Three days - post surgery

I'm optimistically hopeful that Monday's reconstruction surgery was my last.  Oddly enough, the point of pain was not my breast, but the incision on my lower abdomen where skin was harvested.  Of course this is part of the body that was designed for bending, but having a nine inch sutured wound right at waste level is not conducive to any type of bending.

The Orchard Surgical was easy to find and very efficient.  The sign on the building says they are affiliated with Holy Family.  I was well attended by many staff members.  My last memory prior to the surgery was the anesthesiologist saying, "You'll feel  a little weird as the anesthesia kicks in".

Waking up in recovery was all too familiar.  The nurse was pushing the pain meds, but I needed to become more alert to assess my pain tolerance.  I did give in eventually and took a Percocet.  The nurse indicated that it would take about 15 minutes until I felt the effects.  By that time they had returned my belongings and helped me sit up and dress.  Yes, I was very sore.

My ride arrived and I was able to get into the front seat of the low-to-the-ground car very slowly and with much wincing.  Every bump and pot hole hit resonated within my body bringing much discomfort.  Getting home I just wanted to sit still and hopefully doze off.  Having fasted from the previous night, I was famished and decided to have a muffin.  I was quickly reminded that anesthesia has its own set of side effects: sore throat (from the breathing tubes).  It felt like I was swallowing chunks of cement even with the help of fluids.

I watched a number of programs I had on my DVR and took a few cat naps.  When I decided it was time for bed, I was contemplating  if I should take another Percocet.  I did, and I'm glad.  I ended up taking another around 3 AM.  I just couldn't get comfortable and watched the clock hourly. 

On Tuesday, I was in rough shape.  Extremely sore and really uncomfortable.  I was still having discomfort swallowing, but I could tolerate certain foods.  I was wearing a compression bandage around my waist and it was digging into my skin.  I was able to remove it and reapply over my tee shirt.  So most of the day, I just sat and watched TV.  Once seated, I seemed to get into a painless position, so I stayed there.  I slept a bit better Tuesday night as I was able to turn on to my right side.  Of course there was no place to rest my left arm, so I needed to shift that throughout the night because the circulation was cut off and pins and needle ensued.

Wednesday was better.  After my coffee, I was able to get things moving.  I was able to take a short walk (two miles), before my follow-up appointment with Dr. Chatson.  At the doctor's office, the physicians attendant removed my bandages and prepared me for viewing. At this time I saw the results of the surgery and the cause for my discomfort.  I took some 'selfies' for the archives and later review.  The abdomen surgical site was gruesome.  The breast (nipple/aureola) still had bandages which appeared to be sutured to me.  Weird.

Dr. Chatson arrived and quickly looked at the results.  He was pleased and also explained that bandages (that were sutured to me) cannot get wet.  So, no showers for me in the near future.  He did say that I can get every other part of my body wet.  [This will still be a challenge if I'm to keep the bandages dry.]  So I'll be soaking my bottom in the tub and carefully try to wash the parts allowed. Where there's a will (or a foul smell), there's a way.

I have two follow-up appointments scheduled with the next one having the bandage removed and approval for a shower.  He wants me to keep the compression bandage on until Monday and remove only when too uncomfortable. I did take it off last night before bed and it seemed to help.

More to come.

Upcoming surgeries

Happy Easter!

I can say it now that Winter has past:  We made it through OK.  Of course, Mother Nature had to remind us on the first day of Spring that she still 'has it', by dumping nearly six inches of heavy wet snow on us.  Amazingly, most of it melted by that afternoon and over the next few days there was nearly a trace to be seen.  Good riddance, I say!

These past few weeks have been busy medically speaking.  Apparently the trend is to utilize surgical centers for my upcoming procedures.  This may be/could be easier for the medical staff to perform their miracles at these locations versus a hospital, but I'm finding it does have its drawbacks.  Each surgical center requires a round of 'healthiness tests' and a sign off/approval to proceed from my primary care physician.  Of course the clincher is that these tests must be done within a 30 days window of the procedure.  You know, neither the reconstruction surgery nor the cataract surgery is scheduled within 30 days of each other.  [For good reason - I need to recuperate enough to withstand the next cutting.] So I'm becoming a regular at my primary care and my co-pays continue to mount.

It is what it is.

On Wednesday I had my pre-op with Dr. Chatson.  He reviewed my test results.  [I passed.] He once again reviewed what he set out to accomplish during this (hopefully) last surgery.  All is ready for early next week.  He gave me more meds to take post-op and a list of 'don't do's', which includes not bathing for a few days.  Needless to say my social calendar is empty next week.  I don't have the 'luxury' of having a baldie this time so I'm sure I'll be fiddling with oily hair in a few days.  If that's my only worry, I'm golden.

