I am rescheduled for surgery August 23rd with Dr Boffa. The original date was postponed because I tested positive for lyme disease so I need to be on antobiotics for at least 14 days prior to surgery. Yup ... you read that right! Life just loves to challenge me in shitty ways.
Dr Boffa will be removing my manubrium and replacing it with mesh and medical cement. My plastic surgeon, Dr Fusi will also be with me during surgery. He's done so much work on me so I know he'll be sure I'm still me when I wake up.
I am a little nervous about this one. I was talking with my cousin Carla so I got the heads up about her surgeries and just how much bone cutting hurts. She's a tough woman like me. It won't be as easy as my other surgeries. My double mysectomy was a big surgery but this one feels bigger, removing bone. A bone that holds my head, arms and body together.
As you know, I'm a researcher but there is not much out there with recovering from removing your manubrium. Kind of going in blind which makes me feel out of control and I don't like to feel out of control. This is something I am working though so this experience will give me some practice. Not sure exactly what it will be like when I wake up. I know pain management for at least 3 weeks. I hate pain meds so my plan is to cut that time and use more natural ways to relieve some pain. I'll post some tricks after I see what works. I won't be able to carry anything over the weight of a gallon of milk for at lease 30 days, ugh. It's actually shorter than after my hysterectomy. I have a pretty good feeling it's gonna be a pretty shitty couple of months but then things will start to get better. Dr Boffa seemed confident when he said in 6 months I should be able to do everything I do today. I thought recovery after my double mastectomy and full hysterectomy was going to be tough but this tops both of them. I'm a fighter, this is what I do, so although I know it will be very uncomfortable, I do know I'm going to be just fine and get through it. Luckily I am blessed with a wonderful family and friends who I know will help me with whatever I need.
So 3 days is going to come quick but then 6 months later I will be me again, ready to do everything I want in life. I cannot wait to have this part of this journey behind me. I pray I hear the words, no evidence of disease after this surgery. Please say a few prayers for me and my surgeons and their teams. I will write at some point but just not sure when I'll be able to.