Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Viewer Discretion is Advised!

Don't say I didn't warn you!!!!

Here I am at day 5 out of my PBM and I'm feeling pretty good considering what I've been through. I am tired and sleep a lot but I blame a lot of that on the lovely cocktail of pharmaceuticals they have me on!

Of course I was a nervous wreck on surgery day...the thing I dread the most is the IV. I have small veins and they always have a difficult time putting the IV in. I had the same lab tech and pre-op nurse as I had for my hysterectomy. I thought that was kind of strange, but was also a little comforting.

I saw Dr. Temple around 9:45 just before I was going into surgery. She quickly marked me up and then we were good to go. Surgery went very well. It was scheduled from 10:00am - 1:00pm but I was out and awake by 12:30pm. I did have to stay in recovery until about 5:00, but I did come home that night. DH had me home by 7:30.

These expanders will sure take some getting used to and they definitely feel like I have waterwings stuck up under my arm pits!!! 100cc was put in the expanders at surgery, so I'm not totally flat...and these puppies do sit high...I can only imagine what they'll be like as I fill up!

I'm going to post photos as I progress. Just a warning, you may find these images to be personal, graphic and contain partial nudity. Don't let the Franken-boobs scare you!!!

These were taken on the day of surgery, July 17, 2009, just after we got home from London. I still have the gauze on.

Click on the thumbnails for larger pictures (will open in a new window).

17jul2009_01.JPG (150657 bytes)

17jul2009_02.JPG (150657 bytes)

17jul2009_03.JPG (150657 bytes)

17jul2009_04.JPG (150657 bytes)

After two visits with home care, I now only have the steri-strips on the incisions and no more gauze. The home care nurse said the incisions are perfect.

The following were taken July 21, 2009, day 4 after surgery. Aren't those drains lovely? They are scheduled to come out on the 23rd. I can't wait!

21Jul2009_01.JPG (142106 bytes)

21Jul2009_02.JPG (147878 bytes)

21Jul2009_03.JPG (141790 bytes)

21Jul2009_04.JPG (137521 bytes)

That's about it for now. I'm in the lazing around recovery stage and am enjoying it. I'll update later!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

T-5 and counting!

I can't believe my PBM is only 5 sleeps away! I've been suffering from the worst anxiety and insomnia EVER!!! I know this is par for the course and will pass in time. My doctor gave me a script for sleeping pills, but I was afraid to take them (I'd never had sleeping pills in my life), but 2 weeks of no sleep and the pleadings of a pre-op nurse convinced me to use them...I'm so glad I did. The past 4 nights I've had the most heavenly, peaceful, restful sleep that I've ever had.

I've been busy "nesting" and getting everything ready at home for my return from surgery; I've actually been compulsively cleaning and organizing. I actually defrosted and cleaned out my big freezer this morning...YUCK! It has been very therapeutic and has keep my mind off of things...and it's been good for the soul. I'm starting to feel more at ease with everything ahead of me.

I just wanted to say "thanks" to everyone for all your support and words of encouragement.

I'll try update as soon as I can.

(((BIG HUGS)))