Firstly I really want to say a huge thank you for the lovely comments and well wishes I received from this community prior to My bilateral mastectomy, sentinel node biopsy and reconstruction all went to plan I am told......I am still waiting on those dreaded pathology :):):)
I was first on the theatre list on Friday 21st which was a huge relief given my sky rocketing anxiety. 5 hours in theatre, and a brilliant anaesthetist who worked his magic to ensure I suffered no sickness or reactions afterwards (which I normally do with a GA).
I have to say that I woke up feeling better than I expected too and the recovery over all has been far better than I was expecting too (it really has been better than my previous surgeries non breast related). I was up to the loo at 10.30 pm that night with the help of a nurse and in the shower the next day at 8.30 am. Whilst there has definitely been pain at times I have ensured that I kept on top of it and haven't been shy in asking for pain relief and found that the discomfort was manageable. I started my physio exercises on day 2 and found that getting up and out of bed to be the best thing for me. Lots of little laps around the ward was also great to help shift the building fluid in my legs.
I had 5 nights in hospital and was itching to get home - hospitals are no place for rest!!!! So my dr compromised and let me go home with my drains in (as her original plan was that the drains would need to be out prior to going home). I have been visited daily by the community nurses who are wonderful. I had one drain removed on Friday, one week post op, however the other drain is being a tad pesky and is still in place........it is irritating, but it is doing it's job which is the main thing. As per other people's comments, having the drain removed helped make me feel far more comfortable.
The nurses are happy with how I am healing. I see the plastic surgeon tomorrow as I still have all the original dressings in place. I was really surprised by how high my new boobs are sitting up.......and then relieved when one of the nurses told me to look at it like a perm - takes a couple of weeks to drop !!! God I laughed at that...makes sense though given the swelling and bruising that needs to subside.....I am yet to see what my salvaged nipples look like as they are under dressings - so that will be interesting......
I see the breast surgeon on Wed and expect to have my pathology results...........what will be will be and I know that I can tackle what ever comes head on !!! the support from my family and friends has been just amazing ....
Once again - thank you for welcoming me so warmly into this community and for reaching out with your support xxx
Sal xx
