After having all these surgeries I thought I’d know exactly what to expect afterwards. But each recovery has been different. I know what to expect with the drains: they’re annoying and gross and I can’t wait to get them out but I know they need to be in for a bit. I know I’ll be sore as I’ve been cut open yet again. I know I’ll be tired as the procedure and anesthesia often leaves you pretty exhausted.
But it’s the tired piece that has really hit me this time. I’m so off from the anesthesia. I’m exhausted but am having trouble sleeping and need to get caught up. I couldn’t sleep the night after the surgery or the next day. I was wiped out and very sleepy Friday and able to sleep some. But I’m back to tired but unable to sleep again today. I know it takes some time for the effects of the anesthesia to wear off but I’m growing impatient here.
I’m otherwise managing ok. I showered by myself the past two days which is not an easy task with drains in. I took Reese to dance this morning and walked around the shopping center it’s in with Alice which is never that easy to do even without surgery. Fortunately Alice cooperated. I had to do something this morning as both Chase and Shane had early soccer games and Chase also had basketball player evaluations for his upcoming basketball season all between 9:30-12 this morning. So it was all hands on deck and then some.
But we got everyone where they needed to be and though I came back exhausted, I felt ok. I can walk around with my drains and move better than I thought. I’m trying to take it easy which is near impossible with five young kids but I’ve been lying around a lot the past three days.
It’s hard to be patient but I know that I need to. It’s ok to rest, my body just underwent another surgery and it’s ok to be lazy and stay in bed most of the day. This will all pass just as it has with the other surgeries and the energy will slowly come back. I learned to ask for help, take it easy and slow and be patient, all things which have been a struggle for me to do in the past. This procedure went well, now it’s time to rest and heal so I can get back to whatever my normal self is now and then back to work in a few weeks.
#breastreconstruction #drains #breastcancerbattle #anothersurgery #postopcomplications #tired #anesthesia #bepatient #restandheal#momoffive #onetoughmother
