9 days after surgery

I can't believe it's already been 9 days since surgery. Some things I am pleased about and some things are pretty frustrating. First the good news. Mom and I are continuing to live together mostly harmoniously 24/7. On Mothers Day Eve, I have to say, there is no way my recovery would have been this easy without her. She is part nurse, part babysitter, part cook, part chauffeur - she has been amazing! Also on the good news front, I've gone 2 days without pain meds. I still have some stiffness and an occasional shooting pain, but nothing so uncomfortable that I need to medicate. The discoloration and bruising is subsiding a bit. My foob looks like it was hit with a baseball bat rather than something from alien, so that's good right? (I cannot take credit for the word "foob" - it is a commonly used term among mastectomy gals with warped senses of humor). Another plus is that I am not as tired as I was a few days ago. I have much more energy, have walked to school and back, been to birthday parties and baseball games and even skipped my nap today.

On the frustrating side, I cannot complain enough about these damn drains hanging from my body. They won't be removed until they are draining less than 10 ml a day. Unless there is a sudden, dramatic reduction in fluids being drained, I will probably be wearing these things to opening day at the track. One of the drains is still pulling 60 mls a day. Ugh! I sat on the drain tubes as I was getting out of the car yesterday and one tube got caught on a kitchen drawer pull. Both times I could feel the stitches and tubes being ripped from my body. I was not happy. I can feel where the drains are attached to my skin all the time because they are located exactly where every bra I own crosses my body - even my new super stylish surgical bra. Plus, they are a nightmare to dress. Yes, I could wear XL t-shirts every day (and have been most days) but I am too vain to wear these in public very often. Plus after the great closet-cleanse of 2009, I only have 3 left (USD, Chargers, and a bar in Bozeman where Chris worked).

My post-op appointment is Monday afternoon. I am hoping for good news about the cancer pathology report and suggestions for further treatment (none!) and to hear that the foob is healing as expected. I won't gross you out with the details, but I have become a teensy bit worried about the nipple surviving. I am hoping my doctor will allow me to drive and will give me a timeline for the remainder of my reconstruction. And if she removes the drains I will not complain :)

You have all continued to be such amazing friends - thank you for all of your support, encouragement, and gentle hugs. I'm wishing everyone a happy and healthy mother's day!