Final reconstructive surgery

This last week has been busy for our house hold. My son has asthma and I took him to the doctors last Friday (10/30/09) to have his breathing/coughing checked out. The doctor switched his inhaler and had him take it in the morning and night. He also has another inhaler to help control his breathing when needed through-out the day. On Monday, (11/2/09) he came home from school and his eyes were puffy, said he has been sneezing all day and his cough sounded worst. I called and spoke with his doctor and we agreed that the new inhaler wasn’t working and switched him back to his original inhaler. The doctor also prescribed a steroid to help his asthma improve quicker. I was concerned 1. if he catches the swine flu that he is at a higher risk for a chest infection and 2. I was having my surgery on Wednesday and I couldn’t get sick. His doctor knows about my cancer and she has been great when my kids need extra care. She also put him on an antibiotics.

I had my surgery on Wednesday (11/4/09) and it went well for the most part. We arrived at the hospital at 11:00 am and at 11:50 am they called me in, went over the paperwork, and prep me for the pre-op waiting room. I thought wow surgery is on time and ready for 12:30 pm, well surgery ended up being at 1:30 pm. My plastic surgeon was running late with the surgery before mine. I understand because if I was on the operating table, I would want her to take her time but it was long wait for my husband and I. The nurse had a hard time to find a vein large enough on my left hand to insert the IV. She did find one and was able to insert it. The fluid was flowing through the IV but she wanted the anesthesia staff to verify the speed of flow of fluid because it was slow. The anesthesia staff was okay with the insertion. Each nurse and anesthesia staff who were going to be in the operating room, came by to introduce themselves and review my chart. Another nurse also put on the blood pressure legs cuffs for surgery. Each of them made remarks about my plastic surgeon how impressed they were with her work and one nurse said “she told my plastic surgeon, she is an artist and her work was amazing to watch”. My plastic surgeon said she’s not an artist but doing her job but maybe a craftsman if you want to call her that. We did see photos of her work prior and that’s why we selected her for her wonderful work! My plastic surgeon saw me before she started the surgery. She explained that I will be bandage up after the surgery and made a comment that I would look like Madonna. She would put small plastic cups over the nipple area after the surgery so the gauze wouldn’t stick. For those of you wondering you can’t really see them but they are there.
I was given what they call my cocktail into my IV to make me sleepy and wheeled me into the OR room at 1:30 pm. The last thing a remember is the staff strapping both of my arms straight out onto a side table and putting a mask over my nose/mouth to help me go into my deep sleep. I assume they strapped my arms down so I won’t move during the surgery. I woke up in the OR room about 3:35 pm and I was shriving so they had to put several warm blankets on me. I remember this also happened with my mastectomy surgery. I was in the recovery room for a hour to let the anesthesia wear off. They had gave me so much IV fluids that I had to go to the bathroom but they wouldn’t let me get out of bed. I had to use a bed pan and I hated it but when you gotta go you gotta go and I wasn’t going to wet the bed ha ha ha! I was in pain on my lower stomach above my c-section line area where they remove for the skin graft. She gave me some pain medication in my IV. Earlier I mentioned that the nurse was concerned with the IV in my hand for the fluid flow, well during the surgery they had moved it out of my hand and inserted the IV into my inner wrist. That was awkward and in a painful area. I was finally able to get out of bed, sit up in a chair, and get the IV removed a hour later. Gene joined me and I was given some toast (only thing they had to offer) with some ginger ale about 4:50pm. I was hungry since I hadn’t eaten since the night before. I was given a Percocet before we headed home. My mom got the kids off the bus and they were waiting for us at home. We got home just before 6:00pm. We picked up a pizza for dinner and called it an early evening. The kids were happy that I was home and I didn’t have to spend the night at the hospital. I had to sleep on my back so I slept in the reclining chairs in my bedroom. I took a valium to help me relax and go to sleep. My throat and lips were also sore/agitated from the tube being down my throat during surgery. I was also still spelling the anesthesia in my body so I was looking to go to sleep.
That evening my daughter was up three times which she normally doesn’t get up so our sleep was on and off.
The next day Thursday, the kids went to school and I relaxed all day. I am not able to lift any heavy things for concern to pull out my stitches. I still had a lot of pain above my c-section line from the skin graft. When I lean forward it does hurt me and I get a burning sensation. I was told this is a sign of healing but not fun when you have to get out of the chair. I have a gauze over this area and it can be removed in 48 hours. It’s amazing that I have no pain in my chest area. I am covered up with bandages and can’t remove them or get them wet. I will have the unveiling of my new boobs/nipples next Thursday (11/12/09) at the doctor’s office. I was told they looked good but I will have to wait a week to see!
My kids came home from school and my daughter was on fire! She had a temperature of 102 and coughing. I called the doctors and got her appointment for 6:45pm. I had a feeling she might have the flu so I was pro-active and called around to pharmacies to see who has the Tamiflu in stock. It was confirmed at the doctors office that she had the swine flu. We couldn't’t believe it especially this week with everything else going on. I spoke with the doctor and Tamiflu was given for her and my son since his asthma is bad and we are concerned for him as well. It was a long night! We gave both of the kids their first dose of the Tamiflu. AJ was okay but Emily threw it up after a hour. Her temperature was rising again so we had to give her more Motrin. We finally got to bed at 11:45pm. At 1:30am she was up coughing and her temperature was back to 102. By 2:30 am her temperature was 104 so we got her in the bath to cool her down and gave her Tylenol. I called the answering service for the doctors and they said we can alternate Motrin and Tylenol if needed every three hours to control her fever. The nurse said the swine flu can run a temperature as high as 105. If it stays at 105 for a hour and can’t get it down then we need to bring her to the hospital for a possible respiratory bacterial infection or ammonia. We finally went to bed at 3:45am and back up at 6:30am checking on her. She has been much better since that night. Her fever ranges from 100-102. We have been keeping AJ in another room to prevent him from getting the flu. His asthma is about 75% better but hasn't been playing hockey until he is healthy.
I am going to post this and continue the updates on another blog.

