Category: Post-Op Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

Insurance

So with the surgery, we have reached our out-of-pocket maximum on our health insurance.  Because of this I have become a crazy person about everyone getting to any doctor needed before the end of the year.  Anything that we had been putting off, not in a rush to take care of needs to be dealt with this year!  I made an appointment for Megan’s yearly for late September and Madison will be November.  I need to call both my primary for a physical (which I have not done in 3-4 years so I guess it is time) as well as the OB/GYN.  I was actually due to go there in June but with the Mastectomy in July I just could not get myself to go there. With all appointments covered at 100%..now it the time!  Blood work, physical etc.  We have put out enough cash, need to try to squeeze as much out of it a we can.

I really can’t wait for the nipple reconstruction and revision to be completed.  Now that I am back to mostly normal activity I have been wearing a sport bra when I go out.  Uncomfortable does not even cover the feeling wearing a bra.  I walk into the house and make it as far as the kitchen and have it half way off.  Very classy but who cares!

Tick tick..almost there!

 

 

 

I did a sit-up….kind of

So after roughly 2 weeks of  exercise, I really am getting stronger.  I am up to 20 minutes 4 times a week on the elliptical with no issues.  The other days we are trying to walk the neighborhood. I would like to work on my punching bag but the girls have destroyed it pretending they were in the olympics, that is another story but punching is out.

I decided to attempt to start abdominal work.  We have this old “ab rock it” . This picture is not ours but pretty close. You hold the handles and push forward to assist the sit up.  There is no way I could do them on my own but with the rocker I was able to do several.   I only did a few, may try more a little later.  I wanted to make sure I did not hurt anything.  I have no pain from my abdomen anymore but it remains extremely tight.  This is not really a bad thing, actually one of the reasons I think it is important to get working on the muscles around it so it remains tightened.

I have finally reached a point where when I look in the mirror I am seeing something positive.  The boobs, well they are a mess but there is a light at the end of the tunnel .  The rest though, not too bad.  Now that the swelling is basically gone, the DIEP flap is really like a tummy tuck.  After 2 kids it is the tightest my abdomen has been in years.  I have taken the opportunity to really focus on my diet and have exercised pretty consistently for 2 weeks.  For the first time in a long time looking in the mirror is not depressing, (not like seeing fireworks either) but I see positive movement.

Continued focus, completion of the nest surgery, the future looks bright!

Waiting

With school right around the corner, things are getting back into swing quickly.  Megan made the travel soccer team so she started practice this week every Monday and Thursday.  The season starts Labor day weekend with a 2 day tournament.  Madison also started soccer practice tonight and every Tuesday until the season starts the week after Labor day.  They both still have karate 1-2 times a week and CCD starts in a few weeks….yikes I think we are running out of days already!  Sometimes I feel like a juggler with multiple balls in the air.

There is a fine line between keeping the kids busy and out of trouble and over scheduled.  I will keep a close eye and make changes as needed!  School is always first priority over all!

So other than life becoming more and more normal with each passing day, there is not too much going on.  I still have soreness in my chest and both boobs as well as under my arms.  But for the most part it is just that, sore.  I have come to accept realize that it will be around for a long while.  The frustrating part is the realization that what has become just sore will be in pain again after next week.  At least it is for the last time…I hope!

My core strength is also improving.  Not ready for sit-ups but I can get up from a lying position without help and other than tightness has no real pain in the area.

So just now in the preparation and waiting period for the nipple reconstruction and revision.  Back to waiting…I hate waiting!