Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Fill 'Er Up
When Dr. Nathan put in the expander, he filled it up about 40%. I went in yesterday and got my first "fill."
I was a little nervous going in, especially after seeing Annie walk in with two huge vials of saline. Dr. Nathan immediately put me at ease and reminded me that we could do this reconstruction as fast or as slow as I wanted. I'm opting for the faster route, but not too fast!
At the top of the expander, there is a port. Different from my "chemo" port as it doesn't stick out. You find it be placing a small tool with a magnet on my breast and marking it. I didn't want to see the size of the needle and opted not to watch.
To my complete amazement, it didn't hurt at all. He finished with one vial and asked if I wanted to go ahead and put in the other, noting that it would be tight and be very uncomfortable later that night. I felt brave and let him add the other vial.
To quote my new friend, Stacy, "it is like filling a water balloon and you know when you know it is full but you think just a little more...and you are hoping it doesn't break? Yea..thats me right now."
I only took a few Aleve yesterday afternoon because I had to drive home from work, but once home, I dug into the pain meds. It doesn't so much hurt, it's just very uncomfortable and I had a hard time sleeping.
Two or three more and I should be filled to the brim. Then a six-week wait until surgery. I planning for sometime in early January. Hope it works out!
I was a little nervous going in, especially after seeing Annie walk in with two huge vials of saline. Dr. Nathan immediately put me at ease and reminded me that we could do this reconstruction as fast or as slow as I wanted. I'm opting for the faster route, but not too fast!
At the top of the expander, there is a port. Different from my "chemo" port as it doesn't stick out. You find it be placing a small tool with a magnet on my breast and marking it. I didn't want to see the size of the needle and opted not to watch.
To my complete amazement, it didn't hurt at all. He finished with one vial and asked if I wanted to go ahead and put in the other, noting that it would be tight and be very uncomfortable later that night. I felt brave and let him add the other vial.
To quote my new friend, Stacy, "it is like filling a water balloon and you know when you know it is full but you think just a little more...and you are hoping it doesn't break? Yea..thats me right now."
I only took a few Aleve yesterday afternoon because I had to drive home from work, but once home, I dug into the pain meds. It doesn't so much hurt, it's just very uncomfortable and I had a hard time sleeping.
Two or three more and I should be filled to the brim. Then a six-week wait until surgery. I planning for sometime in early January. Hope it works out!
Monday, November 3, 2008
After Surgery
I'm feeling more complete these days. The prosthethic seemed like part of my life for so long and now I no longer need it. I can wear a bra and look normal! Of course, there is still much to be done, but I'm well on my way.
I spent a good week recovering from surgery. My right breast looks awesome since the lift and will be even better after the implant. This side never bothered me after the surgery.
The left side looks much better than it did, but still has a ways to go. I left the surgery center with a pain pump and a drain. The pain pump was attached by a thin tube under my left armpit. I carried the actual pump in a small bag around my waist. Very strange. I'm not really sure how much it helped, but it continuously provided a numbing medication similar to the Novicane you get in a dentist's office. It even had a button for that extra shot if I needed it. I never really felt the need, but Abby and Bella thought it was fun to push. Don't worry, it was set so that it could never give me more than I really needed!
On Saturday, the pump ran out and Scott had the honor of removing it. Thank goodness he's not bothered by such things. After a quick tug, it was out and I didn't feel a thing. Now to just get rid of the drain!
Everyday I had to empty the drain and record the amount of fluid I collected. I called Dr. Nathan's office on Friday and Debbie said I may be able to have it removed on Monday. No such luck. I was right on the border with my numbers. I even asked her bribe them, but no luck.
On Tuesday, I met with Annie (Dr. Nathan's nurse). She had me breathe deeply three times and then cough while she pulled out the drain. This was a little different from the last time. For my last surgery, the drains were more toward the top of my skin so I could actually see them come out. This was more inside. Didn't hurt, just felt different. It felt great not to be tethered to anything.
I went back to work on Wednesday and felt pretty good by the weekend. We had another successful Halloween and I have pictures to bride Alexis when we start letting her date (like around age 25 or so!) I'll post soon!
I spent a good week recovering from surgery. My right breast looks awesome since the lift and will be even better after the implant. This side never bothered me after the surgery.
The left side looks much better than it did, but still has a ways to go. I left the surgery center with a pain pump and a drain. The pain pump was attached by a thin tube under my left armpit. I carried the actual pump in a small bag around my waist. Very strange. I'm not really sure how much it helped, but it continuously provided a numbing medication similar to the Novicane you get in a dentist's office. It even had a button for that extra shot if I needed it. I never really felt the need, but Abby and Bella thought it was fun to push. Don't worry, it was set so that it could never give me more than I really needed!
On Saturday, the pump ran out and Scott had the honor of removing it. Thank goodness he's not bothered by such things. After a quick tug, it was out and I didn't feel a thing. Now to just get rid of the drain!
Everyday I had to empty the drain and record the amount of fluid I collected. I called Dr. Nathan's office on Friday and Debbie said I may be able to have it removed on Monday. No such luck. I was right on the border with my numbers. I even asked her bribe them, but no luck.
On Tuesday, I met with Annie (Dr. Nathan's nurse). She had me breathe deeply three times and then cough while she pulled out the drain. This was a little different from the last time. For my last surgery, the drains were more toward the top of my skin so I could actually see them come out. This was more inside. Didn't hurt, just felt different. It felt great not to be tethered to anything.
I went back to work on Wednesday and felt pretty good by the weekend. We had another successful Halloween and I have pictures to bride Alexis when we start letting her date (like around age 25 or so!) I'll post soon!
My Angels
Before I started chemo, a friend who went through a similar situation, turned me onto this site. So while I went through 16 weeks of treatment, I had two angels who went through it with me.
Crystal filled my mailbox with handmade cards and notes to brighten my day and Barb sent gifts, not only for me, but for the girls as well. They followed my progress via this blog and encouraged me along the way. I was so lucky to have them and inspired to become an angel once I complete reconstruction.
Check out their site and it may inspire you too.
Crystal filled my mailbox with handmade cards and notes to brighten my day and Barb sent gifts, not only for me, but for the girls as well. They followed my progress via this blog and encouraged me along the way. I was so lucky to have them and inspired to become an angel once I complete reconstruction.
Check out their site and it may inspire you too.
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