Author unknown……..who wronged me…..Cancer
It has been 12 days since my surgery, every day is better. The expanders have been removed and the Saline Implants have been inserted. My surgery was done on an outpatient basis, therefore after a long day that started at 630 am, I came home that same day. The surgery itself took about 4hrs then about……honestly the drive home is a blur, I do remember it was already getting dark.
My husband picked up my medications (pain med and an anti-biotic) at our local pharmacy, the time on the receipt is 7:34 pm, so that gives you an idea of how long of a day it was. Once I was home I was fine, not nauseas, however all that changed a couple of hours after being home.
The vomiting started, apparently steamed broccoli and red rose potatoes with a dairy free cheese sauce is considered a “heavy meal”……..my discharge papers did say “regular diet”. However after calling the plastic surgeon to let him know of my inability to keep anything down, he said I should be on a light diet till my entire body wakes up from the effects of the anesthesia. He immediately prescribed Ondansetron for the nausea.
Dr Eko did offer to admit me into DRMC for one night following the surgery which I declined. My history from waking up with projectile vomiting after general anesthesia prompted this offer. I was not experiencing nausea when he asked me this question, so I told him I wanted to go home that night. The anesthesiologist, fully aware of my history had given me anti-nausea medication during the surgery………..here is the sad part, I immediately thought of the insurance and would an overnight stay be covered! My surgery that took place on August 22, 2017 did require an overnight stay, however the insurance is fighting paying the bill! They are challenging it saying that an overnight stay was not necessary. I don’t understand how they could think that it was not necessary….I should send them the picture from my blog with the four drains!!!
Speaking of drains, this surgery did not require drains, just stitches with a transparent dressing across the chest. The dressing was removed at my first post op appointment on February 7th. I am a little swollen, I do have completely mobility of the arms.
The pink restricted arm band is due to my having my Lymphnodes removed on my left side when I had my mastectomy. I could only have blood draws and or I.V.’s on my right side now….this did not hurt, my veins were hiding. It bruised up pretty ugly, also bruised up at the wrist in two areas where she attempted to start the I.V., she was successful in the end…………I actually felt really bad for her, and I do remember when we were chatting I asked her how long she has been a nurse, it was 30 something years. At least she was gentle.
Whats next? I can not exercise (Pilates) for 6 weeks! I could only walk, however I think I might have broken a toe! Yes, that’s right…..I walked into a chair slamming my right foot into it. The bruise in now surfacing, the toe hurts like no other, I am beyond upset about it. My husband offered to go on a walk with me as he knows I want to do some type of physical activity. I put my tennis on, oh and it hurt. We walked down the street, I was in pain but refused to give in….I wanted to go walking! It was painful!!!!! When we got home and I took my tennis shoe off my foot was throbing…..can not believe I did that to myself. Jack had no clue as to the pain level, because I did not say anything!
If you have read to this point I thank you so much for reading my blog
My next follow up appointment is next week on the 21st, we will be discussing the procedure to create a nipple on my nippleless breast! Stay tuned!
Pina
My Breast Cancer Journey 