2.5 months later

This is the start of my second week at work. Last week I needed a nap several days out of the week. Today, I worked and then did the food shopping. Tolerated a real bra for 8 hours. Tomorrow I may be interviewed for the local paper. I look forward to sharing my story with those who may be considering this surgery.
I will note more migraines and more violent migraines, since the surgery. I can't imagine that there is a connection, but I will mention it to my surgeon in May. I had flu like symptoms this past weekend, again, probably not related, but needed to make sure I stayed hydrated. That was hard and I worried more than usual about it.
I must admit that if I could afford to retire tomorrow I just might. I enjoyed staying home and weekends were much more fun when I didn't have a list of things to accomplish!

week 10?

Hard to believe it has been that long. Most times I forget about the device. My stamina is excellent and on vacation 2 weeks ago I was able to do all that I normally do.......I walked Disney World and Universal and went down the slide at our resort. Great fun.

Travel: Pat down went fine. One group insisted on a private check of the incision itself. No problem. The grandkids were so good at security and were a big help for a 5 and 7 year old. Sweethearts the two of them.

Not being able to sleep on my left side continues to make bedtime unpleasant. In fact, it is the awakening and moving supine to sit/stand that makes me most aware of the lead, even sometimes under the right breast which is odd for sure. No pain to speak of but bra wear is still avoided when at all possible.

Today was my first full day of home care treatments and carrying the computer in my left hand is my habit. That felt weird under my arm, like something was there......oh yeah, the device. We shall see if I ever get used to that.

In general doing well........all things considered....and I have stopped feeling like there will be an incidence just because I now have the device.......but I do cherish each day just a little bit more

week 8

Sporadic use of Aleve, usually for muscle spasm feeling at mid back near back of device.

Ahh bra use 7-8 hours at a time. Will try real bra on our vacation next week. That will be a first.

Sleep...I so miss sleeping on my left side. Don't know if I will ever get used to that. After vacation I may try to fabricate something out of temperpedic foam that I can place on mattress to cushion device on left side. I do sleep thru the night sporadically, but that may more be a function of age than surgery.

Exercise....still feel the need to stretch that left arm over my head periodically thru the day, at least once for sure.

Migraines.....may be totally coincidental but have had more migraines since the surgery. Will mention to surgeon at next visit in May.

Work.......I have so enjoyed this time home and had hoped to accomplish so much more in this time off. I could get used to this tho some days are lonely I have seen the grandkids SO much. That has been heaven. I will offically have been on disability 9 weeks and could see making a case for 3 more weeks depending on your job responsibilities. In one of my jobs I must carry laptop computer in and out of homes as welll as get in and of the car 12 times a day. That may be a challenge to stamina, left arm, left side, etc. We shall see. First day back due to be April 4th if all paperwork is filed correctly.

7th week

No pain med used last 48 hours. Sleeping getting so much better as I am able to move and roll to my right side without a lot of prep. Still using body pillow. This morning I actually slept on my stomach for 2 hours! I often forget I have the device at all which is a surprise. Then at other times it feels as if it is stretching the skin again, especially towards the back. The incision at the bottom of my sternum is sore at times especially to touch. There is a bump there, the lead is wider there? Don't know, but will ask.
Note I still avoid anything that looks like a bra. Ahhbra is the only way to go still when needed. Also some clothes with side seams really aggravate the skin/incision over the device.

Another active day

Took an Aleve at 9am and headed off to the Philadelphia Flower Show. Climbing steps, taking train, walking and on my feet 5 hours. Even carried my packages back to the station....6 blocks away. Wore Ahhbra.......and couldn't wait to get it off..........LOL. Felt like I was walking around the convention center at my normal speed, not thinking about having had surgery. Did have to make sure that I didn't get knocked on the device when in a crowd. All in all a good day but I am a little sore over the device. Tomorrow a day at home. a

week 6

I might get brave enough to take pictures this week. Sites look great healing wise.
Tolerated ahhbra for 12 hours Saturday, tho I needed a vicodan at 11 am to do it. :-(
But I was on my feet most of the day which was great and I tolerated it well. 3 nights of 7.5 hours of sleep but still need "body" pillow to sleep on right side. I think sleeping on my left side is forever impossible, tho I am considering cushioning with a temperpedic cushion to see if that helps.
Today I have been working nonstop 10 am to 6pm straightening up, tagging clothes for sale, ironing and hanging said clothes. So lots of arm exercise thru the day. Back sore now so off to take a codeine.

Best Night's Sleep Yet

7 hours!! Maybe the secret was sleeping on my right side from the beginning instead of trying to fall asleep, and stay asleep, on my back. I used a regular squishy pillow instead of my body/king pillow to cuddle with. Rolling to right side takes no effort now, just adjustment of where your left arm goes. This weekend, bra wear to increase number of hours tolerated.