The long version? Well, let's start from the beginning shall we!
Four days before moving house I get a phone call out of the blue from the hospital...
"Mrs Taylor, we can see from our records your on the waiting list for a breast reconstruction. There's been a last minute cancelation would you like to come in on Wednesday?"
I wasn't expecting this to be until at least September so this was completely out of the blue. It wasn't ideal timing but it would mean getting it out of the way sooner so I would of been silly not to accept!
So that Wednesday morning, off steve and I went to the hospital.
Now, the thing I wasn't prepared for was how terrified I would be. I think I just expected to feel like I did when I had me mastectomy, which quite honestly was relief! I wanted it gone and I suppose most people must feel like that, at that point you will let them cut off anything if it takes it away.
So anyway! There I was absolutely terrified but unlike last time Steve was allowed to stay with me right until I went down for surgery. Which funnily enough didn't help my fear as that's when you know it's serious surgery!!!
So, the reconstruction I choose was the Diep flap surgery which is where they basically take fat and skin from your stomach and use it to build a new breast. It's much more complicated then I'm making it sound but if you're interested this is the more technical explanation ..
Because they needed to use a main artery from my stomach for the new boob, I had to be warmed up by what can only be described as a giant hover bag! It was one of the weirdest things I have eve experienced and you have to see it to believe it! Steve, found it so amusing that he took a picture (cheek of it)! you can see how ridiculous I looked below, sexy surgical stockings and all!
I sat like this for a couple of hours (Steve giggling the whole time). It did help lighten the mood though and before we knew it the time came to walk down to the operating theatre. Slightly emotional, I kissed Steve goodbye and off I went for the one of the only perks in my opinion when it comes to the surgery bit! The lovely sleep!!!
When I woke, I was told by the surgeon that the surgery had gone really well. So well in fact it had only taken 2 and a half hours (they had expected it to take 6 hours). I wasn't in much pain at all and all I was interested in was when could a I go home? Had it not gone well, had I been in pain that still would be my first question! I've spent so much time away from my baby and all I ever want to do is get back to him. Well, as expected the nurses scoffed at the idea it would be anytime soon, but I don't think they realised at that point my desperation and my determination!
The day after surgery I had my first (and as it turned out only) physio session, where the lovely physio said the aim for today was to just to get me standing. I smiled and said ok, but I already decided I wanted to end the session walking. One hour later, that's just what I did! up and down the halls with the physio walking beside me. Not because I'm strong, not because I'm a trouper but simply because I was THAT determined to get home to my little boy!
The next morning, one the nurses informed me the surgeon would be coming to see me that morning but not to get my hopes up because there was no way he would be letting me go home!
Regardless though I knew my chances were good when the Physio came to do her rounds and she informed the same nurse there was no point her seeing me as there was nothing left for her and I to do (I was going off for a shower on my own by this point). I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a bit chuffed, that hearing that wiped the smug look off the above mentioned nurses face (as with everything in life there's always one isn't there)!
Anyway, when the surgeon arrived he was aware of the fact I didn't need anymore Physio and on looking at my wounds was amazed at how well they looked. I was mobile, I was eating/drinking and wasn't needing pain relief (I couldn't feel anything in those areas to be in any pain). He said it had to be a record for the hospital for this procedure but he didn't see any reason why I couldn't go home ..TODAY! Well, I could of kissed him (I didn't though!). I had phoneed Steve and packed my bag before he even left the ward!!
I was actually going home to my boy! I wouldn't be able to pick him up for 6 weeks, I wouldn't be able to do too much apart from lay on the sofa but that didn't matter I was going to be home.
Unfortunately ...that's where the good news ended.
