After having my exchange surgery time postponed to noon, I was ready to go! Then Dr. Storm got delayed and I didn’t get wheeled back until almost 2:00. I remember getting transferred to another bed in the OR, the oxygen mask going over my face and being told to breathe deeply a couple times. Next thing I knew it was 3:20, and I was in recovery. The anesthesiologist told me before I went back that I would have a breathing tube down my throat this time (didn’t need it for the mastectomies), and I wasn’t excited about that because I remembered how it felt after my hysterectomy five years ago. Sure enough, my throat was feeling irritated. The nurse made an orange popsicle slushie with some lemon-lime soda and spoon fed it to me. It tasted so good and felt soothing on my throat! My pain was starting to kick in too, so after two doses of fentanyl plus tylenol in my IV, and 600 mg of ibuprofen by mouth, I was finally feeling better.

Dr. Storm told Kent that surgery couldn’t have gone any better! My implants fit perfectly, and all went to plan. The nurse who was prepping me warned that I could possibly still need drains even though I was told that I wouldn’t. Fortunately, I am drain free!

I was still feeling a bit woozy when I went back to my room to get dressed and Kent came to pick me up. The nurse fixed me another orange popsicle slushie and I spooned that one in all by myself! She said I could go home as soon as I felt ready. We made it home by 5:00, and my pain has been quite manageable. I took some hydrocodone and 600 mg ibuprofen overnight, and have been doing fine with regular Tylenol and the extra strength ibuprofen today. I didn’t sleep that well because my throat was still irritated and I needed to clear it or cough quite often. That’s honestly been worse than any pain. It’s feeling better today, but still needing to cough or clear it every once in awhile.

I’ve exchanged my hard old tissue expanders for some nice soft silicone implants, and it reminds me of the exchange that the Lord offered Israel when they were grieving: a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3). I don’t know about you, but I’ve found myself grieving so many losses from COVID-19. So much has changed and continues to wreak havoc on my life! I’m so grateful that the Lord offers us beauty, joy and praise when we look to Him. I can choose to seek His Presence and truly feel His comfort when things look grim and unpredictable! I hope you choose the same.