16 Weeks Post-Op….. WOW, time flies when you are having fun! But honestly, this entire process has been stressful, depressing and overwhelming at times and now I am finally getting to a point in my recovery where I am feeling GOOD! There have been too many moments to count during this time where I was frustrated with my progress and wishing I was stronger than I was. Thankfully this down time has given me the opportunity to rest, read and restore my body and mind to a much stronger and happier place.
There have been many items that have really helped me through this healing process as well as all the anxiety that comes with being in the music industry during a pandemic. One of the big issues I have had has been lack of sleep. I created a routine of heading to bed around 9:30pm, drinking some chamomile tea, watching one episode of TV and then, turning it off and listening to the Calm app. If you have never used the Calm app, I highly recommend it. It has stories, sounds and meditations which will help take your mind off your worries and make you focus on sleep. This routine, plus eating healthier has fixed my lack of sleep issues. I am now sleeping from 10/11 PM – 7:30 AM. I have also been listening to book after book on Audible while I work around the house in the mornings. I loved Rachel Hollis’ “Girl, Stop Apologizing”. This book really kicked my butt in gear to think about the future and focus on ways to take advantage of this forced time off to better my life and achieve my goals. If you want to share book reviews, my friend Sara suggested an app called Goodreads to track and review books. My name on the app is Kristen23 if you want to find me!
My pain levels have been much better throughout each day, but I am still having increased pain when I wake up. I have been able to reduce my doses of Tylenol and Advil to alternating every six hours as needed. If I am not in pain, I do not take any. I am also using my last prescription medicine refill only as needed.
One item that still slightly concerns me is this pain in my left breast. Throughout this journey I had found it more and more difficult to breathe and every time I took in a deep breath I felt this short stabbing pain in my left breast, exactly wear the tumor was. After surgery I still have this stabbing pain from time to time. It does not happen with every breathe and I want to believe that it is just my body healing and learning how to live without that iPhone XS Max sized tumor in my chest.
The good news is, I have been monitoring my heart rate when I take my walks and I am so relieved to say that my heart rate is normal! It is amazing how your heart can pump normally when you don’t have a tumor pushing against it. I am still angry when I think back to the Doctors telling me that my heart rate was just high because I was deconditioned, out of shape and overweight and that I should just take a walk. I am definitely the most out of shape I have ever been in my life, but still, MY HEART RATE IS NORMAL!
In other news, I have officially passed the Maynard test! I am able to hold my dog May in my arms and she is roughly 18 pounds. I believe between carrying groceries and laundry, that I am able to lift 20 – 25lbs at this point. I am still sleeping with the wedge pillows in bed but am hoping to be able to sleep on my side soon! I miss that so much. Another milestone that I have been monitoring is my inhale capabilities on the incentive spirometer, and at this point I have been able to get it up to 3250, which is up from the 1250 level I was at after surgery.
In my last post, I mentioned that I was having pain on the sides of my ribs. Turns out my Doctors think it is likely that my nerves on my ribs were damaged in surgery. Apparently, it is common in these types of surgeries for the nerves to be traumatized and numbed during surgery and around the three month post-op mark they start to regenerate, causing pain. I have been using lidocaine patches as needed and the pain is slowly getting better.
The 14 week post-op mark is when I really started noticing improvements in my pain level and in my ability to do things. Rolling my shoulders became less painful, doing the dishes and laundry became easier and I started to have the energy to go on walks. It has been too hot outside for walks, so I have been doing daily 30-minute walks around our kitchen island. Pretty funny thing to watch, but I can tell that I am getting stronger and the walks are becoming easier. I have also started wearing my smart watch again to track my movement and am challenging myself to move a little more each day than I did the day before.
July 31st (13 Weeks Post-Op) was the first time I drove my car since surgery! I drove it to get its emissions test done, so nothing too exciting there, but the experience itself was amazing! After being quarantined in my house for 3+ months it was so freeing to finally drive my car again! Windows down, music up and slowly taking turns, so I didn’t over stretch my chest.
August 11th (15 Weeks Post-Op) was the first day that felt almost normal. Jim and I packed up the dogs and headed to the “beach” at Percy Priest Lake. It was the absolute best afternoon. I read and let Maynard swim in the lake. Doc refused to get his paws wet and Jim hiked around the area. It was so nice to be out in nature, away from the house and with my little family. I look forward to more and more days of our new normal in the future.
August 16th (16 Weeks Post-Op) was my first BATH since surgery. I love a shower as much as the next person, but there is nothing better than a long hot bath. I listened to a babbling brook on the calm app, dropped in a bath bomb and enjoyed soaking in the hot water for as long as I could. I am so thankful that I have finally healed enough to be able to lift myself out of the tub.
I have a couple of work opportunities in the future and that is where I am putting all my energy now. Jim has been back to work, so I have a new daily routine before he gets home. This consists of getting up at 7:30 am to let the dogs out, reading, talking to my girls on Marco Polo and then spending a few hours standing up and working around the house. I then take my 30-minute walk and do a leg work out before I sit and start working on the computer. I am trying to build my endurance and gain strength in preparation for long show days that are in my future. I am ecstatic about the thought of getting back to work, if only for a show or two, but want to make sure I am as ready as I can be!
I am very excited about the progress I have made on my elimination diet and will share the journey I my next post!
P.S. I have LOVED seeing all of my music industry friends using this time to start their own side hustle to bring in some cash. I have started my own little shop on Etsy, The Brave Button Shop, which sells hats with buttons sewn on them for industry workers. The hats will serve as ear savers for people that have to wear masks all day. Inspired by Jim and his kitchen crew getting back to work. I wanted to take this time to share some of my friends’ businesses as well! So if you have a minute, check them out and support the cause by following, liking or placing an order!
