2+ weeks post-op #2

Well, I had my followup appointment yesterday. I was ready, I thought, to tell Dr. C what I felt in relationship to outcomes in such a convincing way that I would get what I wanted - some more work to fix the asymmetry. After experiencing asymmetry of some sort for a few months, I had hoped for trouble free symmetry. I made my observations - I like the left breast, with the exception of the nipple being a little low. I wasn't as happy with the right. While pre-op we thought that 400 cc was too big, it was an overfilled 250cc expander which ended up looking kind of like a ball. The inframmary crease was a little high. Plan for surgery was too move that down, open up towards the middle a bit to make the breasts each more equally aligned vertically. During surgery you can only work on one breast at a time. So though you have markings, etc. you have to "imagine" what it will look like in relationship to the other breast. Must be a challenge. So the right one with the expander was done first. Moved down, opened more to the middle, inserted a smaller implant. Then the left one was done - a crescent incision at the top half of the areola, removal of some of the skin to help lift the nipple, insertion of the implant through that. As I told Dr. C, the right breast is smaller, not as much fullness at the top, and not as much fullness to the right of the nipple as the left. Which means that I can tell a difference when I put various tops on, bras, etc. I had really hoped to lead him towards a decision to redo the right with a larger implant. Being the responsible surgeon that he is, he suggests that we wait to see how the breasts settle over time. He wants me to be happy with the results but at some point he will need to stop tweaking it. "If you can have patience...." Meanwhile, he can write me a prescription for a special bra. Have any of you heard of a sweater bra? He thinks it would cover the inadequacies. Anyway, I think I'll hold off on that bra. I already have 3 mastectomy bras, but they aren't sweater bras that I know of! Ehhhh.

Why are bras the solution to asymmetry? Perhaps next time I can describe for him what it is like to wear a heavy bra when I am riding motorcycle with a full jacket on on a really hot day. I try to wear the least amount I can under it and not be considered indecent. If I wear a decorative sports bra or sports top with its own shelf bra in it, I can be comfortable, it absorbs the trickling sweat, and I can take my jacket off in public. Imagine this, I carry one "special bra" no, wear it. We camp in a primitive campsite, I hand wash the bra in the water drained out of the cooler, in the morning before we take off. I fasten the bra to the bag on the back of my bike so that it gets dried out. Meanwhile I either wear a backup or no bra. Kinda funny, huh?

How about hiking in 90-100 degree weather in a canyon with a day pack on and wearing a structured bra under a top that doesn't show the bra straps? So, I'm not really ready to call it quits. But I can wait, and hopefully by the time summer tops come out again I can actually feel confident wearing one and not look noticeably lopsided. I understand that it is hard to get them the same or near same in one surgery. Nonetheless, I am not ready to settle for a special bra for years to come as the solution if we can correct it another way. I believe the third time (that would be the next time) is the charm. So, I hope that he will consider that when I see him next year. Patience.

Dr. C had wanted to see pictures of my feather jewelry, so I took some in. His daughter has used his feathers and equipment to make jewelry for herself and friends. I have an idea for another set I'd like to do out of the golden pheasant. I still have lots of feathers. I'll probably end up giving away the majority of the feathers as I'm not sure that I will make that much feather jewelry. One of the girls at work is interested in something, so I'll see what she likes.


I forgot - posted later today.....
Taping the boobs. Will be applying tape to the incision lines for about 4 weeks. Supposedly helps to smooth out the scar, etc. Should be able to have on about 4 days and off for a day, then retape. Also, still not lifting much or stretching. I can drive. Today on my walk I stopped at the produce stand and had to make a decision - do I want to buy a stalk of brussel sprouts or fresh apple cider? hmmm. Let me weigh that! I can carry a gallon of something. I can't carry both. I bought the cider. I can go buy on my next walk and get the stalk of brussel sprouts. I read a recipe for roasted sprouts today that I'd like to try.


So... back to work on Monday. I'll have to have someone drop me off as I have my work laptop and I'm still not supposed to lift over 8-10 lbs. I'll get retrained if I need it, or hopefully, I will not have forgotten much and can almost pick up from where I left off.

