My left side was not getting any better.
Indeed, it looked like it was going to burst.
It was red. And purple.
It was swollen.
It was warm to the touch.
It was painful.
If we are being honest, the right side was having similar drama as well.
I busied myself trying to help the boys fulfill final crayon orders for pre Easter pick-up.
Dr. Morrissey calls.
The final results were in from the aspiration and drain placements from the previous Friday.
There is now a confirmed infection, and the expanders need to come out ASAP.
I can do this afternoon.
But I just ate a bagel!
Let me talk to the anesthesiologist...ok 3:00.
Ok, can you be at the Upper Bucks campus at 1:30 for pre-op?
🎢
Man the rush of emotions.
I KNEW they needed to come out.
I didn't expect it TODAY, but I was for sure crying happy tears.
I made calls (first one to Steve) and then sent texts to alert family and set-up rides and check-ins for my kids.
I downplayed it as much as I could so that my family (namely mom and sis) didn't try and rush back into town - I secured a ride with Jules.
I mean, I was practically a pro, this was my third surgery in less then 2 months.
My inlaws and Steve were planing on coming in hot on her heels as soon as they all could.
I then got down to business, crayon business that is, as I didn't know what to expect post-op and how were the boys going to get orders completed and set out with their momager recovering from surgery?!
I got everything done.
Completed my antiseptic shower (even though I had already showered that morning).
Jules arrived and off we went.
I almost felt a little giddy. Get these fuc#ers out!
I will say I must have also gotten softer by this third time.
I said to Jules,
You can drop me off.
No, I will come in and wait with you in the waiting room.
Ok fine, but when they call me, you can just head out, my in-laws and Steve will get there at some point.
They call me.
She can come back too!
No sooner do I open my mouth then does Jules jump up to come with me - there was no point in arguing. I mean to be fair, she did spend 7 hours with me in the ER about a month ago, what's a few more minutes in pre-op?
I'll have to admit, her energy and her presence were a positive force.
It was a bit of a whirlwind as they were ready and everyone was trying to get in to get consents signed, IV's started, and the pre-op checklist completed.
Jules even helped me clean my ass and my back - yup because that's what friends do for you as you are stumbling to get all your zones cleaned while being restricted by an IV and rushed to get into the OR.
Zones were clean.
Happy meds were flowing.
Jules left while I was rolled into the ER.
Last thing I remember is having to shimmy over to the OR table, trying to scoot up to get my head on the foam block, being strapped to the table (where the hell was I going to go), arms above my head, oxygen mask on...just take 3 deep breaths.......
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I awoke to burning pain.
The same pain I remember from when I first had the expanders put in.
I swore there were major incisions now under the seam of my bra.
The nurse packed that area and administered Percocet - I refused IV meds due to how they make me feel.
Eventually, the pain subsided, and once I felt ready enough, Steve came back and I was released for home.
Two new drains and all > #8 and #9.
I later found out Dr. Morrissey had come out to talk to my MIL and Steve and told them,
"She's tough. I know she will want to get out of here as soon as possible, so she won't be staying."
I didn't stay. I went home.
The universe aligned and the boys both ended up having sleepovers.
Physically, my body was altered.
Again.
Mentally, my mind was in a cluster.
Again.
Steve found me in our room.
I was sobbing.
He sat down next to me, took my hand, and just let me feel all the emotions without saying a word.
It took me a while to settle from this one. Even when I thought I had it together, the sobs just kept coming.
I didn't even have a reason; I guess I just needed to flush my system.
What a day...
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