Help Yourself (Day 36)

Good news is here! My left noob is just a bit less swollen today! I woke up this morning and was so excited to see that Dolly Parton hadn’t left part of her cargo on my chest! This made me think about when I first saw my reconstructed breasts in the hospital. I was terrified. Yes, they were lumpy and uneven and post-surgical raw; but those weren’t the things that troubled me. I was worried that they were going to be as big as they were that day for the rest of my life. I understand that a lot of women that undergo breast reconstruction are interested in other “perks” that may tag along with the procedure. I was hoping for smaller and firmer. I think that most women who have breast fed just hope to one day recapture their formerly firm breasts. I wanted smaller because my natural breasts fluctuated a lot throughout my life. But when I was pregnant and then nursing, they went from reasonable to unreasonable to totally unmanageable to pancakes. So I wanted smaller and firmer. When I woke up to the ginormo noobs, I was horrified they were going to stay that big. When I woke up today, I was so excited that my rogue left noob was deciding to get back with the gang. So, a step in the right direction!

Last night I did my PT stretches and massage before we went to bed. I didn’t feel too great doing them because I always wonder if I’m doing things correctly, despite having an hour of instruction and coaching with Rachel, and the stretching produces a lot of discomfort. But I figure that I will get more confident and comfortable with time and practice. I am a little more sore today along my left side but that was expected; my left side has so much room for improvement! But, I think, you can tell that the swelling on my left side (particularly in my underarm area) has decreased. I don’t know that lymphatic massage has a 24-hour turn around time, but I’m just happy to see change for the better here.

I didn’t take my walk today. Instead I went to watch and be semi-helpful to my husband during his last day of trial. I hope to make up for it tomorrow, and also to have some super fun with the little ladies.

Until then, ch-ch-ch-check it out! Sorry about the crazy light/glare. I took these while the sun was setting and our bathroom windows are west-facing. Ergo, weird light and shadows this time of day.