Monday, June 13 - What a beautiful day...

Harun drove me down to San Ramon to my appointment at Dr. Wotowic's offices this afternoon.  What a glorious day it is!  Dr. W said that it was time to have my drains removed (3) and I couldn't have been more elated!  These gosh darn drains underneath each armpit were the most uncomfortable, annoying, painful, itchy things imaginable.  They were such a constant source of pain for me over the past 10 days; they made it difficult to move around, to sit, to sleep, etc., so  I was so thrilled to see this day come.

Even with the drains removed, the underarm area is still incredibly sore and tender so I will continue to take the pain pills until no longer needed.  Dr. W said that showering was still not allowed (due to the remaining sutures) but that I could probably drive come Wednesday.  Woo hoo...freedom!  I didn't ask about biking yet, because I'm pretty sure he'd put the kybosh on that this early in the recovery, but I will ask when I see him next week.  He said my "new girls" were lookin' good, and gave them a little lift (he injected 30cc of saline solution into each tissue expander in each breast).  It was really quite cool - the tissue expander was surgically inserted after the mastectomy and over the next few weeks he will do these injections until I am the chosen size.  I gotta say, they are looking pretty nifty.  There is a very small, unnoticable port in each tissue expander and it is through this port where they insert the needle to inject the solution.  (If there wasn't a port, I suppose they would "pop" the little saline balloon.)  Sounds kinda gross, but it was actually quite neato.  I did not feel a thing while they did this - very weird.  In fact, I don't have any sensation in the new breasts at all.  I can run my hand across the skin and it just feels numb.  This will definitely take some getting used to.

I will see Dr. W again next Monday and the reason for the appointment will be twofold - first, to remove the sutures and second, to give the girls another injection with saline.

I am tired tonight, but definitely relaxed and content.  I am making it a point to celebrate small victories...and today's small victory (having the drains removed) has made me happy. :)