Today is the forth day since my final surgery. It's been a day of feeling better, and feeling worse. I feel like I have been run over by a truck, with stiches, scars and bruises covering most of my upper body. Because I elected to do reconstruction, which included some cosmetic work for "symmetry" on my left breast, I am bandaged from my shoulders to the bottom of my rib cage. There is a drain to expel any fluid that may build up in my chest. Finally, there are very colorful bruises across my stomach where they took some fat (an extra bonus) to smooth around the implant and fill some hollow spaces that were left from the removal of breast tissue from my cancer surgery. It is not a pretty sight, but with all the bandages and wraps I won't really see what it all looks like until this Friday when the dressings are changed and the drain is removed.
In the meantime, I am busy with the healing process. For this phase, that means drinking lots of fluids, getting lots of rest, limiting my activity (no lifting, driving, physical work, or exercise) and managing a variety of medications. I am taking antibiotics to prevent any possible infections, pain medications, and my regular list of ongoing cancer meds. Of course, with a variety of meds there are a variety of side-effects to manage and even some meds to manage the side effects. Fortunately, most of these will wind down over the next week and I can get back to my new normal post-cancer routine.
What I have learned from this latest surgery is just how important it is to stay as healthy as possible, and not to ever take my health for granted. Coming off cancer treatments, I had returned to a regular walking routine and have been improving my eating habits. Every doctor and nurse that I talked with, before and after surgery, told me that my recovery will be faster because of my walking routine. As much as my body hurts from this surgery, I am anxious to be back to my twice daily walk as soon as I can. I am giving myself time to rest and recover, but staying active and fit is more important to me than ever. Having seen the way it has helped me through the many phases of my cancer treatments, I am going to make sure I keep a priority in my life to focus on staying healthy. It's too easy to let work and other obligations get in the way of exercise, rest, reflection, healthy eating. What I know for sure, after these last five months, is that I need to make time - everyday - to take care of my self. The work of healing, and of staying healthy, is the most important job I have.
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