I’m Home

8. November 2009 by Lindy.

It’s good to be home.  It’s been a long few days. 

We arrived at the hospital Thursday at 1 p.m.  We were immediately brought back to the surgery area and there was a card sitting on my bed.  It was nice to be greeted in such a scary place by a nice card.  We met with Dr. Gootjes and Dr. Hoberman before the surgery began.  They went over what they were going to do and answered questions.  Dr. Hoberman prayed with us.  I was also able to see my parents before going in.  It was comforting to know there are people who love me waiting for me. 

The next thing I remember was being in my room on the third floor.  I expected to be out of surgery around 6:00.  I was shocked to see 10:00 on the clock on the wall.  I remember talking to Dusty, my parents and Jill.  Next thing I knew I was alone.  It was a long night.  I woke up every hour, sometimes twice.  I was very uncomfortable, but the nurses did a good job minimizing my pain.   

Friday was an okay day.  It was a blur.  I was happy to see Dusty in a clearer state of mind and was relieved to hear the surgeries went well and were considered successful.  We haven’t received the pathology reports from the lymph nodes yet.  The surgery took longer than expected because there was so much scar tissue in my armpit from the sentinel node biopsy I had done in June.  She wanted to take her time and minimize any nerve damage.  She is an excellent surgeon.   

I was able to come home yesterday (Saturday).  I was ready to come home.  It’s hard to get rest in the hospital.  I brought ear plugs and an eye mask to the hospital.  That helped tremendously and I highly recommend ear plugs to anyone who wants to get some rest in the hospital.  I think they should sell them in the vending machines.  :) 

Before sending us home they gave us discharge instructions and taught me how to empty my drains.  I have three drains.  One on my left side and two on my right.  They don’t hurt unless they get caught on something and are mainly just a nuisance.  Emptying them is gross and turns my stomach a little, but it has to be done.  I have a camisole I bought at St. Mary’s before the surgery which has built in pockets for the drains.  I’m so happy I have it.  It’s very comfortable. 

Overall I feel much better than what I thought I would.  I’m staying on top of the pain with the medications.  I’m able to move pretty well.  It’s more of an emotional struggle than a physical one.  I don’t want to look at myself.  I feel like I look like an alien.  It will take some getting used to.  I’m glad it’s temporary. 

Dusty is taking excellent care of me.  We have a bed set up on the main floor in the office so I don’t have to go up and down the stairs.  We bought walkie talkies for Brooklyn last Christmas and those are coming in handy.  We used them in the middle of the night so Dusty could come down and help me out of bed.  He carries one around with him and I have the other one on the nightstand next to my temporary bed so he can go outside or be around the house and I don’t have to yell. 

The kids are doing good.  I miss Max and Samantha so much.  Kathy sent us pictures everyday of them playing at her house.  It was nice to see their smiles.  Brooklyn is home with us now and Max and Samantha are with my parents.  I hope to see them today. 

Today we had couch church. 

Thank you for your prayers.  God was with us through all of this.  I’m so grateful that the surgery went well.  He gave me the right surgeons, anesthesiologist, nurses and techs. 

Kathy, Max and Samantha:

Max and Samantha in Kathy’s kitchen:

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