Uh Oh 11.28.2007

Today I showered again. (Yes, I generally bathe more frequently, but with the drain still being in, I want to minimize contamination at the insertion site.) I unzipped my sports bra, and my breast sprung forth!! Whoa!! It's even more swollen than Monday. As I was looking at it, and cradling it with my right hand, (because it was so heavy it was pulling), I had a Duh! moment.
I've had that sports bra on since post-op Friday, only taking it off to shower on Monday morning, then put it right back on. I have also been using the ice pack pretty continuously since Friday night. So there hasn't been much circulation there. Duh! And the lymphs are compromised, so what are ya thinkin?? Oh. Let's see. What can I do?? Cuz this thing's huge. It's so swollen the areola has blanched out. (The color has gone from it)

I remembered that back in February, when my breast and arm blew up, I had had a few appointments with Betty Toll, at the Foote Wellness Center downtown at One Jackson Square. Betty is one of only 3 (at that time) Certified Lymphedema Specialists in Michigan. She evaluated the swelling in my hand (I couldn't wear my wedding rings) and performed a sort of massage-type treatment. It would help some, and after a few visits she taught me how to move the lymphatic fluid myself, and gave me the handouts to follow.

Using this background, while I was in the shower, the warm water helped the circulation, and I gently massaged that breast, chest, underarm, and hand and arm to help move that fluid. I will say that I enjoyed that warm water for about 20 minutes, and the breast did seem to be softer. I had emptied the drain of approximately 20 ml of fluid before I got in the shower, and as I was toweling off I saw there was already fluid in the tubing. Maybe I did some good, huh?

I finished doing what I was doing, and took 2 tylenol extra strength and a whopping 1/2 tablet of a tylenol 3 at about 11:30. I've been using the ice for discomfort, but I'm going to try to stay away from it for a bit. I had a bite to eat, then laid down on the bed with my arm elevated and nothing on my chest. I rested for about an hour, I guess, the got up and got dressed. There is definitely more fluid in the drain. Before long it was time to go to Jackson, so I filled the ice pack and tucked it under my arm for the ride down. I got Mom fed, washed up, and tucked into bed and headed back home. I tucked that ice pack in again, too. But not since I've been home, and I think I'll try the other half of the t3 tonight and leave off the ice to sleep. I don't know about leaving the bra off, though. It isn't comfortable to have that area unsupported.

Tomorrow morning, 0900. Dr. Sanchez. Answers.