2 Weeks Post-Op

Hey everyone! I’m currently 2.5 weeks post op. Feeling as good as can possibly be expected! I feel so lucky to have had a pretty pain free and easy recovery thus far. 

This week I have over the head arm exercises I’m supposed to do. A little nervous to use my range of motion but I’ll get there. Also starting this week I’m supposed to wear a sports bra instead of surgical bra for more compression and to avoid build-up of fluid. Putting on a sports bra is a little scary. Not only the range of motion, over the head but I’m still scared I’m going to pop something inside somewhere and be back to square one. That would be NO BUENO. I’m sure that’s mostly in my head but it’s a fear, nonetheless.  

I got my drains out at my 2 week post op appointment (Thank GOD). 15 days with those suckers was ENOUGH for me! It’s great not to be attached and have to carry around a pouch full of nasty everywhere I go anymore. The fun and exciting part about this past week’s post op appointment was my first expander fill! YAY!! During surgery, my surgeon was able to fill them each 240 cc, so at my first appointment I got another 60 cc in each. I think I will do one more small fill this coming week and then be done. Not too much more… I’ll be deciding on the amount in the next few days. Still going back and forth in my head…

I have been SO scared to shower for fear of getting an infection through the drain sites. FINALLY, today I took a REAL shower, (not just a sponge bath), for the first time since surgery. That’s a big accomplishment! Big milestone for me post-surgery!! I took this picture right after shower and putting clothes on myself…VICTORY IS MINE!!!

I still feel so blessed for everyone in my life who has been SO there for me. Childcare has been the biggest necessity and biggest hurdle, obviously. I can’t WAIT to pick my babies up again. I also can’t wait for Max (my ALMOST 1 year old) to have no memory of Mommy not lifting him.  I can’t wait to get back to the bond that we had/have. He was SUCH a Mama’s boy before this, and it just breaks me that I can’t be that person for him right now. This will pass (*she tells herself*).

My daughter has really handled this all so well. She knows she needs to be gentle with Mommy. She’s been asking me to rub her back when she lies in my lap instead, which is just the sweetest ever. Yes…No doubt, that is the hardest thing. The kids and all the complications that comes with it. Getting through the other stuff is ok, and the worst is behind me.

I also can’t wait to not feel lazy. Yesterday my MIL and I went on a walk with Max  (she pushed the stroller) around the neighborhood, so that was my first time walking outside post surgery. Today I went on a walk around the neighborhood again myself. Baby steps. 

I’m a very active person, so I’m itching to get back up to running speed, but I obviously won’t be cleared for that for a month at least.

The expanders aren’t as bad as I have heard and read. They don’t hurt. They’re not the most comfortable things in the world, don’t get me wrong, but they’re not painful. The only time I feel pain/pressure is at night trying to sleep on my back. I just moved back to the bed from the recliner that I’ve been sleeping in for two weeks, a few days ago, and I can certainly feel the pressure on my chest during the night. I know it’s normal to feel that discomfort. My chest has gone through a lot of trauma, so I can’t expect to feel nothing. Nighttime they sort of feel like rock balloons on my chest. But again, it’s all temporary. Definitely looking forward to my implant exchange in a few months. 

As a type A person, I’ve been forced to let go of some control during this time. Honestly, it’s probably a good mental exercise for me. But at least I’m surrounded by people who I trust and are making this as easy for me as I could ever ask or hope for. 

Thank you for tuning in to my journey!! I’ll be back with updates soon!!