Breast Reconstruction

I just got home from the hospital.  The average stay for the type of breast reconstruction I had performed is five days. Of course, I had to go and be different and ended up staying an extra day because the nurses couldn’t get my nausea under control. The discharge nurse let me take extra gauze, two […]

It’s been five days since I’ve had my breast reconstruction surgery. The first thing I thought when I opened my eyes to inspect my plastic surgeon’s handiwork was, “Wow, I have cleavage again and it looks so real.” The second thing I thought–immediately following–was “Hokey-doodle, that hurts.” Pain pills… they’re a wonderful thing. So are […]

This morning, I had every intention of doing laundry, bill-paying, yard work, and dishes all day to prepare for my breast reconstruction surgery tomorrow morning. Instead, I threw all caution to the wind and accomplished my goal of reaching the top of Oyster Dome before the summer was over. It took my son, Michael, and me […]

Four more days until my breast reconstruction on the 24th. My last-minute scheduling includes: Monday: last drum lesson for a while Tuesday: Birch Bay overnight with a friend Wednesday: Walk along beach at Birch Bay Thursday: Try not to hyperventilate about surgery Friday: Be at hospital at the ungodly hour of 5:30 a.m.  

The doctor had me fill out some last-minute paperwork in order to get everything done before my breast reconstruction set for the 24th. I knew I was in big trouble when the hospital consent form I had to sign was ten pages long.  

I hope my mind actually hears everything the plastic surgeon tells me today at my pre-breast reconstruction appointment instead of wandering to the things he told me last time: “You will be in the hospital five days.” “Your recovery will be worse than a C-section.” Crap. I’ve had three of those… they’re “named” Adriana, Michael, and […]

I have the pre-surgery appointment with the plastic surgeon tomorrow morning. We are going to go over any last questions I might have regarding my upcoming breast reconstruction. I was advised to bring an advance directive (i.e. living will, power of attorney) with me. Great. Makes me realize how much I don’t want to hear […]

Only 14 days left until my breast reconstruction surgery. I’m still plugging away on my to-do list: 1. Get daughter, Adriana, graduated from high school. Check. 2. Get daughter a present for graduating high school. Check. 3. Get house cleaned for daughter’s party upon graduation. Mostly checked. 4. Get yard whipped into shape for daughter’s […]