The Recovery

So far recovery seems to be going well...or so they tell me. Every nurse I talk to tells me I am doing great, though I guess usually they are dealing with women twice my age. Each day seems to be getting that much better, though it is not getting easier to be in the apartment all the time sitting and “relaxing”. Every day I get up around ten, empty out my drains that are coming out of my chest (it’s as much fun as it sounds), have a bath, have breakfast and then sit down to watch some tennis (after all this I am almost ready for a nap). Today was the first day I got out of the house. Mom, Wes and I went to a restaurant about three blocks away. It felt really good to get some fresh air and get moving. I also have to do exercises to stretch my arms and shoulders. Under my left arm they removed many lymph nodes so that is the arm has the least mobility right now. It is very frustrating to go from a very active healthy person to someone who has to do little stretches and exercises in order to regain movement in the arm. A week ago we were playing tennis and going for bike rides and now it is hard to put my arm above my head. In the next couple of days I have a few things to do for a change. Tomorrow I have to go for another test, this time to make sure everything is okay with my heart after chemo (I guess I don't have enough stress right now). As for the emotional/psychological bit I think I am doing really well. When they first took off the bandages I was so scared of my reaction, but it hasn't been as bad as I expected. Don't get me wrong it's not exactly pretty, but the fact that I have a small frame, doesn't make it look too abnormal. I think the worst part is the incision that goes pretty much from one arm pit to the other. I think being able to joke about things helps as well. Tomorrow I am expecting to get some new boobs in the mail! A nurse called me from the hospital yesterday to see what size I would like. Isn't that every woman's dream to choose her breast size?! Anyways i am off to watch some more tennis and maybe a movie before getting some rest before another stressful day tomorrow.