Heartburn, 3am snacks and drains

SKY 2 Minutes

What a difference a good night of sleep makes! We’ve finally aligned to a 9am/4pm/11pm cycle so we don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to take meds (Advil, Tylenol, antibiotic). Last week, Chris and I had a standing date in the middle of the night (usually around 2am), half asleep, eating multigrain tortilla chips in bed while I swallowed my pills. This is the romantic side of 18 years of marriage.

One big mistake I made last night was taking all the pills then immediately laying down. MASSIVE HEARTBURN. Chris picked up some antacid pills from Whole Foods which helped, along with time.

Every day is getting a little easier. My voice is stronger (I can yell again!) and I’m able to move around quicker. That being said, every once in a while I move and feel sharp pain which reminds me to slow down. A few people have asked what it feels like. It feels like someone put a birdcage under my skin, left some drains hanging out of my body, then duct taped it really tight around my chest. So it’s always tight and uncomfortable, and sometimes painful when I move certain ways.

  • Speaking of drains, I wish I could share pics/videos, but I won’t because it might make people uncomfortable or grossed out. I thought the kids might think it’s cool, but they can barely hear me talk about them. It’s actually quite fascinating to have 4 drains coming out of you and watching the fluid start as thick, dark red blood and eventually turn lighter both in substance and color. It’s been encouraging to see more yellowish/clear fluid coming out over the past day or so. The whole emptying the drain process is like a science experiment:
      • Carefully but thoroughly clear the drain cords to pull through any clotty stuff (that’s a technical term). Be careful not to rip them out of your body. If you accidentally pull too hard, the patient will scream at you.
      Open the top of each numbered drain bulb and carefully pour the blood/fluid into its corresponding container (read: pee cup that has numbers written in Sharpie).
      Record the time, color and how many mL collected into journal.
      Repeat 2-3 times per day.
  • I have been wearing a special robe to carry my drains that I love called the Brobe robe. You can also safety pin them to the inside of your shirt, but the robe is way easier. If you know anyone going through this, buy them one of these robes! When showering, I simply safety pin the drains to a latex lanyard (read: a bunch of blood pressure straps tied together, camp-style, that forms a long necklace). It’s a little clumsy of a process, but it works.
  • Current recommendations:
    • The Great British Bake Off
    • Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown
    • Energy bars from Space 519
    • Anything from Barefoot Dreams
    • Animal slipper socks

    Post op appointments with Dr. Hansen (breast surgeon) and Dr. Fine (plastic surgeon) are tomorrow. I’m also awaiting the full pathology report in preparation for my oncologist appointment on 3/11. Keep those prayers and positive thoughts coming!

    XO

    Drain collection thanks to nurse Chris

    Snacks courtesy of Chef Mia

    Unconditional love provided by Buddy ❤️

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    Published by Stacey Kraft

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