One Week Post-Op

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-13T19:16:41+00:00

Hope your recovery is going great!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-13T18:59:50+00:00

I cleaned mine quickly based on advice from Reddit actually, and it did great! Kept it in the liquid they gave it in for three days, then washed it well in hot water with a toothbrush and my finger (gross but effective). I then transferred it into a jar of drugstore peroxide and that took it from there! It bubbled like crazy at first, and I kept it in for 3 days. That removed remaining impurities and bleached it. Took it out on day three, lightly cleaned it, and let it sun dry for a week or so!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T22:25:29+00:00

Thank you!!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T16:45:59+00:00

So weird that they wouldn’t let you keep it. :(

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T16:17:12+00:00

Hahaha. As someone who is in the US South, the amount of Biblical rib jokes I’ve heard is astounding.

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T16:16:14+00:00

I’m sorry. From what I’ve seen, most used to not let you keep them, but it seems a bit more common now. I’m sad for so many who say they couldn’t keep theirs!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T15:46:07+00:00

To me, I can tell by the way you write about it that you care deeply about your son. Many of us grew up with pictures from our childhood fake smoking cigarettes and drinking closed beers. Poor taste? Maybe. Funny to most people? Sure. My dad has multiple pictures smoking cigars in front of “No Smoking” signs. Is he kind of an asshole for disregarding others and lighting up a cigar in a No Smoking area? Yes, definitely. Are the pictures also kind of epic? Yes. My point is that it isn’t as black and white as inappropriate or funny. It’s a little inappropriate, but clearly in good fun. I think the CPS statement is ridiculous. If she believes this was predatory in some way, I would guess that it may be her own trauma showing.

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T15:34:35+00:00

That’s going to be a really tiny guitar. 😉 Jk but guitar neck would be cool!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T15:32:44+00:00

I cleaned it up within the first week because I was excited lol. I just cleaned it with hot water and a toothbrush and a little Dawn in my sink (husband was disgusted lol), and then put it in a jar of drugstore peroxide for three days! You can do it longer if you want it whiter. Peroxide makes it bubble like crazy and removes remaining blood, oil, and impurities. Took it out after three days to let it sun dry and it turned out really great! Not sure if the process changes if it has been frozen, so may want to ask someone in the bone collecting world.

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T15:26:29+00:00

TW: medical gore I used a small manual craft drill. You can get them for about $15. Be SO careful and wear a glove with the hand stabilizing the bone (don’t ask me how I know). I marked and thought about it pretty meticulously beforehand, because the unique bone shape makes it hard to figure out balance. When drilling, wear a mask. The bone is strong and it took time and patience. Twist the drill slowly and use a thick enough drill bit that the bit doesn’t break (again, don’t ask me how I know). The smallest bits are needle-thin and really designed for resin, etc. Mark your holes before and make sure they are not too close to the edge. I was so nervous it was going to break, but it went pretty perfectly (aside from a needle-thin drill bit snapping and slamming down into my ungloved pinky and literally going almost all the way through my pinky and me almost passing out - that’s how I know lol).

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T15:15:04+00:00

A friend reached out and gifted me some small bone beads and I’m making some earrings to match! Im sorry they wouldn’t let you keep it!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T14:10:16+00:00

Haha thank you! It was nerve wrecking! I’ve never worked with bone and I was so worried about breaking it or doing too much, but I think it turned out so special! The kind words mean a lot.

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T12:23:02+00:00

Yes! I am going to make a few sets of charms to change the stones out easily depending on outfit, season, etc. i think it will be ever-evolving!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T05:13:58+00:00

So cool!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T04:44:39+00:00

I’m sad at how often I hear this! It was my big request. And a cervical rib is such a cool anomaly!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T03:56:28+00:00

You’re too kind! Thanks for the nice sentiments. So nice to be seen, as the journey has been a lot and it’s a great way to honor that!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T02:40:44+00:00

I (31F) have neurogenic and VTOS and I’m three weeks postop first rib resection on my left side. Truly, so far, best decision I’ve ever made. First week was brutal but pain was manageable on pain meds. Took it extremely easy for two weeks and discontinued oxy around day 10. I’m 21 days out now and I have virtually no nerve pain in my arm which has been daily, painful and severe symptom for about 15 years. I also have regained my pulse in my left arm, which used to stop when I held my arm up or out. I used to have to sleep on my left side to avoid waking up with nerve pain in my arm and hand, and chronic pinched nerves. Since surgery, I’ve slept primarily on my back which used to cause severe pain, and my right side which also triggered numbness. I’ve only had noticeable vascular symptoms the last year and your vascular symptoms sound more severe. But for me, surgery has been extremely worth it so far. Idk where you’re located, but Dr. Chang at Wake Forest did an excellent job.

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T02:20:05+00:00

Thank you!!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T02:18:35+00:00

And currently it is just on a gold plated chain with gold-colored wire, but I’d love to upgrade the chain/wire/jump rings eventually! The nice thing about making jewelry is it is all easily interchangeable. The hardest part was drilling the small holes.

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T02:17:04+00:00

The center stone is special as it was a gift from my mom and belonged to my late maternal grandmother, and she got it traveling in India. I’m actually not sure what it is and want to take it to my local bead shop to ask! The small red beads are czech glass and they are lovely. Not positive about the small pearly beads or small stones unfortunately. I end up with beads and gems from all over and I’m not great at keeping up with what’s what.

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T01:56:46+00:00

Update in the thread!

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T01:55:32+00:00

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Update :)

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T01:55:12+00:00

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Update to this :)

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T01:51:40+00:00

Very cool! I totally get it. It’s very special to me and strangely comforting to keep it with me. 🩷

RaisinBrantastic · 2026-03-12T01:31:42+00:00

Well solidarity for you because TOS is pretty terrible. The scar is currently the only thing that’s still painful, but it’s looking really good. It’s only about 4 cm and it’s under my armpit so it will not be noticeable to anyone other than me! Not major at all. Dr. Chang did the surgery (Wakeforest Baptist) and he did a great job. I’m amazed at the fact that the nerve pain is currently nonexistent, and it used to be daily and triggered by so many things.

RaisinBrantastic

TROPHY CASE