6 Weeks Post-Op

I had expected to be in "full steam ahead" mode by now, but it's not happening.  My surgical wounds are still far from healed.  In fact, I was in Dr. V's office yesterday almost certain I had an infection in the wound area.  Thankfully, nothing is infected.  The healing is very slow, but the tissue inside the wounds still looks healthy, according to the doctor.  To help speed it along, I need to increase my intake of protein and vitamin C.  And, it appears that I was packing my wounds too tight, which was contributing to the pain. 

I've researched this enough to know that a big part of the problem is my BMI.  Additional flab decreases the blood flow necessary to speed up healing.  Also, chemotherapy plays a part in the healing factor.  As Dr. V told me yesterday, "it will happen... it just will take some time". 

Iron Transfusion

Last week, at my doctor appointment, Dr. T. was once again concerned about my iron levels in my blood work.  My red blood count had already been low due to treatment, but surgery made it drop even more.  What I didn't realize is that he sent the blood off for further testing.  Apparently, the results were not good, because the clinic called me today to schedule a four-hour iron transfusion.  This explains the headaches, dizziness, and light-headedness I had last weekend.

I decided not to call Dr. T. Monday about the dizziness because I had already decided it was due to low red blood count (iron).  I have some iron supplements a doctor gave me 2 years ago, so I started taking them Monday morning.  It has helped.  I talked to the RN and I was still advised to have the transfusion because it works much faster and without the side effects of the pills.  I decided to follow their suggestion and will receive the transfusion Friday morning in the treatment room of The West Clinic...just when I thought I wouldn't ever go there again.