Wednesday, September 30, 2015
5-week post mastectomy morning jog.....sort of
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
TOP TEN
Kristen's Top 10 Mastectomy Must Haves!
10. Lanyard with large safety pin to hold drains up and out of the way when "showering". (it's not a real shower until all the drains have been removed)
9. Snacks. Giant, cold, crispy, green grapes, Ritz crackers, pretzels and Graham crackers. (all the medications have to be taken with food and food was the last thing you want...couldn't get enough of those grapes though.)
8. Hydro-Flask (with straw lid) Ice cold water, water, water!
5. Tank Top! Stretchy, padded top, tank top. Kristen has been living in these babies 24/7 since her surgery. (Not being able to lift your arms makes changing your top tricky so you can't have sleeves and the padding offers a little protection from all the tight huggers)
4. Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.....Enough said. =)
3. Soft under arm pillows. These were especially nice week one and two. Used them every day until the drains were removed. Thank you Trina for making these. They were awesome!
1. Recliner, Recliner, Recliner. Even now, 1 month after surgery Kristen still sleeps in the recliner. She's tried a few times to sleep in bed but can't get comfortable. To go along with your recliner you need a super soft blanket. It helps make long hours of laying in a chair more enjoyable.
10. Lanyard with large safety pin to hold drains up and out of the way when "showering". (it's not a real shower until all the drains have been removed)
9. Snacks. Giant, cold, crispy, green grapes, Ritz crackers, pretzels and Graham crackers. (all the medications have to be taken with food and food was the last thing you want...couldn't get enough of those grapes though.)
8. Hydro-Flask (with straw lid) Ice cold water, water, water!
7. "Nurses Station". It was so helpful to have a table close for all the medications, med tracking sheet, drain cups, drain tracking sheet, hand sanitizer, chapstick, lotion and more. It was especially good the first week or two when you were up at 2am giving meds. (Also helps to have 24/7 nurse to go along with that station.)
6. Drain Pouch, Belly Band, Belly Band Holster, Tummy Tube....whater you want to call it, it was awesome. It kept the drains and the long drain tubes contained and camoflauged. Thanks mom for whipping those up!
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You couldn't even tell that Kristen was packing 2 'grenade' drains her first Sunday back to church.
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4. Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.....Enough said. =)
3. Soft under arm pillows. These were especially nice week one and two. Used them every day until the drains were removed. Thank you Trina for making these. They were awesome!
2. The Coz'E' pillow. This thing has been priceless! Thanks mom! (we are going to try to market these babies.) Kristen has 2 of these pillows. One for home and one for the car. She pretty much had one of these in her hands ALL the time for the first 3 weeks. The car Coz'E' is a little smaller and is used in the car to help protect her chest from the seatbelt. It also allowed her to sleep more comfortably going to and from all the appointments in Eugene. I have to say I'm a little jealous of her Coz'E'. (need to post a picture of how she uses it.)
1. Recliner, Recliner, Recliner. Even now, 1 month after surgery Kristen still sleeps in the recliner. She's tried a few times to sleep in bed but can't get comfortable. To go along with your recliner you need a super soft blanket. It helps make long hours of laying in a chair more enjoyable.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Wetsuit
OK, I think I finally came up with a good description of how my skin feels. It feels like I am wearing a wetsuit top. Tight, a little heavy, and I don't have much sensation of my skin. Going to both surgeons today. I will get the sutures out and get more fluid put in. It has been so nice to see and talk to so many friends. Thank you all for your love and support. Don't worry....we've got this!
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Getting better everyday
Well it has been three weeks since surgery. How do I put those weeks into words? The first week I pretty much could not lift my arms up or away from my body very far. Any movement was done slowly. The pain medication makes me feel less pain, but more tired and groggy in my head. So, I really did not want to take it if I didn't have to. But, the first week, medication was a must. Looking back on that first week now, it is funny on how much I really don't remember the details. I do remember those who came to see me, but I probably could not tell you what we talked about. Meg also got some new clothes those first few days after my surgery. Now when I see her in something new, I ask her where she got it and she says, "remember mom....." Ummmm nope... I don't really remember.
