The Big Chop

Hey warriors! Can you believe it’s been a whole week since the chop chop of my breasts? I sure can not. Like always, I had big plans of how I would maximize this time at home; books to read, some nursing studying, activity books. All my body wants to do is rest. I’ll actively rest and fill you in on the last week.

On the 5th, with the help of many people, I was able to pull off the surprise of the century and surprise my husband Mitch with his best friend from Portland, Oregon. It really helped Mitch to have his best friend here and it helped me to know he was in good hands while I slept away under the knife.

Day of Surgery

We had to arrive at the cancer center last Tuesday, the 7th, at 5:30AM. I was seen by at least half the anesthesia department and then my regular old pals Figy, Newtson and Santamaria. Our real life and not cancer friend who works in the OR (named Nina) also stopped by. It was nice to see a noncancer friendly face!

By 8:00 or so, I was being wheeled off to the great sleep. Surgery went from about 9:00 AM to 4:30PM, but Mitch wasn’t able to see me until closer to 6 or 7PM because I was rather difficult to wake up. I guess the nurses were doing sternal rubs and the whole 9 yards. Finally one of the head anesthesia providers came and just lightly tapped me on my shoulder and I woke up. I’ve enjoyed pranking people this whole time, so I think my subconscious was just continuing the pranks.

Once awake, I was admitted for the night and in quite a bit of pain in my abdomen from the removal of my ovaries and quite a bit of pain in my armpits from the removal of 54 (yes 54!!) lymphnodes. My kind nurse Gretchen made sure I got a PRN order. I think the resident who came up to see me was annoyed, but that’s his job! Sorry buddy!

My aid for the night, DaDa, was really great too. She not only explained, but also showed me how to get help getting out of bed. She also explained why my pee was blue, because that was an odd sight I was not prepared for. It was blue because of the dye they used to find my lymphnodes for Dr. Figy’s reconstruction portion.

Day shift came around and that’s when I got rather annoyed. Dr. Figy and Dr. Santamaria sent their minions to check on me at the bright hour of 6AM. It was rather annoying. The minion team was also unimpressive. They didn’t give me enough time to compose myself. They didn’t introduce themselves. Literally, all I remember from them is, “Well from a surgical standpoint, you are cleared to go home.” I’m going to be sure to tell Santy and Figy that their minions need to work on their bedside charm, because (besides good results) that’s what makes or breaks a patient’s trust in their provider.

Dr. Newtson, on the other hand. Lord bless that woman! She came and saw me herself. She ordered me a small amount of narcotics to come home with, which have been a life saver. She also gave me the all-clear to go home and once day shift heard that, it was off to the races!

I felt really rushed to get out of there by 11AM. They kept saying 11, 11, 11. I had unanswered questions still, but that didn’t seem to phase anyone. I made sure to get them answered before I left, but I never did get the great explanations of “Why” like Figy and Santamaria normally give. It was just really frustrating and not how I wanted to leave things. This wasn’t some minor surgery, but rather a huge amputation and reconstructions. I wish it had been treated as such.

Helpers

Glen was able to stay with us until late Thursday. He was a big help and such a shinning light to have around. Next up was my sister Katrina on Friday. Katrina went full mom mode on us and I loved it! She did all our laundry, made meatloaf and best of all cookies! Katrina’s mom, Momma J, came out on Friday evening into Saturday day. She also went full mom on us and made us a great roast. I think Oliver loved having her around the most, because I kept hearing the words “you want a treat.”

Sunday, my sister Mary and her husband were around and even brought us a fancy Edible Arrangement apple. That’s sort of her signature and I ain’t mad at it. Monday, Mitch’s parents came around and did some light cleaning plus brought some cute PJs and flowers. I slept through most of their visit, but know they were here.

Recovery

Like I said earlier, recovery isn’t what I was expecting. I had thought my underarms would hurt some, but I wasn’t prepared for this level of hurt. Like holy cow, ouch! Now I know you are probably confused because, “Julia, I thought you were having your boobs chopped off.” Yes, they did that. But they did a nerve block during surgery so I wouldn’t feel anything in my chest for 96 hours. They also took almost all the nerves in my chest anyway, so no pain there. I think my underarms wouldn’t hurt if this swelling would just bugger off! But it won’t.

It was a rough couples of days, warriors. Not going to lie. I reached out to the medical team on Friday and showed them my swelling, but they said it could be a small pocket of fluid that needs to work its way out and to hold the course. It’s really frustrating and maybe I should have been more vocal about it. I just feel that it’s hard enough to bring up, I shouldn’t have to repeat myself over and over to get help. So like an idiot, I sat in pain.

Then I had a session with my therapist, where she helped me gain the confidence to tell my health care team the truth about my pain. That it’s been true agony since I left a week ago. They called in more meds to get me to Friday, but the biggest help came from today’s helper—Coleen. She said try an ACE bandage to provide extra compression. It’s seriously changed my life!!! I can move my arm now. I’m not in agony! It’s so much better. I could seriously cry and most likely will the next time I see her.

Warriors: if this part of this situation has shown anything, it shows it takes a village. And my village is showing up big time. Thank you all. And as always….have a magical day!