Thursday, September 14, 2006

4 weeks post op! Whooooo hooooo! lol

Yesterday marked my 4th week post op! There were some days I wished I was further post op than that and then there were days I was amazed at how well I was doing.

My first week was my roughest, the whole time I was still in the hospital and totally dependant on my Wonderful Husband to take care of me. That man was at my side almost the entire time. He bathed be, soothed me, pushed me to sit in a chair and take my first few steps then my marathon walks through the hallways. He let me cry when I needed to and laugh when I needed to and I could not love or appreciate him more than I do now. We really lived those wedding vows and our love for each other has only become stronger. How many times in the past we used to kid with each other about who was putting who in a 'home' first. Many times we teased one another about adult diapers and the need to be placed in a home. Never once did I have to rely on the staff at the hospital to take care of my basic needs. Jim was right there taking loving care of me and sleeping in a chair every night so I never woke up alone. I love you Jim!

Week two I began to feel how weak I really was. Showering took an extreme amount of effort and by the time I was all cleaned up to go somewhere I was too exhausted and had to rest in between. But on my 11th day of being post op I was stir crazy enough to venture out to the lake to recharge my life battery and it felt so good to have a few normal moments where I could forget what I just went through and forget I had cancer.

By week three I only found it necessary to take pain killers 3 times that week. My incisions were healing nicely, the swelling in my new breast was under control with weekly visits to the plastic surgeon Dr. Hollywood, to needle drain the fluid that was backing up and causing pain and discomfort to my new perky girl! lol

Now here it is my 4th week and I have only had to take half a pain killer (last night) for the discomfort in the new breast due to the fact that I haven't been drained (boob wise) in 9 days! I have an appointment later on this afternoon to see my Surgeon Dr. McHottie for a post op check up and then I'm off to see Dr. Hollywood for a post op check up and more fluid drainage. We are both hoping that this will be the last time I need to have the fluid drained. Happy Dance!!!

So I am driving and venturing out of the house more, I am almost free of pain medication, I no longer have scabs on my tummy incision (Remember that is a hip to hip cut) so I am thrilled at how well that is healing. There should hardly be a visible scar by this time next year! Bonus! And on my new breast rebuilt using my abdominal muscle and a flap of tummy skin already has over 6 spots where the skin is no longer scabbed and has adhered to each other beautifully!

Life is beautiful and I am so very thankful!

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

WTG!!  I am so glad to hear you are feeling better and healing so well.  I'm always amazed at how cheerful you sound.  You truly are amazing.  Be well!!  I'll be thinking of you...

AJ in SF

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Sounds like things are right on track!  You found a good one when you married Jim!
Pam

Anonymous said...

You are truly my hero. And your hubby is awesome tell him i said thanks so much for loving my friend. You have to be one of the realist broads i know. Thank you for being you. .........Robin

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

((((Kim))))
 I am so thankful that God heard all our prayers !!  
    Love you !

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you still.
Delaine

Anonymous said...

oh, you sound wonderful.  how is the arm doing?  my mil said that was the hardest part of the recovery.  And she DID get a serious infection.  She cut her hand making grapevine wreaths.  It was bad and it hit fast!  she is much more careful now.
tina

Anonymous said...

Your husband sounds wonderful. Mine can't cope with me being ill, he's so used to me being 'In Charge', I suppose that comes after years in the Navy, he has to have someone tell him what to do!

Love and laughter are the best medicines.

Linda x.

http://journals.aol.co.uk/lindaggeorge/GeorgeMansions/

Anonymous said...

You're making great progress, Kim, keep it going. Dare I ask, when does your chemo start again?

Anonymous said...

Baby steps dear..every day you will heal more and more. If you could actually see all the good wishes headed your way I do believe it would look like a four lane highway.  Sandi

Anonymous said...

Isn't time an amazing thing? Sometimes it flies so fast we wonder where it went... and others it drags so slow we wonder if that second hand on the clock is moving at all...

Sounds like you are doing great, though I believe a lot of that is due to the great attitude you've had thru out.  Hang in there kid!

Anonymous said...

I'm willing to bet that your positive attitude helped you in your quick healing!  I am so glad you are doing so well.

((hugs))
Jeanne

Anonymous said...

And...you are so very beautiful.. and we are all thankful that you are doing so well!! :)  
You continue to be an inspiration to me, Kim.

I miss you over at my journal... seems I haven't seen you there in a while! :)

Love to you and keeping you in my prayers!

Hugs
Jackie

http://journals.aol.com/siennastarr/Hopefloats/

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to hear that you are doing so well!!  Linda

Anonymous said...

Kimberliegh,
So glad to hear that you're doing so well. Amazing how technology has progressed isn't it?
Take good care.

Big Hugs,
Gayla

Anonymous said...

WoooHooo is right! I'm so happy to read how well you are doing. Jim deserves a big hug for being a good husband. :)

can't believe it's only been 4 weeks though. Ugh!

(((Kim))) God bless ya!

Anonymous said...

VERY GOOD REPORT...YOU ARE BLESSED.

Anonymous said...

That does sound great! What a Man...that is the true test!

Anonymous said...

Wow, 4 weeks and you are doing so much better, glad your days are finding you with less discomfort and you're starting to get out and do more things.  What a lucky lady you are, your hubby sounds like one very special man, you are blessed dear.  Keep doing well......Arlene

Anonymous said...

::Happy dancing along side you::  ;o)  I'm so glad to hear that you continue to feel better as the days go by!  You are truly blessed to have such a caring and devoted husband.  As I'm sure he feels the same about you!  
Blessings and hugs,  Michelle

Anonymous said...

Oh Kim!  This is wonderful!  I know it is your positive attitude that has helped in your speedy healing.  This is proven!  I'm very happy for you.  Enjoy getting out and about.  Just try not to overdo it.
Nelishia
http://journals.aol.com/nelishianatl/WISHINGANDHOPING/

Anonymous said...

You sound so good Kim, it's wonderful to hear!  Having a great husband like that is truly such a blessing....I am another lucky one with a wonderful husband who slept in a chair in the hospital and took care of all my needs.  I've often wondered if people really think about those marriage vows when they are saying them.  I was young (18) when I got married and I know I didn't....when you're young and healthy who thinks about what it will be like many years later?  I'm so glad you are doing so well, and can't wait for all of this to be a thing in your past!

Take Care,
~Bilinda~

Anonymous said...

Wonderful news!
Glad the healing is going well
and you are feeling well enough to
go pretty much without the pain meds now!
Have a great weekend
Hugs ~Terri~

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Kim it is so great to have the love and support of those you love!!!! Also know that you have the love and support of all of us here in J-Land!!!!! Thanks for sharing with us so that we can walk beside you!!!! http://journals.aol.com/shayshaydc/Golfaholic
Sharon:)

Anonymous said...

Sorry Kim... I am on a lap top and it is very touchy!!! LOL.... please delete this and the other 2 repeat comments!!!! LOL...