Monday, November 9, 2009

I wouldnt say "girls"...

more like infants!!
I just got a peek at the new additions and it wasnt quite what I was expecting. They are quite small, but I guess anything is an improvement.=)
This surgery was so much worse in the pain catagory than the mastectomy. They gave me so much pain medication and it didnt even put a dent in the pain. They probably thought I was the biggest whimp alive. It hurt to breathe and it felt like I had something sitting on my chest. It didnt help that the wrap around my chest was squeezing the life out of me. I cant even explain the pure joy of getting that thing cut off today. Total freedom!!
Im so glad that Bill was able to take Thurs and Fri off of work because I was out of it until yesterday. I was in a pain pill coma. Those things knocked me out for a good couple of hours. There is no way of functioning on those things, but they are totally necessary. I didnt take any today so that I could go to the doctor with a straight head and I was dying by the time I got home. Not so much where the incisions are or even the drains, but in the center of my chest and in my back. I really am a wuss.
I just went back and read what I wrote and I am all over the place. Sorry, im still in a bit of a daze.
The surgery went good-it took about 2 hours and it took a bit longer for me to come out of it and get up in recovery. I went to the Dr today and he said everything looks good. He was only able to put in 120cc's which is like a tiny A. The left side that was radiated isnt stretching too much-so this is going to be a slow process. I go back on Thursday to get the drains out (hopefully). And then from there, I will wait about 10days or so and then he will start the filling process. Hopefully he will be able to do about 75-100 cc's each time. I imagine the final surgery being the begining of the new year.
On a super good note. The Dr had sent some tissue and blood in for testing and it all came back good!!! No cancer re-occurance where he took the sample from! I wasnt really expecting there to be any, but its just nice to know=)
Just a little update but I think its time to go back to bed.
Have a good week!!

3 comments:

Lisa said...

I'm so sorry to hear about all the pain you are in. I wish I could take it away. I'll keep you in my prayers and I hope recovery goes quickly and that the skin stretches nicely and with less pain. Thinking of you!

Johnson Family said...

hey Shelly,
This is Christa Johnson.. you know, your booby cancer buddy!! he!He!!
i was looking forward to reading your post because my surgery is this coming Tuesday morning. Mine is a little bit different than yours because I will be doing the double mastectomy and reconstruction all in one day. We shall see how this goes! So I guess I will be starting off with the infant boobs.
I did get some good news yesterday when I went to see Dr. Cavalcant. He said that I am HER2-negative and Estrogen Receptor--Positive. yea!! I was excited to hear that, especially after watching you go through the Herceptin for a year. That would mean a lot of driving for me. I will be taking Tamoxifen instead... yea for pills!!!
Thank you sooooo much for all your help as I was truly overwhelmed! I have been reading all of your books and loving getting so much information. You are such a saint!!!
Love ya,
And good luck with the recovery!!
Christa Johnson
p.s. I have a blog too.. it is johnsonstories.blogspot.com

Jenny said...

Welcome to the A club! Woo hoo! :) So sorry for the pain!!! Bless you and Bill for going through all this!