Don’t worry, I’m not posting topless pics of Therese, or at least not from the front. (Although, if you are considering a mastectomy or have been through one, Therese would be happy to share those pictures privately.)
Therese started getting itchy on her back yesterday morning, and by last night it was a full-blown rash. The picture below doesn’t really do it justice. We’re not sure what caused the rash, but our best guess is that the hospital bed sheets (and whatever detergent they nuc them with) is not sitting well with her skin. Good news is, she doesn’t have the mobility to itch it. Not sure she agrees this is good news. We think the Benadryl and hydrocortisone cream are starting to make a little progress though, so hopefully we can kick this thing today.
mystery rash
In the meantime we removed her wrap and pajamas and gave her a “shower” with baby wipes. Below you can see her left and right drain ports. In the right drain port picture, you can also see most of her right incision. The really skinny tube below the drain port is the local anesthetic line. Her stomach and chest are actually quite swollen, though you can’t really tell because she’s a skinny bitch. I took 20+ additional pictures of her incisions and chest area, and for the first time she looked at the pictures. (She’s going to blog about that experience later.) In my non-expert opinion, I think her incisions look great. The whole process was quite emotional and exhausting for her so she’s passed out now.
left drain
right drain and incision
BRCAntstopT 
I just saw this blog (and just read through all the posts) and HAD to comment on your courage and bravery throughout this whole process! I think it’s absolutely amazing the choices you’ve made and the reason behind them and so inspiring that you are sharing your story. Cancer has been a monster in my family as well and I definitely need to educate myself on BRCA2. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to watching your journey!
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Thank you so much Bryn, hope all is well! I think we all need to do a Mar/Steph Co-Bachelorette Party Part 2
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Hi, there. I’m BRCA2+ and writing my own blog (have to love blog therapy!) as I go through this process; I’m having my prophylactic mastectomy done in twelve days! I was wondering if I could use the photo of your drains in my blog and link back to yours. I’d really appreciate it. If you’d like to check out my blog before you agree, you can see it at proactiveprevivor.com I’m really glad I stumbled across your blog. You’re younger than me (I’m 35), but it’s really nice reading about women going through the process. I feel less alone that way. And, it helps me come to grip with what I’ll be experiencing and better prepare my family to help me. You are an inspiration!
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Hi Stephanie! I’m sure you will be so relieved once you have it all behind you and keeping a blog can be incredibly therapeutic (also love your blog title). I have no problem with you using the picture of the drains – if there’s any way that the pictures and content of my blog can continue to inform and/or help others, I am all for it. If you have any questions or need anything else, feel free to shoot me an email (therese.m.fox@gmail.com). It really does help having other women in your “support system” who have been through something similar. There’s no way I could’ve gone into the surgery as prepared as I was without the women I spoke with before; even now, it’s nice having those women/others to reach out to if I’m having an issue or am wondering if something I’m dealing with is “normal”. Regardless, it’s a big decision that you’ve made: not an easy one and takes some cahoneys. You’ve got this!
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