I'd Give My Left Arm to Get Rid of That Sling

The sling is gone.  I was in it for one day short of 10 weeks.  My arm feels like a noodle hanging off the side of my body.  It's kind of funny.  They made it clear that I am NOT to start therapy yet, and should still restrict lifting and major movement, but still, the sling is gone and I can sleep in my bed!  I slept so well last night, it was unbelievable.  If you ever want to appreciate your bed, sleep in a recliner for 10 weeks.

They also removed the drain.  That is good, but I'm finding that I start hurting around 1:00 or so in the afternoon.  I think it's because I am a desk jockey, so I've been taking a pain pill and then walking around the customer service area and it helps.  I don't have great posture, so I'm thinking that is causing it.  They did yank a drain out of my side yesterday.  I'm hoping that it's a short-lived problem.

I also finally got a medic alert bracelet.  I'd been avoiding it because they were either ugly, expensive, or just not what I wanted.  I don't wear jewelry, so it was weird to try to pick one out.  Because of the mastectomy, I cannot have needle sticks or blood pressure cuffs on my left arm, so it's important that I wear it.  It's Italian charms, so I can slowly add charms to replace the blank silver ones.

I'm currently bound in an ACE bandage for 2 weeks, after which I'll go back to see the plastic surgeon.  We won't plan for the next surgery for a couple of months, most likely.  I have to just heal and wait.  *sigh*  A year ago, I really imagined that I'd be done by now.  It was good that I had something to look forward to, but it sure is a disappointment to reach the light at the end of the tunnel and find a gorilla with a flashlight, waiting to knock you down.

I'll be OK.  The pity party has ended and I'm just doing my thing.  I go to work, I come home, and I sleep in my own damn bed.  And that bed feels pretty good, if I do say so myself.