Jimmy Dean
Well, kids, the surgery part of the process is finally over, and I'm not even going to pretend that I would care to do it over again.
I was a real mess yesterday, but I am starting to move my arms better this afternoon. I am not one for taking pills, but I have had to rely on pain killers so far. In case you haven't heard which type of surgery I chose, I'll tell you now. I went for the double (both breasts) skin-saver mastectomy which keeps the entire outside skin (nipples and all). I was incredibly lucky to keep the whole exterior package. The majority of women lose their nipples and end up looking like they have breasts like a store mannequin. The loss of a nipple happens when the tumor is too close to it and the surgeon needs to take everything in case there are minute cancer cells hiding in the milk ducts.
I didn't choose the lumpectomy, because there was way too much danger in not getting all the cancer, and like I said, I wouldn't care to go through this again! The skin-saver type of operation means that ever having cancer in either breast is now almost non-existant , plus I won't have to have any more mammograms.
It's amazing how much we use our upper-body strength. For quite a while there, I couldn't get out of the recliner, because it was too painful to brace my arms on the seat of the chair and get up. Lon had to take my hands and gently pull me to my feet. If he hadn't been around, I would still be stuck like a bug caught on its back. I have to walk around the house every so often, to get my blood stirring, Otherwise I will get too stiff and then everything will hurt more. I have one of those hand-held breathing thingies, and I work on that a lot, 'cause I don't want to develop pneumonia.
I sure appreciate all the help I got from the hospital, but the real help came from all of you. Your words of encouragement and the prayers sent my way were the deciding factor in my great outcome. I am so blessed to have the family I do, especially Lon and the kids, and Little Ma
Well, it's time to go. I need Lon to strip my suction tubes and empty the blood that drains out into little plastic bags. EWWWW !!! Hopefully, I can get rid of the drains in a few days.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL