Mastectomy Surgery

I was lucky enough to get the first surgery of the day, so Dan and I had to arrive at 6:00 in the morning.  I had the usual surgery jitters, but Dan helped lighten the mood by joking around with the anesthesiologists (his co-workers).

I felt a little groggy after surgery, but was feeling really well by the afternoon, so Dan and I walked all over the outside gardens.  It was great to be up.  I also enjoyed the room service; it's so nice to be able to order whatever sounds good to you.  In the 24 hours I was there, I had two green apple smoothies (the best!), two shakes, an omelet, fish, fruit, salads, etc.  Delicious!

In the early evening, my sisters called from my home saying that one of our birds had escaped and was flying around the basement.  Kellie tried and tried to catch it, but had no luck.  So Dan went home to catch his bird.  While he was gone, my brother and sister in law and their cute kids stopped by for a visit.  Their kids warmed the heart of my nurse who had been quiet all day but really opened up when they were there and each time she came to check on me afterward.  She was a really sweet nurse.

My wonderful friend showed up at the hospital just like she did 5 years ago with a beautiful flower as well as a huge bag of gummy bears.  Good memories.

 

I went home with an On-Q pump, which bathed my surgery site with local anesthetic, keeping it numb for five days.  It was so nice because I didn't have to take pain medication by mouth, and thus wasn't all groggy and out of it, which I despise.

Genetic Testing Results

My genetic testing results came back normal.  It's good to know I don't carry the known genetic mutations for breast cancer.  It still seems like I've got something genetic going on since I have had breast cancer twice now, and my mom, her sister, and their mom had it too.

Meeting with Breast Surgeon

We met with a breast surgeon today.  I already knew she would recommend a mastectomy, so that wasn't earth-shattering news, but still a little hard to discuss.  Because of all the testing I've had that doesn't show any problems on my left side, she isn't recommending a double mastectomy unless I want it, and unless my genetic testing comes back positive for the breast cancer mutation.  So I am waiting on that information and then will make a decision.

Meeting with Plastic Surgeon

Today we met with a plastic surgeon to discuss the possibility of breast reconstruction after surgery.  I was a little bothered that it is the expected route, but I did want to learn about all the possibilities.  Because I had radiation to my breast 5 years ago, my skin there is tight and not flexible.  Thus, they would have to take a flap of skin and muscle from my back and move it around to my front, not to mention months of expanding that tissue to make a pocket for an implant.  It doesn't sound fun to have extra surgeries and the discomfort of expanding, but I am considering the possibility.