Post Surgery

Hello dear ones. Tyler and I just returned from a visit with my plastic surgeon so I wanted to give a quick update. Overall my appointment went well. Dr Shale is basically pleased with the way I am healing. I do have one incision that is still draining. That is a bummer because I was planning to return to work tomorrow and Dr kiboshed that plan. He will release me to return to work on Monday if I promise to play nicely and behave myself until then. Tyler will report to the Dr if I am still having drainage, but I don't anticipate any problems. It's no fair when Tyler and the dr gang up on me!! Anyway, I am feeling pretty good. I am still sore but mostly just uncomfortable now. I am still wearing a super restrictive abdominal binder 24/7.  The good news is that the dr felt my tummy skin was healing really well and I get to take the binder off on Monday!! Yay!! I am also very itchy- I still have dermabond(skin glue) over all my incision sites and it is driving me crazy!!! I return to Dr Shale in about a month to re-evaluate everything once the swelling all goes down. I am still significantly swollen so it is difficult to determine the final results of the surgery at this time. My next appointment will be discussing the options and planning for the next stage of reconstruction (another surgical procedure- boo). I am anxious to get back to work and all my other "normal" activities. I am thrilled, however, for a couple of extra days to hang out with my kiddos after school. I LOVE spending time with these awesome people that I am lucky enough to call my own. Thank you x infinity for your continuing love, prayers, and support. I wish I could give you all a huge and heartfelt (but very careful- still owie ) hug!!      Ps- now that my expanders are gone I can schedule my brain MRI without blowing up!! I plan to call Dr Steffens tomorrow and set up a time for that to happen ;)
 ~ Melissa

Reconstruction at Last!

Melissa checked into the surgery center at 7 o'clock this morning. She was able to get checked in and then had to wait for a little bit. The surgery started at 8:30 and lasted about two hours before Dr. Shale (Dr. Rinard  assisted) came out and met with me. The surgery removed the expanders and replaced them with silicone implants. Part of the surgery was also liposuction and fat grafting in the implant area. He also was able to reshape the breast so that they were more even after the flaps that were left from the mastectomy. They also were able to remove the fat necrosis that was biopsied in September.  They removed the Portacath that was used as access for chemotherapy.  She has come home with a large ace wrap around her chest that must stay on for two days. Melissa has an abdominal binder that she has to wear for two weeks. She has a follow-up appointment with Dr. Shale next Wednesday. We ended up having to stay for a couple of hours extra so she could get away from the fog of the anesthesia.  She has had quite a bit of nausea which has continued even to tonight.  She will also have to be on antibiotics for the next five days. This is just the first of potentially three or four surgeries for the reconstruction.

We thank you for all the love and prayers that we have received.  - Tyler

Hello everyone! Just a quick update tonight. I am scheduled for surgery on October 16th. This will take place at the Mckay surgical center in Ogden. I am very excited to get my expanders and port removed, and become a real "fake" girl! This surgery is an outpatient procedure which means that I get to go home the same day! The plan is also for me to return to work within a week- with a few restrictions of course! The most exciting part is that I will have ZERO drain tubes!! Happy day! This relatively simple surgery represents much more than a few hours in the operating room. It is truly the culmination of a journey of faith and overwhelming love and support. The reconstruction also means that I am a healthy and cancer free Me!! As always, a huge thanks to all of you. I consider myself the luckiest girl on the planet to be surrounded by so much love and goodness. Tyler will send an update on surgery day- it's going to be fabulous! ~ Melissa