Breast Cancer: Surgery and Recovery Update

For those who have been following along on my breast cancer diagnosis, this post is just an update on my surgery and the first few days of recovery.

I worked a half day on Monday and decided to pamper myself a bit after work with a quick adjustment and massage at my chiropractors office. It felt nice to just help prepare my body for the major surgery I was going to put it through the following day.

Of course I couldn’t sleep the evening before my surgery. Having to be at the hospital at 5:30 am had me thinking I would somehow sleep through my alarm. Beckett has had a cough for a week or so which meant all he wanted was mom. Needless to say he slept in our bed that night. I was up at 2:30, but at least I got to snag some coffee before I wasn’t allowed it.

We arrived at the hospital around 5:15, and we were surprised to see how many other people were also checking in for surgery. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long before we were taken back for pre-op. The nurses did the normal weight, temp and heart rate checks and then things started getting real. Multiple doctors started coming in and out including my surgeon, plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist.

You guys… I have NEVER been put under for a procedure before. One of my biggest fears is anesthesia, so you can imagine how I was feeling knowing I’d be out for hours.

The only thing that helped keep me calm before surgery was the overflowing amount of support myself and my family was already receiving. Messages, texts and phone calls were pouring in. Jason was kept company by my amazing boss who even brought him an XL coffee. My mother-in-law was taking great care of the boys and multiple family members would be stopping at the hospital at one point or another.

My nerves really started getting the best of me once Jason was asked to leave. I admit that I was scared, and even though I was ready for the surgery, I wasn’t.

The anesthesiologist came back in to get me ready for surgery. I hope I run into him at one point,  because he really helped keep me calm. My conversation  with him was the last thing I remember before waking up 5.5 hours later. He had come in the pre-op room  and asked me “If you were at the bar right now, what would be your drink of choice?” I thought for a second. “Probably a craft beer of some sort,” I replied as he started loading something into my IV. “Well you’re about to get three craft beers all at once”. Guys, I literally don’t remember anything past that. It was maybe 5 seconds after he said that, I was out.

During surgery, the doctors were great with providing Jason with updates. The doctors had discussed saving the nipples since my cancer was far enough away from them. I was hopeful that they could so I could have some sort of normalcy through this all. They would work around and actually work from the bottom and sides of the breasts and remove everything within. They tested the right lymph node which came back negative for cancer. WHAT A RELIEF. Although I wasn’t surprised by this since the cancer seemed to be contained, it was great just hearing that.

They sent the other two suspicious spots to pathology to be tested. We should get those results back on Tuesday.

The doctors said the surgery went great. I woke up pretty quickly once I was given oxygen, and  I remember asking for Jason right away. There was a huge relief I felt because I had this very irrational fear that I would die while in surgery. I was very thankful that they let him back almost immediately.

My sister came back as well with COFFEE! What a freaking saint. I was pretty groggy and nauseous but was relieved to have coffee and have them both back there with me. We were in recovery for a little while before I was released to a room. The transporter was great. I told him I wanted to go fast, and he did not disappoint.

I’m really happy that my surgery was so early. It gave me ample time to just recover and chill. I needed time to just take everything in. I knew I would look different. I certainly felt different. My perspective was different. I knew that my life would forever be different.

My mom and mother-in-law kept us company for a while. Jason was able to get some great sleep, which I was happy about. I slept poorly which was to be expected. I had doctors checking on me every few hours, and for someone who is normally a stomach sleeper, it just wasn’t comfortable to sleep on my back.

Both doctors came in to view their handiwork early Wednesday morning. The dressing was removed and for the first time I could see the marks that would surely scar. The four drains protruded from under my arm pits and the hole where the lymph node was removed was swollen and red. It was shocking, yet I had a sense of calmness. The cancer was gone.

I received my discharge paperwork around 10:30am, and  my mother-in-law drove me home. I sat on the couch trying to get comfortable as she folded laundry. She washed ALL OF MY LAUNDRY. I can’t even tell you how much that meant to me.

Last night was rough. I couldn’t get the pain under control, and I slept poorly. I got up around 6am to drain the drains, but nearly passed out. As I was standing by the counter, my vision and hearing suddenly went out and I started sweating profusely. I stood there not moving waiting for my sight to return. Once it did, I sat down for nearly 30 minutes as I waited to feel better. I was fine shortly after, but it was scary.

My body was adjusting to the major surgery it had just been put through less than 48 hours earlier.

Jason and I dropped the kids off, and we went to the gym. I walked for 30 minutes which felt great. It was nice just getting out and getting active. I walked slowly, but it quickly increased my mood.  Being able to shower was also fantastic.

The nausea and dizziness still haunt me from time to time and the pain sucks, but I’m happy to be home. We have a great support system. We have so many people praying for us and willing to help.

We’re not doing this alone. I still have a long road to recovery, but I’ll get there. The drains will hopefully be removed within two weeks and reconstructive surgery will take place this summer. Once we get the pathology results on the other two spots, we’ll know for sure what recommendations the oncologist will make for further treatment if any. I meet with him next week.

There’s a long update, but I want to thank all those who have prayed for us, brought us food, gifts and more. You are all amazing.

For those asking how they can help, I ask that you keep praying for my sister as she goes through chemo and eventually radiation.

Much love,

Dani