I cannot believe how quickly 2 weeks have passed by so far. A lot has transpired since my surgery.
Overall, I'm doing quite well. Healing has been amazing. I had a Therapist living with us for about 10 days helping me with my recovery. She has helped with blood circulation activation, nerve activation and bone activation. It's hard for Americans to understand what the heck kind of therapy this is, but it's very popular in Europe where she lives and works. My post-surgery circulation is amazing. My skin tone is beautiful! The docs are so amazed at how well my surgery site looks. I have no necrosis (dead skin) at the breast area, my overall energy is very good considering I went through major surgery, digestion is wonderful, no pain meds after 3 days home. Although yesterday I did have a set-back of sorts due to the fact I did too much because I've been feeling so much better -- oh, yes, still live and learn daily.
And the most remarkable change for me is 2 days after I began this therapy for recovery, my hair on my head started to come back! I have hair growing again! I look like a Chia Pet in full bloom! LOL!! Then, of course, the leg hair has decided it needs to make it's presence known as well -- ok, I should be grateful for returning hair, but I could be happy if it didn't come back. (oh, how ungrateful I sound! LOL). But today, for the first time, I see my EYE LASHES GROWING BACK!!!! I have 3 on my left eye that are popping out and several on my right eye. Not sure why the right is so much more, but who cares!! My eyebrows are growing back in as well. Before long, I shall look less like Uncle Fester and more like ME again. Or at least the NEW ME.
In case some are wondering, I'm not completely flat chested. I still have little lady bumps as one can say. And remember, my pathology came back CLEAR/CLEAN with a large margin surrounding it of clear, clean cells. So there is no reason to take all of my tissue. I do have chest expanders under my chest muscle which, I have to be honest, are really weird feeling and tight feeling. I guess it's different for women who get augmentation not to feel it like this, but still, it's not my idea of a good feeling. I have to wear a special bra similar to women who get augmentation. It's a corsett of sorts which can be very uncomfortable especially at night when trying to sleep. I don't wear it during the day but wear it if I get into a car or if I go for a walk outside. Not sure how long I will have this thing, but cannot wait to get rid of it. I have 2 more surgeries regarding my breast reconstruction. This first surgery, obviously was for removing the cancer -- getting the clear/clean pathology. The next 2 will be the actual rebuilding of my breasts. I'm not going larger -- going for the perky look! LOL!! Cannot wait for that to occur. Recently, I met a few women who did not have reconstruction surgery or considered it during the process of their mastectomies. They didn't know about reconstruction and what it could do for them -- So I had the opportunity to educate them a bit of what I know and make recommendations for them. That made me feel a little bit empowered due to the fact most of my days are spent inside recuperating from something.....Either way, to bond with strangers is a pretty cool thing.
I'm not running around being gleeful due to the fact I physically cannot do so. I move slowly and methodically as I walk. I cannot be jostled around at all. I went for a car ride the other day (this past Sunday) and by the time I got home, I needed to lay down for awhile. I paid the price yesterday big time. I even had to take pain meds, so I'm learning to believe what the docs say when they tell you to take it really easy and don't be fooled by feeling better. You still have to keep it mellow. I still don't understand completely what "mellow" means in my world. I want to do! I want to make up for loss time; but if I'm not smart, I will put myself back further and it will take a lot longer for recovery. I think I'm feeling so close to freedom that I just want to go for it, but I know better than to push it, but sometimes I cannot help myself.
I now have my youngest daughter, Amy, and my son-in-law, Loreto, here helping out. What a Godsend they are. They are constantly taking care of something around the house. This has helped my oldest daughter to get some rest and for my hubby to rest as well. I love my family so much. While in the hospital, my youngest daughter, Amy, stayed with me 24/7! She was my advocate. Watching everything the nurses and/or docs were up to. I truly believe anytime we have a loved one and/or dear friend in the hospital or in need, we NEED to be an advocate for them -- to make sure things are getting done -- to be a watchdog of sorts. Getting the correct information -- asking questions when one doesn't understand. I tell you, I was completely incoherent for the first 24 hrs. I was making poor choices which my family would correct immediately. Thank GOD for my family. But I implore to those who have loved one's please, please, please make the time for them when they are going through some kind of procedure, doc appointments, times of need and/or hospital stays. It makes a difference in the overall care process which will ultimately translate into their recovery process. I guess it's called LOVE!
