SURGERY**
is where i left off. i found out that letting others do as much for you as possible was the best way to go.
If you feel up to doing more yourself, go for it! with drs approval. Most surgeries, the sooner you start moving the better. Not so sure this is one of them.
As usual, there's different opinions. Many friends were telling me to exercise ' be sure and be squeezing tennis ball, etc.'
My dr. said 'NO EXERCISE!!! UNTIL I SAY SO!' It's between you and dr. He knew me pretty well, since before 1st appt i was already doing yoga on the wii. he hit the rooof!!!!
i digress.
SURGERY- HOSPITAL STAY***
While in hospital, follow drs. orders. Of course, be your own advocate as usual. Make sure they're not giving you wrong meds or more than you need.
ie. I took my own 'Thickit' . an OT med that have to add to all liquid to keep from asperating (swallowing wrong way).
I had a bottle of it already mixed together in a nospill cup that they put a id medical label. it followed me to recovery even. so they would know to use it instead of plain water.
don't be shy when telling them what you need, EVEN if you think they know or oughta, or you've already told them. better to be thought of a crazy then getting sicker from surgery!!!!!!
usually, someone stayed with me at hospital so i didn't have to worry about pain meds etc. or unwanted visits.
personally, i had it worded that cards were appreciated, but to check before visiting. (then i turned off my phone )
my DH and MIL were my go betweens. they screened calls and visits. it's no time to be playing hostess.
at least, i felt like crap, didn't want anyone else seeing me and needed all the rest between the drs. and nurses coming and going.
follow instuctions to a 't' and ask questions if in doubt. don't be afraid to push the call button. they get paid to take care of you. let them! you'll be going home soon enough and on your own soon enough.
depending on how you are healing/ reacting, when surgery was, ins., etc. you may stay a little over 24 hrs or up to a wk. it all varies. so expect the unexpected.
if you think you'll be more comfortable at home and have set it all up well there, then go for it.
personally, i MISSED the hospital bed. sleeping in recliner or loveseat was murder.
with a double mastectomy you may be cut just across the chest up to but not including arm pit or all the way from sternum to backbone. it all depends on several factors. be sure and ask your dr. BEFORE surgery! so you can prepare home accordingly.
To end up the SURGERY AND HOSPITAL part.
-listen to dr. and nurses
-ask questions if in doubt
-allow others to do for you, if dr. says rest, REST!!!
-take your pain meds, you can't heal as well if your body has to fight the pain and try to heal (this goes for at home also)
i'm sure there's more, but cog fog is rolling in again!
hope this helps.
will write more soon.
i missed my followup appt this past week since i was out of town. nurse ok with it since i'm not in pain (just tightness) and incision is thin and fading.
i'm able to do lots more than i thought. lifting almost 14 lb baby overhead as exercise hasn't even hurt. he said no weights, but i could hold baby! ok, so i'm fudging a little, but she loves it and i miss the exercise!!!
mentally/ emotionally, i'm accepting my breastless body, even embracing it.
i'll do a post on prosthesis and options soon.
until then, take care!
God bless all of you!
we just went to a new email system so if you don't hear from me right away, it isn't intentional.
be gentle and kind to yourself, you deserve it
is where i left off. i found out that letting others do as much for you as possible was the best way to go.
If you feel up to doing more yourself, go for it! with drs approval. Most surgeries, the sooner you start moving the better. Not so sure this is one of them.
As usual, there's different opinions. Many friends were telling me to exercise ' be sure and be squeezing tennis ball, etc.'
My dr. said 'NO EXERCISE!!! UNTIL I SAY SO!' It's between you and dr. He knew me pretty well, since before 1st appt i was already doing yoga on the wii. he hit the rooof!!!!
i digress.
SURGERY- HOSPITAL STAY***
While in hospital, follow drs. orders. Of course, be your own advocate as usual. Make sure they're not giving you wrong meds or more than you need.
ie. I took my own 'Thickit' . an OT med that have to add to all liquid to keep from asperating (swallowing wrong way).
I had a bottle of it already mixed together in a nospill cup that they put a id medical label. it followed me to recovery even. so they would know to use it instead of plain water.
don't be shy when telling them what you need, EVEN if you think they know or oughta, or you've already told them. better to be thought of a crazy then getting sicker from surgery!!!!!!
usually, someone stayed with me at hospital so i didn't have to worry about pain meds etc. or unwanted visits.
personally, i had it worded that cards were appreciated, but to check before visiting. (then i turned off my phone )
my DH and MIL were my go betweens. they screened calls and visits. it's no time to be playing hostess.
at least, i felt like crap, didn't want anyone else seeing me and needed all the rest between the drs. and nurses coming and going.
follow instuctions to a 't' and ask questions if in doubt. don't be afraid to push the call button. they get paid to take care of you. let them! you'll be going home soon enough and on your own soon enough.
depending on how you are healing/ reacting, when surgery was, ins., etc. you may stay a little over 24 hrs or up to a wk. it all varies. so expect the unexpected.
if you think you'll be more comfortable at home and have set it all up well there, then go for it.
personally, i MISSED the hospital bed. sleeping in recliner or loveseat was murder.
with a double mastectomy you may be cut just across the chest up to but not including arm pit or all the way from sternum to backbone. it all depends on several factors. be sure and ask your dr. BEFORE surgery! so you can prepare home accordingly.
To end up the SURGERY AND HOSPITAL part.
-listen to dr. and nurses
-ask questions if in doubt
-allow others to do for you, if dr. says rest, REST!!!
-take your pain meds, you can't heal as well if your body has to fight the pain and try to heal (this goes for at home also)
i'm sure there's more, but cog fog is rolling in again!
hope this helps.
will write more soon.
i missed my followup appt this past week since i was out of town. nurse ok with it since i'm not in pain (just tightness) and incision is thin and fading.
i'm able to do lots more than i thought. lifting almost 14 lb baby overhead as exercise hasn't even hurt. he said no weights, but i could hold baby! ok, so i'm fudging a little, but she loves it and i miss the exercise!!!
mentally/ emotionally, i'm accepting my breastless body, even embracing it.
i'll do a post on prosthesis and options soon.
until then, take care!
God bless all of you!
we just went to a new email system so if you don't hear from me right away, it isn't intentional.
be gentle and kind to yourself, you deserve it
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