Sunday, April 19, 2020

Hello, it's me.

Not Adele.

First, some good news. After my consultation with the surgeon on Thursday, my seroma seems to be healing well, although I still have some (but much less) swelling and bruising on my left throat. I'm now taking another antibiotic Rx and smearing antibiotic ointment on the site.

PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR DON'T READ THE NEXT BIT WHILE EATING!

The surgeon's theory about my "one in a hundred" complication is that my body had a super-inflammatory response to the dissolvable stitches, which generated and attracted more than normal amounts of body liquids to the incisions, which the body was unable to reabsorb. Gravity did its job, and the liquids drifted downward through my facial tissues onto my neck, formed a large capsule there, and then oozed out through the skin late Tuesday night.

Graphic enough for ya? If not, I'll send you some pictures. JOKE!

So what does this mean for my recovery? It'll just take longer. We're hoping everything resolves by the end of Month 2 post-op (May 17). In the meantime, I'm keeping my fingers crossed, taking my meds, and continuing to practice good post-op / quarantine hygiene. As long as I'm wearing a collared shirt, the boo boo on my neck isn't noticeable. I've still got the last remains of a bruise on my left cheek, which I can cover up pretty well with foundation. But the jawline looks great. All of this means I can now be seen in public without feeling or looking weird. Although, of course, this is literally the only time in my life I'm required to cover up my face in public.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DIANE, FOR THE MASKS! I LOVE EACH ONE OF THEM! They were made with love, and I will feel your love when I'm wearing them.

In other good news ... when I left the surgeon's office Thursday afternoon I drove straight to the Lexus dealership and bought a new car. I had already realized that since I likely won't be able to travel internationally for a year or two I'm going to turn into a road trip freak and see every bit of North America I haven't yet been to or want to revisit. That means I need completely dependable transportation. My old Lexus was 12 years old and had started losing factory parts. To correct myself, I didn't buy a "new" car, but a used car (first time I've ever done that) ... a 2015 RX 350 (SUV) that's in great shape with fewer than 50K miles for only $21K (after trade-in). I feel great about both the vehicle and the deal. So bam!

I suppose at this point there's not actually any "bad news." I just wish I hadn't had to go through all that terror and anxiety--I'm still exhausted from it all. For the last two days I've been cobbling my act back together. I'm not yet tracking food or weighing, but I'll get back to that eventually. For now, I'm just trying to calm down. Last night I took half an Ambien (which worked), but today I feel like a drugged-out zombie--although, to tell the truth, that's sort of OK with me right now. Zzzzzz ....

I am sure glad all will resolve and congrats on the new car!

I had a slightly different reaction to the dissolvable stitches behind my ears - I was apparently allergic to the material so ended up with thick scars behind my ears. He fixed it a little over a year ago by cutting out the raised scars and closing with non-dissolvable stitches. They healed great (and no expense for the revision though it was another healing event).

Glad to hear the positive news about your healing, sounds like you'll get there, but it's going to a little longer than expected. Sounds like life itself.

Really great deal on the new to you vehicle! We always buy 3 year old cars. Profit from the drive off the lot devaluation, plus, if it is a lemon,that had already been exposed. Road trips are wonderful. Some of my happiest moments are feeling the car shift into reverse, and rolling down the driveway.

Greetings Buddies

Ok picture this: I am wearing this heart monitor on my chest. stuck on with sticky stuff and about the size of an Apple watch. I am allowed to bathe and shower but MUST NOT GET IT WET. Sponge showers earlier in the week went ok but hair was a total gunk. I puzzled on how to wa**** since I do not have a laundry sink and using the kitchen sink feels gross. So.....

I got a kitchen trash bag and wore it as a bib using the tie flaps to tie it fairly tightly around my neck. Yep, washed my hair wearing a trash bag. Worked ok but not great. Got my hair washed and soap in eyes but I think the monitor is ok. Ordinarily I would have gone to salon but not right now. There is a wash your dog place near here that is allowed to be open and I am seriously thinking of asking if I could wash my hair in one of their raised tubs.

Ann its good to hear from you. Sounds like you will be fine with a little more time and we are grateful for that. Congrats on a new car. Good idea to plan road trips. How about here to the redwoods? Anyway, heal well. Glad the effects of your surgery are showing.

I recieved a notice that a new member had joined so I sent her a message telling her to jump right in to this. We might appear to be sort of a coffee klatch but you all know we are much more and a new member is always welcome.

We are lucky to have fresh eggs. Neighbor lady had four chickens. I may have told you she moved and took in her car: three dogs, a cat, four chickens and a tank of fish.

Brother is still getting infusions but he is feeling better. Good news.

Wishing everyone the best. I don't think gas has been $1.65 here in about 30 years. It it drops below $3 we will be lucky. Praises to the electric car.

Diane S