Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Home from the Hospital, Tues, Sept 29, 2009

I apologize the the lack of posts, but my husband couldn't get his computer to jive with the wireless network at the hospital.

Day 1, Wednesday, Sept 23 - Surgery was 12 hours including the time it took to reconnect the chest nerves. A long day for everyone but me because I wasn't aware of time, of course. Spent the first night in the ICU so Doppler pulses could be monitored every hour. The anesthesiologist was a miracle worker because I had zero nausea - a first! I did need 2 units of blood to get my hemoglobin levels and blood pressure up into a more normal range.

Day 2 , Thurs, Sept 24 - Another day in the ICU. I slept fitfully because I was overheated. They had me wearing a "huggy bear" to keeps nerves dilated. It's a warm-air heated blanket that has to stay over the chest and abdomen. That, plus the leg compression things that I had to wear, made for very hot conditions. Got to start on a liquid diet. I had a morphine pump for pain. I have 4 drains - 2 in breast and 2 at either end of abdominal incision.

Day 3, Fri, Sept 25 - Another day in ICU still waiting for a regular floor bed. Finally able to eat solid food. Still monitoring Doppler readings every hour and sleeping under "the blanket from hell"! They finally turned the temp down a bit which made it a little more bearable. All my ICU nurses were absolutely top-notch! I was surprised that no bandaging was required from either breast or abdominal areas. Got a sponge bath and quasi-hair shampoo from my nurse - yea! My catheter was removed in anticipating of going to a regular floor. Finally moved to a regular floor bed around 10 pm. My hubby was able to spend the night for the first time.

Day 4, Sat, Sept 26 - My sister came for the day to stay with me and give my husband a chance to rest at home for a few hours. Pain pump is gone now, but getting IV morphine and antibiotics on a regular basis. Doppler checks moved to every 2 hours. Nurses had me up out of bed in a chair for the first time. I had some pretty bad problems with constipation, so for any of you considering this surgery, be attuned so things don't get out of hand.

Day 5, Sun, Sept 27 - Started on oral pain meds. Nausea totally controlled with Compazine. Got out of bed and shown how to use a walker so I wouldn't stand up too straight. Respiratory therapy was very attentive to breathing exercises. I started joking with him that he was the "respiratory nazi"! It was good, though. No signs of pneumonia from being down so long. Will go home tomorrow if all continues to go well.

Day 6, Mon, Sept 28 - Home at last! Compazine helped me not barf on the drive home - a first! Still have 4 drains. I have an office visit on Friday where I hope the 2 breast drains will come out. They are barely producing anything. I'm taking Compazine and Lortab for pain and Keflex as an antibiotic. I really needed a bigger, wider nightgown to sleep in to accommodate the drains, so my wonderful husband went to Walmart at 9 pm during a football game to buy dusters for me. Wish I could have been a fly on the wall! The dusters plus the walker really completes the picture. Better to laugh than cry. I've decided I'll burn the dusters when I'm through with them - ha! Slept in the recliner because there was no way I could manage our bed. I suspect that will be my sleeping spot for the next week or so.

Day 7, Tues, Sept 29 - Had a decent night in the recliner. I really feel pretty good, more positive than last surgery. I have very little pain. I'd call it more "discomfort" than pain. No real pain in the breast, just abdomen. I'm moving very slowly so that's hard for me. I look around and see lots of things I'd like to be doing, but can't. Trying not to let that get to me too much. I'm trying to get used to wearing my contacts again after a week without. Otherwise, I'd be reading more. I'm bored and the hours seems to go by slowly, but I remember that all too well from last surgery. It does pass.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The Night Before Surgery

I've stayed busy today doing last minute laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping. I was told to expect a call from the anesthesiologist, so I'm disappointed to say I never heard from him. I got anesthesiology and recovery room records from my previous surgery so I could discuss it with him. I'm sure I'll get a chance to speak to him tomorrow before surgery, so I'll take a copy of my records for his info. I spent several extra hours in recovery after my past surgery due to severe nausea, so this is an important topic to me.

I've had many phone calls today from family and friends wishing me well. Believe me, all your good wishes and prayers mean the world to me!

I'm going to try to sleep now. We have to be at the hospital at 6am. Surgery is at 8am and should take 8-9 hours. The next post (or two) you'll read will be from my husband.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Pre-op testing

I had my pre-op testing at the hospital on Friday. Bloodwork and EKG. We arranged to get a "executive suite" so I'd be sure to have a private room plus there's a couch/bed that's long enough for my husband to sleep on.

I'm having periodic second thoughts. Why am I going this route when I could just have implants? Am I crazy for considering such an involved surgery? My husband reminded me that I've done my research thoroughly, have an experienced plastic surgeon, and won't ever need to have implants replaced in the future. Plus my pecs will be back where they belong, not right under my skin. It's been 5 months but I can't seem to get used to that feeling. It's not painful at all, just weird and hard to ignore.

I'm starting to make my hospital packing list, shopping for pj's, house cleaning and grocery shopping. Staying busy is a good idea for me. I'm determined to stay positive about this surgery. I feel sure I'll be happy with the results, but I'm just dreading the recovery time because I don't like to be restricted in what I can do. I have to keep reminding myself that I got through the mastectomy recovery period. I'll just keep chanting, "This too shall pass."

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Six Days before Surgery

It's six days before my DIEP reconstruction surgery. I awoke at 4am one day this week with the idea of blogging about my experience. I don't know the first thing about blogging, really, but here goes.


I had Stage 1 breast cancer in 2000 at age 43. I had a lumpectomy with radiation and took tamoxifen for 5 years. After 9 years of clear mammograms, a recurrence was found in late March 2009 at age 51. Diagnosis was DCIS with no lymph node involvement. In addition to a right side mastectomy, I decided to do a prophylactic mastectomy on the left side. This was done in late April 2009. At that time, I had tissue expanders placed in anticipation of having them replaced with implants in September 2009.


At the time of my mastectomy, I wasn't even aware that there was any other type of reconstruction other than implants. After much internet research, I discovered DIEP reconstruction. I found an experienced plastic surgeon who could do the procedure in Dallas; I'll call him Dr. S. In addition to the DIEP reconstruction, he will reconnect the nerves, as well.


I've read many discussion board posts from women who have undergone this procedure, but I've never seen a day-by-day accounting of the recovery period immediately following surgery. So, that's the purpose of my blog. I hope that my experience will be useful to other women considering DIEP reconstruction.


I wouldn't even be considering a surgery of this magnitude if I didn't have such a wonderfully supportive husband. In fact, he'll likely make the first couple of posts until I am able to do them myself.