Tuesday, September 18, 2001

Journal Entry #5

Well, I went to my Plastic Surgeon's office today. He told me that I would be spending Wednesday night in the hospital. He also told me that I'd be having something a little different then a breast reduction, this is also considered a breast reconstruction. He told me again that I would never be able to breastfeed and that I wouldn't have feeling in my nipples. He also told me that my nipples might be flat after the surgery because they are actually cutting the nipples and the areola off and sewing it back in the middle of my reconstructed breasts (this is the last part of my surgery).

He also told me that I run a higher risk of having a hard time healing after surgery, getting other infections, etc. He said that because of the previous scar tissue from the abscess removal, that my risk of getting an infection is higher. Goody. He basically made me feel all depressed. He told me I'd never have Playboy breasts, and that one breast might remain bigger then the other. You'll also be able to tell I've had major surgery on my breasts if you see them bare. He gave me oh so much hope.

He told me he'd see me tomorrow morning to draw lines on the area, to talk further, and do the surgery. Good, he's always in such a good mood. I walked home with my two year old in silence, because I was thinking over and over about the surgery. Then I came home and felt depressed. I guess we'll just see, I'm still going to go through with the surgery. I'm not backing out now, no matter what this PS says.

Thursday, September 20, 2001

Journal Entry #6

The surgery is over! I covered most of the details of the surgery (including pictures) on The Breast Reduction Surgery page. I was really proud of myself for handling this whole thing so well. The flowers Jerry and his mom gave me really cheered me up, and I have had nothing but support from all of my friends and family. I sent my sister a few e-mail pictures of what the breast looks like without the surgical bra on, just so she can see.

She's coming home from Madison on Wednesday for a courtcase, and she's staying until Sunday. I can't wait to see her, I'm going to go gambling with her I think. I love gambling with her, she's a riot. Anyhow, I came home and updated my webpage, pictures, etc. Then I took a nap from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. Jerry let me sleep (which he doesn't do often). I woke up and had a Coke and took my lovely Kelflex antibiotic pill. That thing is such a horse pill, big red and gross.

Anyhow, still no pain. I'm sorry I can't relate more of the pain to you guys reading this -- but really I have no pain! Dr. Webber said my surgery went great today, before I left -- and he even was suprized that my only pain during this entire surgery was that damn I.V. site. God I hate I.V.'s, usually I'm not such a baby but that one really hurt. As a matter of fact, it still hurts.

Anyhow, I'll update more tomorrow with any new details. Thanks for all the supportive e-mail and prayers, they worked!

Saturday, September 22, 2001

Journal Entry #7

Everything is fine today, took a spounge bath and washed my hair last night. No problems, and I didn't get my surgical bra wet at all. My sister is coming up on Wednesday and I'm planning on going out and gambling, but that's pretty much it as far as social activity. I did however talk to a co-worker over AIM today, and I let her know that I'll be in next Thursday.

I've been eating super healthy (lots of green veggies and grapefruit juice), and I'm starting to try to be more active. Next week (Monday) I'm going to start walking a mile a day at 6 a.m. until it starts to get snowy and cold up here (which will be about a month, I hope). I need to lose 70 lbs in order to be perfect, lol. People keep telling me that the more I lose and since the boob job, I am going to look more and more like Barbie (since I am blonde). I'm growing my hair out too, just because I'm sick of sholder length hair.

Jerry's been a real help around the house (laughing). He has done laundry, gets me things when I ask, and he even gave me a big old blankie when I was cold. I didn't think he'd take care of me much (since he works full-time), but he's done a good job so far. Last night I watched Sex And The City the entire first season with a friend of mine at my sister's house.....and then today I went to Subway. I'm definately feeling better and better each day.

Sunday, September 23, 2001

Journal Entry #8

Today Austin is coming home from his grandma's. I think I'm going to be able to take care of him, since I'm still not in pain. The area where the nipple covering is located is black and blue, and now it's turning yellow. I don't know if that's good or bad, but I'll find out Tuesday when I go see my PS. I'm starting to itch all over, which is a sign of healing (yeah). I took another spounge bath last night, no problems. I also had sexual relations last night, no pain or problems there.

