Missy

[Helen]

Mouse,

 Tomorrow is the day and I know you have to be nervous, but all of us are pulling for you and know you'll be just fine.
I'll be praying and thinking of you and hope Bill can get here and give us a quick update as soon as he can.

 Stay strong, stay positive...thats who you are.

 Love and prayers your way, Helen

[willy]

Thanks Helen for starting this thread. I hope that Missy knows that he is in our hearts and minds tomorrow, and the next day and the next day........

Willy

[mindy]

Helen and Missy, you are both such an inspiration to me, Missy you are and have been like a God send Angel to me since
I first joined our fellowship.  You are in my prayers and Helen is too.  God can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
You are too special and loved, I pray constantly for you and others in our fellowship to be successful. big hug  mindy

[MissyMouse]

Thank you all.   I am 1 week post surgery and am doing pretty good.  I wasn't expecting to be in this much pain but that's o.k. ... it's not a forever thing.  My step mom went back to Arkansas today and Bill goes back to work tomorrow so I've started learning how to fend for myself within my limitations.  I did clean my bathroom and office today ... took me twice as long and have learned that a step ladder and grabber device are going to be my best friends for a while.  Tomorrow I go for m y post op with the general surgeon and Friday I see the plastic surgeon.   Ideally I'd love to get rid of the compression bandages, the drains and be told I can drive.   .  Realistically, I might get rid of the compression bandages and graduate to a sports bra.  My drains are still putting out 2 oz of fluid a day so they may not come out (I've been told it take a little longer with bigger breasted women) and I most likely won't get my driving privileges back for 6 weeks.

Mouse

[MissyMouse]

Been a busy week recovery wise.  Occupational Therapist came out and scolded me for doing housework.  She said that is an absolute no no right now.  She said my house is immaculate and to just let things go for a while.  I saw the general surgeon on Thursday and he has cut me loose for about 3 months.  I saw the plastic surgeon on Friday.  They weren't able to take the drains out as I'm still putting out about 2 ounces of fluid a day.  I go back on Wednesday and they should be able to come out then.   They did discontinue the compression bandages and graduated me to a sports bra so that  has provided some comfort.  They also added Valium to my pain cocktail.  I never knew this, but Valium is also use for muscle spasms.  What a difference!  Within an hour of taking the first one I felt at least 50% better and had my first decent night's sleep since the surgery.  The valium makes me sleepy but I truly do need the rest.  I even took an hour nap this morning.   I don't care ... it's worth it to have so much of the pain taken care of.  I will be allowed to drive as of next Thursday as long as I'm not under the influence of any narcotics.  Since I'm taking both oxycodone and valium you can bet I am not going to get behind the wheel if I'm under the influence.  It's going to be  a long haul but I'll get there.


Mouse

[DougV]

But Missy, dang oxy and valium, heck that's how I learned to drive in the first place...

Hmmm or was that boonesfarm and weed, who remembers....

Glad you are better! Valium added to mix indeed helps, plus the valium should function nicely as an anti-housecleaning med.

What is general time frame for you to feel physically human again? 

Hey Missy, sure glad you made it an are okay.

Doug

[Helen]

Missy,

 Are you kidding me? Housework? Really? You just had some major, major surgery, Im glad they got on your butt before you did any real damage.

 I didnt know about the valium also working for muscle spasms, I know it works great for vertigo too as I was prescribed that after I had my ear surgery. It has a nice calming effect too.  And as for the naps, probably the best thing you can do. Its my understanding the body and tissue heal most when sleeping. So, rest, rest, rest.  
 I know for sure that when I get a decent nights sleep which isnt very often my body just dosent ache so much.

 Even if you dont drive just knowing that you can if you want makes a difference I think too, you dont feel so trapped.

 Sounds like you were in a lot of pain mouse and Im so happy you found something to give you some relief.

[MissyMouse]

Hey Doug .... they think maybe another couple weeks and I'll be feeling a little more normal.  I seriously had no idea this was going to be so painful for so long.  Even my right arm pit where they did the sentinal node biopsy is killing me. This procedure ranks right up there with being almost as painful as my hysterectomy was.  Helen, the surgeon keeps reminding that this was a hard surgery and that it's supposed to hurt LOL.  He can't quite understand why on earth I thought housework was o.k. when he told me I can't even wash my own hair LOL.

By the way, breast cancer sucks.   

Mouse

[DougV]

Missy,

I am unsurprised by your comments on breast cancer, it generally gets less than favorable reviews.

Sure hope you feel better far faster that two weeks. 

Doug

[Helen]

Hey Mouse,

 Hope things are a little better and less painful and I hope you've been taking it easy, I know how that is when you feel even just a little better and think you can do more than you should.....DONT!

 Please give us an update soon. 

[MissyMouse]

I'm making strides with my breast cancer.

