It’s been interesting to see the stats on this blog. I’ve
had readers from every continent except Africa. This encourages me to share
information that others going through a similar journey might find helpful.
Consider passing on the link if you find something worth sharing (or if you
know someone in Africa).
I thought I could write about this journey honestly and
without self-editing because it’s not like I’m baring family secrets as many
nonfiction writers do. The act of
writing this blog is more about baring me.
Still, unless one is a hermit, others are always involved. And there are places I won’t go. For example, I won’t go into detail about my kids and how they’re handling or not handling my situation. Perhaps that’s a story for sometime down the road. Maybe it’s theirs to tell.
I will tell you my writing energy has waned as I await the Ordeal that is eight days out. My focus is off. I suppose this speaks to the emotional part of this journey. That and the distractions.
Still, unless one is a hermit, others are always involved. And there are places I won’t go. For example, I won’t go into detail about my kids and how they’re handling or not handling my situation. Perhaps that’s a story for sometime down the road. Maybe it’s theirs to tell.
I will tell you my writing energy has waned as I await the Ordeal that is eight days out. My focus is off. I suppose this speaks to the emotional part of this journey. That and the distractions.
The lengthy call from the pre-admissions nurse yesterday was one
of those distractions. She covered medical history, drugs, pre-surgery
instructions, including detailed shower, linen and clothing steps. She peppered
me with queries. Are you feeling sick?
Have you been around anyone with a contagious disease? Have you or a
family member ever had a blood clot in your leg? Will you allow a blood
transfusion in the event of an emergency? Do you want a chaplain to speak with
you the morning of? Are you feeling suicidal?
Have you ever reacted to anesthesia?
No. No. No. No. No. No. Yes.
I can tell you about the surgery specifics. How I will have a nipple-sparing mastectomy on my left breast. This, as I understand it, is a nifty and advanced procedure. After, I’ll have a cleanly deflated breast. The plastic surgeon will follow during the same surgery session and insert a tissue expander under my chest wall. I’ll have drains for a few days near the incision line. Over the coming months, the expander will be filled on an outpatient basis. When the expansion is complete, it’s replaced with a permanent implant in an hour-long procedure. If adjustments need to be made to my right side, it’s done later.
If that felt like TMI (too much information) I can tell you that’s the abbreviated version. It happens next Tuesday. I go home on Wednesday. I’m looking forward to getting this behind me.
No. No. No. No. No. No. Yes.
I can tell you about the surgery specifics. How I will have a nipple-sparing mastectomy on my left breast. This, as I understand it, is a nifty and advanced procedure. After, I’ll have a cleanly deflated breast. The plastic surgeon will follow during the same surgery session and insert a tissue expander under my chest wall. I’ll have drains for a few days near the incision line. Over the coming months, the expander will be filled on an outpatient basis. When the expansion is complete, it’s replaced with a permanent implant in an hour-long procedure. If adjustments need to be made to my right side, it’s done later.
If that felt like TMI (too much information) I can tell you that’s the abbreviated version. It happens next Tuesday. I go home on Wednesday. I’m looking forward to getting this behind me.
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