My BRCA Journey

I woke up at 6am a bit numb. I immediately touched my chest and started laughing. My left expander had rotated into place the day before and gave me ONE last normal day. In my sleep it rotated back to what felt like it’s natural position – downward. I couldn’t help but laugh because it was just so typical.

Emily decided she wanted her dad to take her to school, so I got up and had black coffee, my meds and started chugging water. (I tend to chug everything) I took the LONGEST shower and used clarifying shampoo and conditioner since I knew i wouldn’t be washing my hair for a bit.

Kaiser sent me antiseptic wipes that I HATE. You wait an hour after showering and wipe yourself from your neck down. I always feel so disgusting and cold afterwards. I can say that was the worst part of it all.

I went back to drinking water and watching trashy TV until 10:30 when I had to drink the pre-surgical Ensure from Kaiser. I drank it in a minute and accepted nothing else could go in my mouth til my pre-op pills once I was at the surgery center.

Time past SO slowly until it was time to leave. My doctor sent my post-op meds to my online account and I immediately ordered them so once I went into surgery, my boyfriend could pick them up. Once we got in my car I got the alert they were ready which was a relief. Our conversation was basically non-existent in the car ride. Haha.

We got there in 25 minutes and since I’ve taken clients to this surgery center, I was completely at ease. Checked in and was surprised I had no co-pay for “New Titties Friday” as my dear friend called it. I think we waited 5 minutes and I was called back.

I did the normal – pee test for pregnancy before surgery and when I walked out I laughed and explained to the nurse that I don’t have fallopian tubes and cannot be pregnant. Whoops! Glad I got to pee though (during my mastectomy I totally peed myself, I have no shame admitting that). Since I was at a surgery center that isn’t an extension of Kaiser they weren’t accessing my full record, so she didn’t immediately see that I had a salpingectomy. She thought it was a tubal though.

Salpingectomy involves the complete removal of both fallopian tubes for permanent sterilization and potential ovarian cancer risk reduction, while tubal ligation involves cutting, tying, or sealing the tubes (leaving them in place) for contraception. Salpingectomy offers higher efficacy in preventing pregnancy and cancer, though it may take slightly longer in surgery, while both are highly effective, generally, and irreversible. — I had this done February of 2024

We had a nice chat and I took my pre-op 2 Tylenols and Oxycodone before she tried placing my IV. She tried placing it above my wrist and was successful, but it HURT. I have a high pain tolerance but it was in a horrible position. She apologized and got  a senior nurse to come by and see if she could help out.

Being me, I was texting friends and family while sitting there. I text a selfie to a dear friend who has been amazing since my first surgery because he experienced all of this as his former partner had breast cancer. He called immediately yelling, “It’s new titty Friday.” Hahaha. I told him I hadn’t gone in yet and told him to have a drink for me since he is at WDW. I needed that laugh so badly.

During this time, my wonderful Plastic Surgeon came by and I was immediately in a great mood. She asked the nurses to come back for my IV.

We always have a nice catch up session before I take off my hospital gown and she draws on me. It almost makes me emotional how wonderful she is. She is so reassuring and really puts me first. She said she was so happy to complete this journey together and complimented me on my patience and being a great patient. We started chatting about size 700 versus 750 versus 800cc and I told her I was open to whatever she thought would look and be the best for me. She said surgery would be fast – an hour and a half. The best option was to go in through my existing scars (this had been discussed since day one) and the plan is to have another revision surgery down the line to clean up my scars since I had setbacks the last two surgeries. She said I’m so easy and she wishes all her patients were like me. I’m telling you, she is so great. I am in such great hands with her. She drew all over my chest and it was time for my IV – which was placed inside my elbow very quickly.

The nurse came by and I had her cracking up by explaining my Barbie and Ken situation. She and the other nurses said I was very easy – duh. I want to make their lives easy. Next up the anesthesiologist came by – very nice guy. I told him I didn’t want a scopolamine transdermal patch because I end up wired and don’t rest. I also explained I wake up FAST in recovery.  A few minutes later I was pushed into the OR while telling embarrassing stories to my OR Nurse.

The OR had a nice view (I was squinting since I didnt have glasses on) and somehow they had reggae on which was freakin’ perfect. I met everyone in the room, but was bummed Rich wasn’t there. I shifted to the OR table and pretty quickly was making everyone laugh. Within a couple minutes I was OUT.

I woke up in recovery and started taking my heart rate monitor tabs and hairnet off. I wasn’t as groggy as I expected. The nurse said she tried calling my ride/boyfriend but didn’t think she had the right number – I gave it to her and within a few minutes he was by my side. I was texting my friends and family immediately. I was ready to go. Got dressed and was wheeled out.

I got home and was so happy to see my mom and Emily. Straight to the bathroom I went. I changed and was ready to rest. I took my antibiotics and some tylenol and then napped until about 7 when my doorbell was ringing and a massive floral arrangement was delivered from my Godmother.

I was smart enough to order an extra miso soup the day before and had that with rice and Gatorade once I got up.  I also had some lemon cookies I grabbed in Disneyland last week.

I hung out on the couch then headed to bed, fully aware that I would take an Oxycodone and be awake for hours. I’m some freak and it doesn’t put me to sleep. I think I knocked out at 11:30pm after adjusting my bed 5 times. I was in such minimal pain compared to my two prior breast surgeries.