I didn't even remember being taken back to surgery. My mom, dad, Jordan and Mitch were there with me, and I had a surprise visit from a special friend, Elizabeth. She drove almost 2 hours to come see me and she stayed with me until I went back.
When I came to... I was still pretty much loopy from the drugs so I really don't remember much until the next day when it was time for me to go home. I made sure Mitch got my pain meds filled so I wouldn't have to go without taking them for any period of time. As with the nausea medicine... the key to managing the pain is staying ahead of it, so I took my meds by the clock.
On a pain scale of 1-10, its been about a 2 most days. One night it ranked about a 9 and I had to get a nurse friend of mine to come over late to make sure nothing was wrong with my drains/incisions. Turns out, I was having muscle spasms under my right arm, where they took the lymph nodes. It was similar to a charlie horse... how it cramps up and hurts like crap.. then when the cramp goes away, it is still sore from cramping up. I called Vandy the next day and they called me in some muscle relaxers and said what I was describing was normal.
Drains. Oh my. It is the weirdest thing but they aren't bothering me at all. I mean, they are a nuisance, yes. But, I haven't gotten grossed out by them like I thought I would. We have to empty them & measure the output twice a day. I should get them out next week.
It is day 7 and the biggest problem I'm having is some pain/soreness under my arms and on my chest. It is very sore to the touch and I'm not able to bend down and pick anything up without it hurting. I am also itching on my arms and where my boobs used to be. Its frustrating to have an itch somewhere, but can't scratch it because its numb. I guess it is similar to "phantom pains" that amputees have.
I don't know what I would have done if Mitch hadn't been off this whole last week. He has done everything around here.... mainly taken great care of me. He got up every 4 hours to give me my medicine. Helped me out of my chair, brought my food & drink to me, taken care of the animals, washed clothes, done dishes. He even got IN the shower with me to help. Talk about awkward... not by him getting in the shower with me, but just afraid of what he would think seeing me. Without the bandages, and without boobs. He was so understanding and just gently kissed where they used to be. He has slept on the couch in the living room every night. (I am sleeping in a recliner in the living room.. and BOY DO I MISS MY BED!!! lol) He has emptied my drains like a professional and one time, he let me squeeze the bulb of nastiness into the cup and I gave it a few extra squeezes and he said, "Whoa baby.. you're getting lymphatic air on me..." lol He also cleaned one of my drains that had gotten clogged up with a tissue and for some unknown reason, he stuck the tissue in his pocket and didn't realize it was still there until a few hours later. LOL He has tried to lighten the situation up by making jokes and keeping me laughing. I am going to miss him when he goes back to work. :(
I also want to thank everybody that has come to visit and brought food. It has been such a HUGE relief not to have to worry about cooking supper. Frankly, I don't think I could pick up pots and pans and stand there & cook. So, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
I am going to insert some pictures.... some are nasty, but it is what it is. Hope I don't offend anybody.
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| These are the drains...3 of them. |
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| This is Mitch "stripping" the drain. |
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| This is me... minus my boobs. :( lol |
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| This is how I have to shower... that is a housecoat belt draped around my neck, with the drains pinned to it to keep them from hanging. Quite a hassle. |
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| Mitch has slept on the couch the entire time. Notice Mallie laying on him. |
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| This is how Mallie sleeps with me in the chair. She has been very gentle. |
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| Me and Jordan. :) |
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