I have had a team of help all around me. Mom takes care of all the meals and dishes, making sure everyone is fed, in addition to hundreds of other things she does daily. Dad is busy canning grape juice, fixing boards in the deck, watering and many other duties. Rachelle is my 24-hour on call nurse. She gets me all my medication, tells me when its time to rest, washed my hair, emptied my drains, drives me to all my appointments, makes more appointments, runs the kids to their activities and basically does everything for me that I need help with. It has been AWESOME to have her here. She cheers me up when I am feeling down and I would not have wanted to do this without her.
I go once a week to the plastic surgeon to get more fluid into the expanders. It is a weird sensation, but takes just a few minutes. I can't feel the needle go into the port, but I do get a metallic taste in my mouth as he is putting the saline in. The following two days my skin feels quite tight and tender. Gentle hugs are all I can give right now. I am able to lift my arms higher each day and reposition without too much difficulty. Getting better everyday! Next milestone...driving.
I have had a team of help all around me. Mom takes care of all the meals and dishes, making sure everyone is fed, in addition to hundreds of other things she does daily. Dad is busy canning grape juice, fixing boards in the deck, watering and many other duties. Rachelle is my 24-hour on call nurse. She gets me all my medication, tells me when its time to rest, washed my hair, emptied my drains, drives me to all my appointments, makes more appointments, runs the kids to their activities and basically does everything for me that I need help with. It has been AWESOME to have her here. She cheers me up when I am feeling down and I would not have wanted to do this without her.
I go once a week to the plastic surgeon to get more fluid into the expanders. It is a weird sensation, but takes just a few minutes. I can't feel the needle go into the port, but I do get a metallic taste in my mouth as he is putting the saline in. The following two days my skin feels quite tight and tender. Gentle hugs are all I can give right now. I am able to lift my arms higher each day and reposition without too much difficulty. Getting better everyday! Next milestone...driving.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
What is Usual?
We made an unscheduled trip to Eugene to see the doctor yesterday. Don't worry, Kristen is fine. She has been experiencing some new discomfort and had unusual swelling under her arms so we wanted to get it checked out. Dr. Christiansen was great to work her into the schedule and was able to determine that all was ok and that it was normal amount of swelling and that it wasn't interfering with the spacers. He also decided to add 60cc of saline to each spacer as well as remove approximately 20cc of fluid from behind the spacer on the right side and sent her on her way. Kristen is taking it all like a champ! We'll go back Monday to get stitches removed and possibly more saline. She also has an appointment with her other Surgeon on Monday.
Monday, September 14, 2015
Sunday, September 13, 2015
BEST SHOWER EVER!!!
So, I realized last night I was a little behind on updates so here we go....
Kristen is doing better and better each day. She no longer takes the heavy pain medication and is down to Tylenol or Ibuprofen once or twice a day, usually in the evening. She's able to be up and doing things during the day but no heavy or moderate lifting and no raising her arms above shoulder height. Her stamina is improving but still needs to rest periodically throughout the day.
We went to her doctors appointment on Thursday. Everything is going well. He removed the last 2 drains and gave her the green light to shower.....but not until the next day so the holes where the drains came out could heal a little bit. Kristen might have been the first one in the shower Friday morning and when she came out said "that was the BEST shower EVER!" I believe it! Not showering for 2 weeks would be tough. Now that the drains are out they can start filling the spacers with saline in order to stretch the skin enough to put implants in. I think they put in approximately 140cc at the time of surgery and added 60cc on each side at the last appointment and will continue adding over the next few months. There is a port at the top of each spacer where they insert the fluid with a BIG syringe. Kris says she can't feel it, which is great because it is a BIG needle.
The recliner is still doing it's job. Kristen tried sleeping on a bed but isn't able to lift her chest up in order to get out of bed. Once laying flat or even propped up with pillows she can't sit up without assistance so in order to be a little more independent she prefers the recliner. She can get in and out of it without help. I know she looks forward to the day when she can actually lay down, sleep on her side and then actually get out of bed without help.
School started on Tuesday for Meg and Roman thus for Kristen as well. =)
Meg is in 10th grade and Roman is in 5th grade. Meg also started Seminary and seems to love it. She's in a class with alot of people she knew when they lived here before as well as making new friends. Meg has her drivers permit and loves to "go driving". I love spending that time with her. She had a big day Saturday. Started at 7:30am with a Ward Temple trip in Medford and ended with a Stake Barn Dance. She had a blast doing both. Meg loves going to the Temple to do baptisms and loves to dance.
