Well, my surgery went well…the left breast implant was removed along with all the excess radiated skin……so much for a “skin sparring Mastectomy ! I feel I should have blogged earlier but I kept thinking, I will blog after this post op appointment. However to date I have had three follow-up appointments. My surgeon kept my drainage tube in for two weeks because at my first post op the daily fluid output was more than 25cc’s.
On April 16th, I had my annual Bone Density and a CT of the lungs for that little nodule that the doctors have been monitoring. Well GREAT news, my Oncologist, Dr. Ho from the Palm Springs Comprehensive Cancer Center told me that the nodule is stable and has not grown, he will continue to monitor it annually. And my DEXA (Bone Density Test) is also good…I was so happy with that news!
On April 20th, my sidekick (drainage tube) was removed. However that week my incision where it all joins started to seep and open! REALLY could this possibly be happening again! My Plastic Surgeon wanted me back the following week to keep a close eye on it. Which that appointment was just last week on April 27th.
I would like to back up to April 25th. On the 25th, my husband and I celebrated 31 years of marriage! I love you Jack with all my heart, thank you for always being there for me, for accompanying to all my appointments when work permitted….my story is not over, I am looking forward to many years with you, looking forward to our week on Maui!
Ok, back to my appointment on the 27th. After Dr. Eko looked at the area he looked at me and said that he would need to do Another Revision. At this point, seriously my heart just sank! Of coarse I asked exactly what he planned on doing, Dr. Eko went on to describe the procedure. My husband and I waiting in the examination as they prepared the Procedure Room for me.
After administering plenty of Lidocaine he removed select staples in the trifurcation area. (I will be posting pictures, just do not scroll down if you do not wish to see them.) Slithers of irradiated skin was removed, then it was sutured. It was surreal, the area was well numbed up, but thru my body I could hear and feel (without pain) every stitch! My body was shaking uncontrollably, they covered my with a blanket….this was a pretty invasive procedure done in the office…my plastic surgeon and his wonderful M.A., Angelica made sure I was comfortable. My husband was in the room, a couple of times the blanket came off my feet and he tucked the blanket under my feet. It was nice having my husband in the room, Dr. Eko played smooth Jazz during the procedure, which was also very relaxing.
What’s next? I had a follow up appointment today April 30th, it went well. I am instructed not to lift my left arm above my head so the it doesn’t tug on trifurcation area. The doctor (and I) want this to heal!!! My husband and I will be going to Maui for one week, I will not be getting in the ocean, other than my feet….just plan on relaxing and visiting my Maui Ohana!
Microblading, on Wednesday May 2nd I will be getting my eye brows microbladed. Yes, the hair on my head has returned post chemo, however I have little to no eye brows! I will have to wear a hat while in Maui, which I’m okay with…just looking forward to not having to paint on my eye brows every morning to look normal! So grateful to the gals from the Cos Bar in Wailea that took the time to teach my how to apply my Tom Ford Eye Brow Kit.
****************************** SENSITIVE PICTURES BELOW************************
On a daily basis my family stripped and documented the amount of fluid out put for two weeks until the drain was removed. Post op, my son Cisco took days from work and stayed home with me… he did really good, he only gaged once when some fibrous tissue was in the fluid!
Damm, It looks like I had a “Radical Mastectomy”!
Here it is, I struggled with the decision to post this picture ….. but this is the reality of it. The Implant was removed with all the irradiated skin. Looking at the picture above my head is to the right with the tube going down. The stapled area that goes up towards my axilla (armpit) is that darken circle that is seen on the first picture… that skin was removed, hence this result. The following picture was taken on April 27th, you will notice that the staples where it all trifurcates are gone. That is because on April 20th the plastic surgeon removed them, at this point they were obviously just irritating the area. The area didn’t close which is why Another Revision was necessary. 
I don’t have an after picture of the revision…my husband says it looks good, he has been doing the dressing changes, he has become quite the wound care specialist! I have instructions not to lift my arms above my head
My next follow up appointment, is on Monday April 14th. I will keep everyone posted with a shorter blog……I promise. If you have read to this point, many thank yous for taking the time out of your day to read my blog.
Pina
My Breast Cancer Journey 