Normal daily activities

You will have been told that you can return to normal daily activities 2 weeks post mastectomy.
Hopefully you will also have been told to abstain from carrying laundry baskets or vacuuming.

If you have help, use it!  Asking for help can be a great learning experience. It is not easy (for me)!

Normal daily activities can be more challenging than doing deadlifts in the gym (which you are told not to do so soon). However I found that exercises in the gym including strength training are carefully controlled movements while normal daily activities can be complex movements (cleaning) and may involve heavy weights (grocery bags) that are not necessarily appropriate.  Be realistic!

Showering did not happen for me until a week post surgery. Wash cloths and baby wipes work, and a hair wash in a salon feels great. 

Walking can be painful and wasn't comfortable until almost 4 weeks post surgery. Go easy.

Having cleaning help is a blessing.

Chopping carrots (or other hard vegetables) can be a strain. Directing your teenage son to chop various kinds of vegetables for a vegetable korma dish is a great learning experience for him.

Allowing others to help can make them feel good about themselves. Asking for help can be a great learning experience!

Back in the gym for strength training

14 days post surgery

I am so excited to be back in the gym and handling a barbell once more (only squats and Good Mornings). The day-by day account for activities and exercises  for two weeks postop is complete.

Click on table for exercises 0-2 weeks post surgery

Driving

11 days post surgery

With a pillow in front of my chest under the seat belt, a nervous husband by my side, I am driving the car for the first time. We are heading to the fitness studio.  It feels wonderful to get on a stationary bike for 20-30 minutes.

Getting dressed

Before surgery, I bought some new clothes. Forum posts recommended clothing that button or zip in front due to limited range of motion with arms and shoulders and the pain. Larger sized clothes are even better.

Click on: What to pack

However, 10 days post surgery...

I am so excited that I can pull on a T-shirt overhead!

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is wonderful for me.

Post surgery I have biweekly acupuncture sessions, often 2 hours long. No reduction in pain, but better sleep, improved appetite, greater range of motion in the shoulders, and possibly better performance in strength training. Longer sessions (2 hours compared to 1 hour) contributed to a more “balanced” feeling.

Prior to surgery I only ever had acupuncture once (one week prior), which was very relaxing and improved my strength in weightlifting training that same day.

The therapist is NCCAOM qualified, Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM), Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac). Hope others are lucky to find such a well trained therapist. I love her!

It is good to think about complementary care and what combination is right for each individual person.

Heading home

Last appointment with the oncologist and then it is time for the 9-10 hour drive home. I am feeling so much better. It would not have been comfortable to leave for such a long drive earlier.

And I can stretch my arms up the wall with hips almost flush to the wall. Great!

Removal of the drains

Post surgery appointment at 5 days postop

Oh joy, the drains are removed.  And an acupuncture session is scheduled. 

However I seem to have developed vertigo, with dizziness and nausea. Restorative yoga (legs up the wall) and alternate nostril breathing help. The side effects of a patch for motion sickness make me feel worse. It turns out I can tolerate pain reasonably well, but I am a wimp when it comes nausea.