Thanksgiving
I haven't written in a while because the first few days of healing from surgery #2 were pretty boring and also frustrating. It felt like such a setback to be healing from scratch all over again, especially so soon.
My mom spent a few days in Barrie with me after my surgery, and my sister even came for a quick visit last weekend. It was wonderful to have them here to help look after me and be my cheerleaders. Mom is really good at letting me be quiet when that is what I need. We took a walk every morning, drank lots of tea, then spent lots of time sitting quietly either reading or knitting or stitching. We went on one excursion to do a little bit of birthday shopping for my girls. Mom stayed until Thursday after taking me to my nursing appointment Wednesday evening where my bandages were removed. Gloriously, my drain was also ready to be removed. I can't tell you how much better I felt with the drain out; it was the definitely the most uncomfortable part of this surgery. I think mom could see how much better I felt with the drain out, and she headed home on Thursday to get ready for us to show up at her house Friday evening for Thanksgiving.
We had the most beautiful Thanksgiving weekend. The weather could not have been better. I got to watch my niece play hockey, go for some lovely walks with my sister and my in-laws, and share fabulous Thanksgiving meals with everyone. I am so glad I got the earlier surgery appointment so we could have a more normal holiday.
I have been stretching as much as I can since my drain came out to help maintain my shoulder mobility on the surgery side. Shoulder mobility can be a big problem after this kind of surgery. It was very difficult to move my shoulder the first weekend as I had lots of extra gauze in my armpit and the tape was irritating and damaging the skin on my arm and back. Things improved when I got permission to take that bandage off on Monday morning last week, but it wasn't until the drain came out Wednesday night that I felt more free to move. I can lift my arm above my head easily now when sitting or standing, but for some reason I can't manage a snow angel yet! It's funny to me that I can lift my right arm above my head when I'm upright but not when lying down. It makes me laugh every time!
I will see my oncologist tomorrow and hopefully get my newest pathology results. I will also find out more about medications I will take in the months to come. I have my regular immunotherapy appointment on Thursday morning and will see my surgeon on Thursday afternoon.
You are an amazing woman Amy… your strength, perseverance and love for life shine through in your words and the never ending smile on your face. “Let us always greet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” Mother Teresa
ReplyDeleteLove you so and sending lots of prayers for maintenance and recovery. ❤️