Okay I was lacking to post my last doctor visit. No news is good news they say!
I had my 2 week follow up with my plastic surgeon on November 19, 2009. She said my nipples are healing well and I just need to put neosporin medicine on at night time. She trimmed some of the stitches that were not dissolved. I was glad because I had a few stitches that would sometimes pock through my shirt and was sharp. There was no pain. The areola is still red and purple but that's the healing process. I will only cover them with gauze only if I am wearing a fancy shirt just in case of some stains otherwise there is no need. She took some pictures to add to my collection. She saw the doctor who I got my third opinion from in NY to determine if I needed radiation and he was asking about me. I was shocked he remembered me and was touched that he asked.
Three days prior to the visit, the bandage came off from my lower stomach area. That was a relief since it was pulling on my skin. She said the area looked well and is healing. She mentioned that I have to wait four weeks for any heavy lifting or to exercise. Its hard because I feel great and look good from the outside by I have to remember I have stitches that need to heal on my breast and my stomach. I am still having pain where the stitches are in my stomach but it seems just on my right side. The pain seems to happen when I lay on my right side in bed but when I lye on my left side I am okay. The doctor said its probably a nerve that is bothering me and the stitches are healing inside. I will go back to my plastic surgeon in two months for a follow up.
On November 24, my husband noticed since I haven't really been examining the nipples that my right nipple was pointing down and seemed it was losing its ability to stay up. I got a little worried and didn't want to wait two months so I wrote via e-mail to my plastic surgeon. She responded right away and said the following: "everything you feel and see is perfectly normal the nipples will change a lot over time pain expected for about four weeks Motrin or Aleve should work".
As of today November 30, 2009 I am feeling much better. My pain in my stomach is at a minimum but I still feel uncomfortable at times. I guess the healing process does take some time. My nipples are healing well. The areola is a light pink color and is even with my breast. Wow you wouldn't know they were out on after wards. The nipple area is getting better for color some brown and purple on the outside but almost healed. It's like when you get a scab and its at the last stage but only in a few spots. The skin is a little dry so I will continue to put neosporin medicine on.
I saw my OBGYN on November 25, 2009 and she said everything at this time looked great. We discussed that I will see her twice a year unless there is a problem. I will see her in May 2010 to have an ultrasound of my ovaries to make sure there is no signs of cancer and then 6 months later for my routine visit.
To all my friends and family, have a wonderful Holiday and make sure you stay happy and healthy!!! I know I have to be thankful for this holiday and many more in the future! Make sure you enjoy each day to the fullest as much as you can. Take Care
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Wow the unveiling!!!
This week was much better than last week! Emily returned back to school on Thursday 11/12 since there was no school on Wednesday. She was better on Tuesday with no fever but she had a bad cough so I kept her home one more day. She was upset because she loves school and wanted to go back. Most kids would love to stay home and watch TV all day! I am glad I kept her home an extra day because her teacher wrote me an e-mail and said there was 12 kids out of her class. One of the kids had passed the swine flu around but a course it didn't start with my child!! AJ's asthma is getting better but still has a slight cough. He is still taking the Tamiflu to prevent him from the flu. We are lucky that no other family members got the swine flu from Emily! We were very careful around her, washed and cleaned everything every day.
We are dealing okay with the passing of Brittany. There has been some sad moments for instance when we get home and walk into the house there's no dog running up too you, no nose on the window looking outside when you drive up, no one sitting by us at the kitchen table and a real sad moment when I opened a sympathy card in the mail for Brittany. I thought this was sincere that we received a card from the veterinarian office where we took her since this was not the vet office we used.
Warning........ Warning....I am going to describe my unveiling in detail so if you don't want to know all the details you can stop reading here and wait for my next blog entry.
Yesterday 11/12/09 I saw my plastic surgeon for my first week follow up (8 days). She started to take off the tape and gauze on my right breast first. She wanted to start on this side because this is where the radiation was given. She explained even thou I didn't have any current damage to my implant from the raditaion that there still can be a chance that the right side nipple might seem indented than the other side in the future. This might occur because my skin elasticity isn't as strong on this side from the radiation. Let's pray this doesn't happen! She was impressed how the right side look, yes she's the doctor but she was amazed how well the nipple area already has healed and the final outcome is great! She took the tape and gauze off the left side as well. The tape didn't hurt coming off. She asked me if I would like to look into the mirror to see myself directly not just looking down. Yes, I did! She's amazing, the areola area and the nipples looked real! Both sides were perfect and was amazing. She asked if I felt like a women again? I always felt like a women and was okay looking at my breasts without nipples but now that I have nipples I do have to say I look and feel like a new women. My left side had a small amount of fresh blood when she removed the gauze. She said that was a good sign because that means the blood vessles are getting into the nipple area. She said I can wear a bra again and to cover the nipple area with a gauze just in case it bleeds or rubs. Gene was with me on this appointment and he was amazed as well as we spoke to the doctor about how she performed the surgery. There were plastic cups with the tops cut off around the nipples that helped them stay in place and not to touch the gauze. I only had to be like Madonna for a week, but my cones weren't not near as big as hers! The medical tape was at the top and the bottom of the gauze around my breasts. This tape is so sticky that I had to scrub and use rubbing alcohol to try to remove it all. I have so much that it will take some time to get it all off. It reminds me of cement glue when it dries you can roll up the glue but 10x's as sticky. There were also some pen marks from the doctor to remove as well.
