Tag: Pain

The 4 weeks post BPM

So after a weekend of taking it easy, this morning the girls and I headed out for a nice walk for me and bike ride for them.  It is already pretty warm out but it really is a nice way to start the day when for the rest of it you are basically trapped.  We came in, grabbed some nice cold water and I am sitting quietly.  My abdomen does not really cause much discomfort anymore.  The only problem there is the pure weakness which I realize will take time to rebuild.

The issue is with the boobs.  I am still not allowed to wear a bra.  I honestly don’t know if wearing one would even help…I would probably just complain about have to wear it all of the time.  The odd shape and uneven size is a factor..I still feel like I am growing boobs under my arms especially on the left side.  That one is still at least a full size if not larger than the other one.  The right one though for some reason tends to ache more.  Go figure.  I still have some oxy’s left but don’t want to take them unless pain is really bad.  On the other hand, Tylenol/Motrin are not always enough to deal with the pain/ache.  I see the doctor tomorrow.  I want to ask if there is something else he can give me that is not as strong as the oxy but has more kick than the Motrin.  Funny I feel strange asking for more pain meds but I guess that shows that I am not some pill head…if I were guess I would not care about asking.

So the bike shorts I had been wearing have all gotten too loose..which is pretty cool to be honest.  I bought an actual abdominal wrap to keep as tight as possible.  My girls are great because the both grab an end and help me get it on even and tight.  They really have been wonderful helpers!

It is strange to think about, 4 weeks ago today I was still in surgery with my bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.  I would emerge in terrible pain I remember complaining about my shoulder the most. From what I understand, I was on the table for a bit over 12 hours with my arms straight over my head…in my own head I figure I was kind of supermanish.  Drains seeming like they were everywhere.  Monitors that would not stop beeping…oxygyn continually because I seemed to forget to breath from time to time with all the pain meds.  The joys of being surrounded by nurses 1-2 times a day for my “shift and raise” that was always a good time.

To be where I am now just 4 weeks later is an amazing testament to modern medicine.

I have my fingers crossed for my appointment tomorrow.  I so hope that we get the date scheduled for the final phase of this process.  Please please!!!!!

A fuzzy brained recap

SO I am going home tomorrow!  I am heavily drugged but for the most part feel good.  Yesterday was a BAD day.  They took my pain pump away, I had an awful nurse who basically told me to suck it up, and my legs really need a shave!

I guess there is a hierarchy for that list but depending on your mood they are all very annoying.  But today is a new day.  My nurse last night seem to have a clue and my pain was managed well.  One of the plastics residents was in the AM and assured me I would be going home with plenty of meds and pain would not be a problem.  I have had great care here I would recommend my entire team (minus 1-2 nurses along the way) to anyone.  As for the legs…well they are really something.  A few more days maybe I could braid them.  Today Frank brought me some deodorant….ahhhhh!!!!!

I finally got to take a good look at myself.  I am going to have a cute new belly button.  I had not really thought about it but the “tummy tuck” pulled so much they had to make me a new button.  My abdominal incision is beautiful.  Huge..from one side all the way across to the other but it is straight and beautifully done.  The boobs…well they are a real mess right now.  They have these strange sensors on them, massive swelling and big time bruising.  My surgeon said they he knows there is too much extra skin but he left it because he believe he may be able to make my new nipple with it.  If not them when I go for the nips he will remove it.

So that’s whats going on for now.  I want to send a special thank you to some folks……first my husband.  Frank has been excellent with me and the girls.  Next to Aunt Mary who stayed with the girls Sunday night and a few days early in the week.  Aunt Linda and Uncle Ken also jumped in to entertain on the 4th of July where Madison actually sat for fireworks for the first time.  Last but not least are Uncle Chuck and Aunt Michele who are entertaining the girls for a two night sleep over….good luck lol!

Hello!

Hello everyone and thank you for the love and positive thoughts.  Frank brought me the laptop today so I could give a brief update.  They took me off of the pain pump which was a bit of a shock to the system.   For the first time I felt real pain today.   My nurse and were not on the same page but I think we have worked that out.

I moved to an actual floor last night and they did say If I wanted to I could go home.  Based on our little pain mishap this morning I think it shows we were not quiet ready for home. I think that will happen Sunday.

So MOnday was surgery and of course there was no bed available so I spent the night in the PACU which worked out great since I had 1 on 1 attention.  Made it to the ICU Tuesday with the instruction absolutely NO movement!  Woke up Wednesday to the same no movement instruction.  Then around 3 pm I was told we were moving on to the floor.  It has been a big change.  More mobility, I am about to take a walk in the hallway with the girls.  They are so excited.

I think he enjoyed updating the blog!