Ann G Rusky
  • My Drawing Board Blog
  • More About. . .
    • . . .Me
    • . . .Mackinac Island
    • . . .Influences & Inspiration
    • . . .How to contact
    • ...Links and Web sites I Like
  • My Portfolio. . .
    • Book: THAT DOG!
    • Book: Mac's Mackinac Island Adventure
    • Various Portfolio Pieces
    • Line Drawings
    • Abstract Idea Illustrations
  • Make >LESS< Work
    • < Less in my Wardrobe
    • < Fewer Household Products
    • < Fewer Processed Foods
    • < Fewer Boxes & Stuff
    • < Getting More Organized
    • My 2014 30-day DeCluttering Challenge

Wondering If This Is How Things Will Be

11/12/2022

6 Comments

 
Picture
Thoughts from Day 14. Two weeks post surgery.

It was such a relief to get drain tubes removed, and being told I no longer needed to wear compression garments on my torso. I still needed to wear the Steri-strips for another week or so to help keep the incision from widening but I was beginning to differentiate what pains and tightness were from drain tubes, or scar pain or muscle tightness. My main focus was understanding what symptoms are temporary or what is my new way of operating.

I had no idea if my incision would stay puckered, or if my chest will remain concave. I worried that the mild lymphedema I was experiencing in my chest was going to get worse or not. Everything was so different, and I didn't know what was normal or what was not. At this stage, my overall complaint was extreme tightness. It felt like wear an extremely tight bra, one that was three sizes too tight, only you can't ever take it off. Night and day my skin and muscles were WAY TOO TIGHT. I got no relief. I was hoping it wasn't like this the rest of my life. So I turned to the Internet to search for answers.

I found a couple of websites by YouTube Physical Therapists who specialize in Breast Cancer Therapy. They were Godsent. They provided just the information I needed at just the right time. They gave basic stretching and movement exercises to help with healing to do at 2-3 weeks, and then after 4 weeks, stretching can intensify. One interesting fact I learned is that scar tissue doesn't have to remain painful and stiff, that if you can manipulate the scar tissue, you can progress to rolling the tissues and loosen things up. That can even be done years later, but obviously better if you can start early. If you want to explore, I'd recommend videos on scar tissue by Jen Mckenzie, Physical Therapist and Breast Cancer Specialist who goes by The Breast Cancer Physio. Another is Kelly, who goes by the Cancer Rehab PT.

So, I started small and light and over days progressed to firmer rolling of the tissue. Within three days of beginning that therapy, that extreme tightness began to feel lessened. I was hoping that if I worked hard, I could make some progress understanding that I still have a long way to go. But that was the difficult part, not knowing if this was a stage of recovery, or if this was the way things will be.

I didn't know. But what I did know is that I'd do everything I could to get answers and keep the healing moving on.

I'm working on it.

​
6 Comments
Cherice
11/13/2022 02:26:21 am

Hang in there, it gets better! I am one year post op from my bilateral mastectomy and am doing great! My first year was not without its problems, which include a scar revision and a hematoma that damn near killed me. Breast cancer sucks, but after a year of treatment, the surgeries, and a weight gain of 35 lbs… I am finally feeling like myself once again. Good luck to you!

Reply
Ann G R
11/13/2022 07:08:41 am

Thank you Cherice! It’s good to hear that things can get better! I am so sorry you had to experience cancer and its horrible side effects but am glad you have moved beyond it. Thank you for sharing, it is so valuable to someone like me who is still wading through.

I’d like to ask about your numbness, if I may. Does it improve? Does it go away? Do you lose that feeling that your skin is fake or like you are still wearing a bra?

Reply
Cherice
11/13/2022 07:20:29 am

It does go away! I’m still a little tender to pressure on my chest a year later, but the numbness has dissipated. I chose not to have any reconstructive surgery and feel 100% going out in public flat-chested. In fact, the only time I wear a bra with prosthetics is when my husband and I go out to a fancy restaurant or if I wear a dress. I was 52 when diagnosed with stage 3 HER+ breast cancer. I had multiple masses in the left breast encompassing approximately 9mm from the nipple to the very top of my chest. I was extremely fortunate that there was no spread to my lymph nodes therefore radiation was not required. Good luck to you in your journey. It does get better in every way!!

Ann G R
11/13/2022 07:31:12 am

Wow! I am so glad you are doing well. Overcoming Stage 3. Hallelujah. You got this!

I chose not to have reconstruction as well because I felt like enough is enough and couldn’t put my body through any more. I getting more comfortable with going flat chested and have not gotten fitted for prosthetics yet. My body and spine are just adjusting to a different way of balancing, I wonder if it’d be shocking to all of the sudden have weight again in front.
Be
Best of luck to you. Thanks for your input!

Reply
https://tutuappx.com/ link
2/1/2023 07:03:41 am

If you want to date an aquarius, be prepared to keep up.

Reply
Vidmate link
2/1/2023 07:04:54 am

Aquarius is an astrological sign marked by intensity, intellect, and independence.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture

    Hi. I'm Ann.

    Welcome to
    My Drawing Board Blog.

    This is where I post my current thoughts and ideas about the topics that resonate with me, and how I work them out as illustrations. This is my work in progress.

    As an artist, I love to see the beauty in the world around me. I enjoy the play of color, patterns, and light. It is a challenge for me to try to capture the thoughts and images that inspire me.

    Sometimes, I like to quickly scratch ideas on paper. Other times, I like to take my time and work through images with color. 

    Each day brings a new perspective. This blog is my opportunity to share my thoughts and drawing process with you. 

    Thank you for visiting.

    You can keep up with me on Facebook, as well:
    https://www.facebook.
    com/AnnGRusky/

               ____________

    Blog Categories

    All
    Chalk Pastel
    Charcoal
    Colored Markers
    Gouache
    Influence & Inspiration
    Line Drawing
    Make >LESS< Work
    Memories
    Pen & Ink
    Poetry
    Prisma Pencil
    Quotes
    Shiba Inu
    Sketchbook
    Summer
    Urban Sketches
    Watercolor
    Winter


    ​Archives

    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    September 2018
    June 2018
    June 2016
    February 2016
    July 2015
    May 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    RSS Feed



    ​Getting Creative About Functioning with LESS
    .


    Creativity takes on many forms. Currently, I am on a journey to live with LESS and I am trying to Make <LESS> Work for me and my family. 

    Hopefully my goal will inspire my whole household to make conscious decisions about our home environment and what we REALLY need to own. 

    My personal goal is to eliminate clutter, and make our surroundings creatively functional and beautiful.

    I am grateful to be able to share my thoughts, and illustrations with you.

    We'll see where this journey takes me!


    Make <Less> Work
    < In my Wardrobe
    < Household Products
    < Processed Food
    < Boxes & Stuff
    < Getting More Organized
    ​
Proudly powered by Weebly