Back to the Future

Sometimes in order to move forward you have to go backwards.  Unfortunately, that is where I am now.

I saw the surgeon for my weekly visit on Monday, September 18.  While the abdominal and right breast wound are making good progress and will heal on their own, the left breast wound continues to fester.  After I completed the course of antibiotics I mentioned previously, the wound looked better.  That lasted less than a week, when the infection began to reappear.  I am now back on the antibiotic, for a longer course this time.

The surgeon once again debrided the wound, but because of the size and depth of it, he was limited in what he was able to clean out in the office.  So, back into the OR.  I am going in for debridement surgery on Tuesday at the hospital in New York City so he can really get into the wound and clean it well.  This will be outpatient, but I need to be under general anesthesia.  The procedure should take about an hour; the doctor is squeezing me in between some other patients to get this done quickly.  I spent part of Thursday going through presurgical testing and clearance again; everything is set and I will find out Monday afternoon what time to report on Tuesday.

Of course this is discouraging.  I had hoped to be back at work full time at this point.  (Shout out to my AMAZING coworkers who had to cover for me during one of our busiest times of the year!)  That’s delayed at least another week.  I was hoping to have some significant progress by now; instead it’s stalled again. 

I’m trying to optimistic.  I’m hopeful that a thorough cleaning, coupled with the antibiotics, will eradicate the infection once and for all, and getting rid of the dead/unhealthy tissue will jump start the healing again. 

The visiting nurse schedule was settled, and she comes 3 times a week to change the dressing.  Three times a week I go up to Memorial Sloan Kettering in Montvale and staff nurses change it.  I’m getting to know my nurses very well!  On Saturdays I’m so grateful for the help of my doctor friend who takes time out of her weekend to help me.  Once again—you know who you are—thank you so so so much!

I’ve been cleared for most activities at this point—I can drive, walk the dogs, etc.  I went to the supermarket this week by myself and am doing some light cooking again.  I’ve sent out some work emails and look forward to getting back into work activities, albeit from home for the foreseeable future.  I had considered attending part of Yom Kippur services in person but with COVID making a bit of a resurgence and surgery scheduled I can’t risk getting sick, so I’ll be livestreaming. 

Tuesday morning I’ll channel my inner Marty McFly and see if we can change the future.  See you on the other side.