Day 70: A few more "bet you didn't knows" for mastectomy 101 class.
A mastectomy patient can't cross their arms. And let me tell you how very frustrting this is to a woman who has spent her entire life cold and in need of the warmth that comes with crossing one's arms. Also someone who prefers to sit with arms crossed despite the negative vibe it gives off as being "uninterested, stand offish, threathened". Nope, that's me just bitterly cold. I long for the comfort of crossing my arms for any extended period of time. Before, right forearm over left forarm, right hand resting comfortably in the crook of left elbow resulting in a happy go luck Sally. Now, same stance but very uncomfortable chest region inderneath and an awkward looking outcome since my arms can't lie over the region below. Hard to fully describe, but trust me it's awkward, and I long for the return of my comfort zone.
A mastectomy patient who has undergone implant reconstruction can not comfortably live where the temperatures fall below 70. I don't know how women of the artic can be a candidate for this reconstructive surgery option. I found out last week when the temperatures took a drastic and unexpected dive that this is an impossible combination. What happens when you walk outside in the cold? You shiver. Well how does shivering happen? Clinching of muscles. Where does new implant reside? Carefully tucked under the filleted pectoral muscle. Cold -> pectoral muscle clinch -> internal screams from patient. And when I say clinch, I mean lockdown, as in will not release under any circumstance. I, the absolute most cold intolerant person on the planet, wishes I had scheduled my recon surgery in the comforts of june to allow for full recovery in the exhausting heats of summer. I do not know how I will survive the dipping temperatures of late fall. Smiling face on the outside, desperate uncomfortable and uncontrollable clinching on the inside. Bad news bears. The silver lining, I am healing so I am hoping the winterized pain will lessen even more in upcoming weeks. In the meantime, don't be surprised if I am dressed like an out of place eskimo at our next encounter.
Mastectomy scars have come a long way in arm many decades. My breast of old was opened and scooped out via a carefully placed incision that was glued back together for safe keeping. Two weeks later, said incision was reopened, synthetic contents carefully replaced and packaged, and incision once again glued back together for recovery. Almost 2 months later, scars are fading into the background - considering what they have been through. 20 years ago, mastectomy scars were a sight to behold. Jagged, randomly placed, sitting in multiples, sutured into place leaving needle marks behind. Go ahead, do an image search. It will leave a lasting impression as it did me when I started researchign this procedure. Just like hair cuts and dye jobs (excuse me, color services), incision techniques and placement have improved by leaps and bounds. I imagine I should give credit to both surgeons who worked hard and strategically to make my scarring minimal for hopes of preserving my sanity. Job well done, Mr and Ms surgeon! I commend your handiwork and applaud God who had a hand in the matter as well. So grateful to have been chosen for this procedure in this decade.
