Friday, February 11, 2011

Drains are gone, but no results yet


First the good news.

The yucky drains are out now! Today at 10 am my surgeon yanked them out of my body. Yes, yanked. She pulled like she was trying to start a lawnmower. One swift fast motion. It was gross.

I was scared. I asked her 'do I breath in or out while you do this?'
"Sure." - that was her answer.

Now I know she's really not listening to me.

But it's too late, she pulls and I have time to hold my breath. The first drain comes out easy, with no pain at all, just a weird slushy sensation. I breathe out. That was not bad at all. I can do this.

She goes for the next one. Holy crap. That one hurt. A lot.

I can't do this.

The clear tube was outside of my body, the white tube is the piece they pulled out of me.


I had 2 drains on each side collecting lymphatic fluid for me after the operation. I guess that is fluid in your armpit area that normally just flows through, but after an operation can build up, so they stick these drains in to collect it. Here is what they look like. The white part of the tube is inside you still collecting fluid and draining it into the grenade looking thingy at the bottom. When they yanked it out today I realized for the first time just how much of the tubing was still left in me.

So gross.

Glad to be done with that.

Now the bad news.

No pathology report yet. It's not ready yet. So disappointing.

I was really hoping I'd finally find out my results today. Now I gotta wait til next week. Oh, and wait, my surgeon is going on vacation this week coming up so I will be getting my results from my family doctor - who will not be able to EXPLAIN THEM to me.

It just gets better and better.

I've been doing a lot of reading on this on my own anyway, so I think I'll
be able to understand it. I hope so anyway. I only want to know three things:

1. Was it in the lymph nodes?
2. Were the margins clear of the tissue they removed?
3. What stage is it at?

As soon as I find out I will let you
guys know.
In the meantime, I'm spending a lot of time showering and laying down.

You know, the finer things in life.



REALITY CHECK BELOW

This is what I look like after the stitches and drains were removed.

All there is left are scars.

Visible and invisible.







10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Think of your scars as two little smiles or blinking eyes :) Or lifesavers!!! And then think of the nice new rack you get to choose in a year - yahoo! xo Dana

Sayre said...

And yet still so beautiful..

You must feel relieved to have those drains out! The process sounds pretty awful though.

Can you make room in your prayers for another friend of mine? She's had a tumor removed from her thyroid and today they found out it was malignant. This is all I know so far. After so many reassurances from her doctor, they are reeling with this news. I hope she has the same kind of strength that you have!

Knock knock - it's cancer! said...

Dana - only you would say something like that, hahah. Sure. Little smiles they are.

But yes, lifesavers!! I can't wait til the scars are not as bulky and red.

Sayre - Oh my gosh, I feel for your friend. That is the worst feeling, when there are reassurances along the way, and then terrible news. Yes, I will definitely keep her in my prayers. What is the next step for your friend?

Anonymous said...

I'm proud of you today Shelly.

XOXOXO

Bradley (Haha Christine!)

Sayre said...

I'm not sure. I think she's still trying to get her head around it. I only know because her mom posted about it on FaceBook.

tweetey30 said...

wow my friend.. You are a strong person and I believe this will be a great way for you to stay strong and postive. You have been to hell and back in life and I know you can do this also.. BTW have you recieved your suprise yet?? Just e-mail me and let me know.. Lots of love and hugs my friend..

VV said...

Wow. I was cringing in pain for you. Even with the pictures and explanation, I just cannot imagine all you are going through. Hang in there.

Knock knock - it's cancer! said...

Brad - there are no words for the way I feel about you. XXOXOOXOXO

Sayre - I am at a loss of words too. It really sucks, no matter which way you slice it, but I'm guessing more so because they were reassured, so this probably came out of the blue for them.

Tweets - No surprise yet, I will let you know the minute it arrives. Again, big thank you for whatever it is that you sent :)

VV - Hanging in here. Really no other choice, is there? I'm keeping myself entertained with all the reno posts I'm reading from your blog. You are amazing, I can't believe the transformation....such an improvement!

Genkicat said...

Ok - so that does sound remarkably awful. But you got through it!!! And I agree with everyone - those scars saved your life - I think they are great.

Kathy said...

Michelle, I am so sorry that you are going through all of this. I appreciate how candid you are being in your writing. The detail in which you are sharing is sad, inspiring and heartbreaking for me to read. I hope that it is therapeutic for you. I love the pictures you share, it helps your readers (at least for me) to feel that much more of a connection to you. Hang in there. You can do this! One day at a time... Sending lots of healing, peaceful and comforting thoughts and prayers your way.