I am now up and about. I saw the plastic surgeon on Monday for my weekly visit and he was impressed with the progress of things for the most part. The area that was bruised that he was really concerned about has pretty much gone away, the incision on the right side is no longer red thanks to the week of antibiotics but the left side is still healing! I was doing dressing changes twice a day with Silvadine Cream (they use this on burns, generally) so he changed that to just some antibiotic cream for a few days and then leave it with nothing at all. His hope is that this area will form a scab, the scab will come off and there will be new healed skin under that. So we shall see. If this does not happen then we may be going back to surgery to clean this area out, his concern is for the expander, if this area doesn't heal we can loose the expander and we go back to square one! So I am praying for healing!
I went for a walk with Kevin on Tuesday this week. I thought we were just going up the road but we went for about 2.5 miles. Long and slow like a turtle but I did it. Breathing is a little bit of an issue. I feel like there is an elephant sitting on my chest sometimes when I try to take a deep breath. I guess because the skin is so tight and with the expander's in place there is not much room. But I did it. I am for sure a LONG way off from running! Baby steps!
Keeping a positive attitude this week has been hard. I am not sure what that is all about. Starting on Sunday I was just in a blah mood, kind of flat and uninterested! Boy do I hate that feeling. I guess a bit of a pity party for myself! The impatient part of me just wants to be healed up and press on. Patients, I generally am a very patient person but I guess I have never been challenged like this before.
I really don't mind the whole flat chest part, it is really not that bad. I am able to wear a camisole now as I don't have to have pressure applied to my chest any more with the surgi-bra. That was one good thing, the muscle is adhering to the tissue so that was good news! I do still have a hard time lifting my arms up too high but this week I was able to get a shirt over my head.... progress! Before now all I have been able to wear is zip up and button up tops. Now, getting the tops off can be a challenge because after a long day I am pretty pooped and weak in the arms so I have to have Kevin help but that is ok! I have to be diligent with doing my exercises, walking my fingers up the wall and stretching out my chest, nothing major but feels like a hour kick boxing class sometimes! I asked the doc what are my limitations, basically up to this point I have not lifted or reached for anything and I wanted to be able to do some things for my self! He said "I know you want to get back to your marathons".... I cracked up! Although that is my goal, really I just wanted to know, can I get the milk out of the refrigerator!!! Baby Steps! So 5 lbs is all I can lift and I can walk.
Life is going on in the Ross house as usual. I look forward to the day that I can move around in the bed freely without feeling uncomfortable and not just sleep on my back. I look forward to being able to snuggle with Kevin without him worrying about hurting me. I look forward to not noticing that I have these things in my chest and just feel a bit normal. I look forward to going for a jog even if it is just up the street and back. I look forward to getting back into a routine again, going to work, seeing my friends and taking care of my house without help. I look forward to getting my energy back. Baby Steps!
So until next time. Enjoy the small, insignificant things you are able to do each day!
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
With Love,
Debbie
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