Finally took my first shower; increasing range of motion is next

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CreativeMaven
CreativeMaven Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

Hello all! On Sep 1st I had a uni mx, sentinel node biopsy (0/2) with immediate one-step reconstruction. Had such plus size boobs that doc was able to double flap over to minimize necrosis risk and use largest implant immediately. Was comfortable and cute! Unfortunately at one-week post-op, furthest edges of skin flap were showing signs of necrosis so I opted for aggressive treatment and went back to surgery on Sep 10th for repair work. There was a little too much tension in the skin and ps opted for removing implant and put in TE instead. Surgery went well, came out from anaethesia better than previous surgeries, but came down with allergic reaction to antibiotic over the weekend. Finally coming out from all that and things are looking good ahead! Cleared to shower, drive (once meds and mobility allow safe driving), gentle increase range of motion exercises (no weight-bearing yet) and my parents who have been here miraculously somehow keeping everything in control for over a month (since they landed in town to help after my second lumpectomy) are leaving after next week!

So, with that intro behind me, I took my best effort at a shower yesterday. My hair is a beautiful shade of frizz today but so much better than the alternative! I am ready to push forward and start increasing my range of motion, try to get back into some sense of being able to take on managing the household and family obligations, etc. I'm looking for suggestions on best resources and directions to start. I do enjoy exercising to videos at home more than being with others and hiking to a gym or PT office, so the more I can do in my own environment, the more comfortable I'll be, so looking for at-home suggestions first.

I still have the "rug burn" numbness under my arm and on the hanging portion of my upper arm. I sleep with my arm elevated to reduce the risks of LE, but developing it is a concern to me, especially being so plus-sized already I question whether I'd even recognize it! I do watch for signs of swelling in my hand and lower arm, but so far the only thing that concerns me is the ongoing numbness.

Thanks for any support and ideas you can offer me!

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited September 2010

    I'm so sorry you've had such a tough recovery.  Hoory for taking a shower - isn't that first shower wonderful??

    Do be good to yourself and take it easy - give your body the chance to recover from the ordeal it's been through.  The range of motion exercises are important, but do adhere to the schedule they give you and don't try to do more than what you've been advised.  I found walking to be my best exercise after various surgeries.  You can increase your speed/distance a little at a time, and it doesn't stress your upper body.  Absolutely talk to your surgeon about activity do's and don'ts for these first few months.  

    Finally allow others to help you.  Maybe before your parents leave they could cook up some cassarole type dishes that they could freeze, then you could just take them out to cook.  Or when friends/family/neighbors/co-workers say, "Let me know what I can do" take them up on it!  They can cook, run errands, walk the dog, etc. That frees you to take your walks, work on your range of motion exercises, and build yourself back up to where you can start to partake of other exercises.

    I'm sure some other gals have some great ideas for you!

     

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  • aspen
    aspen Member Posts: 102
    edited September 2010

    I had bil. mx with sentinal node bx. with no recon.   When I was cleared for that wonderful first shower (I am not a bath person anyway), I did some of the range of motion exercises during my showers.  It seemed that the warm water helped the muscles somehow.

    Take care of yourself.

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