Surgery Update

I survived yet another surgery. Hopefully it’ll be my last.

By all accounts the surgery went well. I went in to the OR around 10am on Wednesday and woke up again around 3pm (although the surgery itself only took a few hours). Upon waking I wasn’t puking all over myself like last time (thank god!) but was still nauseous for a good 24 hours. The entire team at the Beth Israel Cancer Center was friendly, helpful, and competent. And although I haven’t looked at my breasts yet, hubby has, and he says they did a really good job. Yay!

The pain has been relatively minor. Controllable with just some extra strength tylenol. Today, so far, I’ve managed with no meds at all.

They’ve got me wrapped up in a surgical bra that I wear day and night until the swelling goes down. Then eventually I guess I’ll have to go and get remeasured and by myself some new bras!

There was a bit of encapsulation on my left breast – where the skin & muscle tissue had hardened around the expander. So there was a bit more “digging” on that side to get the expander out & my implant in. This resulted in the left side being more swollen & tender than my breast reduction side. I also ended up with a drain on the left side – Which got clogged yesterday & required a quick visit with my surgeon to fix. But all is well today.

Generally, everything seems easier & less painful this time around. I’m still feeling weak, tired, groggy, and dizzy a lot but know that will fade with time. I’m also feeling a strong urge to eat more protein (which my surgeon said is normal & necessary after surgery) so I’m going with it. Don’t think I’ll be chowing down on a big steak any time soon 😉 But I did have a big piece of salmon last night for dinner.

Tomorrow hubby & I check out of Hope Lodge in Manhattan and head to Long Island to stay with family. Miss M will also be arriving tomorrow with Auntie L. Hooray!! Hubby and I are missing our little girl like crazy! I’ve got a follow-up appointment with the surgeon on Thursday. And then we’re scheduled to fly back to Ohio next weekend.

Until then, we plan on relaxing, enjoying our time together, getting out in the sunshine, taking some train rides with Miss M, and toodling around NY.

I’m still so happy with my decision to do surgery here in NY. To have such an amazing surgical team. To be in the comforts of my favorite city. To be close to family. I wouldn’t have done it any other way.

Thanks to everyone for your continued prayers, support, love, and assistance. I am so blessed to have such an amazing community of family and friends all over the world who have truly been there for me, hubby, and Miss M throughout this cancer journey. I love you all. And will forever be grateful.

Peace. -T

Posted in Blog, Mastectomy & Reconstructive Surgery

18 Comments

  1. Donna-Lee DePrille on April 13, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    Continued best wishes for you and your family! 🙂



  2. Carl Rosenberg on April 13, 2013 at 12:25 pm

    Best wishes, as always, to you and your family–we’re all rooting for you.



  3. Michelle Pammenter Young on April 13, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    I feel for you and can relate as I lie here 9 days post op from my mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction. I hope you get to enjoy some wonderful down time in New York and that everything heals well. I’m still too sore to write my post op blog but hope you will check it out when I do http://www.pammenteryoung.com

    Keep on healing,
    Hugs,
    Michelle



    • gracefulwomanwarrior on April 13, 2013 at 5:50 pm

      Hey Michelle,

      Just checked out your blog & Facebook page, and am in the midst of downloading your book to my kindle. Congrats! Can’t wait to read it!!!
      You sound like one gutsy and fun loving lady!
      This immediate recovery time is the worst but each day it’ll get a little easier. I’ll be thinking of you while I’m recouping & sending good healing energy your way.
      Would love to meet up with you next time I’m in BC.
      Big hugs, – Terri



  4. slywlf on April 13, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    Continuing bood thoughts for quick and complete recovery and ongoing peace ♥



    • slywlf on April 13, 2013 at 4:16 pm

      ‘good’ thoughts! dang eyes can’t spot typos like they once did :-/



  5. David K. M. Klaus on April 13, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    I am very happy for your full recovery.



  6. John on April 13, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    So happy for the positive outcome, and wishing you a swift recovery from the surgery. Much love to all of you — John



  7. Charlie on April 13, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    Great to read this positive post. I wish you a lovely week in NY with your family.



  8. Lois Iles on April 13, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    I’m so glad everything went well! I hope you have a great time in the big apple too.
    I’m sending good thoughts and best wishes your way.
    Lois



  9. Elizabeth Zimmer on April 13, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    Wishing you the best for your new breasts! Much love, ez



  10. Elizabeth Miller on April 14, 2013 at 3:05 am

    Great! Glad that’s over; aren’t you glad to be rid of the expander hassles?! Remember 2nd and 3rd postop days get worse, and “surgery blues” are common, but once over that hump, things will look and feel better yet. Happy recocooning with your beloved family! <3 Elizabeth



  11. Dana Morgan on April 14, 2013 at 3:25 am

    Happydancing for you!! SO glad things are going well.
    Rest and recover, you’re doing great … 😀



  12. Trisha Prenger on April 14, 2013 at 8:09 am

    Glad to hear everything turned out great! Happy healing my friend:-)



  13. Morphidae on April 14, 2013 at 9:09 am

    So glad to hear your surgery went well. Best wishes to you!



  14. Robert Pyle on April 14, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    Continued prayers and best wishes to you and your family. So glad the surgery went well.



  15. victoria van schouwen on April 15, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Congrats, my dear. I’m so happy to hear that wonderful news. Can’t wait to see the new boobs!

    ________________________________



  16. Sue Cullum on January 22, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    Good thoughts from the uk. Hope you heal quickly. X