2+ weeks Post-op #3

2nd follow-up visit...
A little more complex than the last two surgeries, it's going to take time and patience to see how things will turn out. And, most likely one more procedure. I may seek a couple of consults from other surgeons before I go forward with the next procedure. I'm sure that I can get a couple of good names from my surgeons - just want to make sure that the remedy will provide the best outcome. My next visit is April 25th.

How does it feel?
 I don't have alot of pain, though there is some pressure on the right - the one with the implant under the muscle. I tried my cover all bra the other day and after an hour I knew it would be awhile until I could wear real structured bras. Sports bra it is for awhile. I saw a piece on television about this local gal who designed a sports bra that is not a uniboob, and actually has pockets and pads in it for those who have had mastectomies. It's called the Handful. Since it qualifies as a mastectomy bra, insurance would cover it. I got one to see how it is - comfortable. Haven't used the pads yet but will likely need to do so for getting dressed up for awhile. I'm past wearing bras for 24/7, which is nice.

What I've been up to...
Well, I try to walk everyday but the weather has been pretty discouraging of that kind of activity. However, I've found time between raindrops almost every day for at least a short walk. Even though it snowed the other day the sidewalks were clear when I went out for a walk. And we've had some absolutely gorgeous sunny weather since. I'm sitting on the back porch soaking up the south sun as I write (that was Friday). Love it.

Got together for lunch with a cousin which was nice. Today I had lunch with a friend and a short walk in the neighborhood. I love to be able to walk to the places I need/want to go. Yummy Tom Yum soup at the Bai Mint Thai restaurant on Woodstock. This evening I'll get together with a friend for wine tasting at a local shop. Back to work on Monday, though I'll be working from home.

I've been making jewelry. It's a good way to get my mind on other things and not violate my post-op instructions of lifting <10 lbs, no stretching or driving. I now get to drive so that obstacle is out of the way.

I'll bore you with photos of my jewelry.

Silver and gold-tone shapes

S fasteners for pendants and necklaces

Earrings: Guinea fowl, barred wood duck, Lady Amherst tippetts with quill and goose biots;
twisted wire beads, semi-precious gem-stones.

Earrings: not your normal everyday pair; can be worn alone or as a pair; asymmetrical in length, chain shape and final bead. Not for your normal everyday girl.

Two-sided abalone wire-wrapped pendant

Opposite side of the pendant.

2nd two-sided wire-wrapped abilone pendant

Opposite side of abilone pendant

Carnelian earrings

Cluster ring with multi-colored semi-precious stones (larger ring)

Cluster ring with white/clear semi-precious stones (pinky ring)

My favorites are the feather earrings and the cluster rings. Of course, those are the items that took the longest to make. On the feathers, I made one earring, didn't like it, took it apart and started all over. Of course, glasses are required for this work. I'm not yet using precious metals, but that means that I don't have to feel bad about tearing things apart and starting all over. Someday.... and maybe some silver soldering for finer jewelry.

Finishing up on Sunday
Back to work on Monday. I'm not sure that I am mentally ready, but it will probably be good for me. I'll work from home at least the first week.

Sky is gray, and it's looking like I should get out for my walk before it starts to rain. Until later....

Post-op report 1 week later

A week ago today, I had my revision of my reconstruction.

Dr. C did the pre-marking before-hand. We thought we had it nailed as far as what needed to be done. He ended up doing a mastopexy on the left to lift the nipple higher. Did some refinement on the right and upsized the implant some.

I experienced alot more pain this time, I think due to the extra work on the left breast which still has sensation. Due to nausea related to pain meds, it took me about an hour extra to be ready to go home. Got home about 8:30. I ended up using a left-over pain med from last year until I got my prescription filled. OMG - talk about itching and a fairly sleepless night. That's one I don't want again. Once I got my prescription filled I did much better.

Bandages came off on Fri. First impressions aren't good. Fortunately mastopexies look much worse initially than what they do once things have healed and settled. Sometimes I find myself holding my breath and wondering what I will do. I just have to wait. I think that I should join some freak boob show and start to raise money for reconstruction of reconstruction. I hope that things won't look as bad as they do now.  There's a really great surgeon in Louisiana, I hear. I guess I could go live and work there for a couple months! I've started saving my coins. I'll let things settle awhile and think very carefully about any revisions.

I'm asking myself what I can learn from this experience. What I can do for others. How I can be a stronger, wiser person. I haven't heard any voices yet, but I suspect that over time I will have some ideas - perhaps.