Cooking was listed on my post-op instructions as something I couldn't do until after week 3. I wondered why and the only reason Dr. C could come up with was the lifting of heavy pots. Well, I came up with another. If you are short like me, you have to reach for everything. I did cook a stew one day, but it took longer than usual as I had to carry a small lightweight stool around so that I could get things out of the cabinet.

When I am 4 weeks post-op I can do anything. We plan to be at friends for Tday weekend. The Mr. there has welding equipment and is excited that I'd like to do some welding. Just the right timing in relationship to surgery and lifted restrictions. I'm trying to think of what I might like to make. I need to make a hanger for necklaces at some point - should be working on a design. I bought an inexpensive welding hood so I am set with the other small tools and supplies that I need from prior welding classes. Should be fun. This time I'll try reading glasses and see if I can see where to place the weld better! Just might work.

Activities
I'm getting my walks in. I missed two days due to either weather or being out and about. A week ago we went with friends to Sauvie Island to see Sandhill cranes. We did see maybe 5 - not as many as I hoped. Anyway, it was fun to get out with them. Sunday I had Mr. drop me off at Oaks Bottom. I walked the trail, took some photos. I have never seen so many Blue Herons in one location. A huge mural has been painted on the back side of the mausoleum that faces the Bottom. After walking that I walked from there through West Moreland back to Woodstock. Great day. To see more about the mural, check out this link to OPB.

Mural

Great Blue Herons

And of course, more jewelry. Here are a few pictures. I have one project I have been procrastinating on as it isn't coming out quite like I wanted. Oh well.

Silver-covered wire with carnelian stones

Silver-plated chain with clusters of gem stone beads

Silver chain with purple glass beads and silver-coated wire

Dangle earrings with silver-coated wire with gold-toned beads

What is to come?
I will follow up with my general surgeon in the next month sometime. Again with Dr. C late January. I don't anticipate lots of activity here on this blog, however, I will post on occasion. I have a couple questions - one being how will I do self-breast checks and when should I start those. I haven't had a chance to share some of my insights with them about information sharing, etc. I think I still want to do that. I'd also like to ask them if they would like to refer people to me if they have questions about breast reconstruction. We'll see.

Support and resources
Meanwhile, I want to be available to anyone who might have questions about breast reconstruction and resources. I'll post a piece that I started to put together awhile back when it is finished for anyone who might want a resource, or want to share one with someone else. You can email me from this blog if you have any questions (I think), or post a brief comment and I will get an email.

1 week ago today ...

This time last week, we were waiting in the pre-op room for the preliminary stuff to be done. Seems like a long time ago.

I did ask the Dr. last week about whether the guys in the OR got to place votes on symmetry during surgery - all of the people in the room were male except for about 30 min. a female was filling in for one of the guys. He said "Guys are interested in symmetry too.." Doesn't bother me a bit if they did give input. I like the idea of more than one person helping out with that. This kind of surgery is an art and a science. It's not easy to get things perfect.

Anyway, I'm really excited about the jewelry that I have finished. I did some design and assembling, then photographing using an old male fitting form. This old guy really liked the attention! I really kind of like him for the display and photographing of pieces. It also really helped in seeing how things lay as I work.

Jewelry coming up

The first set is with Lady Amherst feathers dyed blue. I purchased a head and plucked feathers from that, used tippets and head feathers and a goose biot. Here's a link to a real whole bird. http://ak-aviary.tripod.com/id1.html

This one is made from the head of a golden pheasant dyed (I thought) yellow/orange tones. Here's a link to a whole bunch of pictures. I don't know which type this one is.

Blue Peacock feathers were used for this pendant. In addition, I added black and green quills and of course beads. The quills are the thin hairy strands. I think we all know what peacocks look like, but just in case, here's a link.

This one has a number of different feathers in it and are left in their natural color. Lady Amherst Tippets (white with black stripe), Guinea feathers (polka dot), and barred wood duck (black with white stripe) with quills and biot. I'll see if I can find a couple more pictures of the birds you haven't seen yet. Guinea Fowl. Barred Wood Duck.

You really must see the heads I was working with.

Lady Amherst

Golden Pheasant

I still have more feathers and will need to decide what to do with them... Some were hard to buy in small quantities. I haven't made any for myself yet, not sure if I will. If I can think of something to wear it with, maybe I will do something just for the fun of it. Thoughts?

On to non-feathered ideas soon. First a hot, steamy shower. Maybe my walk.