I want to thank all of you for your good thoughts and prayers that you've been sending my way. Keep them coming!! The surgery Thursday went well. I went into the OR around noon and was on my way home about 4:30. I had a really hard time sleeping Thursday night as the binder they put on me was sitting in just the right spot and it was pushing on the pinched nerve that I have in my back. I slept about maybe 4 hours that night. About 2 a.m. Friday I called my surgeon as above my binder (below my breast bone) I had a very large bump forming and it concerned me. My surgeon told me to be in the office first thing in the morning. So bright and early Friday morning I was on my way to his office. Apparently what happened was the binder was put on too low after surgery and it was acting like a tourniquet on my abdomen and not allowing any of the blood to go down into the groin area like it was supposed to, so I - in essence - had a huge bruise/blood clot above the binder. She changed my dressings and said there was no real problem; I just have to keep warm compresses on it and keep my binder up high like it is supposed to be and it will go away. She did say, though, that everything looked really good for being less than 24-hours out. Friday night and last night I slept very well, so I'm glad. Many of you have asked (and I forgot to ask the surgeon) how much skin was removed, but I will find out when I go to my post-op appointment which will be sometime this week. When they did the surgery, they put in a "pain pump" that constantly infused anesthesia for the first two days. This morning I pulled it out (didn't feel a thing) and was able to take a shower. There really is no better feeling in the world than the first shower after a surgery!! I changed my dressings again and everything looks really bizarre! Right now my abdomen is all misshapen, swollen, and just strange looking. I'm promised it will look better soon, LOL! Anyway, the pain level is pretty manageable, I was told to take my medication every 4 hours (whether or not I feel the need) for the first 6-7 days as it is easier to keep pain away than to get rid of it once it's there. So I'm being pretty faithful with that and I've only had a few times that have been truly "painful" and they've usually been first thing in the morning after having slept all night and being 8 hours or so without any meds. My mom is being great - although somewhat frustrated because I'm trying to do too much. I don't like not being able to do something so I'm trying to do as much as I can myself and she keeps reminding me that she's here to help me and to let her! So, I'm trying. Anyway, that's how I'm doing right now. Just having a hard time as I've not had a BM since Wednesday and am not passing gas very well, so I'm taking lots of Gas-X and a few stool softeners to try to get things moving - literally! Michelle

Me, too, Kathy. I am so, so sorry your path report was not what you had hoped for. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. With the mastectomy you won't have to go through radiation, right? I was amazed at how quickly my mom recovered from hers. The body has an incredible way of healing itself. Hugs, Debra M.

Thank you, Michelle! Definitely accepting the hug but a delicate one.. since your TT. Appreciate the love and prayers! Hugs, Kathy

Thanks, Karen! I appreciate all the thoughts, prayers and love that has been shown to me. Means the world to me. Luv and hugs right back at ya, Kathy

Thank you Kathy - everything went really well. I did have to return to the surgeon's office today, though. My binder was down a little lower than it should have been so it was not letting the blood go down to the drains like it was supposed to so I got this huge hematoma just below my breast bone. The nurse adjusted my binder, changed my dressings (and said everything looks fantastic) and told me to put warm compresses on it to help dissolve it. I'm doing what I am supposed to and all is okay for now! Just dealing with feeling like I've been carved like a Thanksgiving day turkey!! Michelle