new and future flat sister, with questions
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Opps! Forgot to refresh the page before I posted.
ldesim, in the bag for you on Wed. I can only imagine how dreadful this winter has been for all of you!! Here it has been too mild and not enough snow. We're used to being dumped on like you were.
Zills, yay some alone time!! You may be on to something with the protein. Our bodies need it to build and repair. Being diabetic, I have to keep right around the calculated amount (65 g/day) as the excess is converted to glucose. Unfortunately I don't often get that high.
I've done a couple different calculators and get a range of 55 g to 65/g/day. Most days I do hit the 55, but the 62 not often.Hugs for all!
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Oh so glad to hear from you PRB, wonderful, you made it! Isn't that a great feeling? Get plenty of rest and take meds as you need them. I had to measure my scar.. 41/2 inches, not that bad , you will do just great, but it takes some time. Thanks for posting.
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PRB and ndgirl, my scars are about 4.5" also!!
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Zills, Some of being so tired could be that you were actually able to relax during the hours without high alert and chasing kids. I remember that period as being very tiring, and I didn't have any health concerns at all.
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Thank you wren. I know fatigue can be a symptom of stage IV. I'm so glad you didn't say it's from the treatments. I'm sure the funeral last week and the weather doesn't help.
My arm increased another .25 inch. Haven't worn the sleeve yesterday or today. Can see veins in wrist and feel tendons. Thought it was getting better. Have a call into MO to get red tape started to see PT.
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Oh my when will this nightmare end. Went to PS today about the stitches that are coming together and causing drainage. Having a home health nurse come in daily to do what he called gauze packing. The way he described it was gauze is inserted in the incision like a wick. Not looking forward to this, but can't get it to heal together. Was put back on antibiotics just in case of an infection. I am enjoying life again and just see this as another setback. So tired of everything!
Ariom good luck with your surgery and recovery!!
I will read through all these posts to catchup!!
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So I'm up...knowing I should be sleeping. Apparently too much adrenalin or relief? Not sure. I did take a 1 hr nap this afternoon and kept waking up confused...had I had the surgery? "feel for the drain".. yes I did. Speaking of drains, I found an awesome product online that makes an instant pocket on any shirt.. has self adhesive strips. They should hand these out at the hospital. All I received from the hospital was a safety pin. These pockets would be good for younger kids in the winter time to stuff their mittens inside their coats too.
Tomorrow I'm supposed to take off my bandage. I may not look and just let my sister do the dirty deed. Still concerned about what is to come, but right now, feeling pretty happy it's all over and if I wake up in the middle of the night....that awful, scared feeling of indecision won't be there in the pit of my stomach.
Still have some soreness/pain, mostly on the rib and side area. It's fine though if I'm lying down... it's the trying to stand up straight that hurts. Also, I haven't looked, but I think my BS used my existing drain site from the lumpectomy. That seems to be hurting and since I had a lot of scar tissue there...not to happy with that decision. Lymphedema is flaring up, but I'm massaging and hoping for the best.
Good night to all of you. Took a pain pill and pretty sure it will knock me out soon. I would like to try to use just Advil, but that can wait til tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the day that I can just contribute to this board about all things not surgery or anxiety like the rest of you.
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Well here I am and definitely lighter than when I went there. Much larger than I expected.
I have a photo of what was removed, so Colin could see it. LOLMy surgeon is so lovely that he presented it, the removed bit, on a gauze pillow with the blue tweezers he used for the sterile pack as the reference for size, and then gave me another set of tweezers, to verify the size. He cracks me up every time I go there. I said, "Do lots of people do this? he says "Oh, no! lots of people don't like the dog ear, but they rarely do anything about it!" LOL
It all went really well, I got straight in, no waiting. Had the same lovely Nurse I had for the seroma drain and stitch removal. It took about 35 minutes, two long rows of tiny internal stitches and then one long running stitch, so all will dissolve. He looked like he was playing an instrument when he was doing the stitching.
