Saturday, August 27, 2011

Final reconstruction and hair update

I'm just under two weeks out from my final reconstruction surgery.  I have admittedly been going a bit stir crazy.  The funny thing about this surgery is that I felt pretty good pretty quick, but I know that my body isn't healed and I certainly don't want my impatience to cause a complication or poor cosmetic outcome!  I've been sticking to activities that don't use my arms and don't get my heart rate up.  Thus, my primary exercise has been walking around the neighborhood and riding the recumbent bike at the gym.  Walking is fine, but it has been insanely hot in the valley this week and I can only handle about 45 minutes on the recumbent bike before I'm bored.  I have certainly been short on my daily quota of exercise to keep me smiling.

Yesterday, I visited my plastic surgeon for my first follow-up appointment.  Everything is healing really well, but yes, I still need to wear the bra-thing for another week!  Fortunately (one of my co-workers) suggested that I wear a tank top under the bra-thing and while it is still annoying, it is way more tolerable.  I have also purchased a high impact sports bra to wear when exercising.  My plastic surgeon (kind of) says it is okay to wear.   My PS also (kind of) told me I could do activities as tolerated. Actually, I think he said don't do anything that hurts, and I interpreted it as do anything that doesn't hurt.

So, today I finally got some nice, cool mountain therapy.   Dizzy joined in on the fun.  Notice the smile on both of our faces.

Despite the big smile, I am truly disappointed by how little hair it looks like I have in this photo.  When I look in the mirror, I see a head full of hair and I do not think I am delusional.  I think the sun was hitting my head just right.......Anyhow, I'm really digging the buzz cut look.  Perhaps it is because I haven't had hair for so long or maybe it is because it is incredibly easy or possibly because all of my kids at work say "Cool hair cut"!

While hiking, we witnessed a pretty large rock slide on an adjacent peak.  It was so loud that it sounded like it was on top of us, but fortunately we were safe.  At first I thought it was a tree falling over, but then we saw the rocks moving and smoke in the air.



My tentative plan, because I always need a plan, is to get on the road bike Monday and then the mountain bike a little over a week from then.  I think I will bring out the full-suspension...............


6 comments:

  1. Jen, you look awesome (as always)! Glad you have been able to get out a little bit. I think it is a very auspicious sign that you saw a rock fall. How many people get to see that kind of thing from a safe distance?!

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  2. The buzz cut is so easy to take care of! What a cute picture of you and Dizzy. :)

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  3. Jen, every time I see a photo of myself, I think I have to have more hair than that as well. At least one of us has a realistic chance of the situation improving.

    Is it safe to assume we will see you racing 'cross in the fall? I sure hope so.

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  4. Not planning on cross:( but I'm sure I'll be around the race scene. My goal for this fall/winter is to really focus on getting strong and correcting any weakness/muscle imbalances from surgeries. I think this will serve me best in the long run. I will be riding quite a bit and am registered to race Frog Hollow (for fun) with a great friend! So excited to officially start up training in 2012!

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  5. Jen, You are such an inspiration! My friend sent me the link to your blog and I am reading (and rereading) frequently. You have written a reference guide for my own journey. Coincidently your first infusion was the day of my initial diagnosis. Because of you I asked and was granted three wishes: 1) I was able to cut my steroid dosage in half, 2) I got a bone density scan to establish a baseline and 3) I get to have a Neulasta shot after each infusion. None of these were in the plan until I asked after reading your blog. Today I started losing my hair, day 15. My second infusion is next Tuesday. Thank you for your very clear and honest writing and your commitment to finding you own way through this. You are a positive model, a superstar in my book! Best wishes for your 2012 racing season. You look GREAT in all your pictures - please keep posting as your hair grows back and you continue your strength buildling! And, please keep posting pics of Dizzy - so cute! Rose (Rose.Elley@gmail.com)

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