Post-Surgery Update

I made it to the other side! Surgery yesterday went very, very well. They removed all the tissue, sent it to pathology and the report will come back next week.  Not expecting any new information, if there was more –- well, it’s out now.  If they find nothing more than what we know about, then I’m done.  If they find more, it could mean hormone therapy – but either way, I will be good.

The morning of surgery was good.  Jenny came for our workout, and it was a doozy.  Kettlebell swings, dumbbell snatch, squats, alt V-ups and sit ups and a run. She told me today she couldn’t roll over in bed last night.  I told her I just wanted to make sure she could feel like I would feel.  In all seriousness, it was a lot of fun and just pulled the stress right out of me.  And we may or may not have danced/boxed to Eye of the Tiger at the end of our sweat session.  That is a good friend.

Marc took me to Fairview, and I was surprisingly not nervous.  I attribute that to workout exertion and endorphins – and just wanting the cancer OUT.  When I woke up from surgery, I told the nurses I needed to go downstairs for my workout.  Even as I was saying it, I knew it sounded ludicrous, but there was no filter.  I did tell them I had been having a dream about that, so maybe that’s what happened.

Last night was okay. I was in an excellent mood and mentally clear, but my back was really hurting.  I was concerned about nerve pain since nerves can get disrupted in the process.  However, getting up and walking the floor, sitting in a chair versus the bed seems to have cured it.  As the nurse said, 4 hours laying on a hard metal table and then a hospital bed – many people get back pain.  I also have these motorized compression cuffs on my calves – to protect from clots. They are awesome, I wish I had them all the time.  Last night while I was sleeping, I felt the left one tightens up and I thought it was Pancakes smushing up to me like the dogs often do.  I said, “okay Pancakes, you have to move” and then realized he wasn’t here. I miss my boys.

Marc, Gracie, my dad, and Jenny have been allowed to visit me (hospital literally just changed their policy from 2 to 4 visitors in the past couple days).  That was good.  The nurses have my pain very much under control.  I would say I’m at a 5.  I’ve been told I have a very high tolerance for pain and my dad said right away “you got that from Mom”.  Yes, I did. I was told that arm mobility could be a significant challenge (hence why I have physical therapy already set up). I can lift my arms in the air.  I believe this is because the reconstruction occurred over the muscle and it’s not requiring the muscle to get stretched. In any case, feeling excellent physically.

They were ready to send me home from the hospital today, however, my bladder has decided it is still under anesthesia.  I can go, but apparently not all the way.  So, I earned myself a second night at the hospital.  Assuming it continues to get better, I’ll be home tomorrow.

I have been truly touched by the outpouring of support – it really does matter.  A few lessons learned:

• Get your mammogram (or ensure your loved ones do) every  year – make sure it’s 3D (I’m going to keep saying that one)
• Don’t let process and someone else’s timelines become yours – advocate for what you need
• Excellent doctors and nurses make all the difference in the world.  Could not say enough about Dr. Singh (she is incredible) and Dr Shaefer (he does great work) and my overnight nurse, Fran.
• Attitude does impact your progress.  I’m not delusional, I’m intentionally optimistic.  I choose to see life in the positive (a gift from my dad)
• Physical health 100% influences your outcome.  Some think I’m overly disciplined about my health, but I can tell you, in times like this, it sure comes in handy.  My recovery will be fast and full because of self-care.  It’s easy to get busy and take care of everyone else…prioritize your health.  The ROI will be there.