I don't have to go back unless there is a problem, but all the same rules as the Mx, no lifting, no reaching, arm firmly by side for 2 weeks. I can shower tomorrow, but everything else is out for 2 weeks. Not so bad, that will go by pretty fast, just wish I could be sitting in the spa.
I did go hopping to my fave little el cheapo dept store. I got lots of my fave T shirts all reduced to $8.50 a great looking new lacy Genie bra thingy with really good access to the pockets. Some active wear tops, I know, I know, different to the Marika ones. I checked the "oppies", but not much there. I also went to look at kayaks in the big kayak superstore. I am going to wait for the end of season sales and might get a Hobie that has pedals as well as a paddle. I may just make it into that Dragon Boat next year.
Well I am sitting here sans boob sipping fruit juice and feeling relieved that this is now behind me too. I was a bit taken aback when the Surgeon said he was sending the bit he removed to Pathology. I got a burst of that awful "Jaws" music again.da dum, da dum...... what if? Bugger that...I am not going to think about it, just celebrate my new flat side! Thanks for being so concerned for me everyone!
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Good on you PRB, you've done it and you are moving forward. I am so glad you won't be second guessing yourself all the time and wearing yourself out with the indecision.
Do try to take it easy now. If you are anything like most of us were, you'll overdo it and hit the wall! If you feel a nap coming on, just go with it.
If you're not ready to look yet, don't do it. You're lucky to have your Sister to help you. Take your time and ease into it. Looking forward to hearing how you're doing.
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Togetherness, I am so sorry you've had this setback, but the antibiotics and the packing with likely get it healed quickly. I have seen that done with great results.
Take care Mx
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PRB, Don't jump to the Advil too soon. Use the pain meds for 2-3 days and then it will really be fine with Advil.
Ariom, I think they're obligated to send it to pathology if they remove it. DD has a fatty lump on her leg. If they remove it they have to send it to pathology. She'll have to pay big bucks out of pocket for the path. So she's threatening to have it done in Thailand the next time she goes to Asia (her DH is from Burma).
Togetherness, Sympathy coming your way. It's time to be done!
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Hi M, congrats on being done! I'm glad it went well, and fingers crossed that nothing is found in the pathology test. You will be so happy once it's healed to have everything fit properly, no tucking in, and no strange sensations! So you're looking into getting into kayaking and maybe dragonboating? You live in the perfect area for all these water sports, I envy you! After my dragon boat summer, I did one summer of "Viking" boat with a social/sport group. It was fun, a different rowing movement than dragonboat but still nice to be out on the water. It was close by, the weekly session was coinciding with DS' naps (he was 2 then), but I do live in the city: our boating area was in between industrial docks! Merchandise ships at one end, and power plant/paperboard plant at the other - not exactly scenic! We do have nice boating areas in Toronto but they are further away from my house.
PRB!!! Congratulations!! I am sooo happy you are feeling well and that you are relieved it's done. What a weight off your shoulders to not have to wonder what you should do, if you're doing the right thing, how will it be, etc. And I'm so happy you have great support from your family, this is really precious, not everyone has this. I hope the drain site starts hurting less with the pain meds. Not sure if you're allowed to take Advil, you might want to consider Tylenol extra-strength once your prescription pain killers are done.
Scar measurements - I was curious when I was reading everyone's measurements. Turns out mine are almost 6 inches long each - not discrete.
Zills, sorry you are tired. I hope you're sleeping better at night than in the past weeks? I hope you get to see a PT soon... Is your DH able to work today despite the wet ground?
Hi wren, did you get your washer even with the bad weather? Have you tried it yet?
Idesim, we just got another 3 inches of snow here. It never stops! But it is pretty for now. I can't imagine the flooding that will happen in the spring when this all eventually melts. Have fun moving back to your office tomorrow!
hollyboo, I hope you feel better soon and that it's just a virus.
Hi gB, ndgirl, bobo, Viv, Fiaranch, and everyone!
My body hair has started falling, that's fine. I don't brush my short hair much (I want to delay it from falling!), but I had some fall this morning just from placing it with my hands... After a few calls for work, I'll be spending the day at the hospital: bloodwork, MO, then a 2-hour lymphedema info session. Fun.
