[2023-07-28] Steps forward, two down and recovery day 21
If yesterday felt like a setback (and, let's be honest, it was), today felt like a step forward—perhaps several.
Early this morning, I received a call from nurse Jessica at The Ottawa Hospital's Breast Health Clinic. I noted my family doctor's recommendation to see a surgeon as soon as possible. Though they were all booked up, Jessica said that she would see what she could do. Twenty minutes later, the receptionist at the Breast Health Centre called to give me an appointment this afternoon with Dr. Pitt.
My appointment with Dr. Pitt was efficient and effective. He looked at my right breast, pronounced that I had a mild infection, and said the drain needed to come out immediately. He reiterated that drains can cause infections if left in too long. He got right to it, and moments later (with only a bit of pain), the drain was gone.
As an aside, Dr. Pitt was impressed by the method I had used to support my drain bulbs when not wearing a shirt with pockets, such as when in the shower or when being examined by a doctor. I had made a slight upgrade to the Christmas-stockings approach I described in Perspective, joy and recovery day 11. Instead of putting my bulbs in two socks to which I connected a lanyard, I fed a small chain through the loop on the bulb (like the kind of chain you find on a bathtub stopper,) and then attached the chain to the metal clip of a lanyard. I think this little invention should be standard issue for anyone with drains.
When the drain was out and Jessica had dressed the drain site, Dr. Pitt reiterated that I had a mild infection and that he was confident that the antibiotics prescribed for me would resolve my issue. His report described minor erythema, adding that this redness of the skin is not severe and that there is no lump tenderness or fluctuation suggesting abscesses.
Before my appointment, I had prepared for the worst. I had everything with me that I would need if he had said, "This is serious. We need to admit you to the hospital and start you on intravenous antibiotics." I've seen that rodeo before. I had prepared a six-page chronology so that I would have all the necessary information at my fingertips, ready to answer any question he might throw at me. Alas, there was no alarm and few questions. Instead, I left with the best possible outcome: assurance that my infection was minor and that I should get better with the antibiotics. And, of course, I left with no drain sticking out of my body. That was a bonus.
Dr. Pitt invited me to call the Breast Health Centre should my condition worsen, but his whole demeanour as well as his subsequent report suggested that he was not concerned. He felt that my follow-up appointment with Dr. Zhang on August 10 would be sufficient.
My thanks to everyone who reached out yesterday and this morning to commiserate with me and wish me well. I am blessed in many ways, including through the caring of many people. Let's hope it's all up from here.
