Reconstruction Surgery

Therapy dog ✅ 

Pre-op labs ✅ 

Pre surgery consult ✅

Tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. I check in for my reconstruction surgery (called a DIEP flap procedure). The surgeon is aiming for a 10 hour surgery (could range from 6-14 hours). Intubation, catheter... I will wake up and transfer rooms then maybe have a visitor (Josh/my mom) before bedtime. The first night they keep the catheter in and only give a fluid IV in case I have to go back to the OR (if the blood vessels haven't connected well enough- they monitor that with a Doppler every hour). YOU GUYS. This is intense and I'm anxious but here we go. 

While I'm in the hospital for two nights my kids will have the best time with Josh, my parents and their cousins Luke & Finn. Duke (therapy dog) will be at Camp Aunt Ann's (no snuggling dogs in bed while I'm first healing because apparently they have germs 😭) and our chickens have the most delightful pet sitter. Josh will also be just fine 🎸😉. 

Recovery is 4-8 weeks. To start, I will have a walker, toilet assist bars, and shower bench. My grandma dreams are coming true- haha! I'll have four drains that will come out after a few weeks (my least favororite part of the mastectomy). No lifting over 8lbs until I'm cleared and then slowly increase range of motion. Oh, and no getting my heart rate up for the first 6 weeks so my tiny blood vessels that are sutured together don't pop. 

So many people have reached out to offer food, support, and prayers- thank you!!! You inspired me to write this post. I will write another one when I'm on the other side of this thing. 💓 

Praying my surgical team gets the best rest of their lives tonight. 

Xx

Lauren