I had a check-up with Dr. Welk yesterday to get my stitches taken out of my belly button. (Oh yeah, I neglected to mention that a consequence of removing a lot of abdominal tissue when creating the TRAM flap, means that the belly button needs to be attached to new skin and fat. So, my belly button is in the same place, but it’s been stitched to a whole new abdominal environment.)
Everything continues to look excellent and Dr. Welk told me that he doesn’t need to see me for another month. John and I had a number of questions, which basically boiled down to “What would Elizabeth have to do to completely wreck the TRAM surgery and need an even bigger surgery to fix it?” And no, we are not paranoid, Dr. Welk had told us of this possibility.
So here’s the “don’t” list:
1) No bathing or walking of really large dogs, who may run away unexpectedly, while you are still holding on to them.
2) No drunken table dancing.
My weekend plans are ruined.
My Eyes Are Up Here 
Bummer about not being able to table dance this weekend! Glad all is going great with everything else and you are healing so well! 🙂
Yeah, I’m really bummed about the canceling of the drunken table dancing plans. I’ve never done it before and thought a couple of weeks after a major surgery would be a good time to try it! And did I mention that the table on which the dancing took place was ON A BOAT!
Oops…..sorry to have neglected to “explain” where Dr. Welk got those statistics AND so sorry that you will not be beating me for #s of surgeries, my friend….even I had to have TWO belly button surgeries!!! LOL! Happy trails – and John – I think the “big dog” may apply to the male species in some way, as well. So HEEL!
Marla, you crack me up. And yes, my 200 pound dog will not be getting a bath this weekend!
But two belly button surgeries! Yikes, Marla. I didn’t think you’d had a TRAM or other surgery that would require this. I believe you have more surgery in your future. Let’s hope, hope, hope for smooth sailing (but no table top dancing in the galley of the boat).
You’re cracking me up… I can just see you doing drunkin table dancing… John is another story 🙂
Ha!
Your blog makes me want to say “ew we”, guess because it makes me wonder where I’m headed. As I read it cringing at the acronym TRAM. Trying to understand what it really is and how it affects you.
I know, when I read about about it my response was to be kind of grossed out. Everyone I have spoken to about getting a TRAM has been happy that she’s had that surgery. And there are variations of the surgery, each with different impacts. So far, it has been way easier than I expected it to be. I was off of the prescription pain meds after three days and having taken as much as a Tylenol since day 4. We have a number of reconstructive options and when the time comes, you’ll make the best decision for you.
I hope they removed the lint before replacing the navel!
You know, I thought of that, too!
Two great minds…………..
[…] I have so many thoughts, meaningful ones, and I just can’t get them organized into a post. Boo, brain! Oh, I take that back. Brain, you’ve been through a lot and it’s okay for you to take a rest. Remember when this happened after our last major surgery, the mastectomy? Other body parts need a lot more energy now for healing. Frontal lobes, you are low on the priority list right now. I’ve had a very expensive and extensive stabbing by a highly trained surgeon. Parts were rearranged. My spare tire was made into a headlight. It’s only natural that there would be less energy for thoughts other than self-preserving ones, like “Hey, Self, remember no drunken table dancing until six weeks past surgery!” […]
[…] I have so many thoughts, meaningful ones, and I just can’t get them organized into a post. Boo, brain! Oh, I take that back. Brain, you’ve been through a lot and it’s okay for you to take a rest. Remember when this happened after our last major surgery, the mastectomy? Other body parts need a lot more energy now for healing. Frontal lobes, you are low on the priority list right now. I’ve had a very expensive and extensive stabbing by a highly trained surgeon. Parts were rearranged. My spare tire was made into a headlight. It’s only natural that there would be less energy for thoughts other than self-preserving ones, like “Hey, Self, remember no drunken table dancing until six weeks past surgery!” […]