Well, it has been a minute since I’ve done an update! I won’t lie, I was not physically, emotionally or mentally prepared for reconstruction surgery that I had a week after my mastectomy. 

Let me start off by saying it was 100 times worse. I felt pretty good going into surgery on the 19th. I was healing so well, felt great! My plastic surgeon didn’t really tell me too much about the surgery, but how could it be worse than getting your boobs removed, right?! 

Wrong. 

It was/has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, and I had a child all natural.  I even told my oncologist I would pick chemo over this surgery. So that’s saying something! 

He came in and did an exam, and said I didn’t have enough skin for direct to implants, so I would need the expanders. Kinda figured, but we were kinda hopeful I could have just done the implants. Surgery is over, and I wake up in the most intense pain ever, so I just kept going back to sleep- hoping it was a dream. Not a dream. Expanders are no joke! And they weren’t even filled at all, just underneath the skin, but the pain from them was horrible. I also had 4 drains- 2 on each side vs 1 on each side after the first surgery. 

I was down for the count for almost 4 days. If you know me, I don’t like to waste any time, and I measure my worth how much I can get done in a day.🤣 But I literally was only focusing on surviving for those 4 days. I was either sleeping or laying in bed trying to sleep. Thank God for my mom being here cause Chad went back to work, everyone was thinking the surgery was going to be a breeze! 

Just over a week post op, and the pain has been better. I can’t sit too long in a chair without my chest or back hurting, so I’m still in bed a lot. I still have all the drains, but next week we start filling the expanders. The expanders need to be filled till they reach the desired size. We hope it takes 6 weeks, pending no issues- than 2 months later I can get them replaced. But if there is any issues, it’ll push that timeline out. I am still on strict restrictions for 5 more weeks. 

Chads back at work, and Im thankful for everyone that has been able to help with the kids when they can. The older kids aren’t too difficult, but Coley is a different story! We can’t even go outside if it’s just me and him cause I don’t know if he’ll take off or go in the road. 

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel- sort of! It’s getting closer but wish it would go a little faster. I need to thank everyone who has brought food, helped with the kids, sent gifts. I appreciate you so much ❤️