When I first came home, my chocolate lab,Woody, was freaked out -- worried, I guess. He could smell and sense the difference in me. But within 2 days, he was coming around me and wanting me to love on him. His sweet eyes told the story of worry. I cannot imagine going through something like this ever again without my animals around me. They have been a constant source of love! Any of you who have pets understands what I'm talking about. They are my loves big time. It really helps comfort me when I'm really having a difficult time coping with pain or being emotional.
My friends and family have been so generous to me during this time of recuperation. Actually, they have been beyond supportive through this whole ordeal! I cannot thank everyone enough. I hope in the future I can somehow give back. I'll figure it out eventually. It moves me to tears thinking about all the love still surrounding me. I love you all. I love you beyond words. You know who you are!!!! ;)
I know my train of thought is all over the page -- hopefully, soon I will be back on track and able to communicate better. I continue to rest and then walk about the house and down the block. Just don't like these tubes/and my "cajonez" hanging off me. It's quite the picture! LOL. I do laugh! I do laugh a lot more but sometimes it hurts when I laugh really hard. So now I have developed this silly laugh which makes me laugh more -- oh, well, as long as I'm laughing. It's the good stuff, right? So when you can, laugh.............It's true -- it's the greatest medicine.
PS. Just got off the phone with my reconstructive plastic surgeon's office. I have to stop moving for 2 more days - stop my fluid from producing. But they want to see me on Friday, Sept. 16 -- and hopefully, I'll have my tubes removed! This translates into being able to SHOWER!!! Sponge baths don't cut it; ya know? LOL.
Yes, my cup maybe half full -- but my Cup's still half full (get it?)
Ciao, Ciao all!
PSS: Happy BIRTHDAY MOM!!! You are a young 88 year old! Way to go! Just wish we could be there to celebrate with you. We love you so much.
Overall, I'm doing quite well. Healing has been amazing. I had a Therapist living with us for about 10 days helping me with my recovery. She has helped with blood circulation activation, nerve activation and bone activation. It's hard for Americans to understand what the heck kind of therapy this is, but it's very popular in Europe where she lives and works. My post-surgery circulation is amazing. My skin tone is beautiful! The docs are so amazed at how well my surgery site looks. I have no necrosis (dead skin) at the breast area, my overall energy is very good considering I went through major surgery, digestion is wonderful, no pain meds after 3 days home. Although yesterday I did have a set-back of sorts due to the fact I did too much because I've been feeling so much better -- oh, yes, still live and learn daily.
And the most remarkable change for me is 2 days after I began this therapy for recovery, my hair on my head started to come back! I have hair growing again! I look like a Chia Pet in full bloom! LOL!! Then, of course, the leg hair has decided it needs to make it's presence known as well -- ok, I should be grateful for returning hair, but I could be happy if it didn't come back. (oh, how ungrateful I sound! LOL). But today, for the first time, I see my EYE LASHES GROWING BACK!!!! I have 3 on my left eye that are popping out and several on my right eye. Not sure why the right is so much more, but who cares!! My eyebrows are growing back in as well. Before long, I shall look less like Uncle Fester and more like ME again. Or at least the NEW ME.
In case some are wondering, I'm not completely flat chested. I still have little lady bumps as one can say. And remember, my pathology came back CLEAR/CLEAN with a large margin surrounding it of clear, clean cells. So there is no reason to take all of my tissue. I do have chest expanders under my chest muscle which, I have to be honest, are really weird feeling and tight feeling. I guess it's different for women who get augmentation not to feel it like this, but still, it's not my idea of a good feeling. I have to wear a special bra similar to women who get augmentation. It's a corsett of sorts which can be very uncomfortable especially at night when trying to sleep. I don't wear it during the day but wear it if I get into a car or if I go for a walk outside. Not sure how long I will have this thing, but cannot wait to get rid of it. I have 2 more surgeries regarding my breast reconstruction. This first surgery, obviously was for removing the cancer -- getting the clear/clean pathology. The next 2 will be the actual rebuilding of my breasts. I'm not going larger -- going for the perky look! LOL!! Cannot wait for that to occur. Recently, I met a few women who did not have reconstruction surgery or considered it during the process of their mastectomies. They didn't know about reconstruction and what it could do for them -- So I had the opportunity to educate them a bit of what I know and make recommendations for them. That made me feel a little bit empowered due to the fact most of my days are spent inside recuperating from something.....Either way, to bond with strangers is a pretty cool thing.
