My Breast Perspective

The first week after the surgery went smoothly. I was given a nerve block which helped with the pain and I alternated taking ibuprofen and Tylenol. I never needed any of the prescribed narcotics. My days included watching tv – bonus that I got to watch New Heights featuring Taylor Swift the day after my surgery. It took my mind off of my body and was a fun time. I alternated tv, writing, reading, napping and walking. At first walking just included inside the house. Each day I got more energy and started walking outside a little. The sunshine was nice. I’m sure I looked funny in full sweat pants and a zip up hoody in 90 degree weather, but I didn’t care.

I had two drains that had to be emptied and documented twice a day. Before surgery I thought I would take care of them, but after the first time watching my husband strip the tubing and empty the “bulb” I almost passed out. Honestly, for the next five days I kept my eyes closed while Ryan managed the drains.

Sleeping at night was the hardest part for me. Doctor’s orders are to sleep on your back, elevated for the first six weeks. I’m typically a side sleeper which made this feel like an almost impossible task. At first I tried using a wedge pillow behind my back and under my knees, with two body pillows on either side of me. My pillow palace was enormous – I’m not really sure how Ryan had room in the bed, but we made it work…at least for a few hours. I needed help those first few days every time I moved positions which meant that I was tucked in to start the night and had to ask for help (aka wake Ryan up) every time I needed to get up. When I would sit up after sleeping, my chest ached and it took a few minutes before I would stand up to move around.

Side note: I never felt soreness at the incisions or on the outside of my breasts…all of my tenderness or tingling was on my internal chest wall.

After trying to sleep in the bed a few times, I quickly discovered that sleeping propped up on the couch was the best place for me to sleep.

The first week was tough, but honestly I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to go through this surgery with a cancer diagnosis and going through chemo or radiation therapy while trying to recover. I kept this perspective with me each day as I recovered. It helped get through the difficult nights.