Have a good day! Good night M!
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Ariom, so glad it is done for you, and you went shopping, of course you did!! Is the lacey bra a true Genie or a knock-off, see there I go thinking about another bra! Agree with Wren, they are required to send everything in, I once had a small mole or whatever removed and that went in, and yes it costs, I know they are being careful as to not just throw things aside but sometimes even the gp knows it is nothing but have to.
Together... sorry, darn it you have had enough already, hoping the antis and packing will do the trick. hugs to you.
Good for you prb, so glad you have a sister to help, when I was going through my sx I so wished I had a sister or daughter to help me, but dh stepped up for me, he was one that would gag at our babies dirty diapers, didnt like to see cuts or blood, etc. but he came through, I remember asking him what my scar looked like to him and he said " it looks like life", made me feel so good and that I had done the right thing.. take it slow, this comes from someone who didnt follow that message and would crash from time to time but you will learn like we all did. Best of luck and hugs to you.
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Togetherness, sending you hugs. Hoping you will be comfy and 'over it' soon!
M, I would expect nothing less than this report. I must say, you are a wonder. I don't know how you can look at your stitches like that! You have another career ahead of you as a trauma surgeon. Standing by for path results; at PT at the moment.
Idesim, in the bag for Wed. In fact, may I climb in now? I want to hide in there like a hammock and watch movies.
Z, anxious to see if we can do something about your fatigue. I am on the protein wagon myself right now, and must remain there for some time. It seems all I eat is protein. That in itself is tiring.
Birdie, all okay with mammo? Did not hear the end. I loved my Goldie update. XXX
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Wren, did you get your new swimsuit yet? wondering if you like it, last summer I ordered one from Jodee and I love it, higher on the neck and underarms, I had a swim skirt to go with it, but thinking I need the swim shorts. Hope your weather is getting better.
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Ndgirl...wow I loved what your husband said "it looks like life". What an awesome way to look at it. I was chatting with my dd late last night and she said I seemed happy and calm. That made me feel great. I then told her in an evil tone... "we're going to be together a very long time". We laughed (and it really feels good to laugh again).
Bobo.. I just have to say, I have always wondered what your avatar picture is of...so today I took the opportunity to increase the view size to max..and it's a small puppy in pillows... correct? (was blurry). Very cute! Oh, and my sister who is here is a big QVC fan...and Sunday night I was telling her about the VitaMix and how you gals love them. We turned on QVC and there they were, selling the VitaMix for $399 (deal of the day)...something like 4 payments. How crazy is that? They had all kinds of colors and I almost bought one....almost!!
Wren - thanks for the advice about staying on the pain meds a few days. I will take that advice and hope for no constipation. I'm surprised I even need to take them because I didn't after the lumpectomy. Weird pain is on my ribs and side...nothing from the boob.
Otceb - I went to a support group a month ago and a woman I used to work with was there. She is part of a BC rowing team and told the group they start training during winter to be in shape for the summer. I might look into that. She is a 13 year survivor and encouraged me to exercise saying it's the one thing I can control and some say it's equal to chemo.
M - of course you shopped. You crack me up. Glad your surgery went well, and thank you for all your well wishes too.
Hi to everyone else Zills, togetherness, hollyboo, grammab and anyone else I missed. It's nice to be a participant on these boards and not just the resident whiner.
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I did get the washer and tried it out right away. It takes longer, but uses less water and clothes are much drier after the spin. Haven't received the swimsuit yet. I'll let you know what I think. No mammo results. Too early to hear since I had it Friday afternoon and yesterday was a holiday. Not expecting bad news.
PRB, You sound so much happier today. Just making the decision and following thru must be a big relief.
All the snow this year has cured me of ever wanting to live in such a snowy area. Alaska would be the only exception. We're having rain for the foreseeable future. The only difference is whether there is wind with it.
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M. You are the woman!
PRB. Prunes, raisin bran, bran muffin, berries should all help. Drink lots. I did use an OTC during chemo. Hopefully it won't be an issue.
