I finally got my tubes out! In case you don’t know what that means, when you have a big bit cut off, sometimes they also poke holes in you and insert flexible tubes to where they think there might be a build-up of fluids after the surgery. The tubes lead outside your body to bulbs about the size of hand grenades, and the bulbs fill with the fluid. You have to empty them at least once a day. It’s pretty ghastly.
The actual tube removal didn’t hurt one little bit, which surprised me to no end. What did hurt was when she snipped and removed the stitches holding the tubes in (because I have a low pain threshold) and when she cleaned the site with an alcohol wipe (because I have insanely sensitive skin and the bandage adhesive removed a couple of layers).
I’m so glad to be rid of Thing 1 and Thing 2! Now I just need to do my exercises to regain my full range of motion. Oh — I didn’t tell you: When they cut your boob off and some lymph nodes out, it feels stretchy when you try to reach up or out. Doesn’t hurt, but you can’t do it. But, if you keep trying, bit by bit, you can. I kept trying, and I can already put my hair up and get into and out of over-the-head garments. Baby steps.
Sara took me to the extraction, so I managed to grab some door photos. They’re wockerjawed, because moving car.
A corner door!
I like the trim on this next one.
The final two pictures are of Electric Ladyland, and one-stop shop for all your drug paraphernalia needs.
Here are my nails this week. I used Pop-arazzi’s Lovely In Lilac for the base coat on my accent nail and Maniology’s Bam! White for the stork stamp. The plate was Maniology’s M252. The other nails are a blend of Lovely In Lilac, Bam! White, and Baroness X’s Blue Matcha color-changing fluid polish.
Nails warm:
Nails in transition:
Nails cold:
Thursday doors is under the direction of Dan Antion, photographer extraordinaire and critter daddy. Visit his site, enjoy his wonderful photographs, follow his directions, and enter a world of doors.
A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU: Removing something or someone uncomfortable.
MA
Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt
February 10, 2022 at 11:21amI can only imagine! Somehow I pulled an intercostal muscle, and am in a lot of pain this morning – just from a tiny thing like that.
Get well soon – do what you have to do (of course you will) – pulling for you.
Marian Allen
February 10, 2022 at 11:57amOh, ouch, Alicia! I hope you can find relief and healing. I’d probably be rolling on the floor, crying like a baby!
Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt
February 10, 2022 at 1:27pmRolling on the floor hurts. Sitting very carefully does not. Guess what I’m doing? 🙂
acflory
February 10, 2022 at 5:33pmYes! Congratulations. Life will get a lot better from now on. I remember when I finally had the catheter removed. The Radical H had done something to my bladder so I came home with the bag in place. Three of the worst weeks of my life. The relief when I became bagless was indescribable. That and getting rid of the compression socks. 😀
Those exercises will soon have you moving with a full range. One baby step for womankind, a giant leap forward for Marian. 😀
Marian Allen
February 11, 2022 at 11:24amI feel fortunate to only have had drains. A catheter would be infinitely worse, and my late MIL had a colostomy bag, which would be worse still. I have nothing to complain about!
acflory
February 11, 2022 at 5:00pm-shiver- the thought of a colostomy bag gives me the chills. I think we’re both very fortunate to only have temporary ‘icks’.
I just did a quick check in case my memory was playing games with me but…it’s been almost 12 years. Fortunate indeed. I shall toast you on your 1st anniversary and each year thereafter. -hugs-
Marian Allen
February 12, 2022 at 11:17amI congratulate you on your 12 years! Here’s to us!
acflory
February 12, 2022 at 5:15pm-clinks glasses with Marian- To next year and our first bottle of digital champagne. 😀
Dan Antion
February 10, 2022 at 6:52pmGreat news, doors and nails! I love your reference to Thing 1 and Thing 2 – that made me smile. You seem to have retained your sense of humor. I hope it’s helping. I’ve had to regain range of motion before (obviously for other reasons). Slow and steady wins that race.
Good luck – you are still in our prayers.
Marian Allen
February 11, 2022 at 11:25amI’ll take all the prayers, good wishes, and positive vibes anybody cares to send my way. 🙂
circadianreflections
February 11, 2022 at 8:18amYeah! I’m glad you got the tubes out and are making good progress toward regaining your range of motion.
I like the trim on that door too, and I totally get wonky or wockerjawed! I’ve never heard that word before but get its meaning.
Marian Allen
February 11, 2022 at 11:26amWockerjawed is what we always said in my family. Others say cattywampus.
circadianreflections
February 11, 2022 at 11:37amCaddywampus I have heard before. 😀
Damyanti Biswas
February 12, 2022 at 3:35amGood luck, Marian, great to hear of your progress! I love the nail art. I haven’t done my nails in a while, and you’re inspiring me! Off to check out Dan’s door post–the snapshots you posted are lovely.
Marian Allen
February 12, 2022 at 11:18amSara and I love nail stamping! Friday night, she and I and her housemate all get together for beer, supper, and nail painting. Girl time is important.