Tag: Physical exercise

Day 39 Post mastectomy

I guess we are in a waiting period once again for surgery but unlike before I am not in agony waiting for this one.  Instead just trying to make sure everything is caught up on around the house. We have also focused on getting ready for school to start sorting through closets and drawers, filling backpacks with supplies. Haircuts are scheduled, drawers are straightened and things that do not fit removed.  With the nipple reconstruction and revision scheduled for 8/24, I need to make sure we are all ready to go for September 6th…the first day of school!  I am really hoping that I am moving around well because on September 5th Madison, who is starting Kindergarten, has met the teacher day.  I will be very upset if I can not be there for that!

Most importantly for this week we have a super special birthday on Saturday.  My first-born turns 8 years old..yikes!  Just a small party this year, pool and BBQ (if the weather holds fingers crossed) with her couple of cousins aunts and uncles.

We went out to the store yesterday and for the first time I wore a sport bra, although the Doctor has never said I was allowed to wear one.  It is so hot I can not walk around with the baggy shirt hanging over the tank!  I actually wore a T-shirt and felt comfortable that no one was looking at my square boobs.  I am feeling more and more normal each day. I still have  stiffness in the chest and tightness  in the abdomen but  I have come to accept that they will be part of life for a long while.  It does not affect daily functions and is really no more that aches and stiffness.  I only wish I could sleep on my side…that I really miss!

I continue to do some type of exercise daily, elliptical machine, punching bag or walking.  I would really like to turn this experience into an opportunity to refocus the entire family on our health.  The girl’s exercise with me either punching the bag, jumping on their little trampoline or simple sit-ups.  Unfortunately, frank and I both have struggled with our weight as did my mother and his father.  We need to do better for ourselves and the girls!

We did have a big event yesterday, Madison lost her third tooth.  We were all very excited!

Tired and a little sore..but good!

SO I did the first round of exercises that I found on Livestrong.com last night.  I was very careful…did only a handful of each (3-5).  There were 5 exercises attempted.  One of the funnier things happened at the start..getting to the ground in the first place.  I stood there for a second remembering my falling flat into bed experience from just a few days ago and decided my plan of attack.  My girls were by my side to “help” but I thought I would squash them if something were to go wrong so I told them to stand clear.  I was very proud of myself..got to my knees, turned carefully to my bottom then basically to my side to lay flat on my back.  Once down I thought “well that’s enough for today :-)”.  But I pushed on.  It is something when you realize lifting a stick over your head or just stretching your elbows to the floor would be difficult.  The girls cheered me on and I felt great afterward to finally feel like we were moving forward!

Getting up from the floor was another thing all together.  Since I have no core strength I am basically stuck on my back.  When I was finished Madison says “I will call daddy”.  NO! I can do this! So when Frank placed the bed into the family room, he tied these workout straps to the frame thinking that they would help me get in and out.  They never worked..they had too much give.  As I laid there stuck on my family room floor, I remembered the straps…”Madison, hand mommy the green cord..please” .  It was something of pure heroic maneuvering (alright maybe not but I was dam proud of myself!) I was able to pull myself to my side and closer to the end of the bed which I could then use to get up..I was on my feet!  The girls ran and told their father as if what they had just witnessed was something of pure fairy tale…I think they are proud of me :-).

The tired (I assume) comes from my medicine changes.  I have been working to get away from the Oxy for several days but was still taking one an hour or so before bed.  Last night I went with a vicodine after my “workout” but went to be pretty clear..and laid there, tossed, turned.  Then I had a pain (which I have had on the left side between my breasts).  I pointed it out to the doctor who says it is normal is the connection point for the flap and not to push on it.  First response was to grab a pill.  Instead I took a motrin and put an ice pack on my chest.  Eventually I dozed  for a little while but running on just a few hours.  I know it will work itself out and is part of the process.

On the agenda today, more exercise and maybe, just maybe our first venture out in the car.  We will see how the day unfolds.