Friday, September 8, 2006

A few tips

There are a few things I wish I knew before I became a post op Breast Cancer patient.


Get a few large hooked in the front sport bras. The kind that have several little hooks in the front. Being a Flam Trap patient, the now newly placed stomach muscle with the blood supply that feeds my new boob to keep it alive runs exactly where the front hooking bra hooks, you have to be able to unhook the bottom of the bra to keep that area free flowing but keep the support (or pressure) on the top of the boobs.


Get one of those dorm style bed sitter uppers, you know the kind that looks like the back of a chair...you will need one in your bed to keep you at a 30 to 45 % angle during your healing time.


You will also need one of those bed trays for the times you don't feel like making it to the kitchen table for your meals.


You will need a lot of shirts that either button, snap or zipper in the front for awhile. It is painful to pull something on over your head with your post op arm ( If you had lymph nodes removed) that is the only area that I feel constant pain. The boob and the tummy are numb, I might get some sensation back, but that is a crap shoot.


Slip on shoes! Bending down to tie or put on shoes is a "YIKES" post op, even after 3 weeks which is what I am at.


What bothers me the most is that I can't sleep on my side which I am used to doing, I have to sleep on a slight incline, on my back..........I hate sleeping on my back! I normally sleep in the fetal position and flop back and forth several times a night. Now I wake up around 4ish every morning because I am stiff and uncomfortable. Again it's because of the lymph node removal, that arm is painful and the boob is still a little swollen under the arm area.


And I now have to worry the rest of my life about lymphoedema. Your lymph nodes help in the healing of illness or injury to your body. My left arm doesn't have them anymore. So right now I have to be careful (extremely) about injuring that arm, even a cut cuticle could be very dangerous to me right now. I can neverhave blood drawn from that arm now, I can never even have my blood pressure taken on that arm. To read more about it click on this link~~~> Lymphoedema


And the most important thing.....I bought a day planner/journal with large week by week pages to help keep track of everything related to my Breast Cancer diagnosis. I write down my appointments and leave plenty of space to write down what transpired at the appointment. Helps with the tests that are ordered, or the results of one (Which helps me keep track on all the testing too so I can remember what I already had done) There is going to come a time when most of this will be a blur to me, and I want to be able to have something that kept track of everything in case I ever have to look back on this time in my life.


Well, that about all I can think of right now.......I'm sure I'll learn plenty more things to add later.


I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read, send prayers or even thinks about me during their day. It really is very uplifting to know that people whom I may never meet care about me and my family at this time. The comments always arrive at the time I need a little boost to my day and you will never know how your kindness has touched my heart!


XOXOX


Kimberleigh

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

YOU ARE SO SWEET , HERE YOU ARE GOING THRU ALL THIS AND YOU ARE GIVING US ADVICE....YOU ARE ONE HELL OR HEAVEN OF A WOMEN.... HUGS AND LOVE SHERRY

Anonymous said...

Very cool, Kim. I think you should keep these notes and when you're feeling up to it later, you could put together a book, "What Every Breast Cancer Patient NEEDS to Know!" I see a new career for you....

Feel better!!
:) Carol

Anonymous said...

Just knowing you has lifted me . I look forward to hearing from you. Without my ole broad buddy life isnt the same. Have a speedy recovery my friend....Robin

Anonymous said...

Kim....you are just one hell of an amazing woman.  It's funny, I was just in the surgeons office yesterday with my daughter and it occured to me that I have a great idea for a baby shower gift.  Every mom should get a notebook when the baby is born and they should use it to write down all medical records.  Anytime they go to the Dr, have a test, get a shot.  This way you have all that info that gets lost in your head written down in one place.  I check in here this morning, and I see that we are sharing the same brain these days and are coming up with the same (great!) ideas!  I think keeping track of everything is such a great idea and I'm glad you thought of it.  

You are an inspiration.  You are a shining star.  You are light and you are hope and you are one hell of a beautiful woman!