Roman is working on his Webelo. He is working on his fire building skills, planned for and prepared 2 dinners over the fire for all of us this week as well as doing part of the Fitness badge. (It's not called that anymore but I can't remember what it is now.) Ranelle was here and was so great to help him with all of this. Roman had a friend over yesterday for a sleepover. They had fun playing in the river, trying to catch fish as they swam by with no luck but they did catch a frog. They also had fun with wheelchair races and pokeman.
Kristen tried driving yesterday! That's BIG progress.....but decided she's not ready yet because she can't lift her arms high enough to turn the steering wheel. I guess I get to keep my chauffeur job for a little longer.
That's all for now. Have a great day all!!
Kristen is doing better and better each day. She no longer takes the heavy pain medication and is down to Tylenol or Ibuprofen once or twice a day, usually in the evening. She's able to be up and doing things during the day but no heavy or moderate lifting and no raising her arms above shoulder height. Her stamina is improving but still needs to rest periodically throughout the day.
We went to her doctors appointment on Thursday. Everything is going well. He removed the last 2 drains and gave her the green light to shower.....but not until the next day so the holes where the drains came out could heal a little bit. Kristen might have been the first one in the shower Friday morning and when she came out said "that was the BEST shower EVER!" I believe it! Not showering for 2 weeks would be tough. Now that the drains are out they can start filling the spacers with saline in order to stretch the skin enough to put implants in. I think they put in approximately 140cc at the time of surgery and added 60cc on each side at the last appointment and will continue adding over the next few months. There is a port at the top of each spacer where they insert the fluid with a BIG syringe. Kris says she can't feel it, which is great because it is a BIG needle.
The recliner is still doing it's job. Kristen tried sleeping on a bed but isn't able to lift her chest up in order to get out of bed. Once laying flat or even propped up with pillows she can't sit up without assistance so in order to be a little more independent she prefers the recliner. She can get in and out of it without help. I know she looks forward to the day when she can actually lay down, sleep on her side and then actually get out of bed without help.
School started on Tuesday for Meg and Roman thus for Kristen as well. =)
Meg is in 10th grade and Roman is in 5th grade. Meg also started Seminary and seems to love it. She's in a class with alot of people she knew when they lived here before as well as making new friends. Meg has her drivers permit and loves to "go driving". I love spending that time with her. She had a big day Saturday. Started at 7:30am with a Ward Temple trip in Medford and ended with a Stake Barn Dance. She had a blast doing both. Meg loves going to the Temple to do baptisms and loves to dance.
Roman is working on his Webelo. He is working on his fire building skills, planned for and prepared 2 dinners over the fire for all of us this week as well as doing part of the Fitness badge. (It's not called that anymore but I can't remember what it is now.) Ranelle was here and was so great to help him with all of this. Roman had a friend over yesterday for a sleepover. They had fun playing in the river, trying to catch fish as they swam by with no luck but they did catch a frog. They also had fun with wheelchair races and pokeman.
Kristen tried driving yesterday! That's BIG progress.....but decided she's not ready yet because she can't lift her arms high enough to turn the steering wheel. I guess I get to keep my chauffeur job for a little longer.
That's all for now. Have a great day all!!
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Cuddle Time
Kristen had her Dr appointment on Friday. I think I have the road between Sutherlin and Eugene memorized. I'm getting better at missing the bumps. It's been fun to spend that time with Kristen, especially since she's felt a little better.
Dr. Christiansen checked everything and all is well. Kristen is still packing 2 grenades. He didn't remove the last 2 as he mentioned that he might during the last visit. It wasn't a huge surprise though. They are each still draining between 50-70cc's per day. He doesn't like to take them out until they are less than 30cc per day. If removed too early fluid can build up behind the spacers and cause more trouble than it's worth. He described the process of removing fluid manually through the port on each spacer and having to rearrange a spacer that has flipped and it didn't sound like a good time. In fact it seemed like something to avoid completely. We have a pretty good system for containing the drains and emptying them is a cinch so no need to rush it.
Even though the majority of the trips to Eugene are spent sitting in the car they still wipe Kristen out. As soon as we get home it's time to tuck her back in to her trusty recliner.
