sunkistmi

Good morning dear friends!

I have long been away from the boards and don't exactly know why.  I had such a wonderful time at the picnic,, meeting everyone and putting names to faces.  It was a wonderful  day.  My husband said I didn't stop smiling for 2 days.  Somehow I started doing other things and the time flew by.  I couldn't believe it had been so long since I had been on.

I did have the drain pulled out the next day on Monday.  The stitch that was supposed to be holding it in was non-existant so it just pulled out very easily.  Doc said that I should start absorbing the fluid and to wear tight compression shorts.  All sounded good!  Monday thru Thrusday showed not one drop of fluid escaping onto the gauze.  Yipee!!!  Thursday PM, Rick was at a meeting at church so I went to shut the big window in the kitchen.  All of a sudden, fluid was running down my leg.  I turned to take a step toward the papertowels and I was covered in fluid.  I could reach the tissues and was trying to mop up the puddles with them but they kept getting stuck to my feet.  I didn't want to bend down in case it made it worse.  It really was quite funny in hindsight.  Fortunately, a friend in the sub is a nurse so she came over very quickly.  She squeezed that leg for over an hour and we soaked 22 4x4's.  I hadn't really been feeling good since Tuesday so I hadn't realized that my leg had grown to 2 times the size of the other above the knee.  She figuered that between what was on the floor and what she pushed out, there was about 450-500 cc of fluid.  So much for me being so excited that I was absorbing it.  In actuality, the leg was filling up like a bucket, then when faced with the stress of closing the window, it pushed it out.

When my friend came over Sat. AM, the lower leg was quite swollen and hot, so she was quite concerned there may be a bloodclot.  The doc agreed so it was off to the ER.  No clot but they could still see quite a few pockets of fluid.  I could feel them because they were hard so I had to keep working them up to the opening.  This continued until just last Fri. when the opening closed.  Now today, there are hard pockets again and I feel that 'ucky' feeling I get when full of fluid.  We are supposed to be leaving at 3:00 for PA for the weekend and I'm not even sure if I feel good enough to go.  It's really a special trip for Rick and David so I don't want to spoil it for them.  We'll see how it goes.

I hope everyone has had a good summer.  I'm looking forward to seeing all the walkers go by next weekend.  Susie, did Maureen find her hotel room?  I would love to have her stay here.  We are just off 6 mile, between 275 and Haggerty.  I had meant to offer sooner but.......  If she would be interested, please PM me and I can give you my phone number to give to her.  Are you still staying at the park on 6 Mile between Farmington and Merriman?  Where do you go when you leave there?  I couldn't find any directions on the website.  Maybe they don't want people following them.

Well, I should really get going and get packing a few things.  David is supposed to arrive home around 3:00 if he was packed and ready to go before he headed off to classes at 8:00 am.  He is still not in the house he leased back in April.  The fire repairs are going so slowly and the inspections even slower.  He says sleeping on friends couches is getting old.  I'm thankful he has friends that are willing to let him stay with them.  He could have tried to get another house but when they are finally done with this one, it will be almost new.  They would like to stay for the 2 or 3 years they have left, since all three roommates have 5 year degree programs.  There is a possibility it MAY be done next week, although I have heard that before.  I'm hoping he will call me and I can go over to Kalamazoo and help to get him moved in. With 19 credits and practicing for and with 3 music ensembles, as well as preparing for his Junior recital, he has his hands full.  His roommates are also music majors.

Take care and know you are all in my thoughts.

Wendy

I''m so excited!  This is what the group for Sunday looks like so far:

Irene                    SEI                   all eating utinsels, cups, napkins, plates, bowls

Bonnie                Winggirl2            pasta salad, ice tea/cups

Susie                   susieloutoo

Denise                  Nessie              carmel apple salad

Wendy                Sunkistmi           baked beans, brownies, 10x10 canopy

Chris                   Not-Me               hot dogs/brats, buns, ketsup, mustard, onions

Judy                    rockysmom         chips, dip, corn chips, salsa

Sue                     ICanDoThis         tortellini salad, italian dressing & pickled vegis

Linda                   Linda1                smores

Nancy                  Sphynx              fruit salad, whipped cream

Jan                      JanDun1            vegi pizza

Pat                      pconn03

Toni                     kinde5069

Laura                   Caseysmom

I went back on past pages and these are all the sisters that had indicated, at least at one time or another, that they were coming.  Please forgive me if I have missed someone.  I am making 'special' nametags, just because I needed something crafty to do.  Hope I'm not stepping on anyones toes.  There was also someone else that had either a canopy or tent they were going to bring.  My understanding was that if we wanted to sit on something other than the picnic table, to bring our own chairs.  I'll try to continue to update the list as the posts come in.

