A bump in the road........

I saw Dr. Gawley yesterday for a mini~preop appointment. He said I've really done well, I've healed up very nicely, and that from yesterday until 11/22 when my surgery is scheduled, "we" would just be "tweaking" things a bit. I said that sounded good :)

Well, let me tell ya........that tweaking ended up being 75cc's more of saline in each side. I managed to be at work for about an hour before I had to leave because I was in the worst I have been in since the mastectomy. I broke down in tears just trying to sit back in bed...feeling like everything had ripped apart. And about an hour after that, due to a combination of things, I literally passed out. Randy found me slumped over in the bathroom! Probably the worst day I have had thru all of this. I didn't go into work today, either. Still very tight, like a vise totally wrapped around me. This post may even have to be typed in stages...not really able to be in one position for very long!

But, on the upside.......

Regarding the next surgery: The incision will only be about three inches long under each expander. Brenna will be ordering several sizes of implants. While I am under anesthesia in surgery, Dr. Gawley will take the expanders out of course, then put one set of implants in. I will then be propped up, he will look at how they look...and then he will either be happy, go smaller, or go bigger....depending on what he thinks. So, I guess I'll be surprised when I come out of anesthesia to see the NEW me :) I'll just be happy to get these blasted expanders OUT!
Well, can't stand to sit any longer.....will post more when I know more!

Love and Hugs to ALL!
Suzanne

Just a quick update.......

I saw Brenna at Dr. Gawley's office again yesterday for a little more saline added to the expanders. I know I'm getting close to the max, because I was VERY uncomfortable by yesterday afternoon...and was VERY uncomfortable until I finally took a pain pill (one of Randy's)around 8 PM. Finally got some relief. Now it's almost 6 AM, and I'm starting to tighten up again.....oh well :)

I have two more appointments...one with Dr. Gawley for a brief followup on 10/28, and then a pre-op appointment with Brenna two weeks after that. My surgery is set for November 22nd, to get the expanders out and the real fake ones in :) YAY!!!

I will definitely be Thankful this Thanksgiving :)

Hugs to All!
Suzanne

October is.........

Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I'm sure everyone knows this by now, because there are advertisements on TV and definitely in magazines! I know that their goal, in part, is to raise money for research. Which is wonderful, if you have the funds to donate. But in these difficult financial times, that may not be feasible for most.

What I would like to let everyone know is that a lot of radiology clinics offer special discounts for mammograms in the month of October. We had a rep from one of the radiology clinics stop by the office the other day. He wanted to let us know that for the month of October, the charge of a mammogram is $65.00.

I cannot stress enough that EARLY DETECTION is the key! It will save your life. It can also mean the difference between just taking a pill once a day for five years vs taking a pill once a day for five years plus chemo and possibly RT, and possibly other drugs as well.

So, think about it.......and then go get your mammogram (if you haven't already).