I'm not running around being gleeful due to the fact I physically cannot do so. I move slowly and methodically as I walk. I cannot be jostled around at all. I went for a car ride the other day (this past Sunday) and by the time I got home, I needed to lay down for awhile. I paid the price yesterday big time. I even had to take pain meds, so I'm learning to believe what the docs say when they tell you to take it really easy and don't be fooled by feeling better. You still have to keep it mellow. I still don't understand completely what "mellow" means in my world. I want to do! I want to make up for loss time; but if I'm not smart, I will put myself back further and it will take a lot longer for recovery. I think I'm feeling so close to freedom that I just want to go for it, but I know better than to push it, but sometimes I cannot help myself.
I now have my youngest daughter, Amy, and my son-in-law, Loreto, here helping out. What a Godsend they are. They are constantly taking care of something around the house. This has helped my oldest daughter to get some rest and for my hubby to rest as well. I love my family so much. While in the hospital, my youngest daughter, Amy, stayed with me 24/7! She was my advocate. Watching everything the nurses and/or docs were up to. I truly believe anytime we have a loved one and/or dear friend in the hospital or in need, we NEED to be an advocate for them -- to make sure things are getting done -- to be a watchdog of sorts. Getting the correct information -- asking questions when one doesn't understand. I tell you, I was completely incoherent for the first 24 hrs. I was making poor choices which my family would correct immediately. Thank GOD for my family. But I implore to those who have loved one's please, please, please make the time for them when they are going through some kind of procedure, doc appointments, times of need and/or hospital stays. It makes a difference in the overall care process which will ultimately translate into their recovery process. I guess it's called LOVE!
When I first came home, my chocolate lab,Woody, was freaked out -- worried, I guess. He could smell and sense the difference in me. But within 2 days, he was coming around me and wanting me to love on him. His sweet eyes told the story of worry. I cannot imagine going through something like this ever again without my animals around me. They have been a constant source of love! Any of you who have pets understands what I'm talking about. They are my loves big time. It really helps comfort me when I'm really having a difficult time coping with pain or being emotional.
My friends and family have been so generous to me during this time of recuperation. Actually, they have been beyond supportive through this whole ordeal! I cannot thank everyone enough. I hope in the future I can somehow give back. I'll figure it out eventually. It moves me to tears thinking about all the love still surrounding me. I love you all. I love you beyond words. You know who you are!!!! ;)
I know my train of thought is all over the page -- hopefully, soon I will be back on track and able to communicate better. I continue to rest and then walk about the house and down the block. Just don't like these tubes/and my "cajonez" hanging off me. It's quite the picture! LOL. I do laugh! I do laugh a lot more but sometimes it hurts when I laugh really hard. So now I have developed this silly laugh which makes me laugh more -- oh, well, as long as I'm laughing. It's the good stuff, right? So when you can, laugh.............It's true -- it's the greatest medicine.
PS. Just got off the phone with my reconstructive plastic surgeon's office. I have to stop moving for 2 more days - stop my fluid from producing. But they want to see me on Friday, Sept. 16 -- and hopefully, I'll have my tubes removed! This translates into being able to SHOWER!!! Sponge baths don't cut it; ya know? LOL.
Yes, my cup maybe half full -- but my Cup's still half full (get it?)
Ciao, Ciao all!
PSS: Happy BIRTHDAY MOM!!! You are a young 88 year old! Way to go! Just wish we could be there to celebrate with you. We love you so much.
