May 29 – I was still in ICU but they told me I will be transferred to my room in the afternoon. I was given a bed bath that morning and as simple as turning a bit on the side to wash my back was an agony ☹. I heard the alarm from the monitors because my blood pressure spiked during the time they were washing me because I was in so much pain. On this day, they also introduced me to soft diet like yogurt. I was so relieved that at least I was given something to eat, but I was only on my second spoon when I began to vomit. It was horrible because my abdominals contract and my pain shoot up as well. I feel so nauseated, dizzy, and weak. I was hungry but my body was not allowing me to eat. The nurse modified the pain meds because he thought that it could be from the meds that I have nausea. All day that day I was only able to sip some water. Patrick and Kassandra were also able to visit that day. They waited until I was transferred to my regular room before they left.
May 30 – Day 3 postop. The pain was manageable with pain meds although I have to sometimes ask for extra pain pill when it was really too much to bear. For some reason I do not know, I developed some cough spells during the night and it was so painful! That morning, I was able to drink tea and eat a slice of bread without vomiting. It was a good improvement from yesterday. Also in the morning, the nurses still gave me a bed bath. Turning on the sides was still painful and having all the drains, catheter and IV lines did not help. After I was freshened up, I was then helped to sit on a reclining chair. There were 2 nurses helping me just to sit up! They were very patient with me because every part of my body was still very painful. I know the earlier I start moving, the faster my recovery would be. So, armed with that determination, I pulled all the courage I have to be able to sit up. I was only asked to sit for 20 minutes but I told them I will just call them again if I want to go back to bed. I was also able to videocall my family in the Philippines to reassure them that I am doing well and the operation was successful.
Before lunch, I called the nurse to help me back into the bed because I also started having pain in my lower back from sitting too long. The nurse came and said it was a good progress sitting for more than 20 minutes. I was so happy with that small victory! Lunch time came and I tried to eat a little bit. I do not want to eat the whole thing up because I was afraid I might vomit it all out. So I was already satisfied with a bowl of soup and a bite of moussaka. Again, I considered this another small victory for that day.
May 31 – Today I wanted to try to wash myself so I told the nurse who came to wash me that morning to just assist me for the places that I cannot reach. I was still in bed but this time I have the washcloth and was able to wash myself where I can. That morning, they also took 2 drains out – 1 from the breast and the other from the left side of the abdominal incision. And because I was also able to eat, they disconnected the IV drip and also took the catheter out to encourage me to pee in the toilet. I was so relieved that I only have 1 drain left so it was easier for me to move around without too many cables dangling around me. I was also able to walk around the room already, although I was walking with a stoop position because standing straight would stretch and strain the abdominal muscles and it would be very painful if I do that. Ate Lou and Mejie also visited me that day which I was very thankful for. 😊
June 1 – Because I can already move around, this time I was able to wash myself on my own in the bathroom. I did not realize how challenging it was because I cannot stand for more than 5 minutes without having pain on my low back and abdomen. I think just for doing selfcare it took me more than 30 minutes because I need to pause and sit in between washing myself. Also, there is less sensation on the right side of my thigh which according to the nurse is normal due to the operation. Sensation on the reconstructed breast was also decreased; like when a nurse would check on it, I would not feel that she was putting pressure on the skin; like it was still under anesthesia; although I can still feel pain from inside but when I will be touched from outside, there is no sensation. My appetite and food intake has been better by this time because I was already able to finish my lunch ration without vomiting. I asked the nurse if there’s already a discharge date for me, and she said they are just waiting for the doctor’s orders and once the remaining drain I have is out, then I will be discharged.
June 2 – I woke up at 3 am today and I thought I dreamed of Clarice – then I realized it’s her birthday today. It was such an emotional day for me – I was a mess! The nurse that morning saw my puffy eyes and asked “what’s the matter?” In between sobs I talked about Clarice and how this battle I am fighting now is for her. I was glad that the nurse was just so emphatic and just sat down beside me and listened. Patrick and Kassandra who visited me every day were also surprised to see me so down that day. This was just one of those days when you just let the emotions flow.
June 3 – I was told that the last drain will be taken out today and I can be discharged in the afternoon. The nurses were telling me that I had a very good progress in terms of wound healing and wound care can be done at home. I was given the postop do’s and don’ts and to strictly follow the postop guidelines for faster wound healing and recovery. I was so happy and relieved to hear that I can go home. I called Patrick and told him the good news. At last, I can finally start a new chapter - the road to recovery.
