I know there are times I whine and complain about all that happened and I’ve been through. But the reality is, and yes it’s cliche, but it could be worse. The most important thing is here and that’s all that matters. Thankfully the only complications I’ve had are related to reconstruction and not the treatment of my cancer.
Even with the surgeries it could be worse. I realized this while I was watching Mercer softball play this afternoon. Some parents were talking and I overheard one discussing an upcoming surgery he was having which sounded pretty complicated and terrible. He was going to have to stay in the hospital for a week and would have a feeding tube in as the operation involved his throat.
It made me realize my mastectomy and reconstruction stuff wasn’t that bad. I thankfully got to go home the night of the mastectomy which was the most complicated of what I had done. I was very sore and limited for a week but then improved significantly.
My biggest limitation was working out which I love to do and at a fairly intense level but I learned to take it easy and make a ton of modifications so I could still fit in some exercise.
Another limitation was my ability to lift Bryce for about two weeks but then I was finally able to lift up and carry my little man again.
Fatigue was also a limitation but all things considered it wasn’t that bad. My arm mobility isn’t what it used to be but it’s not bad given the multiple reconstruction procedures and a double mastectomy.
All things considered it could be worse. I am so grateful I’m in pretty good shape now and most importantly I’m here and that’s really all that matters.
It took my overhearing someone describing an upcoming surgery while I was at a softball game today to put what I’ve been through and how I’m doing in perspective. Sometimes I get caught up in the negative instead of focusing on the positive and overhearing this conversation today reminded me I’ve been through a lot but it could be worse. I’m here and not just surviving but thriving and that’s all I could have asked for heading into my surgery last year.
#breastcancer #breastcancersurvivor #breastcancerthriver #breastreconstruction #doublemastectomy #surgeries #itcouldworse #onetoughmother