May 2016 Surgeries

Good for you Moreshoes. They need to know to stop saying that crap. Or you'll be fine? really? Um I've had 5 months of chemo, a horrid surgery, am in the process of being fried daily for 33 days. No I will not be fine. Yes I will get through it, but it's not ok, fine, or over.

So sorry Mom4four....it's hard to see the ones we love having a hard time.

MoreShoes - I kind of chuckled when I saw your comment, too.

Valstim and GreyKat - Thinking of you. It doesn't seem fair to have to suffer so much to eventually (hopefully) feel better.

I'm starting to notice a little tiny opening in the incision on my right side - the side I've been trying to fight off infection. Hoping this isn't going to eventually send me back into the hospital for yet another surgery (and possible loss of my TE), and round of IV antibiotics....ugh.

tsoebbin - just watch to make sure they don't clog the drain - but otherwise pretty normal. Really depress the bulb before you close it with the stopper to make sure you are getting enough suction. As time goes by you should see them dissipate, and the fluid in the drain just looks pink, then eventually kind of straw colored.

Tsoebbin - yes, strip strip strip those clots along into the drain. I had a clot clog the drain up inside the bandage where I couldn't get it about three days after surgery, and the bloody fluid started oozing around it, out the skin, out the bandage, and dripping down my back, which woke me up. I ended up having the PS paged at 430 am and all I had to do was go in to his office first thing after they opened so they could peel the bandaging off, strip up where I couldn't get it, clean and disinfect it and bandage me up again. Not the end of the world but definitely something to stay on top of!

HelenWNZ, good luck to you!

Mom4four, I'm so sorry you're struggling with not only your own emotional issues, but that of your son as well. Hang in there. Is there anyone local you can talk with?

myToyStory2, oh no! Not again! Fingers crossed for you!

Valstim52, glad you're moving to a better place emotionally.

Things I learned over the holiday week-end, both post-BMX and non-post-BMX related:

• If you're rocking a uniboob like I am and you're having problems keeping the FFoob (Fabric Fake boob) even with the other foob, using a mitten clip between the bottom of your bra on the FFoob side and the waist of your pants helps keep them even. Score.
• Simply putting your FFoob in a sandwich size baggie keeps them dry in the swimming pool. (Downside – they float up when you're under water. Doh!)
• Having blue hair and riding in your little hometown 4^th of July parade is fun. (Although the blue hair is going away this week, as a matter of fact. Glad I waited to get rid of it!)

I managed to stay out of the hospital over the 4th! Grateful.

Yesterday's appt with the PS turned out to be a non-event. Drain output was too high to remove the final drain.....moving on to week #8.....yep.....and the stitches remain in to help with healing. Appt scheduled for next week to possibly remove the drain, take out the stitches, and try a fill on the right side as long as the redness stays away. Finishing up my 14-day oral antibiotics this week. Progress.....hopefully!

Thanks for the hints on the stuffed side, Raven. Always conscious of the roaming ffoob! No more blue hair? Say it isn't so!

My hair stylist is a popular lady who has cut down her hours - it's hard to get in with her, particularly if you want the full experience - cut/color/style. I've had to cancel my last two appointments due to being hospitalized, and I desperately need to get this mop (and emerging gray hairs....ugh) dealt with. I don't want my infection firing up, or to be re-hospitalized this week, because I really don't want to miss out on another hair appt on Friday - I need to feel more like myself again!

@MyToyStory - Well, I ended up in a walk-in clinic with this ongoing infection. So I guess I got the holiday bite this time. Glad to hear you're doing better! Another of my doctors is going on vacation, naturally, just as I need. It's the Summer Curse or Murphy's Law or something.

@Moreshoes - that sounds awful. Just awful. Sending you thoughts of ice cubes and sprinklers and flavored ices and cold watermelon and anything else to cool you down.

So sorry to hear you're still battling infection, GreyKat, especially when you just want to be celebrating the 4th with family and friends. Sending healing thoughts your way!

MoreShoes - Yikes - no fun! Here's hoping it's a successful process that greatly benefits your future health!

Sounds like things are on track, Raven! I've become very appreciative of how quickly the clinics at my hospital get patients checked in for appts and face-to-face with the doctors. Extremely short wait times in the waiting and exam rooms - sometimes I can't get my gown on fast enough before they're knocking to come in. That standard of care seems very intentional in each of the clinics I've visited. Glad it worked out for you!

I am 6 weeks out from my BMX and have been cleared to resume all normal activities. So far I've only been doing very brisk walking, about 5 miles a day. I'm also curious about what others are doing. I'm interested in trying yoga. Does anyone do yoga at home via video on the Internet

Hello All, just spent most of yesterday and last night in the hospital. Pain in my hands and arm, my electrolytes were low, and I do have neuropathy. So very painful.Nothing worked. But on to rads today #10/33

So very sorry, Valstim! You've already gone through so much! Sending healing thoughts your way....

Thanks MoreShoes, it was really a downer to have to go to the hospital. My skin is holding up well. So far # 10/33 and some slight redness but not bad at all. I use aloe right after, miaderm, then aquaphor at night.

I have plans Saturday to go to a Hollywood themed party some of my friends are giving. I can't wait. Will probably nap during the dancing but plan to be there, no matter what.

Thanks Greykat, yes it is rubbish, stiff upper lip etc.

I have been hit by a truck so to speak. See I expected it during chemo. I was ready and prepared as much as you can for the horridness of that experience. But surgery, and now rads? It has really thrown me, the left over things to deal with.

Oh and to top it off I have a huge seroma, that they are just watching because it's filling up. It makes my rads longer because my molds were made off my original contour and with the swelling they have to adjust it. Arghhh. It's not red, and does not hurt, but i see the surgeon Tuesday.

Moreshoes, I more than understand. Yes that keeps me going how hopeless I felt in December. I just want a break.

On a lighter note, though I felt close to crap after rads, I went for a delicious old fashioned Iceee. Wee for me. Have a good weekend everyone.

Moreshoes, Valstim, Toystory et al - well, I'm glad it wasn't the end for you ladies last winter, even though it's still rough now. I'm glad to have met you here and it's been invaluable to have women to share this journey/mess/heartache/painful process/grief/joy at surviving terrifying things with.