A Binding Situation

So I made it to and from Chicago without much trouble. I was given a compression sleeve to wear on the plane to counteract the cabin pressure change in the airplane. I’m also supposed to wear the sleeve while exercising. Already, my measurements, taken every two inches starting at my knuckles and up my arm, have improved in some areas and gotten a little worse in others. Through gentle massage, the physical therapists are trying to jumpstart my lymph system on the left side and re-direct the fluid to my right side. They have also worked on the scar area under my arm and have broken up the messed-up connective tissue in the incision area. That has helped reduce some of the pain in that area. It felt so good the first day that I wondered why not EVERYONE is informed of this type of scar massage after surgery.

My follow-up appointment with my new surgeon (remember that the real one left the practice for an administrative job) confirmed that I have way too much swelling remaining in my “chest wall.” I thought he was doing well not to compare my swollen breast to a bloated fish on the shoreline on a hot day.

He tried to find more pockets of fluid that could be drained by needle, but couldn't without another ultrasound. He reminded me that it could take a year for the swelling and pain to go away, and he suggested another follow-up in three months rather than six months. But I couldn’t see the point of him just looking at it again and repeating what I’ve heard the last two times. Yes, it looks bad. No, there’s nothing we can do. It will take time to return to normal. I left without making any appointment.

Next week I have more physical therapy appointments and the radiation follow-up. More then.