Post-Op Boobs

Post-Op Boobs

By Kathy Reschini Sweeney, who has one and who was one

Had my post-op appointment yesterday.  Everything went fine.  I will now report to the Hillman Center's High Risk program.

Which reminds me - I need all my aunts, uncles and cousins with any cancer history to e-mail me the details, please.   I am going to be part of a study on heredity and breast cancer and I need to take all the info with me.  Your name will NOT be included, just our relationship.

Okay - so the PA (love her - and if you don't know the Physician's Assistant at your Doc's, you really need to wake up) checks the incision and makes a few comments about whether I have been lifting weights.

Me: "Well, you just can't quit training for triathlons."

PA: "Ha ha.  You understand what subcutaneous layers of sutures are, right?"

Me: "Oh yeah.  My Dad's head was totally open to the skull last year and I saw all kinds of shit."

PA: "Okay, wow."

Me: "Yeah, that's why I am not picking at the sutures that are sticking out like a bee's stinger.  I learned from that."

PA: "Well, I guess we're grateful then.  I am going to let the doctor yell at you because I can't keep a straight face."

Me: "Fair enough."

PA: "Plus, thanks for the cookies."

Me: "Finally, the truth comes out."

Enter the Doc.  She says "Hi, Thanks for the cookies- you didn't need to do that, now let's take a look"

Me: "I love cookies."

Doc: "Good try.  Want to tell me what you've been doing to test my careful work here?"

Me: "Nothing personal, Doc.  My people aren't really good at following instructions."

Doc: "Uh huh."  Then the Doc starts talking to me in a very stern voice about how I didn't do any real damage, but I was back on serious restrictions, and not to be messing around with my health.  Her voice started rising a little, and then she paused and looked at me.

Me: "Yeah, I know and I'm sorry.  I am behaving better now."

Doc: "Usually when I yell at a patient,  they look a little scared or at least intimidated."

PA: "It's true. She hardly ever does this."

Me: "Listen, you have no idea what I deal with every day, in terms of yelling and nutty behavior.   I grew up on this stuff.  If I got upset every time, I'd be a drooling mess by now."

PA (trying not to laugh): "Well, THAT's a nice picture."  

Doc (trying not to laugh): "Okay, okay, as long as you listen and do what I tell you from now on."

Me: "Nothing personal Doc, but I hope I never see you again in my life."

PA: "Bwah!"

Doc (full-out laughing at this point): "Absolutely understood!"

Then the PA gave me a note to go to a secret hideaway to get fitted for a special bra and camisole.  You have to have 'script to even get the number.  I'm very excited about it and I have all kinds of ideas about what to put in there.  But that's another blog.

REMEMBER - learn from me:

1. EARLY DETECTION saves lives - do your monthly self-exam and get an annual mammogram.

2. DIGITAL MAMMOGRAMS made the difference for me - they never would have found it so early without this technology - when you call to schedule your mammogram, ask if they have digital machines and use them.

3.  LISTEN to your doc.  Your body will want to return to normal right away.  You will want to do the same.  But it turns out (duh) there is a real reason for imposing limitations and if you don't heed them, you will pay for it in terms of more extensive recovery.

xo

 

 

 

 

Comments

[William]

Most people would consider this to be a life changing incident and would change their ways; become calmer, more laid back, relax a little bit.

It's nice to see you are, as always, the one constant in an ever-changing universe...:)

[Karen in Ohio]

Do as I say, not as I do. LOL!

Seriously, Kathy, I'm so happy you're doing this well. It could be so much worse. Love ya.

[Nell]

I finally had to cut that one little suture that looked like a bee's stinger. Nasty. Yesterday was my three month anniversary! In retrospect, they tell you, and by "you" I mean me, that it's about a six week recovery period. Ha! It was more like eight weeks then tack on a few more for good measure. This stuff takes time. Everyday is another further from the surgery and another day closer to healing...and Springtime! Take the time and enjoy the ride. It's making us damn interesting people!