update

My surgery went well. I am in a little pain above my c-section line from the skin graft.

Sorry for the delay, I know several of you are waiting to read my blog. My household has been busy. My son's asthma last week started up and got bad again on Monday so we been in contact with the doctor alot. I was able to have surgery on Wednesday. I stayed home and relaxed during the day on Thursday until my daughter came home from school not feeling well. We ended up at the doctors office last night to find out she has the swine flu.

We all need to get some sleep. Check back later today or tomorrow for my updates about my surgery and family.

3rd surgery-finish reconstructive

In three hours, I can’t eat or drink anything after midnight. I am having my 3rd and hopefully final surgery. 11-12-08 1st surgery biopsy , 1-7-09 2nd surgery double mastectomy,
11-4-09 tomorrow finish reconstructive. Wow a lot has happened in the past year!!!

I am looking forward to the surgery tomorrow. I was scared to wake up from my last surgery to hear if my cancer was in my lymph nodes and not knowing what my breast would look like. Tomorrow I am excited to be able to wake up and know that I have finished my reconstructive for both breasts. I will be complete and look like a women again! It will be strange because I am used to what I look like now but their going to be perfect tomorrow afternoon. (or after the healing process has finished)
My surgery is scheduled for 12:30 and it will take around 2 hours. The surgery will be an outpatient operation and I will be home by dinner time. I might have some discomfort so the doctor will give me some pain medication.
I will update my blog to let everybody know how the surgery went and how I am feeling.
I have updated my blog with some pictures from the Breast Cancer Walk which was wonderful! The American Cancer Society raised 375,000 for this one walk.

Cancer Surgeon

I had an appointment last week with my cancer surgeon. The visit went well. This was the first time I had an exam since my surgery. There are no concerns at this time. I will continue to see her every six months. I will no longer have mammograms since I have implants. If there is a concern of any kind, then I will need to get an ultra-sound or MRI.

This Sunday October 25, 2009 is my walk with the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Our team name is: Bossom Buddies. I will post some pictures for those of you who couldn't join us. I am still collecting money so I will let everybody know how much we were able to collect. Thanks for all your contributions so far!

November 4, 2009 I will be having surgery to have my nipples put on. This will be an-outpatient surgery. I will continue to update my blog to keep everybody in tune with the latest information.

