Sunday, February 28, 2010

Long drive...

Well, Friday after my doctors appointments we got immediately on the road & headed North on Hwy 59. Man was it a LONG trip. I keep myself doped up with hydrocodone (10 mgs) every 4 hours and Ativan every 6. I was still pretty uncomfortable. We got home around 130 am. It felt really nice to be home! My brother-in-law had stayed at our house & cleaned it for us. It was really nice.

Recap of my doctor's appointments... The breast oncologist didn't have my pathology reports yet, so she didn't have much to say to me. She gave me a hug though & looked really pleased at how well I came through surgery. She reiterated for me that she didn't think I had anything to worry about by skipping the last chemo or by keeping my nipples.

The plastic surgeon was pleased with my progress as well. He told me that the swelling will go down & that these expanders are not indicative of what my future shape will be. They removed one drain on each side and replaced the remaining drains with much smaller bulbs. They also filled my expanders with about 100cc more saline. Hopefully, tomorrow (Monday) he'll get in touch with his friend at U of L to be my 'local' doctor. According to Dr. S, the U of L doctor is head of the plastics section at their hospital (or something). The plan will be for me to get expanded weekly for about a month. Then once I'm all expanded, the expanders & my foobs will get to 'rest' for 2-3 months. The worst complication that could happen right now is if my expander comes out of the pocket b/c the mesh hasn't completely bonded with my muscle tissue. He's pretty confident I'll be fine though.

Right now the worst thing is that I'm almost completely helpless. I can't raise my arms/hands above my head both b/c of doctors orders & the pain it causes. I can't pick up Rachel or even lift her from laying to sitting for the same reasons. I'm shaky & weak from the medicine. I'm also really emotional. Its awful. I'm such an independent person and it kills me to need help with almost everything. Its probably going to be at least 2-3 weeks before I'm able to lift &/or do some more normal stuff.

Andrew is doing pretty good. He's stressed b/c this puts a lot extra stuff on his plate. He's also worried about me. The kiddos are doing well. I think Rachel grew another chin or 2 while we were gone. Simon is even worse/better at his parroting abilities. They're adorable though!

My brother & his wife moved in next door too! Its great - they have an almost 4 year (in March) girl, Abby, an almost 2 year old (in March) girl, Sarah, and a newborn (January) boy, Lukas. Laura, the wife, is a dentist for UK. She sees all the kids on state programs & such. My brother, Rowan, is in aeronautics. He owns his own business (partnership) called Ron Collins Avionics, now located in Henderson. Anyway, they're a lot of fun to have araound! It's going to be great for Simon & Rachel to have similar aged cousins right next door! Laura & my parents are also great cooks, so I'm looking forward to some AWESOME meals! Anyway, welcome home Jones family!a

1 comment:

  1. Welcome Home! I think you're doing great, Erika, you really are. You have tons to deal with right now and yet you are staying very positive. To coin a sometimes popular but irritating phrase....this is a journey...a long one and you are on a particularly difficult leg of it right at the moment. Each day you are a little closer to having the whole foob thin over with! I know that not being able to pick up your baby must be a frustrating thing. You are in my prayers and I'm so glad that you are sharing this journey with others. I can pray for you in your struggles and celebrate with you in your victories!
    Hang in there!

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My Chemo-Jane hair-style

My Chemo-Jane hair-style
I just had to have my mom buzz my hair because it was falling out so badly.

Pre-op wearing my hand-crocheted cap with my prayer shawl.

Pre-op wearing my hand-crocheted cap with my prayer shawl.
My loving husband is watching me distract myself with a game on his iPhone.

2 days after my BMX w/ 100ccs in the TEs

2 days after my BMX w/ 100ccs in the TEs
I even have a fashionable belt to hold up my drains.

3 weeks post-op w/ 400ccs in each TE

3 weeks post-op w/ 400ccs in each TE
The smile is fake because the TEs were irritating!