Mastectomy & Reconstructive Surgery and Recovery

Mastectomy & Reconstructive Surgery. Surgery Day 2-16-17
This is my experience the day of a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Please excuse the "ums" I'm drugged, drowsy and had cotton mouth sooooo bad. My throat hurt from the tubing - Surgery lasted about 4.5 hours.
NOT to be taken or interrupted as medical advice OR what YOU should do!
Surgery went very well. I had my “first morning cocktail” at 7:15 am
George kissed me and said he loved me and that’s the last thing I remember.
They rolled me out of the room at 7:30 am to surgery (no recollection of that moment)
Surgery was done at 12:10. George said he looked up at the monitor outside exactly as it changed so he knew I was done.
I woke up in recovery snoring and once not breathing (I have sleep apnea). I ask the nurse next to me to go get my husband (and my mask) and she said “your fine…I’m right here by you and not leaving” I couldn’t go back to sleep from that point on.
I got to the room at 1:30
Dr’s said no suspicious tissue but it was sent for biopsy (as normal procedure)
No lymph nodes were removed. Prior to surgery the Dr’s said that can create another issue for people WITHOUT cancer present
I have drains in both breast that haver to be emptied and liquid measured 2-3 times a day. It will start out DARK blood and end up brownish or even yellow. Also, could be “stringy” and clots will be present. Doctor said that’s normal. One Doctor also said the ratio of drainage determines how long I’ll have to have the drains connected to me. My initial appointment pre-surgery said up to 1 month for some people.
I can’t lift my arms up over my head, but it’s good physical therapy to roll or rotate my shoulders forward and backwards. Speaking of which .. the first time I got up my legs were extremely weak.
I’ve never experienced that after surgery before.
My first thought was; “My Gosh…did they amputate my legs?@#$”
Really, I could feel them and knew they were ON ME but couldn’t feel them….
I can’t recall the term for that when someone is missing a leg (or limb) but it still feels like its on them but they can’t feel it. That’s what it was like (I think … I fortunately have all my limbs).
My pain level isn’t too bad at all.
I am staying on pain meds but I’m allowed to take 2 every 2 to 4 hours and I’m only taking 1 w/in hours after surgery.
My doctors said having a mastectomy is NOTHING like having an augmentation (although I have had 3 augmentations because of 2 prior ruptures) I wonder if that’s why the pain is tolerable BUT doubtful because totally different cut. 7” across my chest approx. and the entire tissue around (which is quite large)
The pain is strange. Weird way to describe it but the worst of the pain (to me) NOW -- today is like an underwire bra sticking you and the feeling you have to “pull the bra down” -- it’s like someone poking you. It’s not the top across the breast (cut) that is hurting me. It’s UNDER the breast area that was NOT cut.
When I move my shoulders forward or backwards it hurts - I can feel that in the front.
We discover stuff about ourselves all the time and you know what I learned or realized today?
This is cool …
I LOVE helping people. It’s what I’ve been doing as a business for the last 11 years. Concierge/Errands, Senior Services.
Well, really my whole life …
When I learn something (it seems no matter what it is) I turn around and teach it to someone else. Soooo, I just realized (because George was kidding me about sitting up hours after surgery taking notes - so I could follow the notes and speak about this - since I’m drugged and exhausted) --- Here I sit, 5 hours after surgery, been awake since 1:30 and I’m trying to keep track of what I learned TODAY - for YOU … or someone else you might know. To ease their anxiety about this procedure.
So you know what I’m JAZZED about being ME.
Lastly ladies….
My books are about identity. Discovering who God created you to be and how cool this ties into that …
Because
YOUR identity is NOT about Ta-Ta’s OR exterior self
So don’t be “a stubborn boob” ;) LOL
Do what’s best for YOU in the long run. Don’t wait until cancer comes and grabs you if you have a gene and you have insurance that will cover your surgery. Do what’s best for you and your family in the long run.
Much Love to you,
Rebekah Phelps
www.RebekahLeaPhelps.com

[@MargieWarrell-LiveBravely]

Rebekah, i admire your courage in sharing this experience with others and hope it inspires and supports others facing what you are.

[@RebekahLeaPhelps]

Thanks Margie, I do too! Sometimes it's easier to hear from a regular person vs. a Doctor

[@minisight2000]

Your amazing thank u so much for this informative video! I'm having this surgery may 31. And I'm nurvous! How bad is the pain?? During recovery?

[@RebekahLeaPhelps]

minisight2000 I was shocked it wasn’t “horrible” at all. It was VERY strange to not move my arms from my side without pain. That was the worst part NOT the front. Take your pain medicine as prescribed. I typically don’t take a lot of pain medicine at all are usually don’t take all of it that is prescribed but during the surgery I did, and I was glad that I did! DO NOT try to lift your arms or reach beyond what the doctors tell you. Let yourself heal. I followed the directions of the doctors and healed remarkably fast. The drains were the worst part for me and that didn’t start bothering me until weeks later. It becomes the most uncomfortable part because the skin begins to grow around the drain...it’s itchy. The drains were in for me for about eight weeks. Please don’t try to cheat on that and tell your doctor something different (my Dr said people do) that could end up taking you back into surgery! The liquid has to be a certain color and a certain amount before they take them out. You’ll be in my prayers 5-31-18 & I’ll check on you! Putting you on my calendar RIGHT NOW! 🙏🏽💋

[@minisight2000]

Rebekah Lea Phelps awww thanks so much.. thanks for the information..:)

[@RebekahLeaPhelps]

minisight2000 You bet you’re on my calendar I’ll check back with you.

[@minisight2000]

Rebekah Lea Phelps they also put false information on my medical records. They put that I am allergic to morphine and aspirin and I'm not. I'm worried this will effect my recovery. I've tried to talk to the doctor's but they keep giving me the run-around. I'm gonna try to get that removed before my surgery date.

[@minisight2000]

I had the surgery yesterday. And I'm doing pretty good