I’m so thankful for the end of the week—I made it through my first week back to work. Yay! And we had our friend Ann over for pizza and wine, which was a fun kind of last minute plan. Thankfully the rain that was drizzling throughout the end day ended in time. I’m also thankful for a spontaneous trip to the airport to pick up my sister who was stuck there from a delayed flight. I’m glad I was able to pick her up and glad her husband got to our place shortly after to take her home. It was good timing! Not the best circumstances, but I’m always glad to see them.
Author Archives: mclements43
October 5, 2023
I’m thankful today for a perfect fall day since tomorrow we start a major cool down.
October 4, 2023
I’m grateful today for my new desk at work. My old one was fine but the laminate along the edges was peeling up and catching my clothes. I put tape over it but even that would catch on my sweaters. Annoying. Before my surgery, I got approval to find a replacement but didn’t put in the effort. Then a week ago I saw one on major clearance at a local furniture store. It’s adjustable height via push of a button. I was even able to program my sitting height and standing height into it. It’s been helpful now since I can’t remain in one position too long before I’m uncomfortable. And the finish is so nice—no more snagged sleeves. Plus it looks good in my office. Bonus!
October 3, 2023
I’m thankful today for getting through my second full day of work without feeling quite as exhausted as I was the first day. I’m also thankful for Halloween decorations at the office, a new sewing magazine for inspiration, and future plans with friends to look forward to.
October 2, 2023
I’m officially eight weeks post surgery, and I went back to work today. I was exhausted and sore when I got home. And running a low grade fever. Maybe I overdid it or maybe I have something going on. Last night the incision on my left breast started weeping. I sent a message to my surgeon’s office and they suggested I don’t use the hot tub anymore for a while. I’ll also need to keep an eye on it for any signs of infection. So frustrating.
So…aside from all that, here is how I’m doing at two months for anyone interested or considering diep flap reconstruction:
My incisions are (mostly) healed but still red. There has been some fat necrosis on the left side of my chest, so there is a section of hard, immovable skin, which sits on my tight tendon. Physical therapy is helping with the tightness and massaging the necrosis section is helping it move a little. The transplanted skin from my stomach is a different color than the skin on my chest, so that’s disarming. My doctor said it may get less noticeable over time.
My stomach still feels tight, but I can stand mostly straight now. There is still swelling which means my stomach has no “give,” and I can’t wear anything that’s too tight. No squeezing myself into jeans. Also, the longer the day goes on, the more swelling seems to happen. Swelly belly is what a lot of women who have gone through this surgery call it. In addition to that, my stomach skin is SUPER sensitive to the texture of fabric. I’m trying to wear normal clothes again but it’s hard. I ordered belly bands and hope they are thin enough that I can wear them under my clothes without adding a lot of bulk or warmth. They have to be better than the abdominal binder I no longer need to wear.
I am able to lay on my side, although I can’t stay there too long before it feels weird. I also was able to lay on my stomach during physical therapy, which I haven’t been able to do in two years. It was glorious. No pain.
I can lift things heavier than 10 pounds now but I still do so carefully, using my knees and all that. I can’t sit up without turning and pushing myself up. Engaging my stomach muscles for anything feels really uncomfortable, although I’m slowly adding some exercises to my stretching routine. Sitting too long makes my stomach feel weird. Twisting feels weird. Notice a pattern? I suspect my stomach is going to feel weird for a while.
I still get random sharp pains or a dull ache in areas where the nerves were cut. It’s tolerable. And my new belly button is still red but looks like my old belly button.
Would I do it again? Yes, assuming nothing goes amiss at this point. Otherwise I’ll probably wish I had taken out the implants and left it. I’m thankful that my reconstructed breasts are soft, and the heaviness of the implants are gone. I’m thankful that even with the tightness I still have, my range of motion is better. And I’m grateful that although I’m scheduled for revision surgery in April to make everything look better, I don’t have to do it. I can change my mind.
October 1, 2023
My last day of freedom. I’m both dreading and thankful to be going back to work tomorrow. I’m thankful my recovery is officially over and I’m doing better. I’m thankful they seem to be happy that I’m coming back. It’s nice to know I’m needed. And I’m thankful I’ll be going back to my normal paycheck. The backyard isn’t paying for itself. But there have been a lot of changes at work and the atmosphere is weird. I spent some time with my boss last Friday getting caught up on everything that’s been going on—and it’s been busy. I’ll need to hit the ground running tomorrow.
September 30, 2023
I’m so thankful we got the house painting done early this morning because it got warm this afternoon. It would have been awful painting in the sun. After running some errands, I also got some lights hung up under the deck, which added great ambiance to our patio area. And since we were so sore all day, we got into the hot tub. For a little bit. Woohoo!
September 29, 2023
I’m thankful today that Patrick’s car is finally fixed from the accident at the hospital a month ago. Since I have been off work, it’s worked out to be down to one car, but starting next week, we’ll need them both.
I was planning to get into our hot tub tonight since I’ve gotten cleared by my doctor, but he kinda poked at my incisions and now I have a spot that seems scabbed again. Maybe I’m being too cautious, but I’d rather wait until it’s gone. I blame that FB group I found where people posted photos of their open wounds. It haunts me.
Plus, I tried on a bathing suit and all I could see was my scars and swollen belly. Patrick said I looked like I had gotten into a fight with a lawn mower. It does. Not that what I look like matters for our own backyard, but it was frustrating. But I’m thankful Patrick loves me regardless and that I’ll be able to get in the hot tub soon. With a bigger swimsuit.
September 28, 2023
Today I had my (almost) 8-week follow up with my surgeon. I got pretty much all of my questions answered and then got the all clear. No more restrictions, although he warned me not to overdo too quickly. No deadlifts yet, but I can start exercising and resume stuff like vacuuming. He said my incisions are healing well, and the remaining swelling is normal. I can also now use the hot tub, but he suggested starting out with just small increments since I still have numb areas.
Yay! I’m thankful for the good news! And my new freedom, although I won’t go crazy with it because I do t need any issues now. But I do see a quick hot tub soak in my near future.
September 27, 2023
This week is going by too quickly. I’m not getting all my things done. Oh, well. It’s not like going back to work means I can’t do anything else.
I did get my craft room somewhat clean after getting a new console for extra storage. It’s a neat piece, but it meant I had to shuffle some things around and get rid of a chair. Boo. But I’ll save it for Emma. I’m thankful for getting this done and for a couple more days of freedom.
melissagratitude 