Would love to hear the swimsuit verdicts. Want to do more this summer but need to be comfortable. Usually wore a skirt but think shorts would be more practical now that I have two to chase.
Don't want to be morbid but met with priest today to discuss funeral. I want him to know me and my family. Want to ease the responsibility on DH. Not planning on going anywhere until children are married. It's kind of like a will. It needs to be done sooner rather than later and I don't have to worry about it anymore.
OTC would love to hear your lymphedema tips. I wish I wasn't in a landlocked state. Dragon boat sounds fun. My head hurt but different from a headache when it started coming out. Don't be surprised if you lose handfuls in the shower. Mine looked like 10 hairy dogs had a shower with me.
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Zills, you remind me of my mother after she had breast cancer. She wanted everything planned as well for her final farewell. I remember at the time telling her "I dont want to hear this or discuss the subject" but she was a determined woman and we did have the discussion. She lived many years after her diagnosis and when the time came my brother and I realized what a gift she had given to us, everything was decided by her and we just followed her wishes. She would tell us that the only sure thing in life is death, but we dont need to hurry it along. She also wanted things easier for my Dad and all things worked out. I dont feel you are being morbid, but I also like your positive attitude about being here for a very long time, my bet is you will be dancing at your children's wedding!!
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Wahoo! It's 55 degrees, there's holes in the ice on the pond.
Firebob, the black cat, has been returned. He was waiting for me when I got up from nap. I can only imagine what a handful he was at night after being a barn cat. One of the farmhands took him home. I bet he was climbing the curtains.
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Togetherness, that is called a wet to dry bandage. You pack the incision with gauze and then another layer of gauze over that and wrap the whole length of the incision. The first layer pulls the fluid out of the wound and the second takes it out of the first. I had to do that on my DH's leg incision after his 5 way bypass sx. He got infected. The visiting nurses taught me how to do it when he was scheduled to go in for chemo. The hospital he got his chemo at did not have a very good rep and the vn warned me about not trusting the nurses. Normally we wouldn't have gone there but there was no room at the better hospital and his Onc wanted him on chemo asap. The nurses watched me do it once and from then on just brought me the supplies and let me do it.
Hope it helps you heal quickly!
Feel better Hollyboo!
PRB, you are lucky to have your sister with you for a week. Just take it easy as much as possible, yeah right, we all know how that goes!!
But do try. If you aren't ready to look, don't for now. You will find that too is not as bad as you imagine. I was bound tight for 3 days post. The surgeon wrote on the bandage do not remove until 8/16! The visiting nurse was there with me when it first came off and I think she was a bit surprised when I said: "Wow, not bad!". You will feel better and better each day but don't be too hasty to give up the heavy duty pain meds. We heal a lot better if we aren't in bad pain. I stopped mine at day 4 post, could have a day earlier, but gave it one more day.Ariom, glad it went well and you came home with some new goodies too. What fun to have a kayak! You certainly are in the perfect location to use one! I'll just chime in with the others that here, and I suppose anywhere, it is standard procedure to send out anything small or large removed from the body for a path report. I'm sure yours will be fine!
Wren, wouldn't they send DD's lump out for path in Thailand too? I know nothing about their medical rules. Yay for the new washer!!
Waving Hi to anyone I missed.
Hugs for all!
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Took me so long to write, there are a couple more posts.
Zills and ndgirl, you are getting me thinking I had better make some prearrangements too. Guess I should talk to my kids some about it.
Zills Yay for melting snow!! And a big welcome home to Firebob. You are right, a big change from barn cat to inside cat. At least they brought him home.
It is 40°F here right now but supposed to go to 28°F with snow over night. I'll believe it when I see it!
Hugs!
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Firebob! I am looking forward to more Firebob stories. Z, not only will you be dancing at your children's wedding, but I hope I will be too. Am I invited?
NDgirl, I am in love with your husband today because of his comment about your scar. Please provide details about him as I am plotting right now to steal him from you
Birdie: (*&(*&%&$$##! regarding no mammo results. I am not expecting bad results either. But I will be relieved when we get them. Will you text me with them? I will PM you. XXX
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Hello everyone.... I am pretty stiff and weary this morning, made the mistake of not taking the V pillow to bed, so kept rolling onto my side and waking up. Pretty tender today, even more than the Mx I think. I also have that soreness on the ribs again and the very end of the incision is "zowie" if I lean back against anything.
