Physical Therapy & New pics

It is so great having my drains out!  I don't have those bulbs under my shirt that make me look like I am carrying an alien baby.  lol  I have also had my warm shower even though I can't soak my incisions it was still a relief!  I am able to wear a sports bra with a front opening but it is painful because the location of my drain wounds.  I hate the bandage wrap because it irritates the sides of my chest but between my two choices, it's the less painful. 

I have noticed that I have feeling in my chest, especially where the incisions are.  I have a few numb areas but I am glad that I'm not numb all over.  When I get the chills I feel, what I call, phantom nipple pain. lol 

I had my first physical therapy appointment (other than a consult) yesterday.  Initially, it wasn't too bad.  I did the hand bike, I don't know what the official name for that equipment is but you get the point.  From there I did a series of stetches from every direction.  My right side is the most painful and I have the most restricted movement.  I was getting a bit emotional because I realized how long of a road I have to go.  Before surgery  I played softball twice a week, so for my right arm to be the weakest it reminds me that I have even longer to go until I can play again.  I know that my health is considerably more important than doing a sport but it is also a stress reliever and enjoyable for me.  I just tell myself that I would be out for much much longer if I was to get breast cancer. 

From the beginning for physical therapy until the appointment was over, I did feel like I had a bit more range of movement.  The very last thing that I did was have a therapist stretch me out.  She gradually stretched me further and further, so it was a step forward. 

Later in the day, I felt the pain and muscle exhaustion of therapy.  Even waking up this morning my chest felt heavy.  I take it as - hurts so good; I am moving forward.  I was advised to put a heating pad on my back for relief and given some exersizes to do at home.  For those who are going to have, or have had a mastectomy, stretches and exersizes are very important.

Here are some pictures.  This one is of me and my protruding bulbs.  SOOO glad I am past this.  These pj's are more tight fitting than my other shirts, obviously, but look at that thing!  This shirt finally looks normal on me!!!

I took this picture yesterday.  My incisions are quite symmetrical and the sterry strips are on the side with the drainage.  Since they were put on, I received minimal leaking, so the the massaging and strips worked.  The nylon on my arm is where my picc line.  There is nothing really I could wear that doesn't make it stand out but this is the most comfortable.  I know its weird but I love my cute little bit of cleavage!  lol 

Here are where my drains were.  It looks like I have vampire bites!  lol  I'm still a bit swollen on the sides.

I still haven't received a filling so the bit that is there is fluid.. I think anyway. 

More physical therapy tomorrow and I go to the infectious disease Dr. too.  I hope the culture and blood work come back with a good outcome and maybe my antibiotics will be cut back.  One could hope.