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Home at last
I'm home at last after 11 days in Westmead Hospital for what turned out to be more a free tram than diep. They did after all take a little muscle. But I'd never know.
The operation was 14 hrs after a failure a couple of times with the blood supply on the left side, but all is good now. The recovery has been hard so far, especially the first week. Emotions, physical challenges, the environment. I was very up and down till the meds got sorted. I have a kind of allergy to endone so that was a challenge for me throwing up and hallucinating and for them to work out what to give me.
Turns out though its easy to use a bedpan! So that's a plus when it was too hard to get out of bed.
Each day I improved, but I looked like a train wreck. My hubby took photos detailing tubes, drains, connections the bear hugger (warming blanket thingy), the wounds, the scratches and bruises. But it all improved each day.
My turning point came when I realised that yes I was going to be in hospital for another 5 or 6 days. Despite the sponge baths, I really stank. My gorgeous son who was by my side everyday the first week agreed. I had a shower and got into my own pjs and felt better.
Walking was a challenge also, and I had a walker to help. But I walked a few times each day. The last few days my hubby and I had mornings in the lounge area downstairs reading the newspaper and being more normal. Lasted only a few hrs till I was too tired and sore but was so nice.
I'm now home on my first morning, such a beautiful morning, I've been for a walk around the garden, said hello to the animals had my meds now back in bed.
My wounds are doing really well. I never had big dressings, just steristrips. Seems too little for such wounds. I still have swelling in both breasts and tummy but the skin looks great and the newbies look weird but happily perched on my chest. Bigger than I thought, but we'll see in a few weeks when the swelling is gone. Tummy looks flat flat flat. Bit swelled on one side but still settling down.
So after such a massive operation I feel amazingly comfortable, and look remarkably healed.
It's now just the head to get right, and mourning the old body I think is whats happening. This part I have found the hardest. I've been on this bc road for 10 months now, and will continue treatment for some time yet, and sometimes it just all catches up with me how it is all so unfair for us to endure what we do.
Onwards and upwards now though.
I am very apply to share more details with anyone, even photos, as I know it's a very hard op to contemplate and to find aussie info on. Ill be photo documenting the recovery for myself during the next few months.
Cheers Louie
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48 Replies
- Well finally out of hospital came out last night and am so happy to be free ! Still have one drain in but am staying at a friends near the hospital so they were happy for me to come home . Can't really believe that it is almost finished ! Next step back home can't wait to be home with all my boys !!!
- Hi Jen Am thinking you're still in hospital, or are you home now?? Well done on your recovery from surgery. How are you feeling now you are a week on?? I'm re-reading all these posts again as I'm going in on Friday to have a double tram/Diep procedure. Don't know which yet. Dr Moradi will opt for Diep if possible but depends on my veins.. I'm having my left boob off as well so they can make me a new set!! Am starting to get really anxious about the whole thing. I definitely want it done but am quite scared.. But, I know I just have to trust in the doctors & the universe that all will be well, right?? Take care Kat xx
Jen...fab to hear from you and know that your through the surgery. Shall take an old chemo cap to wear in bed I think. Imagine being able to comb the hair is not on the cards.
Keep up the posts please :) Eager to hear the good, the bad and the ugly!
Kim
You poor thing. Lucky it was all ok in the end. Are you up and about yet?
Thanks for posting Jen. Now I am making a mental note to "expect the unexpected" post surgery next week, and just to TRUST that all will work out fine. Sounds like everything is headed in the right direction for you, aside from that little (scary!) detour. Hope you are feeling better and thanks so much for sharing. It will all be over soon, and you will be home in your own bed before long. Keep going!
Sarah
My god that is one long trail of posts, and like others I was in tears reading about your trip back to hospital today. As much as 5 hours is a long time I am glad it was just a blood blister.
Rest, rest and rest some more, rely on others for just a bit longer and be kind to yourself. After my last surgery I realised my head wasn't where it should be and got a referral to a pschologist, honestly it was a great move, she is wonderful and i feel so much better having just talked it all through with someone. I am sending you love and light.
Take care
Donna
Hooray for you Jen for making it through the surgery, and at least being well enough to post - I'm impressed! Hope you continue to heal well. Keep comfortable (as much as you can!)
Sarah
How are you, you are not giving too much away in your post. You must be still pretty high on pain killers....are you comfortable? How did it go? How are your family coping?
Join our private Breast Reconstruction blog when you are up to it and share some details. http://www.bcna.org.au/group/61026
So great to hear from you so soon after your surgery, i was thinking of you all day and night last Friday.
L:)
- Well here I day three sitting up having lunch ! The staff here have been awesome cant fault them at all .still just having sponges and hair is an issue which I have solved for solved for the time being by just piling it on top of head with a scunchy ! Apart from that doing ok will post again in a few days
You sound like you are in a very good place leading up to the surgery. Yes you are right, the pain was definately the tummy area. You will have a catheter till you can get up. I was up the second day i think but I dont remember it, I have seen the photos though of a physio helping me walk with a walker. I do remember being very keen to get up and moving to get the system working again, i was terrified of becoming constipated, more pain. I recall not too much wound pain, but more hassle trying to get organised to go for a walk even just to the loo. all the drains and monitors, the drip etc.
I cant help you about the hair, because i had had chemo and it was just growing back. I do recall thinking it was very convenient in that sense. i had sponge baths each day, but was really stinky by about day 5. I think if i had long hair it could be quite gross. But just imagine how great it will feel to get under the shower when you can.
I didnt have nanna undies, i wore a boy leg low cut undie which was not interferring with the abdo drains. but i was pretty much naked till day 5, just a hospital gown. it was just too hard to get underwear, or clothes for that matter, on and off. when i could I preferred loose stretchy pj long pants, very loose around the tummy, bought them for $5 Big W.
Your hubby sounds great, nice to have such devoted support,
L:)