Glad to hear everyone is doing pretty well.
gB, glad you've got some warmth and melting going on there!
Zills you ARE the woman! I totally agree with making arrangements to spare your family, not morbid, even though you plan to be around for a very long time!
ndgirl, I love that too "It looks like life!" how lovely, and truly profound!
I knew you'd be interested in the new bra! It is a knockoff, I guess, it has lace and is a higher cut on the chest with even bigger openings for a foob. I am not even going to try to get it on till all this is healed and finished. I am sure the bra was the cause of the infection I got last time.
I have got lots of packing and dressing on this "area" and two big sheets of Tagaderm stretched over it. I haven't got a real sense of how it looks because there is so much stuff packed on top of it to hold it flat. The Surgeon said he had to do it that way so that no fluid would build up in the deep hole in it. Here I was thinking it was just going to be the 1cm little protrusion that was coming off and it turns out to be about 7cm. Yikes!
ptb, just knowing you are happy and calm is fantastic, look how far you've come!
Bobo, I have a different take on surgery. I actually have a fascination for scars. I have said it before on here, but for me they are like a road map of my life. I remember different times by them, my fabulous smiley caesar scar, for my beautiful Bec arriving, sadness for the, ectopic that I lost, the appendix that burst on my holiday, and my hands and wrists that I see all the time, were repair jobs for arthritis, I'd much prefer the scars than the distorted hands. This Mx one is huge, by comparison to what everyone else here is reporting, but I don't think about what I lost, when I look at it. I'm just so grateful that it was removed before what was in it became life threatening.
I hope your PT went ok, did the "whisperer" try it on again? Did you sock it to her! I need a report!
otceb, thank you! I am really interested in this kayaking. I am siting looking at a totally flat lake, barely a breath of wind and about 25c...perfect! Just have to be patient, it won't be till next season.
Wren, I am sure you're right about the Path. I just assumed that it was something extraneous, not something that was being removed because it was suspicious, that path wouldn't be an issue.
Isn't it great to get a new washer. I had to get one a few years ago and couldn't believe how much better it was than the previous one. I got one without an agitator in the middle and although smaller than the one before it takes much more washing and is so much more gentle. I really like it.
Hollyboo, nice to see you back!
ldesim, granwe...Hi
Off to have the first shower, and back to the weird hair drying, I hope I haven't missed anyone....hugs M x
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PRB, I am still amazed you came home the same day! You seem to be happy, I can see such a change in your posts and it makes me happy!!! You go girl
Togetherness, sorry about your setback, but this too shall pass and you'll be well on your way to your new normal!
M, only you would get pictures of it lol. Glad everything went ok and you were able to get some shopping in as well. Let us know how the new bra is!
Zils, as always you are so sensible.. I too need to put some thought into all that.. there is no way I would want to burden Joe with it, I don't think he'd be able to cope honestly.
Otceb, yeah.. the body hair does go first.. you seem to be handling it ok... a hell of a lot better than I did. Regarding poofy wigs, that the biggest problem with mine at first, I used bobby pins to flatten it down a bit.. and also wore head bands from time to time... the wig ended up flatting down after time.. or I just became used to it
Yay! Firebob is back! Love to hear stories about him lol... I guess he didn't work out too well as a house cat
Hollyboo, hope you are feeling better
Bobogirl, I'd keep you in my bag permanently if I could!! We could cause so much chaos together I think!!
We just got more snow earlier.. hopefully that is it for awhile, I think we are going into warmer temps so it should be a slushfest for the next couple of daysi
The carpet is down in my office, but they still have a lot more on my floor to do. It's blue.. not something I would have picked, but it has that new carpet smell which I love. Hopefully by the time I get to work after my treatment tomorrow, I'll be able to move back down.
Smooches to all!
