You'll be Uncomfortable, but You'll Make it Through

Truth be told, it sucks - the medical side of cancer is not as challenging as the emotional and mental side. However, it still sucks. The good news is that it will eventually be done. You will overcome the discomfort, the exhaustion, the restrictions, and everything else that happens to you physically. You could end up with Frozen Shoulder, or a myriad of other side effects, but even those can heal. I’m not saying this to scare you. I’m simply keeping your expectations real.?

If you’ve been reading my recent blogs, you know enough about me to know I’m a breast cancer warrior. In May 2024, the diagnosis stopped us in our tracks. Then the whirlwind of doctors’ appointments and surgeries began. Thankfully, because the cancer was detected early, chemotherapy and/or radiation were not a part of our journey.?

In last week’s blog The Practical & Real Side of Life after Surgery, I shared practical ways of managing post-surgery life. It covered important suggestions about getting in and out of bed, showering, and emptying the dishwasher - just to name a few.?

The medical side of post-surgery is a bit less intense if your surgery is successful and no infections creep into your body. With a bilateral mastectomy, you will be sent home with two drains - one for each side. The nurses and doctors will teach you how to take care of these drains. But… you might be on a healthy helping of pain meds, and you may not fully remember the instructions. (This is the #1 reason to have your caretaker with you when you’re being taught how to care for the drains at home.) Make sure to keep your printed out version of instructions close to you. This will allow you to review the paperwork when your brain decides to keep you awake!

Before surgery, I purchased two bras with special drain holder hooks. I didn’t use either one of them. In my case, I was told not to wear a bra for a number of weeks afterwards. We made the decision to undergo reconstructive surgery at the same time as the bilateral mastectomy. Because of this, bras were prohibited. (It was important to keep the stitches free from any irritation.)??

Your new found friends, the drains, are quirky little things. Logically, you’ll realize they’re helping you heal your body. Emotionally, you will more than likely acquire a love/hate relationship with them. If the hospital doesn’t send you home with a lanyard to pin the drains on, please find yourself a lanyard - it will make showering a whole lot easier. You’ll also need to get a measuring cup so you can adequately measure your fluid. I’d recommend going to your local thrift store to pick up something small, plastic, and lightweight. Let’s be honest here, after those drains come out, the measuring cup will find a new home in the wastebasket. (Who would want to use that in the kitchen afterwards??? No, thank you!!!)

If you have a dog, don’t be surprised if he stays clear of you while you’re befriending these two little drains. My soul puppy did not want anything to do with me when I had the drains. He could smell it all and didn’t know what was going on. He only knew Mama didn’t smell like she normally does. The odor of plastic was strong. Maybe he didn’t know how to help me. It was sweet of him to want to be in the same room as me, but he kept his distance.?

At my post-op doctor’s visit, one of my drains was removed. That’s when I started losing my balance. I found myself leaning to the side with the drain - as though it was pulling me down on that side. Thankfully, I was able to keep myself from falling over, but it was challenging at times. I found the grabber quite useful. Not only did it keep my balance, it helped me pick things up more easily.?

Drains can be icky. But they’re necessary to keep your body free from infection. Remember, it’s temporary.

Another temporary part of post-op recovery is taking your medication. Make sure to take it on time for the first three to five days post-surgery. This will help you recover more quickly. I’m one to “tough things out.” In doing so, I sometimes hinder my body from healing as quickly as possible. There will be plenty of other opportunities in your life to tough things out.

I tremendously appreciate my sensitive body for letting me know what medications work and which ones are harmful. Listen to your body. It will tell you what’s good and what could use adjusting.

If you’re on pain medication, do your research of the side effects. I had four pretty major side effects with my pain medication. I was taking it as directed for the first week until I noticed changes in my skin and body. Once I stopped taking the medication, the symptoms cleared up and healing was actually back on track. My body was working on combating too many things at once. If you have questions, please please please reach out to your doctors. Be your best advocate. Your doctors won’t know there’s something amiss unless you inform them. You have a care team to care for you.

As per anything in life, we all have different responses to our circumstances. All I’m recommending is for you to be aware of the changes in your body and speak up when something feels off. Trust yourself. Trust in your caretaker as well. They want you to heal just as much as you do.?

Post-surgery recovery isn’t easy. There will be moments when you’ll want to cry and moments when you actually will cry. You’re not weak. You are strong, and brave, and a warrior.

Until next time,

Orsika Julia

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