Tag: nipple reconstruction

Process and Procedure minus common sense

So after waiting a day and a half for my surgeons scheduler to call to no avail, I called to get this process moving. I have no patience and I need to be able to let my husband know what is going on so he can get help at work.   I also need to arrange something for the kids.

We have a date..August 24.  Nipple reconstruction and revision.  Of course it was not the smoothest of calls.  We start by getting the first available opening, later than I wanted but that is totally out of my control.  Then she proceeds to tell me that I need to schedule a pre-op appointment.  “I was just there on Tuesday” I politely tell her.  “Did you sign your consent and did they perform the physical?” I did not sign the consent but since  he said we were ready to move forward I assume the physical was completed.  “Oh no..it is a form and it is procedure”.  NOW…those who know me, know that I am a policy and procedure kind of gal.  I also do my best not to shoot the messenger. BUT I have little patience for those who can not add simple common sense to the procedure and don’t stop to think for a minute.  She sticks to her guns that I need to make another appointment.  By the way, another important fact to include here would be the fact that I received the first set of doctor bills for the surgery in the mail just a few hours earlier.  Thankfully we have wonderful insurance but as we all know there will still be a large out-of-pocket payout and unnecessary doctor visits are just not needed right now! So not quit as politely I explained  that I had just seen him at 3:45 on Tuesday and that I would not be making another appointment and that I thought one of us should give the actual surgeon a call.  She agrees a bit reluctantly, and says she will try to get him on the phone and call me back. No lie, five minutes later I receive a call saying that I did not need to come for an appointment.  Really…no kidding?  She faxed me the consent form which I signed and sent right back.  I do have to re-do blood work since it is over 30 days but I can understand that.  Maybe that will be our big adventure for tomorrow.

I know I should not get so aggravated but after already having 2 appointments with him since leaving the hospital July 8th, the last of which being 2 days ago how could you say I have to come back. It has been a long road and it is time to come to an end! At least we are moving forward.  The pointy parts are close!

Watch out here we come!

What a big day!  So I ended yesterday’s post with the thoughts of driving for the first time since the surgery.  The girls both slept late because I let them stay up late Tuesday night to watch the US women’s gymnastics team win the gold medal.  I used the time to clean up, put my hair in a ponytail (which took a little effort) and get dressed.  Since I am not allowed to wear a bra and have square boobs, I went with a tank top under a baggy button up shirt.  Everyone around me keeps saying how different I look but I just have not really seen it..until I put on my shirt.  A tank top that was tight prior to the surgery  hung on me like a weird tent.  It gapped awful under my arms since the DD’s are gone.  It worked under the other shirt.  I guess I will just look unkept for a while until my body is completed…I guess the changes are that big!

So our adventure included a stop at the local farmers market for some produce.  This was a perfect stop because they also have a deli and small dairy area so could get lunch meat and milk.  After that a quick stop at the CVS for toothpaste then home.  It was not a bad trip but a little struggle.  Driving itself was not the most comfortable..the bumps still bother me and the seat belt rubs.  BUT…overall very successful trip and felt nice to be in control and out and about!  I was happy to get home and sit down but it was a start!

A small nap was needed after lunch. Then time to exercise.  I was able to do twice the amount of stretches than yesterday. Amazing how much my mobility has improved  and how much less stiff I feel after just 2 days.  A little more each day!

On top of everything else going on my Megan turns 8 in 2 weeks.  She is used to big blow out parties.  This year things will be much smaller.  Just family here at the house.  Need to get the house into at least basic company shape by August 11..a little each day like eveything else I guess.

Vicodine, therapy and the light at the end of the tunnel

So I had my doctor’s appointment today and it went well!  Here are the updates:

-Got a new script for vicodine which is half the strength of the oxy I had..which I had not been taking much anymore. They will be used sparringly just to take the edge off.

-I will be getting a call from Dr. Liu’s scheduler in the next few days to set up phase 2..Nip reconstruction to happen mid-August if all goes well with schedules.

-I have been cleared to drive AS LONG as I have not taken the vicodine from the first point

– We fully agree that the boobs are healing totally differently from each other and that they are totally different sizes. We have agreed that they are also still larger than I would like so all will be corrected during the next procedure.  He will actually make an incision on the sides removing what I have term the “air bags” that have grown under my arms and will liposuction anywhere else to even out.  (I envision more pain coming but at least the light at the end of this very long journey)

-He feels that most of my pain comes from scarring and has written me a script for Physical therapy if I want it..which I do not.  I have not been doing much since I thought I was not supposed to..now that I have been told to start SLOWLY I am ready.  Found a nice list of Occupational Therapy exercises for post mastectomy on Livestong .com and will do it myself.  I could give many excuses why I don’t want to do the therapy from my motion is improving greatly, the co-pay, 3 times a week for 8 weeks, two little kids with no one to watch them or the simple I am sick of doctors offices and I DON”T WANT TO!

-We are both very pleased at how the abdominal incision is healing.  He says to start using mederma  cream on it.

On the way home I laughed with my husband how numb you become to the process of these appointments.  My first appointment with a breast surgeon was 1994..I was 23.  At that time I was horrified at this man not just looking at the girls but touching them.  Almost 18 year later and 2 kids I sat there today topless doctor in his wheely chair between my legs squeezing the boobs as he developed his next plan of attack.  Not only am no longer  phased but we had an entire conversation as I pocked this one while he squeezed that one.  We need to get these babies right!  Amazing how things change over time  not sure if that is a good thing or bad one..guess it just is.

I am going to go and try my new exercises….anything would be good right!