Week 2.5

I continue to progress slowly each day.  I still have my husband home with me for this week, thank goodness.  I still can't stand up completely straight so it makes it difficult to stand for longer than a few minutes.  

The lower abdominal incision still has steri-strips on it, but they're coming off slowly each day.  The incision is healing nicely and there's no risk of it coming open, so I am doing some stretching each day in hopes that I will eventually be able to stand up straight.  My Plastic Surgeon tells me it will "just happen one day" (sigh).

The incisions on each breast also still have the steri-strips on them, but I have instructions to keep clipping the tape off as it comes loose.  There remain scabs on all the incisions which will fall off on their own.  The homecare nurses left me with some saline to wipe these areas down each day.  I've also been applying Polysporin to the 4 drainage tube sites.  3 of the 4 sites are closed over, but one is still weeping so I keep it bandaged.

I'm now able to shower with the drainage tubes out, but have some restricted movement of my right arm.  I'm having a hard time getting my arm up high enough to wash my hair - frustrating!  I will talk to the Surgeon next week to see if there's any problem or I just need some physio for this issue.

I've been doing a lot of sitting, knitting and reading.  It's hard to do much else.  I still have a 5lb. lifting limit and have limited range of motion right/left so it's not like I can scrub the tub or anything LOL.  I can Swiffer dust the hardwood floors and make a pile for one of the boys to vaccuum up for me, and I try to help picking up papers or dishes.  I've been helping my son with his school and looking at post-secondary options so it's keeping me occupied.

My appetite still has not returned fully.  I have to remind myself to eat 3 times a day.  I need to keep wearing the abdominal binder for another 2 weeks.  It makes me sweaty at night, but definitely helps support the healing process.  Also having a hard time sleeping through the night.  I often find myself hopping from the bed to the couch to the recliner, mostly because of lower back pain.  I think once I am able to stretch fully, I might be able to get more comfortable.

I so appreciate all of your words of wisdom, well wishes and encouragement.  This has been just about the toughest part of my cancer journey both physically and emotionally.  

Week 2

Well, as good as it was to come home, new challenges are presented.  The bed at home doesn't have remote controls to help me sit up, so getting in/out of a flat bed is near impossible.  I'm sleeping in my throne (aka recliner chair) most nites, but trying to nap in the bed with help from Bill to get comfortable.  


Home care nurses come every day to check all the incisions, do a saline wash, rebandage, and help with any pain control or other questions we might have.  They have all been wonderful.  


Still stressing about how slow the recovery seems to be going for my liking.  One day I feel like knitting up a storm while catching up on the new TV shows, I have a good appetite, and maybe hobble around (still slightly hunched over) to get a cup of tea.  The next day I'm so tired I don't feel like doing anything.  I saw the Plastic Surgeon on Day 11 for a checkup.  One of the drain sites was terribly infected so she removed it.  Had myself all worked up about how bad it was going to hurt and I didn't even feel a thing!  I'm down to 1 drain now - the one under my right breast where I had the most work done.  


Cosmetically, both breasts appear slightly bigger and definitely "perkier" than previously, but lefty is slightly bigger.  Righty had a blood blister along an incision line the day after surgery when the P.Surgeon discovered the binder was rubbing along that spot.  It is still bleeding so the nurses are keeping an eye out for infections.  I suspect some corrective surgery will likely be needed down the road.


Overall, I'm quite pleased and am trying to stay positive with myself and not get down.  I hate being a burden to my husband and kids, and hate that I keep worrying about work things.  I left work suddenly but expected to have at least 4 more weeks to catch up.  Deep breath, stop worrying!!

Out of Hospital

Day 5 - Wed. Sept. 28th

Heading home today.  Can't wait to sit in my recliner, have a cup of tea in my own mug (read - not plastic) and watch some TV.  I really hate being in the hospital but recognize the reason why constant care is needed.

I can't say enough about the fabulous staff at the Bowmanville Hospital.  Everyone was very professional, and when I had my meltdowns over the pain of removing the tape, or how painful it was to walk, they were always supportive.  The food -- well, it was A-typical of most hospitals -- bland!

Dear Hubby now starts his 2 weeks of "stay-cation" to take care of me.  I can't believe how lucky I am to have him. XXXOOO