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Ok I could not help it (and hope no one is offended) When I saw this I immediately thought wonder if M and ND girl have a version of this in their Foobamoire's ? I think its great that they come with tattoo's !!
Wren - Glad your washer arrived and hope no mammo news for you is good news !!!
M and PRB - Glad you both are doing reasonably well . DONT TRY AND OVERDO THINGS !!! I know its easier said than done
Zills - So sorry about the damn lymphedema !!! Good for your for planning for many years from now . DH and I have done this same thing and its just one less worry
Togetherness - Get better soon !!!
GrammaB - So glad your water and snow issues have calmed down
OCTEB - I measured as well 7 1/2 inches and 11 inches ........ But I figure it is what it is and am happy that my BS was great and listened to me when I said I needed to be flat
Idesim - OMG I want the winter for you to be over , enough already !!
Bobo - When I grow up I want to be a Vitamix chef like you !!!! Seriously though THANKS for letting us know about this fabulous machine !!! It is my new addiction
Hi to Hollyboo, Granwe, Spookie and the rest !!
I am off to try and dehoard more crap that I have no idea why I bought it in the 1st place............. Then cleaning ........ugghhh the gift that keeps on giving !!!!
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Shower was ....interesting...need to get back in the swing of elbow to the waist, bend over and try to get everything soapy!
Fia! Yours is 11 inches too. I thought I was the only one! The extra bit was for the node, now another 3 inches added to that, I think. M x
Fia, what are those things? I love that they are tattooed too!
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Fla, Love the photo. I'm sitting here thinking about how to make one. Wouldn't be too difficult I think. I can just see it at a Komen walk or during October. Put a pink ribbon on it and say it's for the cause.
I will definitely update with mammo results.
We've joined a cooperative funeral society. They contract with funeral homes to provide low cost services. You can prepay and never pay a higher price, but we're not that sure we'll stay here. One woman here who knew the end was very near, threw a party for all her friends. She said she knew they would come to her memorial and she'd like to enjoy the occasion. So everyone came, had a great time, and agreed it was just like her to do that.
Zills, So happy that Firebob is back. He's just meant to live with you. Good thing he didn't decide to walk back.
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M ,
I think they are made like some kind of scarf . Ask Wren she is more talented than me in the sewing department . I suck at sewing . I am sure though that between you , ND Girl and Wren you could figure out how to class them up ............. If you need help I could hold a hot glue gun !!! Just think the nipples could be made from expensive crystals !!
I would love to just wear one into the stores ....... It does not happen often but sometimes I get the flat stares ..................................
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Thank you all for the well wishes. I am better today mentally just realizing this is another step to the finish line. Did not hear from the home healthcare nurse today so go into the PS office tomorrow. I played dr today and pulled the gauze out myself. It was saturated with fluid. Yuck!
Grammab thanks so much for explaining this to me. Much better explanation than the PS. I don't think I will try to do it myself and just let the nurse do it. The PS said I could do it, but thought I might have difficulty seeing where to insert the gauze. Just hoping no infection comes out of this. I have everything so sterile in this house. Plus fanatic on washing hands. In a lot of pain today from all the digging around PS did yesterday. Definitely disturbed muscles, skin, etc..... Ugh
Fiaranch1 luv the pic..... Thanks for the laugh.
Zills I like that you are thinking of others and pre planning. What a good idea, plus your wishes will be yours.
Otceb sorry to hear about your hair falling out. I had my hair cut in stages. The first time I saw a few hairs in the shower I had it shaved. Mine is finally coming back in. It is coming back in totally different. It is coming in curly and a different texture.......ugh On a positive note I think it will be thicker.
Wrenn good luck with mammo results.
Idesim I luv a new carpet smell as well. Glad to hear your office is coming together. You are absolutely right this setback shall pass, but I am just over everything and trying to stay positive.
Ariom I wish I could have you attitude about the scars on my body as I have many as well. I really hope you guys don't look like me with the scar from the implant removal. I think he made it look like this because he knows I want to try again down the road with reconstruction. It is nothing like any of the pictures I have looked at online.
Hoping for less pain tomorrow!!!!
Sorry for those I missed...... Hugs!
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