What a difference two weeks can make. When I last left you, I was most frequently identifying with Lurch and showing off my new Frankenbelly (and my new bruised, swollen and scarred breasts). The scars were looking especially angry as you’ll recall thanks to my allergic reaction to the surgical glue they used to suture me back up. But just after my three week post-op appointment, we snapped some less gory pics.
But first, we need to rewind to the two week mark and when I was finally able to have the last drain removed after getting the other three out at the at my one week post op.
Below: I’m pretty sure I was thanking the heavens this day had finally come! Or pondering what it would take for world peace. Or I was just admiring and appreciating the skylights. Yea, it was probably the skylights.
But first…more surgical glue needed to be removed. Ugh. At this point, I still couldn’t wash the sutures directly with a wash cloth, so the only way to remove the glue was with a tweezers and a deft hand. Thankfully, it didn’t hurt much when they pulled pieces of dried glue off, unless some scabbing came with it and they still itched like crazy. Even though I went through a 48 count package of Benydryl in the past two weeks, as long as there was still glue on my skin it seemed, all those little hot pink pills seemed to help with was sleep!
Then we got to move onto the main event – removing my last abdominal drain. Needless to say, I was not sorry to see it go.
Anticipating that the removal would not feel super great, I steeled myself.
And then before I knew it, it was out! My resulting face below? Slightly embarrassed bemusement that I barely even felt it being removed. Thanks deadened nerves! And my awesome PA.
Back home and after an amazing, wonderful drain free shower, I was feeling slightly more human again so time to get some writing done before binging Netflix for the rest of the evening.
A few days later, I was feeling up to being a super model again so my very sweet professional photographer was happy to oblige. Thank you, love!
Two and a half weeks, post-op. Still looking a bit bruised and angry, especially the new girls.
But the ab scar was looking pretty good. As you can see, some dried glue was still persistent. (Btw, the bruise on the back of my right arm is from the blood thinning shots they gave me in the hospital. Those things were NO joke and hurt like hell. Maybe it was just me?)
Walking much straighter and faster at the two and a half week mark, too.
I was even able to start helping with dinner. I can stir sauces with the best of them.
And then soon after, it was time for my three week post-op with the doctor. We hit up Turkey and The Wolf for a killer sandwich before my last appointment at the Center, until probably later this Fall.
It would also be our last visit to T&W, because we left for home a few days later so you better believe we took advantage.
Below: old pro at this point. It might not look like it, but I’m super grateful to be there, surrounded by so many wonderful, caring people.
I will truly miss getting to see them every week. What I won’t miss? You guessed it…having surgical glue removed. Thankfully, next time they won’t be using it on me.
But soon I was back home ready to finish my puzzle before we’d be getting on the road back to our beautiful Colorado.
I put in that final piece just in the nick of time! I could not leave NOLA w/out finishing it. Just couldn’t.
Turns out I really, really didn’t want to leave NOLA though, as a few days after that last appointment and the day before we were supposed to leave, I apparently hadn’t learned my previous lesson. And almost ended up back in the hospital!
To be continued soon….