Arlyene's journey to reconstruction

The brief backstory:
Following a partial mastectomy and radiation treatments in December, 2012 (invasive ductal breast cancer x 2 lesions), I developed a very large, hard mass that wasn't going away.  On February 5th, 2015 I had a total mastectomy, followed immediately with an implant to keep the muscle expanded and donor tissue added for preparing area for surgery #2 (two surgeons, one surgery).  The pathology report described the mass as a "very large, chronically inflamed, seroma/hematoma."

Surgery #2, on March 13th, 2015:
I elected to have a DIEP flap reconstruction which means the plastic surgeon moves my own skin and fat from my abdomen to the prepared breast area.  This micro-vascular surgery (connecting capillaries, veins and arteries) is delicate, tedious (7 hour surgery), and only done by a handful of doctors in the U.S.  

My doc told me I would be in the hospital, closely monitoring the blood-flow, for 3 to 4 days.  What I didn't know was how restrictive that post-op period would be.  I had to be on my back with my head elevated and knees flexed 24/7.  They didn't want the newly attached vessels to be pulled.  That also meant that for 24 hours I couldn't eat or drink in case they had to roll me back into surgery stat because I had sprung a leak, or developed a clot.

When I finally did get out of bed I had to walk bent at the waist, with my knees also bent--I looked like I was doing the 95 year old shuffle.  THEN my doc said I had to walk like this for four weeks!  Let's just say that shuffle and four bulb syringe-sized drains will be limiting my being in public to just the post-op doctor visits.

On day two in the hospital I developed Atrial Fibrillation.  Because I was in a teaching hospital, at 3am, my bedside was packed with students/residents from Coronary Care.  They were salivating, secretly hoping I would stay in A-Fib so they could "convert my heart" (shock it back into normal rhythm).  Fortunately they checked my blood chemistry first and discovered low electrolytes.  After administering potassium and calcium my heart went back into normal rhythm (two hours in AF).

Surgery #3 will be scheduled after all the swelling is gone (probably mid-May).  They will make me symmetrical.  I will be able to wear horizontal stripes again : )

Thank you for your prayers, your notes of love and encouragement, and happy birthday wishes (day of surgery).  My younger sister said she wants to be knocked out when she turns 68 too. 

I have been so very blessed with the best group of friends and family members that anyone could ever have--I love you all so much!!!

Arlyene