Well, nothing can hold me down for too long. :) My surgery was last Tuesday with Dr. M and everything went as well as expected. We headed to the hospital around 7:15am, I was in pre-op around 8 or so...goofing around with the hubby to pass the time. Surgery didn't begin until closer to 10am and the next thing I knew, I was groggy and attempting to wake up in the recovery room. Dr. M told the fam that everything went as well as it could have. He was surprised to discover an unusual amount of scar tissue that had developed on the left side. He said the mesh implant was well incorporated into my tissue, which is what is supposed to happen, but for some reason my body was still rejecting it. He cleaned out the scar tissue, removed the mesh piece, and replaced the implant with a new one. Unfortunately, I did wake up with one of the lovely surgical drains that I came to despise after my mastectomies, but Dr. M assured me that it could come out in a few days. Dr. M is not only a talented surgeon, but an all around great guy and met me in his office on Saturday morning, even though it was closed, to take out my drain so that I didn't have to wait until Monday morning at my scheduled appointment. It means so much to me to have doctors that not only give me their personal cell numbers but are willing to see me on their day off just to make me more comfortable. I definitely felt so much better after that drain was taken out! Oh, and I should mention that he did a really great job aesthetically as well. I do have some minor post-surgical swelling but nothing compared to what was there before. My chest finally looks symmetrical again and back to the way it looked before this crazy swelling issue began in August. Since the surgery on Tuesday, I have been taking it a little easy but overall I have been feeling really good. I really dread taking medicine of any kind and feel bad that my poor body has had way more than it's fair share of meds already. So, I took some Motrin the first day or so, but haven't taken any pain meds since. I have felt a little sore (mostly on my side where the drain tube was coming out of my chest), and definitely a little tired - but that's about it. I made sure to have a good chat with the anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist prior to surgery about how awful my last experience was with nausea. They were really great and tried some different drugs with me and it really paid off because I didn't experience any nausea or vomiting after surgery at all. Woohoo! That's what I was most nervous about this time around.
I did get out of the house for Thanksgiving and spent the day at Momma Jan's with the fam. I was pretty worn out afterwards but it was nice to be with the family. Friday night I escaped the house again to see a movie with some girlfriends, and last night Mike and I went to see The Who! It was his bday gift this year and we had a great time. We were definitely the youngsters in the crowd but Mike loves his classic rock. :) I am planning on getting back in the swing of things with my photography business this week and heading back to work in the clinic on Tuesday. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and well wishes. They truly do help ease my mind when I am heading into something like this. As for what happens next, I will get my usual lovely injections this week and then the next big thing is SCANS! Ugh. The dreaded scans. Dr. F only ordered a bone scan and full body CT this time, so at least I get to escape the awful MRI machine. My scans are scheduled for December 19th - Merry Christmas to me. ;) The good and bad news (depending on how you look at it), is that I won't get my scan results until January 3. Good news - If the scans are great, it won't ruin my Christmas. Bad news - I have to wait a full two weeks to hear the news which could drive me crazy. Since I see my oncologist at a satellite clinic, he is only there once each week, and he is off on December 27, which is why we have to wait until the 3rd. This is obviously the most stressful and anxiety ridden time for us so I will definitely be asking for your prayers again. Guess that covers it all for now. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was wonderful seeing so many people comment on facebook about what they were thankful for. I hope that it carries over to the other 364 days of the year because there is truly so much to be thankful for - each and every single day. xoxo, Meg A little peek at what I am most thankful for...
10 Comments
Sally
11/25/2012 10:29:14 am
Well, Happy Thanksgiving in more ways than one! I am so glad to hear that you came through surgery again like a trooper (I'm not surprised at all!) I love hearing you so upbeat and anxious to get back to work....you go girl! My best prayers are going with you to your scans and I'm just sure you guys are going to have a very, very Merry Christmas!!! Love the pic of your boys who are both very handsome. I do have a soft spot for doodles...my Echo could be Wrigley's twin!! xoxo Sal
Reply
Niche
11/25/2012 11:10:42 am
I literally just took the biggest breath after reading this one!! You are literally She-Ra Princess of Power and I'm so happy this surgery is done with & that you are getting back to "you" so quickly! I'm thinking a girls night/dinner will be needed soon after you do your scans to help take your mind off of it for a bit. My prayers are constant so of course they will be in full fource for 12/19!
Reply
Elizabeth
11/25/2012 01:50:11 pm
Meg,
Reply
Julie Doman
11/26/2012 02:09:28 am
You are so tough! I'm so glad everything went as well as it could. I wish I could give Dr. M a big hug for doing his job so well and helping you get through this. Love you lots and lots and I'm so thankful for your friendship and health- everyday :)
Reply
Barb A.
11/26/2012 04:29:19 am
Great news to hear that the surgery and recovery went well. You always look so adorable--even in an OR bonnet!! Love, Barb
Reply
Deb & Bob Hart
11/26/2012 02:16:42 pm
Happy Thanksgiving and glad to hear you are doing well. I always hate the anesthesia too but glad to hear they got it right this time. We are sure your results will come out great because Jan 3rd is my birthday and the day we are getting back from a holiday cruise. How could it be anything else? Keep up the positive energy.
Reply
Carolyn & Mark
11/29/2012 04:51:55 am
Happy Thanksgiving! I am so glad to hear your surgery went well !! You are always in our thoughts and prayers and we will pray extra hard for clear scans! Enjoy your Holidays!!!
Reply
Gina V.
11/29/2012 12:02:27 pm
You are one tough cookie! So glad the surgery went ok and that you are not in too much discomfort. I will be praying for good outcomes on your scans and appointments! Love to you ~ XOXO
Reply
Sarah
12/5/2012 03:06:37 am
Love you Meggo-- Just shared your blog with a friend from work whose best friend was diagnosed last week. She read all the way through your entries last night, and gave me a huge hug to share with you this morning. I got all fired up replaying the events. You're just so stinkin' amazing.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy blog to keep you all Archives
December 2021
Categories
All
|