The nipples are real pointy at this time. She said they will start to form their shape and become smaller and wider within the next six weeks. They are red, blue and purple from the surgery. I can see several stitches sticking out as well. The stitches are disposable but she will trim them up or remove any if needed at next weeks appointment. They looked so good that I don't have to use a medicated cream on them. I just have to apply neosporin every day to help the healing.
I am able to take a complete shower now! You don't realize how inconvenient it is when you can't get into the shower and wash your hair and your body without getting certain areas wet until you have to do it.
I just can't let the water hit my chest area directly.
She didn't remove my steri bandages above my c-section line. She wants them to stay there another week. If some of them fall off, its okay. I don't have to cover them in the shower. I asked her why my cut was across my entire c-section line? She explained and drew us a picture. To be able to create the areola into circular round shapes and also have enough skin to form the nipples she cuts the entire length of the stomach area so its even. If she only cut these shapes on one side then she said the skin would be folded and pinched like clothing and wouldn't look correct. After she took off all the skin she needed, she tucked in the remaining skin like a tiny tight tummy tuck. I still have some discomfort in this area and she said there is some bruising and a stitch can be bothering me. I am very open with my doctor especially after all I've been through and she has seen my body. I had a red spot on my pubic area when I came home from the hospital and it has gone away. She explained that during surgery they have to be careful with everything and there was antibacterial soap around that area and I was covered up so perhaps I had a small reaction. I was curious so might as well ask, you don't know otherwise.
I don't have any pain or discomfort in my nipple area. It feels dry, rough and bumpy from the stitches at this time until it heals completely. When you look at my nipple it almost seems like it can fall off but thats not the case. I know they are going to look and turn out perfect. In a few months no one would not know these weren't real nipples! I am glad I did the surgery. Its funny because when I was watching her take off the gauze I was just looking for the nipple and forgot she also had to form the areola section as well.
I will go back to my plastic surgeon next Thursday. Hope it wasn't too graphic but I like to describe what I am going through for those who follow my story, myself (will be hard to remember in the future), and for my children. When they get older I will let them read all the details that I didn't explain to them what I was experiencing or I went through.
We are dealing okay with the passing of Brittany. There has been some sad moments for instance when we get home and walk into the house there's no dog running up too you, no nose on the window looking outside when you drive up, no one sitting by us at the kitchen table and a real sad moment when I opened a sympathy card in the mail for Brittany. I thought this was sincere that we received a card from the veterinarian office where we took her since this was not the vet office we used.
Warning........ Warning....I am going to describe my unveiling in detail so if you don't want to know all the details you can stop reading here and wait for my next blog entry.
Yesterday 11/12/09 I saw my plastic surgeon for my first week follow up (8 days). She started to take off the tape and gauze on my right breast first. She wanted to start on this side because this is where the radiation was given. She explained even thou I didn't have any current damage to my implant from the raditaion that there still can be a chance that the right side nipple might seem indented than the other side in the future. This might occur because my skin elasticity isn't as strong on this side from the radiation. Let's pray this doesn't happen! She was impressed how the right side look, yes she's the doctor but she was amazed how well the nipple area already has healed and the final outcome is great! She took the tape and gauze off the left side as well. The tape didn't hurt coming off. She asked me if I would like to look into the mirror to see myself directly not just looking down. Yes, I did! She's amazing, the areola area and the nipples looked real! Both sides were perfect and was amazing. She asked if I felt like a women again? I always felt like a women and was okay looking at my breasts without nipples but now that I have nipples I do have to say I look and feel like a new women. My left side had a small amount of fresh blood when she removed the gauze. She said that was a good sign because that means the blood vessles are getting into the nipple area. She said I can wear a bra again and to cover the nipple area with a gauze just in case it bleeds or rubs. Gene was with me on this appointment and he was amazed as well as we spoke to the doctor about how she performed the surgery. There were plastic cups with the tops cut off around the nipples that helped them stay in place and not to touch the gauze. I only had to be like Madonna for a week, but my cones weren't not near as big as hers! The medical tape was at the top and the bottom of the gauze around my breasts. This tape is so sticky that I had to scrub and use rubbing alcohol to try to remove it all. I have so much that it will take some time to get it all off. It reminds me of cement glue when it dries you can roll up the glue but 10x's as sticky. There were also some pen marks from the doctor to remove as well.
The nipples are real pointy at this time. She said they will start to form their shape and become smaller and wider within the next six weeks. They are red, blue and purple from the surgery. I can see several stitches sticking out as well. The stitches are disposable but she will trim them up or remove any if needed at next weeks appointment. They looked so good that I don't have to use a medicated cream on them. I just have to apply neosporin every day to help the healing.
I am able to take a complete shower now! You don't realize how inconvenient it is when you can't get into the shower and wash your hair and your body without getting certain areas wet until you have to do it.
