What do you do during recovery

Hi Janewhite,

Good question! Last month I had exactly what you are having, a lumpectomy and bilateral reduction... in addition to having 11 lymph nodes removed. Yes, I think you will be 100% comfortable with your laptop, and most likely with knitting and sewing shortly thereafter, as long as you are very careful not to reach up and stretch out your arms when knitting and sewing. Because of the bilateral reduction, my PS forbade me from lifting my arms up beyond my shoulders, so they will likely tell you that as well, so the internal stitches are not stretched and can heal properly. They will also tell you not pick up anything heavier than 5 pounds. When you need to pick up your laptop, I'd do that with the other arm.

Two days after surgery, we went to a fun street fair and I had to walk about a mile. I sat while my sister enjoyed the fair, and it was so good to be out and about. Movement and walking is important, just not to overdo it.

As instructed, I did not drive myself anywhere, though I was only taking Tylenol and honestly could have after the first five days. I bought a cheery lumpectomy pillow (shaped like a heart with a hole in the middle) and put it between me and the seatbelt, but I didn't need it very much other than when sleeping on my side which didn't work out so well for the first month so I became a temporary back sleeper.

Hopefully you are in the August 2021 Surgeries group thread if that has started already. I hope that your surgery will go great!

Blessings,

Esther