I just got home from the hospital a couple of hours ago. I'm doing pretty good. Thanks for the tips. I asked for the nausea patch, told them I got a screaming headache last time and well This time I didn't .

I also told them how dry my mouth was last time and that didn't happen either. I am dizzy though. So I'll make this fast.

Purplegurl I hope all went well with you too. I'll be checking. I have so many things hanging from me right now. 4 drains and the on Qpump. 

I'm doing okay. I'm pretty sore and out of it.

This is kinda crazy but I woke up with implants instead of expanders. Apparently because I had plenty of skin and well whatever I was a good candidate for immediate implants. ??

They had called my husband in the middle of surgery and asked if that was okay. A little dangerous to ask the husband what size...but I had discussed with both PS and Husband before. I wanted the same size. Well what they used to be before kids.

So I'm quite happy. But she did warn me we might have to do some tweaking. But I think they look okay.  they are swollen and bruised. But very perky.

Hope everyone's healing nicely