1.  My drains were removed on Wednesday.  I can now sleep on my sides a few minutes here an there until the drain incisions start to bother me.
2.  The occupational therapist has started me on range of motion exercises.
3.  Next week Bill and I will learn how to do light massage
4.  I've learned that I can function half of normal every other day as long as I rest every other day.
5.  I'm down to 2 oxy a day, 1 at night and 1 first thing in the morning.  The valium is going to be an ongoing thing for a while since the tissue expanders are under the pectoral muscles and the valium is needed to prevent muscle spasms.
6.  I've been given the o.k. to go back on 1 of my RA meds (Celebrex) ... unfortunately I will be off the biggy (Humira injections) until the entire reconstruction process is over and healed... probably about 8 more months.
7.  I'll be dropping down to just once a week for care by the home health RN
8.  I can drive. 
9.  I pretty independent as long is things don't involve excessive overhead reaching or any lifting of any item weighing more than a gallon of milk.  These restrictions will be around for a while.

On October 3 I will go for my first tissue expansion since the surgery.  They are planning on injecting 125 cc of saline into the expanders.  They were able to 300 cc's in at the time of the original surgery because the general surgeon saved a lot of my skin.  The implants they will eventually put in are 800cc which are the largest available to the general public (Pamela Sue Anderson has 1200 cc and had hers were custom made).  So I'm not sure if the total amount that has to be put in to the expanders is 800cc or if they have to go a little higher.  This is all a really big learning process.

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes, they are working.

Mouse

[MissyMouse]

Doug,

Thank you for looking at the pictures that I sent you and for your input from a medical professional's point of view.   I was not at all ashamed to send them to you (I sent them to Willy too).   I don't consider them lewd, I consider them educational and have absolutely no problem sending them to the people that I know understand the purpose for which they serve. I tried to send them to Helen but they got bounced back.  I do plan on sending you more as all this progresses.  As far as the tissue my general surgeon left for the plastic surgeon to work with ... everyone was so happy about that.  It's apparently not something that happens very often.  I was a very fortunate woman that way.  Because the general surgeon did such a great job, the plastic surgeon was able to fill the tissue expanders 1/3 of the way already.   I go back on October 3 and they are planning to fill them with another 125 cc which should put me close to half way ready for for the implants. 

If there is anyone out there that is interested in these photos please drop me a private note at missymouse@bellsouth.net along with your personal email address and I will send you what I sent Doug and Willy.  I will not post them here on the forum because if someone does a search they will be able to see them and like I said, I will only send them to those I trust.  I also will not respond to anyone who puts a post here on the forum requesting them do to the private nature of this.

Mouse

[willy]

Missy, Yes I got them but I'll have to admit that I was a little unsure what to say.  I've been under the knife w/ a double hernia operation
and a vasectomy but they pretty much leave you looking as you once did.

The pictures were a little shocking, ya know, you suck in your breath a little, or feel that strange inner pang of sympathetic pain, which in my case sounds a little ridiculous.

In my case I'm used to talking about HCV but I may feel a little out of my depth with cancer.  I think sometimes people.....not knowing exactly what to say end up clamming up a little.  It doesn't mean they don't care, it's more about knowing how to navigate. 

I know that you are still recovering and that you still have more surgery and more pain in front of you, and probably a lot of acclimation, grief of sorts, and just the business of physical recovery.  I'm honored that you sent me the photos.  I'm sorry that I didn't respond; I've been working every day, chasing my tail with work and selling my mothers house and possessions.

Terrible to say, I was working on Saturday, took off 2 hours for an executive meeting w/ brothers and sisters at mom's house.  I drove by   s l o w    past a clients house and there they were working in the front yard w/ their spouse.  I stopped said hi, nice day and all...... and then had to broach the question; "How are you doing?"  .....a super loaded question........

First came the "Fine!!"...... and then......exchanging glances........

"It's back"

It's happened twice in this past month with two friends. 
Ya know...... I think the spouse sufferers as much....although in very different ways as the afflicted one.  Both couples.....very much in love, and both to a person with a very difficult path ahead.

It breaks your heart.

I'm glad that you are going to be intact and expect you to stay with us all.

willy

[Snowflake]

Hello, Sounds like things are moving along and you are handling it well....

Wishing you all the best!!!

Take Care
 Winona

[MissyMouse]

I know the one picture in particular has to be a little hard for some people to handle.  That's why I warned that it was a little graphic.

Not only Doug, but several other medical people that I sent the pictures to said my surgeons did an excellent job and left a lot of skin to work with.  This is one of those lessons that you learn that just because you have Hep C doesn't mean life is going to stop.  There is a very good chance that those scars will be gone when this is over and that I'll  have a great looking set of knockers.  The next time you are at a family gathering ... look around the room, are there 8 women there?  If so, chances are one of them is going to get breast cancer.  I keep thanking God everyday that I cleared my Hep before this diagnosis came down.  I can't even imagine what I would have gone though having to treat both at the same time.  As it is, they have taken me off of Humira for my RA so the only thing I can take for it right now is Celebrex and my pain meds.  Of course the Celebrex will be cut off again  for the next 2 surgeries.  I have notice that my fatigue is almost unbearable.  Just remember, when I have my next 2 surgeries you will be able to smile with me.

Remember, I am "the" mouse ... I beat leukemia, I beat Hep C, I function with RA and I WILL beat this damned breast cancer.

Hugs,

Mouse