Dr. Christiansen checked everything and all is well. Kristen is still packing 2 grenades. He didn't remove the last 2 as he mentioned that he might during the last visit. It wasn't a huge surprise though. They are each still draining between 50-70cc's per day. He doesn't like to take them out until they are less than 30cc per day. If removed too early fluid can build up behind the spacers and cause more trouble than it's worth. He described the process of removing fluid manually through the port on each spacer and having to rearrange a spacer that has flipped and it didn't sound like a good time. In fact it seemed like something to avoid completely. We have a pretty good system for containing the drains and emptying them is a cinch so no need to rush it.
Even though the majority of the trips to Eugene are spent sitting in the car they still wipe Kristen out. As soon as we get home it's time to tuck her back in to her trusty recliner.
The kids love to cuddle (gently, very gently) and spend time with mom and are especially mindful of her when she's not feeling good. They are always checking in on her and asking if she needs anything. The recliner has been great and is big enough for the 3 of them to watch tv or talk. It's been good for all of them!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
2 Down 2 To Go!
Kristen had an appointment with the Plastic Surgeon yesterday. He said everything looks really good. He reviewed the drain log....
I think I forgot to mention that Kristen had 4 drains inserted at time of surgery. She has 2 tubes running from under each armpit and at the bottom of each tube is a bulb that looks like and is about the size of a hand grenade and has to be emptied 2 or 3 times a day or as needed. The average output has been 20-30cc on 2 and 10-15cc in the other 2. We have to record the output each time they are emptied so Dr Christiansen can tell how much fluid is draining. It's ironic that everyone calls them grenades because we did have one "explode"......well it didn't really explode but it did leak everywhere. =) Mom made a couple belly bands (pouch) that hold the drains and allows Kristen to walk without drains dangling. It's GREAT!
At yesterdays appointment they determined that 2 drains could be removed. It was wild watching this process. The Dr simply snipped one of the sutures that held the drain tubes in, had a nurse on one side and Dr on the other and at the same time pulled. Voila...out came the drain tubes. The tube inside her body was about 6-8" long. They said it would sting/hurt for a few minutes but Kristen said it didn't hurt. Felt like pulling a long splinter out.
I think I forgot to mention that Kristen had 4 drains inserted at time of surgery. She has 2 tubes running from under each armpit and at the bottom of each tube is a bulb that looks like and is about the size of a hand grenade and has to be emptied 2 or 3 times a day or as needed. The average output has been 20-30cc on 2 and 10-15cc in the other 2. We have to record the output each time they are emptied so Dr Christiansen can tell how much fluid is draining. It's ironic that everyone calls them grenades because we did have one "explode"......well it didn't really explode but it did leak everywhere. =) Mom made a couple belly bands (pouch) that hold the drains and allows Kristen to walk without drains dangling. It's GREAT!
At yesterdays appointment they determined that 2 drains could be removed. It was wild watching this process. The Dr simply snipped one of the sutures that held the drain tubes in, had a nurse on one side and Dr on the other and at the same time pulled. Voila...out came the drain tubes. The tube inside her body was about 6-8" long. They said it would sting/hurt for a few minutes but Kristen said it didn't hurt. Felt like pulling a long splinter out.
Kristen has another appointment this Friday and might be able to get the last 2 drains removed depending on how much they are draining.
New Wheels
Someone got a new set of wheels this week!!! Roman has been searching and wishing for a wheel chair for some time but hasn't found one in his budget. G'ma happened across one at a garage sale this weekend and couldn't resist buying it, and boy did she make a certain 10yo very happy!
He's been riding his wheelchair everywhere possible. Up and down the drive way, around the back deck, lucky for him the deck has a nice ramp. He muscles his way up the mound in the back yard and enjoys the rush coming down. "Going up is super hard but coming down is a blast". Uncle Rex showed him how to do wheelies but I'm not sure he's ready for that yet. I asked him if things looked different from that level and he said "they actually do". Roman has been so sweet with Kristen, when she's feeling up to it and wants some fresh air he takes her for little walks in the wheelchair, showing her all the new things he's discovered. Little chores/errands have become a bit more fun for him. He jumps in that chair as often as he can. It's fun to watch! BEST $5 g'ma could have spent.
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