Tonight I'm home in absolute awe over how EASY today's surgery was. I keep thinking I'll start to feel worse at any minute, because I don't feel that bad at all right now! (Thanks, pain meds!) The hardest part - legitimately - was all the WAITING I had to do before my procedure began.
I had to make sure that I didn't eat or drink anything after midnight the night before, so I got a snack around 11 p.m. That was a smart move since things were slower than planned. This morning I showered with anti-bacterial soap, and shaved my legs in case I can't for several days. I got my driving pillow for the seatbelt, my pain medicine, changed into my glasses, and chose comfy, loose clothes (and a button-up shirt.) My procedure was scheduled for 1:15 p.m. We arrived at 11:30 and got checked in with the receptionist. In 15 minutes or so I was called back to get in my fancy gown and weird grippy socks to get prepped for surgery. That part was quick. And then I waited. And waited. And waited.
I was so happy to see a nurse that has been in all THREE of my surgery pre-ops/recoveries. She even remembered me. It made me feel comfortable instantly. As she was reading my paperwork, she asked me if she was in my other surgery. And later she remembered that she was in both of my other surgeries. (I thought so too, but was afraid it was a delusional moment post surgery.) The nurses did all the standard questions and typing into the computer - when did you last eat, last take meds, did you leave the country, blah, blah, blah. And they took my temp and blood pressure. For some reason my temperature was 99.8 - I was really nervous that would be a deal breaker, and I had no clue why I had a low-grade fever. I wasn't feeling sick - just really nervous and anxious. There was no other mention of it, but I was really afraid they'd tell me I had to postpone.
At around 1:05 p.m. the nurse told me that the surgery before mine hadn't ended yet, and that it would be a few more minutes.
Around 1:45 p.m. my surgeon came by to talk with me. He told me it would be a breeze, and that he'd place the implant size that looked the best.
About 10 minutes later I met with the anesthesiologist. He put me at ease too.
Usually after the doctors talked with me at my other surgeries, things started to progress quickly, and it wasn't long before the OR nurse arrived and introduced herself. Before she materialized, I went to the restroom really quickly, and then sometime after 2, it was time to go back. I handed over my glasses (which meant that I could only see blurs and outlines from that point on), and I said "see ya later" to my fiancé.
In the operating room they had pop music playing. I told myself I'd remember the song, but of course, I don't. The nurse leveled out my cot so that I could get up on the operating table. I did. I remember them untying the gown around the back of my neck as I positioned myself in the right spot on the table. They placed a few sticker sensor things on me, and then I got the mask for the deep breaths. I think I took 3, or maybe 4, breaths. I heard the anesthesiologist tell me to pick something good to dream about, and the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery! It was a little over an hour later, in reality.
My eyes felt super heavy when I first woke up. I struggled to keep them open. I didn't feel any pain - or at least nothing compared to the pain waking up after my mastectomy - just some soreness. And my arms felt a bit sore too, for some reason. I had an oxygen mask on, and I hoped that breathing in deeply would help me feel normal faster. I hoped that I wouldn't say anything stupid and incoherent to the nurses while I was coming to. I reminded myself to keep my mouth shut. :) The nurses let me rest for several more minutes, and said they'd go get my fiancé to come back with me. They also let him pull the car around to patient pick up, so I knew I'd be moving out soon! When he arrived back there, my eyes were still feeling heavy, but it eventually got better. The nurses got me some ice water to sip on. And offered me some Sprite. I had a yucky taste in my mouth, and they said the Sprite would help. The biggest win of all - NO QUEASINESS this time! At 4 p.m. they gave me some crackers, and I took one of my pain pills. I went to the restroom again, got dressed, and it was time to go home!
When I got home I ate some crackers and chicken noodle soup since I wasn't able to eat beyond midnight the night before surgery. I started my antibiotics. I've felt great ever since! I can move my arms like normal! I didn't need help to get to the restroom. I could get in and out of the car on my own. It is AMAZING how awesome I feel! Now, I know that tomorrow I'll probably feel sore and achy, but I can totally handle this, so far. :) I'm on my recliner/couch with my pillows around me. I've got ice packs to use intermittently to help with pain and swelling reduction. And I feel great! I did have some bleeding on one side - I was told that would be normal, and to change the gauze as needed. We did that right before bed. It's a slow staining, but I'll keep an eye on it. I can see my incisions through the steri-strips. I'm wearing an elastic binder that closes with Velcro in the front. That is holding the gauze against my incisions. I can see that the same mastectomy scars were used, and that they are not cut the entire length. The ends in the middle of my chest aren't cut. I'll take some photos tomorrow. And the best part - THERE ARE NO SURGICAL DRAINS!!!!!!!! I really hate those darn things.
All in all, I am so pleased. The surgeon told my fiancé that everything went great. I have one side that expanded differently, and that might cause some symmetry problems, but we won't know for sure for a few months. I'm really pleased with the results. My skin feels way more normal when I press on it. When I put my hand over my heart I don't have to cup my hand around a bulky tissue expander. And, from what I can see so far, the placement is way closer to a natural breast placement. Thank. Goodness.
We'll see what tomorrow - and the weekend ahead - brings! Thank you so much for your well wishes and prayers. I was so nervous all day today, and I thank you for thinking of me.
Ugh, I hate IV's, but today's nurse told me to take a deep breath when she inserted it, and it hardly hurt at all! The stinging when one of my medicines started was way worse.
My oncology facility gave me this super cool reusable (it has a snap) lymphedema alert bracelet. The nurses thought it was awesome. Not sure they've seen it before. It's hot pink, and it's way cooler than the paper one that I usually get.
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