2 weeks and moving forward

The house is quiet….the cherubs have gone to spend a few days with my sister. She has wanted them to visit for a while now and with the recovery the time seemed perfect. I feel bad that they were just stuck sitting around with me, and honestly they have been driving me crazy! My sister lives at the Jersey Shore (not the Snookie shore). It should be a fun couple of days for the three of them…I hope :-)!

So some updates. My abdominal incision is really healing nicely. Still very sore on the left side because of that annoying ever-present drain but other than that very pleased with the way that it is healing. The boobs are another story. They are growing more and more uncomfortable with each passing day. I think there are two reasons for this, first the swelling is going down so the feeling is coming back and they have been through a lot! I think the other reason is a bit self-induced. I really tried to be the super woman and go oxy free. I think that also may account for many of the tears lately. I realize that maybe being the martyr is not good for anyone.

My mobility is progressing nicely. I can lift my right arm fully above my head and the left is close. Thankfully my back is also feeling much better.

I tried to shower the other day. I was cleared to do such AS LONG as I was able to keep the remaining drain completely dry. I really really wanted to shower. I tried to cover it with plastic but was still concerned the tape would give. Instead of a full shower I had to just use the handheld shower nozzle…still the best washing I have been able to manage but I would really love to stand under the running warm water of a shower! I am back at the doctor Wednesday and high hopes that the drain comes out.

I am still wrapping my head around the fact that after all that agonizing waiting, two weeks ago today I had a Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy. And if that was not enough, at the same time had my abdomen cut from one end to the other , (DIEP Flap) in order to “relocate” flesh to build the newbies. And although I have had periods of self-pity, sadness and moodiness I and fully aware of how well I am healing and fell totally empowered and in full control of my future!

11 days post BPM

Good Friday morning and just amazed when I look at a calendar to realize it really has been 11 days. I could try to say they have been a breeze but that is not true. It has been a bit of a roller coaster over the last few days. Some tears, laughs, mood swings, yelling oh hell just like normal right?

So where are we so far today? To start with not nearly as cranky as I have been able to sleep better the last 2 nights. Thank you valuim. Next I have been wearing my biker shorts, hmm do not remember if I blogged about that. When I was at the follow-up on Wednesday, my hubby asked about an abdominal binder. The doctor advised that biker shorts would provide the same service cheaper and easier. He stated that basically the tighter I could handle being bound the happier I would be with the end result of the tummy side of our surgery. It is fascinating, I had to send Frank out for the next size down which I will move to today. Even with who knows how many stitches in, it is the flattest my stomach has been since at least prior to child-birth!

I am still very sore but the pain is settling for the most part. I am almost able to lift my left arm completely above my head with a slight strain my right is a little behind. A little every day. I will not need any type of rehab for this just time.

I still struggle to get into and out of bed. I can get in with no help just a LOT of moaning but getting out sometimes I feel like a turtle stuck on my back. I can eventually find my way out but a slight tug from anyone going by is often a welcome assist.

My girls have been wonderful! Running the laundry, running and emptying the dishwasher and just being so great keeping my water full etc! I feel bad that they are cooped up with me. Yesterday my sister came so they were able to play in the pool while I napped.. a big win for all! They will have a sleep over with her next week. She lives down the shore and loves the beach. I find the beach to be a big disgusting mud pit so it will be the first time my girls will ever go. It will provide me with some quiet and them with some much deserved fun activity!

That’s it for now. Going to go enjoy my morning coffee. Everyday gets better. To sum it up, I wish I could be running around doing my normal daily things. But, I can’t. To look at where I am 11 days out of such a massive surgery..well it is amazing!

1 Week!

One week ago at this point I guess I was in the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) I ended up there all night because there was not a bed available in Trama ICU where the surgeon wanted me. By staying in the PACU I was the only patient and had a nurse dedicated to me for the night. Linda was her name and she was wonderful!

SO today I had my first visit with the home health care visiting nurse. She is actually set to visit with me daily until the drains are removed. The visit went well..blood pressure has been perfect! 110/70. I also received a call from the hospital to check on me. After sitting with the nurse at my kitchen table, I think it is starting to hit me the scale of my surgery. It was big!

I am getting a little better at getting in and out of bed. Wish I could raise the head of my bead at home like I could in the hospital. Here is the pic of my family/bed room. Thank you to my wonderful hubby for setting me up in the family room! Frank had to run out for a few work appointments today but a wonderful friend stopped in to make us lunch. How strange it is for me to sit in my own kitchen while someone else makes hot dogs for my kids. I am struggling! I want to run the vacuum, I want to lift the milk! Instead I watched my super 7-year-old put a load of wash in the washer and a neighbor swiffer my kitchen floor.