Post Op day 4: today I get to take a shower. Had a great night's sleep=9 hours! Feel really rested and was able to get up from my semireclined sleeping position in the bed all by myself. Had to roll right and push up with right arm ( I sleep on the left side of a queen bed). No pain in that activity and in general today much less discomfort. No hot, searing pain.
Shower went well. Used antibacterial liquid soap from hospital, disposable washcloth and clean towel for drying. That will be my habit until all wounds are healed. Husband had to wash my back, but I could wash my hair ok. No shower chair needed, tho it would have been nice to have.
Since surgery I have been wearing soft flannel button down jammies.
Preop prep: I went thru my closet and found all the button down tops, or easy on tops ( large holes for head/neck vs turtlenecks) and placed them all together on the ironing board. I did not want to have to figure this out on the fly and while in pain. I also purchased several jogging sets, soft, thinner sweatshirt material for lounging around and receiving guests or taking walks. Included in this preparation was the necessity of bra wear. I have purchased several seamless bras with wider chest bands in hopes that they will not reproduce pain when I am finally able to wear one. Also, seamless camisoles for those times when I have to be public and possibly not able to wear a bra. Note that some left side seams may need to be covered with a softer material like moleskin over the area where the incision is on the left chest wall. This can be accomplished with iron on interfacing so no sewing required. I will continue to endeavor to attach pictures of these items and suggestions, but that ability continues to escape me here.
When a brand or item of clothing works you will be the first to know. These have not been issues with the traditional defibrillator or pacemakers that we are all used to.
Clearly the thinner you are, or the less need for a bra, the easier this transition will be. Of course, many of us are already looking for these items given the hassles at the airports with underwires LOL.
Ah, also spending some time stretching arms overhead, resting hands on my head and I took a 1/4 mile walk today. No real shortness of breath. I am short of breath with stair climbing and I think that is more related to not being able to take a deep breath on a consistent basis. Shallow breathing doesn't cut it when exertion is called for.
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