What else? Thank goodness for good friends. Too many treats to name. For time with me walking on a cold day in the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. I love the variety of water fowl. There were also some early bloomers of a variety of flowers. Wish I knew what they are. Crazy weather today, but just dry enough at the right time, we only got chilled, not wet.

Check these feathered friends out!

One mixed up kinda guy hanging out with the mallards

Lesser Scaup, I think

Wigeon? Female Pintail? Not sure.

Wood Duck

Wood Duck grooming his beloved

And the flowers... not sure what they are, but ever so fragrant. Can you smell them? Sort of like Daphne. I think I found it on the web. 

Paper Bush/Edgeworthia Crysanthea

Accomplishments & things to do....

Got taxes done. So much fun, but necessary. Happy to say, a contribution towards medical expenses is on its way. Haven't started jewelry yet. I think that's on my agenda for tomorrow. I have a couple pieces in mind - we'll see what comes out of it.

I think I have some papers and junk to sort out and toss or shred. We've been rearranging, reorganizing and painting. So I guess that's something productive.

Anyway, enough is enough. I'll catch  up to you later!

Third time is a charm...

Well, today I will have my 3rd surgery, 2nd reconstructive surgery.

I got up at 4am for my "last bites" & coffee. I find that music with nature sounds and other relaxation music helps me to find a good spot to wait and prepare for surgery. In addition, I'm doing some last minute things to be prepared for a few weeks of limited stretch and lifting. I found some other things that needed to be done - sort the mail, clean the bathroom, and this.

There was a light dusting of snow during the night. I'm hoping it will be dry enough to get a walk this morning. We have to leave at 10:30 for the hospital. It's all in the timing!

Pre-op appointment
In preparation for my pre-op appointment I made flubber to see if I could do some sculpting and get an idea of volume needed. Didn't seem to work too well due to body heat and where the needs were. But, I hope to do something with the flubber before I toss it. I've kept it from drying out by putting it in a zip lock bag. Using carpentry tools and rulers we also did some measuring  to see where differences were in projection, diameter, etc. Dr. C. had given me a copy of the volume, projection and diameter of different implants. I was able to use this and my measurements to come up with a proposed solution, which was a little different than what he earlier thought. He was in agreement with my proposal. I'm glad I did that. He mentioned some other things that he could do, but left me to think on those.

Our, or should I say my goals for today's surgery....
I've been thinking about this alot since my pre-op appt. two weeks ago. My surgeon is concerned that I may be focusing on a degree of perfection that we can't reach. I take that into consideration as I evaluate what it is that I am hoping for today.

• Comfort - is there anything we can do to increase the comfort? What is causing the discomfort? I think I am experiencing increasing sensation on the right nipple/breast that is not altogether pleasant, though not painful. It's an ever-present awareness of pressure -- mmm- maybe not ever-present but erratically present on a daily basis, usually increasing as the day wears on. I don't imagine that we can do anything to change that. Is there anything else?
• Symmetry - is it too much too hope for a greater degree of symmetry? Left nipple higher on the breast, right breast with more diameter and volume so that hopefully it will fill out the concavity some above the breast where breast tissue was also removed. I think breasts must go all the way up to your neck! There really isn't a good option though unlimited financial resources would give us more options. Fat graft - needs to be a larger piece of tissue in order to maintain adequate vascularity. Fat injections - as of 1/1 my insurance company considers them investigational so that would be my financial responsibility along with any potential complications and facility charges. Collagen injections - costly, particularly for the amount of volume needed. 
• Stability - the right breast was lowered on the chest wall so that as you look at both, the bottom of the breast (not the inframmary crease) lines up. There is the potential that over time the implant could drop further down on the right. I don't want to go back in a year, two, or three to say "Umm, my boob is sliding down my chest. Can we get it fixed?" If it looks like it is migrating as  it is, then lets do something to prevent that from happening. There are options that might help with that, but is the risk great enough? 

So, as I look forward to today, I am not so concerned about the surgery itself as I have a skilled surgeon, but about the outcome, as I view this as my "last opportunity". I need it to be my last trip to the operating room for some time. I'd really rather spend money on travel, welding and glass-making classes, so keep me out of the OR until I need my parts replaced, please!

I have no photos or art to show today, but I think there will be some in the making soon. Stand by.

Thanks for your thoughts today.