[Maryann Mercer]

Bribing your doc with cookies? Not a bad idea...although my rheumatologist probably has dietary restrictions :o) Thing is, you're in good company when it comes to wanting things back to normal asap. We all do. It will happen. Just knowing you're OK is fantastic news. PS. No PA here, although when my doc did have one, he was great. And as far as mammograms go, I'm a definite fan...the digital ones are great, and ultrasound can be a big help in clearing up those 'grey areas'. Rock on, Kathy!

[Pam aka SisterZip]

I had my bone density test & mammogram in December. My mother and grandmother have/had osteoperosis, so the bone density was my biggest worry. It came back clean. But I had a 'place' on the mammo and had to have another one & an ultrasound. Turns out it is a cyst (a fairly good sized one that I didn't feel because of where it is situated) and I have to go back in June for another mammo. Have questions that I thought of for my doc when I see her. Will ask about the digital mammo. Even without family history of BC, it never hurts to be prepared.

I don't want anyone to have to go through this, but if it had to be anyone, at least we are laughing with our learning.

So happy things are getting back to 'normal' and pray, heartily, that it stays that way!

[Storyteller Mary]

Oh, so you're the reason doctors always look surprised when I say "of course I did what you said to do." Our family doctor stopped seeing our neighbor for not following his advice, "waste of my time and your money if you don't."

I'm glad you are listening and I hope your recovery smooths out. Prescription bras . . . that will be interesting. Probably not glamorous, though, I know my prescription stockings aren't.

They will be talking and laughing about you for quite a while . . .
(Careful) hugs to you!

[Laura (in PA)]

So glad you're doing well, now that you've decided you're not Superwoman. Well, not in this case, anyway.

You were my mantra last Friday, when I went for my mammogram and ended up being there for two hours and having three mammograms and a sonogram. I routinely have to make my appointments when the radiologist is there to read them right away, because they always call me to come back for new views. But this time they saw something, which he thought might be blood vessels, and ended up being a fluid-filled cyst. But I got the "you're good for a year" letter when I left. I wish you'd been there with cookies.

[Elaine A. Judge]

Hope you ARE behaving yourself. As my Mother would say when you'd ask her if she wanted anything. Her answer,"Maybe a cookie." Cookies and hugs are the best.

Get outside and get some D. Breathe in and listen to the birds (they are early) and the sky--fantastic.

Stay away from anything that will make you crazy--maybe the political world.

Stay focused and drink lots of WATER with those cookies. love ya

[Kate]

This makes me so happy - I can't believe it's over. I love you, Mom. I don't know what we'd do without you.

[Renee in KS]

Humor is good medicine. A good report with the doc is positive, but I'm sure they have their fill of patients who are less than honest. "Dr. Daniels, paging Dr. Jack Daniels"! Still is a funny line in most medical situations!

[Kathy Reschini Sweeney]

Yay Laura!! Love the "See You next year" results.

Kate - I think that might be the sweetest comment I have ever received. xo

[Lora in Florida]

Fellow Boobburghers, PLEASE perform monthly exams and PLEASE also check the skin under your armpits where your bra-line front meets the bra-line back. This is considered breast tissue as well. This is where I found my 4 centimeter lump January 2011. Stage 2b, invasive, intraductal. I'm ok. I had a partial mastectomy, chemo and radiation. BUT I only found it because my bra hurt on my left side. I had performed monthly breast exams on myself and hadn't found it. The tech could feel my lump but could not find it on the mammogram. When they did the digital, it came up as dense tissue, not a cyst. Again, the tech had to feel the lump, and then put the wand directly on it to get a picture. If I hadn't performed monthly exams, they would have chalked it up to cystic boobs and not moved so fast. But because I could swear that it wasn't there in October and November (not December; who can remember anything over Christmas??) they moved fast. Thank God for watching out for me. Please learn from my experience!

[Kathy Reschini Sweeney]

Thank you Lora!

This is exactly the kind of information we need to share to keep each other safe!!!