I just can't let the water hit my chest area directly.
She didn't remove my steri bandages above my c-section line. She wants them to stay there another week. If some of them fall off, its okay. I don't have to cover them in the shower. I asked her why my cut was across my entire c-section line? She explained and drew us a picture. To be able to create the areola into circular round shapes and also have enough skin to form the nipples she cuts the entire length of the stomach area so its even. If she only cut these shapes on one side then she said the skin would be folded and pinched like clothing and wouldn't look correct. After she took off all the skin she needed, she tucked in the remaining skin like a tiny tight tummy tuck. I still have some discomfort in this area and she said there is some bruising and a stitch can be bothering me. I am very open with my doctor especially after all I've been through and she has seen my body. I had a red spot on my pubic area when I came home from the hospital and it has gone away. She explained that during surgery they have to be careful with everything and there was antibacterial soap around that area and I was covered up so perhaps I had a small reaction. I was curious so might as well ask, you don't know otherwise.
I don't have any pain or discomfort in my nipple area. It feels dry, rough and bumpy from the stitches at this time until it heals completely. When you look at my nipple it almost seems like it can fall off but thats not the case. I know they are going to look and turn out perfect. In a few months no one would not know these weren't real nipples! I am glad I did the surgery. Its funny because when I was watching her take off the gauze I was just looking for the nipple and forgot she also had to form the areola section as well.
I will go back to my plastic surgeon next Thursday. Hope it wasn't too graphic but I like to describe what I am going through for those who follow my story, myself (will be hard to remember in the future), and for my children. When they get older I will let them read all the details that I didn't explain to them what I was experiencing or I went through.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
slow recovery
I am feeling a little better everyday. I am still sore in my stomach area when I get up out of a chair. The burning sensation is gone but when I move wrong , I do get an awful pain in certain areas. Its starting to get itchy which is a good sign of healing. I've been sitting in our glider chair that we used when the kids were babies which allows me to put my feet up on the Ottoman. I had Gene bring it up from the basement, good thing we kept it. The couch is too low. I am looking forward to lay down real soon.
The first four nights of my surgery, I slept in the recliner chair in our bedroom. Two nights ago I woke up with a charlie horse in my right calf and that was painful! I fell back to sleep to wake up again with a charlie horse under my left knee. As of today, I only have pain in my right calf not left but I didn't need this extra discomfort. I think I was so busy with Emily that I didn't drink enough fluids. Now I am drinking alot of fluids that I have to go to the bathroom all the time. I can't win. I am not a back sleeper so its hard to get comfortable. I tried to sleep in our bed last night but had some pain when I move to either side. I just needed a change. I am not taking any pain medication during the day but I do take one before I go to bed to help me sleep. I am also taking an antibiotics to prevent from any infections after the surgery. My scar from my skin graft is bigger then I thought. Its about 10 inches across my lower stomach. I have steri- strips over the incision. I will get all the details on Thursday from the doctor. I was able to take the gauze off that area but I am still covering it with press and seal (works well) when I take a shower. I can't get my chest area wet so I am using the kids shower since their shower has a hand held shower head. I washed my hair in the kitchen sink which is easer to lean over. I am glad this is a temporary situation. I had cancer, I can't believe people go through this pain for bigger boobs! I still have no pain in my chest area.
I am back taking all my medications. My Oncologist texted me (funny but technology now) to stop my Tamoxifen 5 days prior to surgery then to restart when I feel good afterwards. I really don't have any side effects from the Tamoxifen except for two times over the last few months. I woke up in the middle of the night drench in in my sleep. This created me to get tiny bumps on my upper back. They went away after a few weeks after I applied Aquaphor. I guess if this is the only side effect I can deal with it.
Emily has been getting better every day but she still has a low grade fever as of today (11/8/09) so she will not be going to school tomorrow. She still has a cough as well.
Lucky nobody in the family has caught the flu yet, lets keep our fingers cross that we beat it!
AJ is slowly getting better but not a 100%. He missed 3 practices and a game this week. He did play hockey today and seemed okay on the ice and made a goal! (Gene took him)
Some of you know and some of you don't. Brittany our family dog which we bought her before the kids were born hasn't been doing well. Over the last six months her hips have given out on her and she has been limping around. She would drag her feet which would make them bleed. We would have to carry her down the stairs just to go to the bathroom and watch she doesn't fall over while she goes to the bathroom. Unfortunately, Boxers can develop a bad heart or hips that give out later in their life time. There was no guarantee that the surgery would help her and Boxers life span is usually 10-12 years. We decided that it's not fair to see her like this and not knowing if she's in pain. Yesterday Saturday (11/7/09) she was put down. We will miss her and remember all the wonderful times we had with her. We were all upset in the morning but have been doing okay. Emily said she will remember her by a stuff animal that is a Boxer she has. I told her we can print out some photos as well. AJ didn't express much and kept quite. The kids haven't asked about her too much today just made a remark that they miss her. I think in a few days it will be harder when they realize she isn't here in our daily life routine. Brittany was 11 years old, a great dog, companion, and she will always be loved!
This has been a hectic and busy week and look forward to a better next week!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, November 6, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
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.
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.
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