It's the Little Things in Life … - Calgary, AB

My bruising has almost disappeared so the girls don't look quite so bad. I still have a lot of itching so I've been taking Benadryl before bed. I also get red along the crease when it's itchy. I've been swollen the last week. My 36c bras are too tight so I bought some 36d's. If I'm at home and not going out I usually go braless - much more comfortable. I'm still quite sensitive all over and the nipple sensation is slowly returning. My morning and evening routine lately has been vitamin E oil on scars, arnica cream then Aveeno lotion all over. I've still been in the spare room with my pillow fortress but plan on moving back into my room tonight since I sleep on my side now. The crease incisions are still a little red, raised, and hard. However, the vertical and nipple incisions are very faint so I'm hoping it will all be barely visible in the long run. I'm looking forward to more improvement over the coming weeks.

After feeling so swollen and uncomfortable since Saturday, I had great sleep last night and relaxed all day. Yesterday was especially bad. I was in bed at 9:30 which is very early for me. I had a long, hot shower today and decided it was time for the strips to go. I'm healed pretty good, even the spot on my nipple. I did put paper tape on the incisions though and plan to start massaging them. The sorest spots are the ends of the incisions at my sides. I still have a bit of bruising and some redness from a reaction to the paper tape they gave me. I switched to a Life brand paper tape I bought at Shoppers Drug Mart (Canada) and have no issues.

Both of my kids had activities yesterday so hubby and I had to split up. By the end of the day I felt so swollen I thought my bra was going to snap off. I had my pjs and housecoat on at 6pm. I really could have used a day laying down but hubby had to go out of town for work till Wednesday so I was out and about again. I was wishing my 36C bra was a 38D. Tonight will be an early night. At least I have the whole day to slug after taking them to school tomorrow.

I've started sleeping on my side which has been a relief. It's more of a 45° angle leaning back on a pillow so my breast doesn't get squished.

I've been removing the steri strips as they come loose. So far no problems till this morning. There was a strip across the top of my right nipple that was bothering me. There was a lot of dried blood under the tape and I wanted to see how it looked. I peeled off the tape and the dried blood was a scab that came off leaving a 1/4 inch diameter of raw skin. I panicked and put on a piece of paper tape. This may have been a bad idea as the tape sticks pretty good. I should have put some gauze on maybe. Since I don't have sensation there yet It doesn't hurt. That worries me though since I don't know if I hurt it or not. I'll have to keep a close eye on it.