Plastic Surgeon visit

I saw my plastic surgeon for my second follow since my radiation has been completed. She said there was no scar tissue build up and the breasts looked good. She took some more pictures to be able to compare the before and after. We spoke about having my next surgery to finish the reconstruction and have the nipples put on. I requested to have this surgery at the beginning of November. The surgery will be an out -patient service and will take around 1- 1 1/2 hours. The skin will be taken above my c-section line to create the nipples. I will have disposable stitches in that area. I have been asked several times how the nipples get a pinkish color so I will let everybody know. Once she forms the nipples, the blood vessels will create the nipples pink. The nipples will take up to six months to complete their shape. I will have disposable stitches around the nipple area. I will be bandage up for a week and then I will have to see my plastic surgeon to follow up.

I will need to get the standard blood work done before the surgery. I will follow the same procedures as far as any other surgeries and stop taken my medications and no Motrin/aspirin a week prior.

My kids are aware of the surgery but I haven't told them actually what is being performed. AJ asked if I still have cancer to remove and I explained that my breast has more reconstruction to be completed. I will sit down with them before the surgery and explain in detail so they aren't afraid and know what is happening. Emily has been aware of the breast cancer symbol when we go out to the stores. Since this month is Breast Cancer Awareness she points out every time she sees the BC sign. She is really involved with my walk and reviews my website with me. Gene and the kids will be joining me at the walk along with family and several friends. The walk is in two weeks and will be a wonderful experience!

blood work back

I received my results back from my blood work and everything was good. My vitamin D was at a good level so I will decrease the amount I am taking. I asked some questions that I have been wondering about. He explained why he checks my liver. This test will indicate any abnormalities that something might be wrong. The salt level checks for sodium and potassium. I did get my menstrual cycle and I had some bad cramping/pains which I usually don't get. He said that some women will still get their cycle and will not go into menopause. I can follow up with my OBGYN and she can go over perhaps testing for early menopause. I inquired about a bone density test and he wasn't concern at my stage but said this is something we would be discussing in my next visit in February. He mentioned that Tamoxifen has a small ingredient in it that helps protects my bones. When I need to start this test it will be performed every two years. In October I will be seeing my Cancer surgeon as well as my OBGYN.

Oncologist appointment

It has been awhile since I have updated my blog but I didn't need to see my doctors, which is a good thing!
On Monday, I had my first follow up appointment since I have been taking the Tamoxifen. The appointment went well but the wait was horrible (1hr.10min). I was concerned that I haven't been having any side effects since taking the medication. I am not complaining but I want to make sure the medication is working. At night from time to time, I do have night sweats but I am not sure if this reaction is from my medication or because its summer time. He mentioned the blood test is pretty accurate but he will have another blood test performed to verify there wasn't an error.
We also discussed to re-check my blood level for the following: vitamin D, if its back to the correct level I will keep taking it but reduce the milligrams, breast cancer markers to compare from the last blood test, complete blood work analysis, liver salt, and the test to verify the Tamoxifen is able to be absorbed into my blood stream.
He examined my lymph nodes, ears, and throat and everything was good. He mentioned as long as I am feeling good that I don't need to see every doctor each month. As long as I am seeing at least one of my doctor's Oncologist, Cancer Surgeon, or plastic Surgeon every 4 months then I am taken care of my body well.
I knew the Tamoxifen would put my body into a menopause stage but it never occurred to me that I will stop having my menstrual cycle. This hasn't occurred so I will have to wait and see in the next few months. He explained when my cycle does stop and if I start to have a lot of bleeding or spotting then I will need to see my OBGYN. She will perform a transvagial test to verify nothing is wrong. Its hard for women like me who hasn't naturally gone into menopause to tell the difference. At any time I have questions, he asked me to call him.
I will make an appointment to see my Cancer Surgeon to be examined since I haven't seen her in several months. I will also see my Plastic Surgeon in October to be examined for any scar tissue build up due to the radiation or surgery (at this time I don't think I have any, yea!) and hopefully I will be cleared for my final surgery in November.
I will update my blood test results as soon as I get them back.

Please check out my website for the American Cancer Society Breast Walk in October:
http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY10National?px=11611219&pg=personal&fr_id=19932