I have discovered that navigating through the new world of "mastectomy things to know" is not always straight forward. You hear certain things from one doctor (but I've heard others hear different things from their doctors) regarding PT, what to wear, when to remove drains, recovery time, etcetera.
But, when you really want to get the Skinny, you go to the Bosom Buddies--the women who have had a mastectomy. We all share everything we learn and that's where you get the informative, good stuff.
I have a friend who is about six weeks ahead of me in the mastectomy biz. She had a single, but there is still lots to learn from her. She had told me that she wasn't going to go get her prostheses and special bras until about February. Evidently we need several months to really heal and having things pressing on and rubbing tender chest incisions would not be good. So, I was OK with that.
But...then I got to thinking about my insurance. I have more than met my deductible this year and wouldn't it be nice to get my insurance-paid bras this year, then get more next year???? So I called the home healthcare supplier. They were wonderful!!
Teri got me in that same day for a measuring. And this is what they told me..."We'll get you four bras to take home today (I can't believe my insurance pays for four per year!!!) and you can try them on when you're ready in January or February. If they don't fit, bring them back and exchange them."
Two different employees there told me, "Since you had a bilateral mastectomy, the sky is the limit on what size prostheses you choose!" Really? Do women really amp up their bust like this? Can you picture me like this:
No, I couldn't either. I don't want anything that is going to make people stare at my chest!!! I already figure they'll be doing just what I used to do..."Oh, she had a mastectomy. Which side was it on?" (Because you will have forgotten that I had a bilateral.)
We decided on a size 5 (why prostheses can't come in A-B-C-D like the bras, I don't know.) She pulled out two different brands. The first one was good, looked about right, and she said when people hugged me it would feel real. The second one...well, it was lighter but it looked kind of like the size of a coconut!!! I held it up and it covered about half my chest!! I said, "No way! This one will not do!" She took it away and started putting it in the box. Then she said, "Oh, that's not a size 5, it was a size 8!" We went with the first one...
So, I am all set. Just waiting to feel healed up. Which everyone tells me is coming along wonderfully, but I feel like it's taking forever!! It's only been 3-1/2 weeks, so I guess that's not long. But I want to get back to my regular life...whatever that is.
My surgical drains were removed about 10 days post surgery. I want to emphasize that I followed the doctors orders on when they were ready to be removed. I did NOT cheat!! But now I am having problems with fluid accumulating near the surgical sites. So I have been in four different times to have them drained. This involves a needle and syringe. It sounds terrible, but luckily I am still numb, so I don't feel a thing. But it does become a nuisance, messing up my schedule. If you think of me, please pray that this fluid would stop. Especially because Loy and I are planning a weeklong vacation right after the new year.
Off topic...my little sweet Paytootie sort of likes the attention she gets when she is sick. The sickbed on the couch, the cartoons, the snacks being delivered right to you. So, last week when her brother was sick she was pretty sure she was sick too. Angela said, "Where are you sick?" Her brilliant answer? "My lips." I hate it when I get those sick lips!!! :)
No Christmas cards this year from me. Sorry, I just don't have it in me right now. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and that you get to hug your family and friends!
Love,
Kitt.
