Lots of news for this update. My mastectomy was last Wed, Dec 19th. I came home the following day. On Friday, my Mom came for several hours in the afternoon to hang out with me. Those first few days at home, I spent a lot of time resting in the recliner I rented for 1 month from Rent-a-Center. (Highly recommend doing that if you have this surgery!) It turned out I was able to sleep OK on my wedge pillow in bed. That plus the pillow under my knees helped me stay sleeping on my back. I *hate* sleeping on my back, but you do what you gotta do, right? In a couple of weeks I'll probably get the OK to sleep on my side again.
Had nice visits from my friends Lisa K, Ellen K, and Bonnie H, who each brought food and love. Bonnie and I went for a walk around the block at a snail's place, which was refreshing. I don't want to get too used to lying around!
On Sat, Dec 22, Larry's sister Susan from St. Louis, (who I consider my sister, too!) flew in for a few days to help out. She made a few meals, did a lot of cleaning up in the kitchen, and was great company! She also gave me a silk pillow case that I love.
The four of us (Larry, Sue, Eli, me) decided to venture out to see a movie Monday afternoon and it was a good one: "Green Book" - go see it! I was moving verrrrrry slowly, but enjoyed the recliner seating at the Majestic Theater in downtown Silver Spring. Afterwards, we had a nice dinner at a Thai restaurant and then headed home. I was wiped out after all that activity, but it was great to get out of the house.
The next day, Mom had invited us to Christmas dinner at her retirement community, Collington. I was unsure if I'd want to go to the dining room, but managed to stuff all the cords/drains coming out of me into a fanny pack and went. Nice meal! Susan left the 26th.
Yesterday was 1 week after my surgery. Larry drove me to Dr. Brown's office for a check up. He was on vacation, so I saw his colleague Dr. Tan.
As I expected, Dr. Tan removed 2 of the 4 drains coming out of me, leaving 1 on each side. The two she removed were not collecting much of anything anymore, which is why she removed them. She also carefully peeled off the Prevena wound vac dressings from the incisions under each breast.
The theory is that the negative pressure from the vacuum helps the skin heal faster. Sure enough, the incisions looked great. The areas that hurt the most are on the sides of my breasts where they are swollen and lumpy, but the pain is still manageable with Tylenol. Two nights ago I allowed myself an Oxycodone to help me sleep and it did help. I take a stool softener twice a day, which has really helped keep things going, so to speak!
The best news of all is that my nipples and skin look great and Dr. Tan said it is highly likely I will recover with no skin necrosis - something I've worried about. Fingers crossed this will continue. My breasts look pretty beat up, deflated, and lumpy, but I'm OK with that for now. I have such great confidence in Dr. Brown and I know the end result will look wonderful. I just have to be patient.
I'm feeling a little more energetic every day, and giving myself plenty of time to rest. Today I completed a 1000-piece puzzle and will start another soon!
Next Thursday, I return to see Dr. Brown and get the last 2 drains out. That will be awesome!
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