Week 3 Post Mastectomy/Reconstruction Surgery

I took myself to see the Breast Care nurses in hospital on Monday because I was in a terrible state. I felt really low both physically and mentally and was in so much pain I could barely walk.

Bless my husband he took me to the unit via  a wheelchair, I honestly don't think I could have managed on foot and that's truly not like me at all.

The doctor who checked out my surgery site said straight away that there was an infection present. Having looked further decided that the fluid build up would need to be checked and drained. My wounds were all OK.

I waited for nearly an hour wearing a hospital gown and on my own because "men" weren't allowed in this area. I was called into the ultrasound room and was told that they would drain the fluid. They wouldn't use a local anaesthetic they would see how they got on.

It hurt as they rummaged with the needle although they did try to be gentle. The fluid literally filled the syringe within moments much to their surprise so they fumbled for a second syringe, that did the same then the third...... Thank goodness that was over. 

The blood spillage on my arm smelt like copper - I don't like that smell.

I was offered a cup of tea but I just wanted to get out of there and back to my husband.

The relief from the drainage was instant, at last I could put my arm down!

Antibiotics were collected from the chemist along with more painkillers. What a shock to be charged £8 for the antibiotics because the prescription was written in England! I am a welsh patient, I live in Wales, I have never lived in England and I pay Welsh taxes - totally unacceptable and unfair just because Wales cannot provide the surgery I need.

Rant over!

The antibiotics have worked and I am feeling much better but the fluid has built up again and I am worrying about my appointment on Friday and having drainage again.

You see... I have been fighting cancer since 2009 and I have had more procedures done than I have had hot dinners my entire life. I am sick and tired of being poked and prodded of having cannula's inserted and needles pushed in here and there. 

So there you are that's as far as I am with this stupid disease!

Two and a Bit Post Surgery

It's taken me two and a half weeks to realise that.....

1. I have had two major operations all in one go  

and...

2. It was a double whammy so all of my chest is affected and both arms





I have had advice from ladies who have had one affected or taken surgery one step at a time and I kind of expected to be feeling better than I do right now.


However.... after really over doing things a couple of days ago and spending yesterday feeling very ill indeed I have accepted 1 and 2 as listed above.



So..... surgery......

It's a kind of a new procedure (very interesting).


I have had radiotherapy to both breasts which has (apparently) damaged the blood vessels and muscle in those areas which makes reconstruction quite difficult. The muscles can be squishy (the words of my surgeon) and the blood vessels quite brittle.

So....


What they did is this......


They removed 3lbs of breast tissue within which they found 3mm of cancer. This one was DCIS. 

The remaining lymph nodes in my left arm were removed.

Then for the reconstruction they cut through my pectoral muscles and attached a kind of collagen fibre to create a pocket in which they deposited the implant.





The skin was then folded over in a double layer hence the tiny size of my boobies compared to what they were. The reason for this is kind of like an insurance and protection purpose.



My drains were removed after 14 days (that was a relief I can tell you!). Now, 2 and a half weeks post surgery how does it feel???


Itching!!! The itching is driving me insane

Tight - the dressings and healing skin cause it to feel tight

Deep Muscle pain - sneezing is hell

Muscle Weakness - not allot of strength in the muscle areas

Strange!!!!! - feels as though I have bricks in my chest! That, together with the fact that I have no feeling in the area due to nerve damage makes it feel totally weird.

When Shopping Is Practical

So....

Mastectomy and reconstruction is scheduled for 17th February all going well.

Having had two lumpectomies in the last few years I decided to be practical and order a couple of post operative bras.

Not the best shopping experience but a necessary evil.

Sometimes I Wonder Why

Products I Love

When you find something you really like, something that impresses you - well you have to share it don't you.

You know how precious my hair is having lost it all to cancer 5 years ago. I have grown it down to my waist and do my best to keep it in tip top condition. In order to keep it sleek I have been using hair spray on a brush until I found this amazing product.....

I love Got2B Argan Oil Spray!!!

To clarify.... I am just a regular "Josephine Blogs" on the street, I am not getting paid for this review I have just found a product which I love.

I bought it by chance on a 3 for 2 offer in Boots. I had selected 2 products and decided to have this as my 3rd just to see what it would be like. It was the best decision I ever made! Its so light, like hair spray and instantly calms the hair, keeps it straight and shiney. I use it every day especially after washing and I have found that the ends no longer get knotty.

So its not often that I shout out about a product but I love this so much I just had to spread the experience!

Things Are a Bit Weird

Technology!

Love it or hate it! 

Its great when its working but when its not, flip! its a nightmare!

My laptop recently gave up the will to live but thankfully I have an extremely capable husband who has fixed it. However, in trying to get to my blog I got caught up in google accounts confusion and even had to create a NEW blog just to find this one... give me strength!

It only seems like yesterday that I was pounding a typewriter and I thought I had "made it" when my boss bought me a semi electronic typewriter.

How technology has evolved in such a short time, its amazing.

Next month it will be 24 years since my big brother Peter died. He was a technical whizz but I wonder what he would make of our world today because in those 24 years we have become dependant on computers and electronics.

The jury in my head is still out with regard to social media. I got into it when I became ill in 2009, I wasn't physically able to whizz around at a million miles an hour and so I had time to become familiar with computers and facebook.

I enjoy being able to connect and communicate with friends from all over the country and world and follow my favourite band but on the flip side, I dislike the intrusion, the voyeuristic way people can watch you, the fact that people communicate but do so ineffectively..... I don't like it.

Karma - Let It Go!

I have some stuff going on in my life right now which is causing me distress. It's not major stuff so don't worry. I am healthy (as far as I know) and I am alive and happy. The part of my life is one which should be relaxing and peaceful but sadly by the action of others it is not.

I have been building up resentment in my heart and that in turn has upset me and stressed me out because I don't want to feel negative emotions, they are detrimental to ones harmony and well being.

Then, today, on facebook - this message was posted by Emma Sims Holistic Therapies - I read it and I took note.

This is so right so today I will meditate for peace in my soul and the release of my negative feelings. After all, I am not responsible for the action of others - their actions, their karma - their lesson.

Namaste.

Love Hope Strength