Wendy

I didn't have any reaction when the breast drain was removed but when the leg drain backed up, I really felt awful on Tuesday.  This leg drain is really becoming bothersome and I just want it out.  The bulb is not holding off and on and fluid is seeping out around the tube because of the lack of suction.  Enough is enough!!!!! I'm supposed to go in tomorrow & I hope she is just going to pull it instead of waiting until Mon.  It's not going to be comfortable, I know.

Hope you are feeling better now.  Take care.

Wendy

Hi Nessie, Wendy again.  I had gone back over the last few pages to get an idea of how many were coming and someone made mention of "your famous baked beans".  I had no idea your beans were famous.  By all means, I don't want to bring mine and have everyone wishing they were yours.  Please bring them.  I love to taste everyones recipies.  We were at the Dream Cruise Sat and one of the car club members brought his 'famous' beans.  My DH really loved them so I asked if he would give me the recipe.  He just laughed! 

I've got a couple of other ideas for me so don't worry.  I dislodged the clot this AM so the drain is really moving now and I'm feeling LOTS better.  Coleslaw would be really easy or macaroni salad.  I'll figure it out tonight.  I'm getting so excited.  Decided to leave DH at home; he would be a fish out of water and he can go to a car show instead.

Wendy

Nessie, did you decide to bring baked beans?  If you didn't, I thought I would bring them.  But I didn't want to if you had decided to bring them.  I can always think of something else.  Also, do you know how many are coming?  I want to make sure I have enough nametags.

Good news, the drain seems to be back to normal!  It has been putting out close to what it had on Monday.  Clot is still there but liquid seems to be getting around it so that is good.  I'm feelling better too.  Looking forward to Sunday.

Wendy

Thanks shokk,

I called the PS this after and told her.  She said to call first think in AM and to try to milk the drain, which I did, w/no success.  Took temp again, normal.  I have to be very, very sick to run to run a temp.  I just don't feel like myself or the way I have felt over the last week since getting out of the hospital.  The skin is quite irritating where the liquid is seeping out around the drain so it is really red.  I'm putting antibiotic on it.  Thanks so much for your offer to help.  I think if I can get the blockage out of there, the drain will start to run again.

I'm going to try to milk it again now.  Praying for good luck.

Wendy

Hi Nancy,

I wasn't sure if anyone had nametags so I started to make some.  I'll bring them and we can use whichever you want.

Thanks Sue for the offer to drive but I'm fine.  I've been driving since 2 days after I got out of the hospital.  Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Has anyone had a problem w/a clogged drain?  I have a clot right where it goes into the leg and I have gone from 250 cc of fluid yesterday to 45 cc today.  Not good.  I've milked it and so had DH, who is stronger.  It's so frustrating.  I can see it but can't get it to move.  The thigh is starting to get puffy and is very sore.  I have a large syringe and thought to use it to pull it out but DH isn't thrilled w/the idea.  All I have done is sleep today and that's just not like the way I have felt like over the last week since I got home.  If anyone has any ideas, I'm open to hear them.  Thanks in advance. 

Looking forward to Sunday.  I'll plan on bringing the 10x10 canopy 'just in case'.

Wendy

Hi Sandy & Sue,

Sue, you definately weren't too late for the 'hugs' quilt.  I didn't get the specs out the weekend before my surgey and when I got home a week ago, I totaly forgot about it.  Bad me.  I'm going to work on it mext week.  Unfortunately, we only have about 9, maybe 10, quilters who want to participate.  In order to make it large enough to use, we will each have to send in quite a few squares.  Do you think everyone will still want to do it.  I know I do but give me your feedback if you will.  I have been so busy because I have felt so good but I think my PS will probably insist that I stay down more after tomorrows appt.  My drain in the leg has been putting out over 300cc in 24 hours.  I've never had a 10 1/2 hours surgery before but I sure didn't expect to be doing this well or feeling this good.  I have really been blessed.

