6/11/11 - Austin and I arrived in New Orleans, got settled at the hotel and headed to Bourbon Street for a Hurricane and some dinner. We explored the party town and listened to lots of great live music.
6/12/11 - A full day to hang out, relax, explore and see the sights. It was HOT. Our hotel is right in the French Quarter, close to everything, so we had fun walking around. We enjoyed the French market and a walk along the Mississippi river. I can't believe surgery is just two days away.
6/13/11 - My pre-op appointment, which included meeting with the lymphedema specialist and having an abdominal CT with dye contrast. Austin went to visit his friend from high school who now teaches at Lafayette, near New Orleans. The purpose of the CT was to check the exact location of the blood vessels they'll be transferring from my stomach area to chest. One bonus is that the radiologist also looked at all of my organs. I loved reading the report: liver, pancreas, kidneys, etc. (everything, all organs) show no signs of metastatic disease. Cancer Free. Yes! Thank you.
6/14/11 - Surgery day. I checked in, got ready for surgery, they started the IV and the relaxing medicine. Nice. Everything was a go and before I knew it they were wheeling me back to the OR. Surgery took a lot longer than expected (10 hours total) because the blood vessels they needed to access were attached to muscle, too, not just fat, so the doctor had to do more dissecting and re-connecting under the microscope than planned. He spent the extra time and did it right. I had three surgeons working on me at the same time. They gave Austin updates every couple of hours. It all went very well.
6/15/11 - I remember waking up in my hospital room. Austin was there and the pain control pump was in my hand. I felt pretty good considering what I had just been through. I was pretty out of it though. When the dressings were changed I got a peek at the new tata's. I have something there! I look down and see bumps for the first time in what seems like forever. I was able to get up and walk later in the day. Austin left for home in the evening.
6/16/11 - My mom arrived in the afternoon. I was so happy to see her. More walking laps around the floor.
6/17/11 - My first shower. Fabulous! I was discharged from the hospital and we moved to a facility called Hope Lodge. Still very sore, but doing well.
6/19/11 - Lots of resting, watching movies, reading and walking as much as possible. Having "breasts" again is so foreign to me. I keep looking down at them and can't believe there is a shape and it's all me. I am feeling so happy to be complete again. Met a very nice lady from Eugene who was also receiving services at the same reconstructive surgery center. Survivor Sisters unite.
6/20/11 - Post-op visit with the doctor. Two breast drains removed. Learned about taking care of the incision sites and the two remaining tummy drains that stayed in. Doctor is pleased with how well everything is looking.
6/21/11 - Travel home. Long day. Ugh. Feels good to be home in my own bed though. So good to see my hubby and kids. I thought the dog was going to have a cow. He was happy to see me.
6/24/11 - I'm getting out and walking more each day. I'm still sore, but feeling better. My attitude is great. I feel whole. I am happy.
6/28/11 - Talked to the nurse in New Orleans. The two tummy drains can come out. I had an appointment to see the breast surgeon who did my mastectomy surgery. It was so good to see him. He cleaned up the incision sites, took out a few stitches and took out the remaining drains. I still have to wear the abdominal binder for another week, but feel so much better with the drains removed. I am still sore and on pain meds, but getting stronger. I am so confident in my decision to go to a place that specializes in breast reconstruction only. I feel that the outcome is going to be the best it can be. I am planning to schedule stage two in October.
