Doctors appointment went well - breast surgeon. She said everything was looking good. Her only concern is my right nipple... I found out today how they actually accomplish the whole 'nipple sparing' procedure. She turned my nipple inside-out and scraped it of as much tissue as possible. So imagine a baby-bottle nipple turned inside-out & then flippped around again. No wonder my right one isn't happy! The left - the 'affected' side - is actually healing quite nicely even w/ all the sutures (absorbable) and bruising. She also didn't have my pathology report back yet, but that's not unexpected since its only been 5 days since my surgery. Wow - only 5 days! She also said that the odd shape of the foobs is due mostly to the expanders & will be fixed when I have the implants put in later this year. Man I hope so! She also upped my pain meds - what a wonderful thing! I was not making it through the entire 4 hours w/o feeling a lot of pain, but now I am. Its great to be able to move for more than 2 hours!
The bad news was that no one will take my drains out until the plastic surgeon sees me Friday. They won't even replace the huge ones w/ smaller ones until then. :-( Right now I'm wearing one of my maternity button-down shirts w/ one drain safety-pinned to each side & the other drain hanging from a rope/belt around my neck. I'm also leaking fluid where the drains attach to me, but again that's not unexpected.
So Friday I have an appointment w/ the breast oncologist at 830 am. I'm not exactly sure what she's going to do for me, but she wanted to see me & since I'm here... Then at 930 am I have an appointment w/ the plastic surgeon. I'm hoping to discuss w/ him my options as far as implants (silicone or saline, size, shape, etc) as well as removing some drains (hopefully 2) and figuring out what I'm allowed to do when. Right now I'm not supposed to pick up anything heavier than 5lbs on either side. Just so you know - this laptop is probably over 5lbs, so I have to had dad or Andrew hand it to me. Maybe he can also re-assure me that my foobs won't look so horrible when he's actually finished w/ them.
This is a blog about my journey through breast cancer treatment while pregnant and the subsequent effects on my life. It has been a journal more than anything: things I'd never say out loud. I try not to get too serious or depressing, but sometimes that is life. Mostly though, I try to show how God can effect positive in the midst of negative. Thank you for visiting!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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Oh, those drains are pain in the arse aren't they? I've never been so glad to get rid of something in my entire life! For now...just enjoy those pain meds.
ReplyDeleteI'm praying!
Hey girl: as your friend and as a physical therapist, I wanted to make sure you have been adequately informed of lymphedema and the risks associated with having lymphnodes removed....if you want to know more, let me know. If not, I will never mention it again ;) (Just wanted to make sure you had been educated)
ReplyDeleteOn a different note: what exactly are expanders?? And (as you GOOF BALL friend) are you gonna go Dolly Parton big, or what? Hehehe...I know this is a serious situation and I am not making light, I am just trying to add some smiles in. Keep up your amazing "work"!!