[2024-10-01] Successful recovery continues
All signs continue to point toward a successful recovery from breast reconstruction surgery.
- My energy levels were higher today than they've been since the surgery: I went for a walk with my husband, drove myself to an appointment to get my hair cut, stopped by my local library, baked squares, made supper, picked up my daughter and a few groceries, and filled the car up with gas.
- My pain was virtually non-existent: I took just a few Tylenol today, mainly to stave off the possibility of pain rather than to relieve it.
- My range of motion continued to improve: I could reach higher shelves without issue or discomfort.
I still have some tenderness in my chest, mainly associated with the interaction between the implants and my chest muscles. However, I expect this will continue to diminish, much as it has over the past couple of weeks. I still avoid straining my chest muscles: I don't lift heavy objects or try to open heavy doors with only one hand. And I still listen to my body: this morning, for example, I went back to bed after having breakfast with my daughter and got an additional 90 minutes of sleep.
Today was the first day in a while where I reflected on my decision to have a bilateral mastectomy. I still believe this was the right choice for me. I can't imagine having to tell my family that I had breast cancer—which was a very real possibility had I opted for annual breast screening instead of a preventive surgery. And as the reconstruction side of the process takes shape, I am increasingly content with the path I chose.