((hugs))
Jeanne

Anonymous said...

you are an inspiration to all of us.  THANK YOU for sharing.  Tina

Anonymous said...

I think that is an awesome idea to have that day planner to keep track of everything.  I think your an amazing woman too!  Linda

Anonymous said...

Thanks very much for giving those tips, Kim
Should help a lot of ladies in a similar position

Anonymous said...

Good luck to you hun...I wish you all the best!

Lv Stevie
xxx

Anonymous said...

Wow, I didn't know all that about the swelling so you are teaching us something that all women should know.  Heal well.....Sandi

Anonymous said...

I am sooo happy to hear you are doing so well.  I also think youare wonderful for sharing this "journey" of your to help educate all of us women!
{{{Hugs to you}}}  Ash

Anonymous said...

Just stopping by with a {{{{{{{{{{{Hug}}}}}}}}}

Anonymous said...

 Satiny big shirts that button in top feel great when your sore in the breast or tummy area, probably helps with the arm also.  Queen Latafa (sp) front closure bra gives lots of support and all the money goes to breast cancer awareness.  After my reduction it was my most comfortable bra so should work for you also and it is a pretty pink.  You are doing wonderful and I will keep note of your tips for my patients.

                 Julie

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Just a note to say hi, hang in there, you are doing fine dear.  A good idea to keep track of everything that is going on with you in a book/journal for review.  You'll do fin, just like my Sis Mary Ann, I feel good about you and all you've been going through dear.  Prayers, you defintely are included in mine.    Arlene (AJ)

Anonymous said...

Those are great tips.  Things you don't think of unless you are going thru it all. Thanks for sharing it.
Pam

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

You are amazing friend. Keep up that attitude! Tammy

Anonymous said...

The power of positive thinking is amazing...I think you've mastered this skill.  My thoughts are with you!

Anonymous said...

Keep the Faith! =)
Always in my thoughts and prayers.
Hope you have a great weekend
Hugss ~Terri~

Anonymous said...

It's very smart of you to have a plan to log everything that goes on medically.  Medical professionals are human....errors can happen.  Keeping yourself informed and aware of what's happening is so important.

Keep your spirit strong.  You are in my thoughts every day.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

:)  sending you hugs....I kid about wishing they would just take mine off....cause they are so friggin big....but I dont know how you do it!

kelly

Anonymous said...

I know exactly what you mean when it comes to the sleeping situation. I'm still sleeping on my back and propped up too. When I had my breast and lymphnodes removed, my doc said he didn't even want me using my left arm to carry a purse or to shave. Can you imagine what a bush of hair I'd have if I didn't shave? LOL

Thinking of you.

Lahoma

Anonymous said...

sending you my best wishes and adding you to my prayer list.  you really are a trooper and although I haven't commented much you are thought of alot,
Missy

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

::Giving your hand a tight squeeze::  

Michelle

Anonymous said...

Good entry hun, thank you for the tips. Trial by fire, sorry you were the one walking through it.

Mucho Love 2 You....Brenda

Anonymous said...

How thoughtful of you to post these tips for women who need them or may need them in the future. You're the best, Paula

Anonymous said...

You are an amazing lady!
Nelishia
http://journals.aol.com/nelishianatl/WISHINGANDHOPING/

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Hi Kim,

I'm so glad you feel up to leaving entries so we know how you are doing.  You continue to amaze me, with your generous spirit of sharing your experience.  I keep you in my thoughts and prayers daily, and hope your ordeal will soon be over and you feel good again!  You're quite a woman!!

Take Care,
~Bilinda~

Anonymous said...

Just giving you a hug. :) {{{Kim}}}. You wont get lymphoedema. You are way to strong... Strong mind, strong heart, strong will and fast approaching a strong body. I have no doubts about it!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you are making good progress!!! I'm glad that you are keeping us informed!!!!! Hopefully you will be able to sleep on your side before too long!!!! http://journals.aol.com/shayshaydc/Golfaholic
Sharon:)