surgery news

OK- I have my surgery details!

I’ve never had surgery before, so have no idea what the experience will be like. I do know that I will be laid up for a long while, and have a lot of down time, so once I am feeling good enough, I sure hope to get some visitors!

The big day is: Friday October 25th

This is the surgical plan: First, the double mastectomy, then DIEP reconstruction. A muscle-sparing TRAM flap  may be done if my arteries are not in the right place. This surgery can take anywhere from 8-12 hours.

Here are some links for basic information the procedures I am having if you are so inclined to look:

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/mastectomy/plus_reconstruction

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/types/autologous/diep

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/types/autologous/tram

About how long I will be in hospital: 3-5 days

Recovery time estimate: a total of 8 weeks.

There is still a lot of information that I will be getting from the surgeons over the next few weeks.

I will do my best to stay connected via email to let everyone know how I am doing, and of course I will be updating my blog as I go. I will probably post some photos there, so be warned if you are a weee squeamish (and again- it is full of sailor humor so not suitable for work or more sensitive dispositions.)

Please let me know if you have any questions about my surgery, or anything else! I will do my best to answer.

 

Now I have a request that I hope no one thinks is inappropriate or rude, because that is really not my intention:

In lieu of any flowers (as I will be highly susceptible to infection and not allowed any flowers or plants in my room,) balloons, bears, or any other of the usual items you might want to send to the hospital or home, I could really use Amazon gift certificates so that while I am in recovery I can work on a very special and project for my family and friends (that my doctors have told me I am allowed to do.)I need very specific supplies to do this, and can order them all from Amazon with ease and working on this will really help me pass the time I will have and make me feel productive in some way. Please note that I am not asking for anything! Just saying that if you were thinking of sending anything- this would make productive use of your funds.

Anyhow, as I get more information about the surgery or if anything changes, I will keep you informed.

Thank you again for all the support and love I have gotten from all of you. It means the universe to me to know that there are so many wonderful people in my corner.

I love you all very much.


Posted in Uncategorized by with no comments yet.

Leave a Reply