Photo: Some signs can be very, well, um, graphic (ouch!!)So, I'm being very prudent in taking very little opioid painkillers (1/4 tablet). When these drugs are mixed with hormonal fluctuations, it can brew more volatile emotional states of mind. 'Nuff said! (Send Ron positive thoughts ;)
I have 4 exercises (prescribed by the surgeon) to undertake, 4 times daily, each exercise consisting of 1o reps. Which , Ron, points out, adds up to 160 actual stretches a day.
These exercises are intended to facilitate the correct healing of the scar tissue that is forming. The range of movement has been somewhat compromised by the surgery. Removal of skin, breast tissue and lymph nodes understandably traumatised the area and so the subsequent healing of the incision area needs careful attention.
Apparently, to quote from my post-op instructions from the doctor; "The scar heals by contraction and inversion" and "So, you need to gently stretch that developing dense rubber band of scar tissue, so that the scar ends up like a loose rubber band, not a tight one".
It is quite painful to do the exercises. My deal is to gauge how much pain I should push through. I can definitely take pain but working out what is acceptable and what is not and what may be causing any damage is the edge I'm working with at the moment.
Optimally, I should be able to bring my whole arm out and up vertically straight up above my head and reach for the stars! I can do it but it hurts, like, a lot when I reach that far up :(
My scar. It seems to be healing nicely. And looks great! Well, from a scar point of view. It's almost 7 inches long. I would prefer my breast but, hey, I've still got my life.
