Disclaimer: The second half of this post was written while I was on a cocktail of painkillers and muscle relaxers.

The 3 a.m. alarm was alarming, to say the least. Surprisingly, I slept like a baby. I was in a deep slumber and supposedly snoring.

I hopped into the shower and washed with Hibiclens. I was groggy but felt no anxiety or fear. We headed to the hospital.

I checked in with a smile and made pleasant small talk with the pre-op nurses as they started my IV. My surgeons shook my hand and tickled me with their Sharpie markings. A nurse injected my IV with something to “soothe my nerves.”

Poof.

I was in the recovery room.

Wait, what? Were 8.5 hours already over?

My husband greeted me with a kiss on the forehead, and sweet Meredith gave me a “marshmallow hug.” They were rushed out of the room, and I was left with my operating-room nurse, who did not leave my side. She watched vigilantly, ready to act at any sign that I might need to return to the operating room.

I chose natural breast reconstruction. It is a more complex procedure, but it was the option that best fit my lifestyle and mastectomy. Flap reconstruction uses skin and tissue from the abdomen or inner thigh to reconstruct the breast. Microsurgery reconnects the blood vessels.

For the first 24 hours, the medical team checked the reconstructed tissue every 30 minutes to monitor its blood flow and watch for complications. Needless to say, I did not get much sleep.

It took some time to get my pain under control. Adding muscle relaxers finally helped.

I’m hoping to sleep better tonight now that I won’t be awakened as often.

Today, they want me to stand and walk. It sounds impossible, but I do it—partly because I want to stretch my cramped legs and partly because they are making me.

I stand, bend forward and shuffle. They say I won’t be able to stand upright for two weeks.

Ha! I’ll show them.

I’m hurting a bit now. I think it’s time for another dose.

Mom and the boys are visiting tonight. I hope to be coherent. I’m sure they are excited about the cafeteria. They love to eat.

Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes. I read every single one, and I absolutely love seeing the comment notifications.

Love to you all!