Many of us are preparing our homes and making travel plans in December. It is a gathering time for friends and family for many of us. However, there are those who will be managing breast reconstruction and breast surgery during the holidays. I had my DIEP flap breast reconstruction in early December and was one of those patients. Here are my tips on managing breast reconstruction and breast surgery during the holidays.
Breast Cancer does not take a Holiday
I do not think anyone intentionally plans to have any type of breast reconstruction and breast surgery, especially this time of year. I certainly did not. Breast cancer does not take a holiday, nor does it take anyone’s plans into consideration. In fact, it disrupts the lives of those diagnosed and going through treatments and surgery during this time of year.
Recently diagnosed breast cancer patients have doctors’ appointments, pre-surgical tests, and scans replacing holiday shopping, baking, decorating, and festive time together with family and friends. Perhaps you are a person who spends a quiet holiday alone enjoying a day or two off work and resting with little or no decorating, baking, or fanfare. Did you have to use your sick leave for your time of recovery? Perhaps you had to access your medical leave with your company over the holidays. These are a few of the things breast cancer patients are forced to manage at the time of surgery.
Each individual patient who is having breast surgery or breast reconstruction during the holidays must plan. It is not an ideal situation, but I’d like to offer some tips. How did I spend the month of December during my own recovery from DIEP flap breast reconstruction?
Think Simple During Recovery from Surgery!
I have a December birthday. I usually have a five-alarm,decorate the house from head to toe kind of Christmas. Not so the year of my breast reconstruction surgery. Decorating takes bending, lifting, and twisting.The cleanup and stashing away of those holiday decorations after the New Year does, too! Those are movements you cannot do after surgery for a few weeks. I settled for a small lighted tree and put it up before I left for surgery. I didn’t worry about putting it away until late January. It became my “winter tree”.
Pre-plan some meals before your surgery. You can do make ahead and place them in the freezer. Another option is to stock your pantry with the needed items a caregiver could easily make while you are recovering. Put the recipe and items needed to make a dish in one bag for easy preparation.
Stock up on some good reading, movies, or favorite magazines. By all means, make sure your favorite cozy blanket is near-by. Your body temperature can fluctuate after surgery. Don’t forget those non-slip house shoes! It is simple pleasures that can make healing a bit more manageable.
Celebrate with your Caregiver During the Holidays
You may have family who will be taking care of you, spouse, children, parents, partner, or loved one. They have a big responsibility, too. Don’t worry about the dust bunnies and smudges on the counters. Have them fix a round of hot cocoa for everyone so you can put your feet up together. Share some funny holiday memories together. Watch a favorite movie and let them know how much you appreciate their help during the holiday season.
Think Goals for the New Year and Be Grateful!
You just went through a lot. Keep some pretty paper and pen close to your recliner or chair where you are healing. Write in it daily.You can express your thoughts through the pen. You might be feeling blue or experiencing a bit of pain. Write it down. Think about your surgery and how your surgeon used skillful hands to heal you, to rebuild you after breast cancer. Let the feelings and thoughts flow. You will look back on this and hopefully realize how far you’ve come. Express your thoughts about what the New Year looks like. You will have this as a reminder as you move through the holidays of all you’ve accomplished and been through. Write down feelings and positive affirmations.
No one chooses to deal with breast reconstruction or breast surgery during the holidays. I offer you my best advice.
- Let your body heal.
- Embrace the quiet moments and know they are meant for you!
- Move often. Increase your activity daily.
- Be kind to yourself and those around you.
- Celebrate small moments as you observe your body’s healing process.
- Repeat to yourself, “I did not choose breast cancer,but I can choose to celebrate my choice and decision to make myself strong and healthy again soon!”
Happy Holidays and Happy Healing from DiepCJourney!
This hit home for me. Thank you. Every time I start to feel anxious about my surgery I have to remind myself that this isn’t a choice I made especially when I feel that I’m ruining Christmas for my family.
Veronica, I’m glad the blog resonates for you. Oh how I wish none of us had to go through these difficult decisions. However, embrace the unspoken bonds you are making with your family even during this holiday season. Look to the New Year and plan a celebration, big or small to acknowledge everything you all have done together! #TeamContreras!! Wishing you all the best! ~ Terri
I just had a 2nd reconstruction done on December 17th. I wasn’t expecting to be this sore after lipo and fat grafting. I tried to do everything before my surgery, but of course the holidays bring unexpected surprises. My family was very understanding and accepted my limitations. I’m taking things slow and steady this time. Learned my lesson from the 1st surgery. Fast and furious is not the best way to heal.
Hello Angela. Congratulations on completing phase 2. Yes, the soreness can be intense but I thankfully, for most, short-lived after lipo and fat grafting. It’s great to hear you are taking it easy and have the support of your family. I wish you all the best for the upcoming year. Thanks for you comment and take care. ~Terri