Drains Out :-)

Yesterday, we went to see the plastic surgeons, Dr. Vandeveder and Dr. Salvino and I begged that they removed the balls/ornaments. After examining the liquid and assessing the situation, they both agreed that the drains could come out.  Besides, I told them, my sister is leaving for California on Sunday and she has been the one that has been draining them. I also told them that I was starting to smell it and I didn't like the way I smelled with them. Of course, everyone gave me a weird look, but just because they can't smell it doesn't mean it wasn't smelly. Even Frendell was telling me my sense of smell was a little off... oh well...

So far, everything is looking well, although there is a spot where it's blistering. It hurt when Dr. Salvino pulled the drains out and I couldn't help but cry out a bit. It made me sweat, it hurt so bad. And now, I also have to make sure my belly-button is cleaned out coz they don't want it to be infected and I guess it's starting to. So, we have to clean it with saline and gauze at least twice a day.  The thing is, it really hurts there and it's a combination of pain and some numbness in that area.  When we were driving around yesterday, I felt like my whole torso and right arm were in heightened pain mode. Every bump was painful and even when we turned the corners, I felt like my nerve endings were standing on alert.  Frendell asked me what it was that I didn't like about taking the pain meds.  It's hard to describe, I told him. Although it does take the edge off, it still hurts when I move, but coupled with that, sometimes I feel irritable, coupled with a feeling of despondency; also it makes me sleepy most of the time and yet when I sleep, it hurts when I move. Sometimes when I wake up I'm dizzy and I can only hope that I'm not always babbling nonsense when they're talking to me. Although all the side effects do not always happen all the time, there's enough times there, that I usually only take the strong pain meds at night, so I can at least sleep at least 3 hours or more. I usually wake up when it's wearing off, coz the pain intensifies more. Sometimes I take another one, other times I take the tylenol. The doctors say the pain will be there for  awhile, as well as the swelling in the my right side and right arm.  My stomach area, where they removed the muscle, is also very painful and it hurts when I try to sit up and roll to my side. The incisions are healing nicely though, so that's a great thing :-)

I'm so happy my balls/ornaments are out :-)  So happy, I ended up taking a 2-hour nap when we got home yesterday. In some ways, it was easier to lay down last night when I went to sleep, but I ended up tossing around more, so I didn't get more sleep... its just easier to move around. I'm so glad I still have the binder. I tell you, as they are removing some of the things that are more painful, I can feel the pain in the other areas now. My belly button hurts more and so does the transplanted muscle. Sometimes I get weird sensations there.  

Kinda reminds me of when we try to get rid of sin from our lives, eh? Painful but I'm glad to be rid of them. And most of all, I'm so thankful the doctors knew what they were doing, just like God knows what He's doing when He challenges us to be rid of sin, and I'm glad my husband and sister were there to render their support and love (and hopefully we have a community/church family who will provide the love and support). I was concerned Frendell may faint, since I did cry out more this time around.. he stood behind the curtain so he didn't have to see me writhing in pain... it didn't last too, too long, but it was painful nonetheless. I'm sorry I'm such a wus.. I couldn't help it yesterday. Today is a new day... with no more balls/ornaments/drains :-)  Yeay... I celebrate the progress...  Have a great day, everyone.