Tag: mastectomy

2 weeks and moving forward

The house is quiet….the cherubs have gone to spend a few days with my sister.  She has wanted them to visit for a while now and with the recovery the time seemed perfect.  I feel bad that they were just stuck sitting around with me, and honestly they have been driving me crazy!  My sister lives at the Jersey Shore (not the Snookie shore).  It should be a fun couple of days for the three of them…I hope :-)!

So some updates. My abdominal incision is really healing nicely.  Still very sore on the left side because of that annoying ever-present drain but other than that very pleased with the way that it is healing.  The boobs are another story.  They are growing more and more uncomfortable with each passing day.  I think there are two reasons for this, first the swelling is going down so the feeling is coming back and they have been through a lot!  I think the other reason is a bit self-induced.  I really tried to be the super woman and go oxy free.  I think that also may account for many of the tears lately.  I realize that maybe being the martyr is not good for anyone.

My mobility is progressing nicely.  I can lift my right arm fully above my head and the left is close.  Thankfully my back is also feeling much better.

I tried to shower the other day.  I was cleared to do such AS LONG as I was able to keep the remaining drain completely dry.  I really really wanted to shower. I tried to cover it with plastic but was still concerned the tape would give.  Instead of a full shower I had to just use the handheld shower nozzle…still the best washing I have been able to manage but I would really love to stand under the running warm water of a shower!  I am back at the doctor Wednesday and high hopes that the drain comes out.

I am still wrapping my head around the fact that after all that agonizing waiting, two weeks ago today I had a Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy.  And if that was not enough, at the same time had my abdomen cut from one end to the other , (DIEP Flap) in order to  “relocate”  flesh to build the newbies.  And although I have had periods of self-pity, sadness and  moodiness  I and fully aware of how well I am healing and fell totally empowered and in full control of my future!

Thank you Frank

I just wanted to post a quick note to publicly thank my husband Frank.  Whether it is the bed he moved down the stairs himself for me to sleep in so I could avoid steps, or ensuring there is always something in the fridge for me to just grab.  Maybe it is his helping to empty the annoying drains or keeping the girls busy so I can nap.  It could be the back rubs or the handling of daily activities. Mostly it is having to deal with the roller coaster of emotions that fly his way at any given time of the day…(the tears can come out of no where for no reason at any time…totally out of my control).

I realize that it has not been easy but like everything else these last 14 years we figure it out and get it done.  Thank you Frank for everything…I love you!

No Bra

So when I was at the doctors the other day he reaffirmed that I am under no circumstances to wear a bra until at least the next time I see him in 3 weeks.  No Bra…last time I can say that I could get away with walking around town (not that I am going anywhere right now), without being ticketed or poking myself in the eye was like maybe when I was 12?

Heading into the surgery I was a 40DD.   I had thought about reduction for a while but once this process started it was like “all in”.  We agreed that we would be going smaller but he could not guarantee a size per say and that we would need to “tweak” the initial work which would be done at the time of the nipple reconstruction.

So the no bra thing is really is not a problem at all for a few reasons, first they are still so swollen they are like annoying (yet non moving) bricks on my chest.  Second, I am not going anywhere fast right now, and third they are well, not at all “boob” shaped.  They are clearly different sizes and I swear they point in different directions. They strike me as more square.  I will need another small procedure probably in about 4-5 weeks back in the main hospital OR.  my Surgeon say it will be about a 2 hour process where he will hide the flap, build new nips and liposuction the new bricks boobs. The plan is that since I was so large anyway, to utilize the extra skin that would have been cut away in surgery.  Instead of having to harvest skin for the new nips, he will gather what is forming around the new flaps as the swelling goes down and make the nip out of it , at the same time hiding the flap and  creating a nice “boob” shape.   The doctor says they will be lovely when finished and not to worry.  Honestly, I am not at all worried.  I fully trust in my plastic surgeon and the “boobie vision” he has painted for me.  For now I have been hanging out in a tank top which I pin the last drain to but then put a baggy button down over top.  It works.

Anyway, yesterday was a down day.  I really spent the day just lying around and napping.  Frank took the girls out for a few hours in the afternoon which was great.  I had no real energy or inclination to do anything more than hang out in my size smaller bike shorts. Sleeping is improving (still with assistance).  Almost made it through the night.  Closest I have come anyway!