I Got This!

I have a couple of co-workers who created their own bitmoji (an emoji created to look like you) and they send me funny memes occasionally. I finally decided to create my own. When you create it, it walks you through each feature to get it as close to your image as possible. It’s kind of hard to do on your own, so I had to enlist Scott to help me with some features. I decided this first meme was appropriate considering this surgery has been much easier than I ever thought it would be. I just wish it could have been Wonder Woman! When I first created the bitmoji, I had a turban-type hat on it like I have been wearing these days, but then decided I was going to give it my short salt-n-pepper hair (or “glittered” as some of my friends have advised me). I’ve decided I am done with hats and my wig. It is too stinkin’ hot and although there are a couple of thin spots on top which require a hat in the sun, it is much more comfortable. The G.I. Jana look isn’t all that horrible either. So you are getting a preview of what to expect the next time you see me. I will likely want my red hair back someday, but for now this works!

This was my oxygen indicator.
It was the bane of my existence.
It was more annoying than my
surgery sites. I tried putting it
under my blankets, so it
wouldn't be so bright at night.
It still looked like E.T.!

Surgery last Tuesday went very well. The surgeon took two lymph nodes and the pathology performed during surgery looked clean. Praise God! She also got good margins and feels very good about the outcome. Of course, all is still dependent on the final pathology, but so far so good! The plastic surgeon inserted an expander and filled it with air, so it is not like I have lost everything. It’s just a little smaller and perkier than what I had before. It is also completely wrapped in what looks like plastic wrap with a large strip of duct tape covering the incision! The tape strip is actually impregnated with silver, which is supposed to be a superior anti-bacterial, anti-whatever can cause major issues with surgical incisions. Dr. Wagner, my surgeon, said one of the other KU surgeons was using it and she kept telling him is was voo-doo until she had a very high risk patient and she decided to give it a try. She has decided the “voo-doo” works and now uses it regularly and so does Dr. Chandler, my plastic surgeon. I have had hardly any pain with the mastectomy site and I’m wondering if it is because there are no sutures. The little pain I have had is in my arm pit which is where she took the lymph node (I think) and where the drain is inserted. There is one suture there. It is so crazy to me to have this major surgery and very little stitches (or pain, for that matter). The worst part has been the constipation (sorry if this is TMI again) due to the pain meds I did take. Fortunately, I am down to taking Tylenol, so that should be past me.

Chris brought these awesome
socks for me! I loved them!

My surgery was almost three hours and I was the first one on the schedule. The anesthesia took hold while I was still in the prep room and I really don’t remember much of anything until I was back in my room. The hospital staff at the KU Indian Creek hospital were amazing! I do remember one of them asking me if I was cold after surgery (it was probably in the recovery room) and they covered my little bald head with a warm, heated blanket. My nurse aid, Abe, thought I looked like a nun and kept jokingly calling me “sister”.

"Sister!"

By the time Scott got in my room I was wide awake and feeling good. My dear friend, Chris, came to visit which was so nice. My lovely daughters-in-law, loaded up the grandbabies Tuesday night and stayed at my brother, Jay’s, so they could get to the hospital first thing in the morning on Wednesday to visit. My doctors had all been by to check on me by the time they got there, so I was technically ready to be released by about 9:00 Wednesday morning, but we stayed and enjoyed their visit before we took off. It was awesome to see them all and as you know, they are the best medicine for this grammy. Unfortunately, we failed to get a picture of them all! They stopped at Legends and took the kids to the T-Rex restaurant. We would have loved to join them, but neither of us slept much Tuesday night and we were ready to get home. Scott managed to get us home (with multiple stops to allow me to get out and walk to prevent blood clots) with about an hour of sleep the night before; God bless him!

My folks came to Hays to visit on Thursday (Mom had to make sure I was really ok!) and my sister, Barb, spent the day with me on Friday, since Scott had to work. I loved having them here. This weekend we plan to take it easy. We head back to KC on Sunday for post-surgery checkups with both surgeons and an appointment with the lymphedema specialist on Monday. They should have the pathology report back and have a pretty good idea of whether I will need to do radiation or any more chemo.

The weather is supposed to be in the 70s and we were really tempted to hit the Royals game on Sunday, but we’ve decided I probably shouldn’t push it (darn it)! I will still be cheering them on though!

I need to give a big shout out and gigantic thank you to my superhero hubby. He has been so amazing through this entire journey. He has taken exceptional care of me (like he always has) and been there for me through all the ups and downs. I can’t even begin to tell you all the things he has done for me that would make most people cringe or even upchuck. I have not had to worry about or focus on anything but my health since the beginning. He is my rock and I am incredibly blessed to have had him in my life these last 40 years. I hope we are blessed with another 40! Love you, Scott, and love you all too!