Preventive Mastectomy: Exchange Surgery Weeks 4-6

Posted September 21, 2016 by Prairie Wife - 6 comments

Yeah…I know that’s a lot of weeks together, but I felt like I needed to combine these last three weeks of my exchange surgery.

There hasn’t been much going on other than just sitting and waiting for the 6-week mark.

If you recall, I had a bit of a set back in week 3, and I was simply counting down the days to week 4 when the weight restrictions would finally be done. A few days before this momentous day, I put in a call to my Plastic Surgeon to clarify a few of their instructions. I knew I could begin to be more active, use my arms, and even lift LittleMissH (at last) but wasn’t sure if I could push a stroller…so I called.

Through the course of the conversation, it became clear to me that I wasn’t going to have the green flag I had thought. I was cleared to lift things, but it was still really important for me not to use my pec muscles. They really wanted me to make sure that my implants (textured rounds) were staying in the right position and that my body was growing around them in the correct way.

Prepare for a bit of wallowing…

Pretty much everything I do uses my pec muscles…from shutting and opening car doors to scrubbing the table and carrying laundry baskets. Even though I could pick up LittleMissH I couldn’t really hold her for any amount of useful time. She’s a 27 pound 18 month old…my pec muscles are most definitely used when I hock her around on my hip. After I hung up the phone, I took a deep breath and tried not to cry.

During my recovery after the first surgery, what I could do was based more on how much pain I could take…by 4 weeks I was up and going like always.

I was pretty much pain free with this exchange surgery, it’s been all about following doctor’s orders, so I don’t screw anything up and end up having to redo all of it. I’ve been SOOOOOOO good, and I’m happy with how everything looks. I’m terrified of doing something wrong and ruining all the hard work and healing of the past months. And in case you’re wondering…they are a solid (literally, these puppies are stitched in tight lol) 34 C (very full C). We all know I wanted to be a B but I’m OK with this. They are larger than I am used to, and I am going to have to learn to dress them correctly, but they don’t look crazy big on my frame. People won’t be looking at me and thinking, “boob job.”

I’ve been sitting back in my cave bedroom blogging and watching TV, laying low and letting The Cowboy and Mary Poppins hold down the homestead.

At week 4 I was done, ready to get back to my life, only to find out…nope, two more weeks….

I wallowed for 24 hours (even had a vanilla shake and a whopper) and then took a deep breath and charged forward.

These last weeks have been full of me just killing time until this Friday when I will officially be cleared to do yoga, run, pick up LittleMissH, mop and vacuum.

I’ve learned a lot about myself these last few weeks.

I based a lot of my self-worth on what I did for my family. After all, it’s my job, and like most people, doing well at my job makes me feel good about myself. Being unable to care for my family, or even my home, has made me feel utterly useless…, and it’s been hard. Normally when I feel crappy about myself I hit the road for a run or do some yoga…which I am unable to do. I’ve had to learn that my value as a person does not solely come from what I can do but, from who I am.

As the last two weeks have passed, I’ve relied on the Cowkids more than I did last surgery. They’ve been lending a hand with LittleMissH and helping me with chores. I can put laundry away but, they have to switch loads and carry the baskets for me. I can dust but I can’t push down with enough pressure to scrub the table. I can pick toys up, but I can’t vacuum or push a mop. I can drive but carrying heavy groceries is a no.

Mary Poppins has been vital to our survival but even she needs a break! The Cowboy has washed more loads of laundry in the last few weeks than in the last decade combined. He learned how to empty the vacuum we received from my mother as a wedding gift, and resorted to grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner…all these things have caused him to appreciate my years of work even more than he already did.

I can’t decide what I’m looking forward to more…holding LittleMissH as much as she wants, working out, or finally being able to go more than 10 minutes without a bra!

These last few weeks of my exchange surgery have been rough mentally, but I can see how I’ve grown…and I can see how my family has pulled together.

One more surgery to go (hopefully). Who knows how much I will continue to learn about myself as this process continues?

Check out my fat grafting surgery by clicking this link.

Categories: Exchange Surgery, Preventive Mastectomy

Tags: , breast cancer, breast reconstructin, breast surgery, exchange surgery, mastectomy, post op mastectomy, preventive mastectomy, strength, support, wallowing, Week 4, week 5, week 6