Sandy, glad to hear about your quilting room.  Mine is an absolute disaster!!!!!!  I really need to get in there but it will have to wait until I can lift more than 10 lbs.  Sounds like you will be busy.

I look forward to hearing from both of you regarding the 'hugs' quilt.

Wendy

Yes Valerie,

It was 10 1/2 hours!  It was the longest surgery I have ever had and this was number 22 & 23 if you count the leg & breast separately.  I have been absolutely been amazed at how well I feel!  I keep waiting for the shoe to dropl  My drain amounts from my leg have really been high today so I will be surprised to hear what the PS says tomorrow AM.  I have felt fluid in the breast as I have be massaging the hard spots.  It feels really weird.  I'm hoping she is going to say that it will just take time to absorb and that she won't have to take a needle and withdraw the fluid. Ouch!  I hate needles.  If I am putting out too much from the leg, it will force me to stay down.  I think DH is hoping for 'something' to keep me down.  I just feel way too good.  I absolutely believe it is because of the total prayer cover I have had.  The PS even acknowledged that she had never seen a patient recover as quickly as I have, from recovery room to last Monday when I saw her.

Thank you for keeping me in the center of the circle and for the hugs.  This is such a special thread.  I have felt so loved and blessed, by women who are walking the same path as I am, and yet in many ways,in different shoes.  I feel like some of us have soft moccisins and others have shoes filled w/pebbles.  Our job is to lift the sisters up with pebbles so they don't have to feel them.

May everyone get a perfect nights sleep and awake rested and refreshed in the morning.  My prayers are with those that are hurting, in body and/or in spirit.  May God hold you close to Him and may each of you know just how very much you are loved.  Take care.

In His Hands.

Wendy

BCbGone, good luck w/your surgeries.  I just had left breast mast w/TUG recon on Aug 4.  Like most of us, I have to sleep on my back for a month.  I am definately NOT a back sleeper, especially since I have 4 herniated discs.  I found that if I lay w/my head slightly elavated and 3 pillows under my legs I am reasonably comfortable.  I too did not want any part of sleeping in a recliner.  I know some are very comfortable in them but I had no problem getting in or out of my regular bed.  I think it would also work to use one of those wedges under your legs, but I didn't have one and didn't want to buy one.  I did have one of those bed reading wedges that my son let me use but I didn't need it.  I was going to use it as my pillow, thinking that w/the sides, it would help me to not roll over.  So far, I am doing OK w/the regular pillows.

What kind of reconstruction are you having?  With the TUG recon, they used the fat from the inner thigh to rebuild the breast, using the original breast skin.  Two years ago they used the fat in my stomach to do the right breast, the SIEA procedure.  I had the surgery on Monday and got out of the hospital Fri. AM.  We went out to dinner that night and I was out to lunch & grocery shopping on Sat.  I feel so good that it is hard to stay down.  They took out the breast drain on Mon but I am still putting out too much fluid to pull out the leg drain.  I may have to stay down more.

I really recommend the perforator flap surgeries because the recovery time is so much shorter  & much less painful than some of the others.  However, you have to have a microsurgeon to do the surgery.  My PS has been a microsurgeon for 10 years but has only been doing the perforator flaps for the last year.  She trained with the surgeon that did my first one and I was only her second TUG recon.  Some may have a problem w/that but I felt very comfortable w/her.  It took 10 1/2 hours & when my husband came into the recovery room, I was wide-awake, laughing and cracking jokes!  He was quite surprised as was the PS and I.

Best of luck w/your surgery and reconstruction.  I have put everyone's name on the day of their surgery on my prayer calendar so you will be in my prayers on the 28th.  It's too bad we have such a long list for August.  This is such a lousy disease and just too many have it.  BC SUCKS!

You're in my prayers.  God bless

In His Hands,

Wendy