On January 3 it was a year since my mastectomy. Dealing with the issues and complications that arose from that has taken the majority of 2011. I feel like I literally lost a year and am still dealing with side effects.
Since taking the IV antibiotics I have had severe pain in my muscles and joints. The tendons of my hamstrings are so tight it is hard to stand up smoothly. Sometimes they feel like they lock on me. I saw my rheumatologist yesterday and he thinks I have triggered a reactive arthritis - either from the antibiotics, the stress or both. He increased my muscle relaxant which makes me sleepy. I know, I am never satisfied.
I am having a walk-in tub installed next week. Heat really helps the pain. It is not good for my lymphodema but the pain is what is limiting my life right now so that is my first priority. My endurance is actually much better. I just have to stop because I hurt.
Since I am not having a breast reconstruction I went back to Annabelle's and bought some more prosthetic bras and exchanged the prosthesis I have for a smaller one. This is just a loaner and I will get a permanent one once we clean up the mastectomy site in June. The prosthesis I had did not take into the account the lumpy condition of my mastectomy site. It was definitely too big when put on top of the tissue which is there. I am much more symmetrical now.
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