I'm still eating healthy, taking the Kelflex, although I only have one pill left. See the cap to the Kelflex came off in my purse and I lost a few of the pills somehow? So I've been only able to take one a day last night, today, and tomorrow. Then I'm completely out. I'm going to ask the PS for more antibiotics, as I do not want an infection.

I'm doing housework today and I'm going to mow the lawn.....so I guess you can say I'm back in shape? I'm still eating healthy, although last night I did something really bad, I ate an entire Kit Kat bar! I haven't had anything sweet since the day before my surgery (not one thing), so I guess it's not that bad. I just have to remember that I'm on a diet here. Well that's pretty much it for today, Sundays are usually slow anyhow.

Monday, September 24, 2001

Journal Entry #9

I feel great today, like I said -- I'm confused as to why this didn't hurt more then it has. Last night was a bitch though because the areas were itching super badly. Tomorrow is the appointment with the PS to get the bandages over the nipples removed, and after that I can shower I believe? I don't look infected, and the only area that's really black/blue is the area around the nipple on the left breast. That's it, no other areas.

I took another spounge bath today and washed my hair. I never realized how much I missed bathing until now. I love warm water, I swear...it's like a religious experience when you just wake up in the morning to take a nice hot bath. Anyhow, I've heard a couple people have hacked my passwords and taken pictures from my site (these are the same people that are displayed on The Harassment Sanctuary webpage). They were making fun of my breasts because of the yellow gauze that protects the nipple until tomorrow. They were actually finding humor in calling me "banana tit/cow/pig". One of the girls' even had the nerve to say that my reduction shows my breasts hanging to my waist and that they're saggy? LMFAO.

I figure ignoring them is doing the trick, because it's just pissing them off more. I changed the passwords to all the pages, and the page names themselves again. I would love to see these losers get a hold of the passwords now. I also decorated Austin's bedroom today (put up a Winnie the Pooh border and some cute framed pictures). I also went to Best Buy and bought the new Tori Amos album Strange Little Girls. It's really good, you should buy it if you're a fan.

Anyhow, I'll write tomorrow after visiting the PS. Thanks for reading. God bless.

Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Journal Entry #10

Well I went to see the PS today to get the bandages/gauze over the nipples taken off (yep that yellow crap). Now my nipple area is all bruised and battered. He said that in a week they will start looking better, but right now I can take showers again -- that's all I care about. He also told me that I have to put Neosporin over the area and cover it with a gauze band or one of those sticky things that's kind of like a Bandaid but it's just not? I have no idea of the name.

When he cut out the stitches, it didn't hurt! There's still stitches in both breasts, including the nipple areas -- and he said they are dissolvable? So I guess those will go away all on their own. The scars along the actual bottoms of my breasts are really already starting to lighten. I bet you within a year, you won't see them at all. The nipple area right now looks horrible though (go see them on the AFTER PICTURES page). I hope that will calm down a little.

He said the nipples will settle into a good shape and that my breasts are already looking good (settling). I told him that I tried on a D bra and it didn't fit so we figure I'm a C or a CC now. He was pleased to hear it, he thought I was going to be smaller. He hadn't received my pathology report yet, but hopefuly next week when I go see him. My appointment is on Tuesday, October 2nd at 11:30. Nothing major, just making sure things are looking good.

I'm not on antibiotics anymore either, they told me I don't need them now. They said things are looking good, so I will believe them. He seemed amazed that I didn't have any pain at all and still haven't used any of the pain meds. Then I left his office and walked home (it's cool here but beautiful and sunny). I mowed the lawn as soon as I got home. Then I came inside, logged on, and took a couple shots of the breasts now.

Then I fed Austin some lunch, I plan on taking him to the Lakefront today to spend some time with just him and me. Then tomorrow my sister will be here, so hopefully that will go good.