KIDNEY STONE SURGERY/LUNG SURGERY

There are ribs under the breasts so surgeon must have gone in between 2 ribs for major cutting. For transthoracic echocardiogram techs put the main sensor under left breast, location which can hurt the following day from pressure exerted during the test. So you probably had pressure in addition to cutting making you feel the sorest there. I was interested to read that you got internal stitches and could shower with bandages on. A while back I got staples to close the incision, then the light bandages 12 days following pelvic malignancy surgery when staples were removed, and had to keep that area dry for an additional week. Given reason was that my incision would heal from the outside in; yours must be the opposite. Probably we both benefitted from use of laparoscopes during our surgeries. / Old Hat

I see the surgeon August 6 for a follow up. I will find out then if he wants to do anything else or just follow up tests every six months. The lymph nodes that were tested all came back negative. And I stopped smoking the day before my surgery. Will never go back.

He was extremely happy with this surgery and had said everything was out. I'll know more when I see him in a couple of weeks.

I'll post back as soon as I go see the surgeon for a follow up.

For now, can't wear a bra, pain on right side, under breast where main incision is. Sneezing and coughing hurts. I am up and about a bit. I'm going out for a bit each day with my cousin to the store or just for a short walk. I am "winded" but doctor said that's normal.

Old Hat said...
Were you given oxygen at all while in hospital post-surgery? Good that you're going out a bit locally with cousin. / Old Hat

Yes. I had the oxygen tube that goes in the nose.

Old Hat said...
Then your oxygen saturation must have reached normal, or hospital would not have released you. Did a respiratory therapist test your breathing with the pitcher-shaped device? / Old Hat

Yes. And I am using the device every day. The therapist said to do ten breaths every hour.

My cousin went home today. I've been doing stuff on my own, and then I rest. My right side under the breast still hurts but little by little it's less. The butterfly stitches are still there but they seem to be loosening up a bit.

clo2014 said...
So glad that it is steadily improving. Take it easy and give your body time to heal....and keep doing those breathing exercises. They help a lot.

I'm really glad you didn't delay your surgery and that they got it all.

Please stay in touch and let us know how you are.

Clo

I'm glad I didnt delay the surgery too. It's still very uncomfortable where the incision is but I think it's because of the spot that it's in. Also, I'm coughing quite a bit. That might be part of the healing from smoking for so long. I'll ask my doctor when i go for my follow up. The butterfly stitches are peeling back but i'll wait until they fall off or the doctor takes them off

I'm thankful that I can work from home until I'm 100% better.

Are they supposed to fall off....??

Oh okay I didn't realize that. Then it's a sign of healing, great progress! You are still in pain, but is it lessening at all?

Sounds like you are making great progress. Hopefully the follow up on Tuesday confirms that.

quincy said...
All sounds good. Thats a painful place for an incision...everytime you breathe, it'll expand that area exciting the nerves. Are you still doing the breath exercises? Plus your lung and chest wall is healing.

Looking forward to the outcome of your Tuesday appt.

q

I'm still doing the breath exercises. I'm trying to get back into my routine. I'm back to driving, food shopping, laundry, etc. I'm just taking it a bit slower than normal. The only thing I'm not doing is commuting to work. I'm working from home until September. I cannot take the chance of someone bumping into me during rush hour. In Manhattan, people just move along and don't care if they bump into you or not. I can't do that right now.

Also, still not smoking. I get cravings mostly after dinner. So, I have sweets to help me with the cravings.

I will update after I see my surgeon tomorrow! Thank you!!