October 13, 2025

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Have I mentioned that I love the drive to Richmond? Honestly, it's not really a bad drive.. my knee just hates it. Pretty sure Nathan does too. My appointments tend to be first thing in the morning since they know how far I drive. That way I'm home before supper time. That means 3-3:30am wake up times to hit the road by 4-4:30am at the latest. It's get up, get dressed, start the coffee, let the dogs out, let the dogs back in, feed the dogs, make my cup of coffee, fill my water jug, pack a bag of snacks..... it's a process so VCU days tend to be somewhat stressful but mostly exhausting. I'll say this... without being able to rely on my GPS to get there and back, I've gone back to the old days of picking out landmarks and such to learn the way there and back. "At the gas station, make a left. When you pass the antique looking car on the right, take the next right." I have found it to be kinda amusing at this point. 

So, today was my pre-op appointment with the plastic surgeon team. I met with Krista today, who resembled Julia Roberts in my opinion. So much so that I had to repeat things back to her to make sure I heard correctly because my brain wouldn't shut up about her looking like Julia. 

Anyhow, she went over the plastic side of this surgery and incorporated a little of what the other surgical team said. Overlapping information is never a bad thing. I did not have many questions for her as I've gotten myself pretty well prepared for this, at least knowledge-wise. The realization that I will still be going thru all this crap into the next year kinda hit me and is depressing. There will be about a 2 week wait for the drains to be removed, fills will be every 1-2 weeks for about 5-6 fills. THEN we can see about the actual reconstruction portion...all this depending on what pathology says too. Krista was all "there's no rush" to get thru this portion of the process, but my brain was all "I want this over with already!!" 

I am not a fan of "hurry up and wait". Test of the patience... 

They prescribed me some anti-bacterial stuff to use from Wednesday-Sunday night/Monday Morning. Basically trying to get rid of any cooties. A body wash, mouth wash and some nasal swab. The mouth wash leaves a yuck taste in my mouth. I'm tired of prescriptions at this point too.....

Physically I know what to expect with pain and such, but what will be the hardest part is the emotional side... the drastic appearance change, the inability to do my normal tasks, being required to ask for help... That's the part that will be the hardest for me. I'm an independent woman... I don't ask for help. Character flaw, I know...  

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