On Friday I had a pre-op with Dr. Song.  This time it was in Waltham.  Because I'm getting the Premier Package (cataract and astigmatism correction), I needed additional tests to measure my lens 'capsule' and determine the 'health' of my cornea and other structures.  I was deemed to be a good candidate for this procedure.  However, since the insurance only covers the cataract surgery and not the elective (astigmatism correction), I will be having a 'yuge' out of pocket expense.  Once again - it is what it is.  Plus, I'm worth it ;-)

Like Dr. Chatson, Dr. Song gave me a number of prescriptions to take before, during and after the procedure.  I also have two follow-up appointments at the Waltham location.  I was quickly reminded how much I hate commuting and especially driving 128.  It took me 2 hours to get home last night.  Horrible.

More to come.

March 2016 - Updates

It's March and my least favorite season is winding down.  Although we could still be hit with an abundance of that white stuff, I'm thankful that the past few months have yielded manageable amounts.  As I write this post I'm cognizant of various anniversaries of my challenge.  I've already hit the year milestone of when I was diagnosed and soon will be reminded of the various procedures leading to my numerous surgeries.  But that is in the past [YAY].

Since my last post there has been somewhat of a lull.  Later this month, more information will be forthcoming as I will be undergoing the knife for hopefully my last reconstructive surgery. Until that transpires here are some updates on a variety of topics.

Continuing and [possibly] new side effects

Neuropathy

• Listed as a side effect for both chemo and Tamoxifen, my oncologist still insists neuropathy is 'generally' manifested on both sides of the body.  I still experience flare-ups of numbness in my forefinger and thumb on my left hand.  Most of the time I can work through these episodes, but there have been times, when playing guitar, that I have had to stop and 'shake my hands' to promote circulation to my 'sleeping' thumb.  For now this appears to work and I'm grateful that the right hand doesn't exhibit the same symptoms, since I would no longer be able to hold a guitar pick.  The numbness for the forefinger is situated in a spot that doesn't interfere with my fingering [for the most part].  

• I still experience nuisance neuropathy in the balls of both feet and middle toes.  It's not debilitating and doesn't impede my ability to stand/walk.  However, I'm bothered by this as I begin to fall asleep.  It seems like my feet have fallen asleep and I begin to move them around.  This is probably because I can't sense/feel the sheets against my feet and this causes my brain to send warning signals to 'move those feet' before the pins and needles kick in.  I never get pins and needles regardless.

Chemo brain

I'm thankful that I have most of my faculties when it comes to remembering songs/music I've played/learned decades ago.  I'm not quite certain if the fingers are the ones remembering (muscle memory).  But I'm thankful nonetheless.  I can also remember lyrics and arrangements with very little delay or problem.  However, I do have 'moments' still where I get stuck on the right word to use while conversing or writing.  This causes me pause as I quickly find a replacement word and simultaneously wonder why I'm having the difficulty.  Some would call this a senior moment, but I certainly feel it's related to the chemotherapy.

Cataracts 

I will be undergoing cataract surgery in mid April at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.I've been told by so many that this is a piece of cake.  However, given my luck, I'm cautiously optimistic. Dr Song tells me that 'sometimes' the inserted lens 'moves' and/or becomes clouded with gas.  If this happens, he will need to 'go in' again.  So you can see my concern. 

Cracking teeth

I find it odd that I've had three cracked teeth.  Each has happened at different times and apparently for different reasons, but one developed and abscess resulting in an abstraction.  One was cracked to the root, but the dentist is trying to save it, so it's just a matter of time for that.  A few weeks ago, I cracked a front tooth (bottom row).  I will be getting that fixed in April.  I can't help to think this too is related to chemo.

Muscle spasms

Despite the daily walking and vitamin intake, I'm still bothered by charlie horses in my calves.  This happens while sleeping and is/can be very painful.  I researched and found that quinine (tonic water) is listed as a homeopathic remedy.  I'll keep you posted.

On the bright side...

Creativity spell continues

I've been pleasantly surprised by this continuance of musical creativity.  Since September, I've written 25 songs.  I've practiced and performed 20 thus far and I continue to craft the remaining.  I have a glut of random musical ideas and snippets of lyrics.  I've been fortunate to have found a few outlets to 'try these out' on listeners.  I've been frequenting open mic sessions and have been pleased by the feedback I have received on my original compositions.  I've also been drumming up business (and followers) by playing at intimate gatherings (house parties).  I've worked on three 'sets' consisting of both my originals and cover tunes [to break it up].  I'm still dedicated to improving my piano chops and regaining some of my 'lost' soprano vocal notes that have been missing for decades.  I've regained three semi-tones on my top end.  Two more to go ;-)

I've been playing pick-up gigs and have found enjoyment in that.  I've been approached a few times by former band members to re-join them since my leaving last year.  I'm still pondering that decision since I'm not out the woods just yet (medically speaking).

More to come!