A Day in the Life

First of all....THANK you for your prayers. I feel them, and it is such a great feeling!!! I was released from the hospital Friday, late morning and have comfortably settled into my bed. I thought I would share with you a little of what went on since last Wednesday morning.....

David and I started the day by taking the kids to school. Let me back-up a second. Before we took the kids to school I found Austin's IPOD under the chaise in our bedroom. (We thought that was a great sign.) We took the Illinois side and had minimal traffic. picked up Robin and Nelsie at the airport and proceeded to the hospital. From the moment we arrived I felt very much at peace - I was so thankful that David would have someone there to wait with him.
I was called back at 11:30 to be prepped for surgery. After they prepped me for surgery, David, Robin, and Nelsie each got to come back and wait with me for awhile. Even though we knew I would be just fine, David became emotional. It was difficult for him to deal with something like this (btw....thanks for your prayers). But he put on a big smile and said, "see ya later. I love you."
Keep in mind, surgery was supposed to start at 1:00 and last 4 hours. Unfortunately it did not start until 2:30....so everyone had to wait on me...and I really felt bad about that....but the last thing I remember prior to the surgery...is David smiling at me when he left the prep area....

And the next thing I knew I was waking up. Let me just say it now - this cancer thing is not all it was cracked up to be. WOW is it painful, or what? I asked the nurse if they gave me any drugs. I don't remember what she said, but I kept thinking that this is a small price to pay to be cancer-free. And I wanted David...I asked them to please hurry so I could see him.....and then there he was......and I cried. I think I cried most of the night Wednesday. They were good tears, the refreshing kind that you actually want to share. David stayed in the room with me until midnight and then went to the Parkway Hotel that is connected to get a good night's rest. He couldn't hold me, but he touched my arm and hand all night....I needed that calming touch.
Because at 6am the cavalry began to appear. The first doctor I will call "McDreamy" I don't even watch Grey's anatomy....but this guy puts all others to shame. And do you know what the first thing he said to me was? "Hello, I'm dr. so-n-so, could I look at your incisions?" What am I gonna say to that? I said sure. However, I was thinking to myself - what in the world????He must know that the breasts are gone.. Oh well, I didn't think much of it until 8 more filed in (not all at the same time) and subsequently asked if they could look at the incisions. I know they were looking for signs of infection or the breast tissue dying, but it certainly took me down a notch or two.
I am doing great, I think. In my opinion the pain I am feeling is normal. I have terrible pains in the chest area - the nurse actually told me that if I was bigger it wouldn't hurt as bad, but since I work out and have some defined muscles, it is more painful. GREAT - why didn't I know this 5 months ago????? And the other great thing I am learning about is gas. Every one of those doctors asked me if I was able to get up and walk AND if I had gas. I wanted to say NO - don't they know that women don't do that.....geez, what a thing to ask a lady. I responded appropriately. Dr. Ross proceeded to tell me that during surgery your intestines "shut down". The longer you are under, the longer it takes for the intestines to kick back into gear. Needless to say, constipation is a word which has been added to my vocabulary. I am eating a bit - apples and oatmeal. I am thinking if this can't do the breakthrough, what can!!

Next Friday I have to go back to see Dr. Brandt (the reconstructive surgeon). I hope he will remove the tubes at that time. Then I will be going to see him weekly until we think the breasts are the size I want them to be. I can explain more about that later.....

In the meantime, I won't be doing much of anything - I can't read a book because my eyes cannot focus. Typing this blog has been a challenge today - but I thought I would share a little..... and say thank you....