29/11/2022
This was taken on the evening of my surgery which was about a week ago. I was drugged up to the hilt so at that time didn't know the pain that would come.
My op was bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction (from my tummy) and an operation on my arm called lymphaticovenular anastomosis, which aims to restore the flow of fluid around the affected section by connecting the lymphatic system to nearby blood vessels (to try and improve the incurable Lymphedema in my right arm)
Sadly, the operation on the arm wasn't a success as the lymphedema is too far gone and they only managed to connect one lymph vessel to one vein. I'm also left with some blue dye on my wrist and fingers, which I was warned could be permanent.
Now let's focus on the positives (notice I used plural there):
1. I survived the op!
2. I was told that the operation would take 12 hours, whereas in fact it took 10.5 hours (most likely because they couldn't continue on my arm)
3. There is now a 95% reduction in the breast cancer returning.
4. Out with old b***s and in with the new - which, hopefully after the swelling goes down, will be smaller and more pert!
5. Oh and I've got a flatter tummy!
I’m not going to lie, my recovery so far has been a struggle, but as always I try to focus on the positives and look for the silver linings.
Over on the gram I have saved the stories of the Pre and post op in my 'BCDIARIES12' highlights for those who want to see what I went through… Good and bad.
So, as I write this I still have one drain in. I'm due back at the hospital today to see what they are going to do about my massively swollen b***s - I'm guessing they'll leave the left alone to reduce by itself but I'm a bit concerned about the right. With no lymph nodes under my armpit, how can it be drained away?
Hopefully these questions and more I'll discover soon...I'll keep you pipped.
