41-year-old athlete mom of four on my way to looking as good as I feel!

Sooooooo close to closing!
My drain site reopened about three weeks ago (tomorrow I will be 8-week post op). At first, my PS used a silver cream to try to get it to close, but after a week there was almost no change. He has since put me on silver 2x2 patches that have worked amazingly well. Every morning and evening when I take them off to shower, I'm sure that TODAY will be the DAY that the wound is 100% closed. This morning it was so tiny that I had to use a hand mirror to check it... still there, but not totally sealed. This process requires SO MUCH patience... and this issue in particular has helped me to get better at waiting. I'm hoping that if I keep getting adequate rest and keep my diet clean and protein-rich, I'll be able to get in the water on Monday. I've missed it so much!
Otherwise - I'm feeling really good most days. The swelling keeps going down (although I know it'll come back when I start exercising again), the scars are fading, and I'm getting most of my energy back. I definitely still need to rest more than usual, but I am happy to do it. It's actually been really good for me - I don't even need coffee anymore because I'm getting enough real rest! By the way, has anyone else out there found that certain foods/drinks taste off post-surgery? I've been noticing that and wonder if it goes away...
Three cheers for healing bodies!!!

Don't even know how long it's been since I posted. When my drain site reopened, I was so frustrated that I ignored everything but trying to get that damn spot closed. My PS put me on silver cream with showers and clean dressing twice a day. After a week, it only looked slightly better, no pain, redness, or discharge, but it was essentially the same size (about a centimeter). I know that people have had much larger open areas, with many more issues, but I HAVE to have my incision sites completely healed before the end of April for my job. My PS saw me again and ordered these 2x2 patches that have silver in them. In the 9 days since I started on them the opening is half the size it was and not nearly as deep. I decided to hold off on exercising of any kind until it's completely healed, which is driving me crazy, but feels like the right decision. I don't want to take any risks right now, my body has been through a lot. I am confident I can make a comeback... most days anyway!
The pics I'm uploading are about two weeks old, I can tell that the swelling is going down, but definitely still there. The biggest difference in the last two weeks is that I've definitely turned the corner stamina-wise. I would consider myself 75% back to normal. The nerve pain in my breasts is 98% gone - I get shooting pains now and again. I can bend over without them aching and am sleeping on my side part of the night. The TT incision site, except for the left side opening, is pain-free and thinning out by the day. I can do almost all my normal stuff, but I have to stop more often and rest in my beach chair position before I can go on. I've had a couple of 12-hr work days that went much better than I thought they would, but by the end of the day my binder is so tight because of the swelling. All it seems to take now is a good night's sleep and I'm fine the next day.
I'm definitely having trouble maintaining my weight because of all my inactivity, but I'm trying to take the long view. Most days feel like I'm moving forward well, others not so much. A few days ago, I slipped on a computer charger my husband left on the floor in the dining room, almost did the splits, and pulled a muscle in my abdomen. It hurts like hell, but the binder helps the pain. I spoke with the PS's nurse and she assured me that I didn't mess up anything. Everything in my abdomen area is still super-tight... I know I'll remain cautious for a long time to come. However, overall, I'm feeling more and more like myself. Remaining patient is difficult for me, but I really have no choice! :)

Three weeks ago today! So hard to believe that I was just starting this journey three weeks ago. I'm not gonna lie - this week kinda sucked. I'm off narcotic pain meds, which I know is good for me, but I'm not sleeping as well at night; and I'm simultaneously losing patience with/getting too comfortable with the recovery process. My PS cleared me for light activity; which is great, but I'm not even to a place where I can completely take care of my own stuff, much less my family's. I decided to load the dishwasher the other night while all my guys were out, and I had to get a chair and SIT in front of the sink! This is going to take awhile... (sigh)
I start back to work on the 20th, fortunately only part-time, but it's very physical work, so I need to get my endurance back. My only other physical complaints are: 1) my boobs are on fire. Hypersensitive is NOT an adequate word; I wish I could just walk around topless - ANYTHING touching my nipples is endlessly uncomfortable. I spoke with my PS and did my internet research, and I know it's normal. I get relief by staying topless when the kids are at school, breast massage, and icing the sides of my breasts. Pressure on the sides of my breasts REALLY diminish the fiery nerve pain; unfortunately, I can't walk around with my hands pressed to my sides 24/7. 2) I'd give just about anything to be able to sleep on my side, even for a little bit! I'm sooooooo over beach chair position! I'm moving around great for the most part, still not 100% upright (but I think it's hard for others to tell), but when my back starts to hurt, it seems to go 0-60 in minutes.
I think I'm getting to the point in my recovery where I need to start getting tough on myself, but I can't go straight into "training for Ironman" mode. I'm not good at judging where the middle ground is. The good news is that one of my best friends is coming down from Dallas to visit me tomorrow - she's someone whose judgment I trust on these kinds of things. I can definitely use some girl time!
Thinking of/praying for all y'all in process - whether it's deciding, searching, healing, or enjoying the changes! This IS worth it!