I've got chills, they're multiplyin'...

Each day, I find myself feeling stronger and stronger and that my friends, is a great feeling! I definitely have a new appreciate for my capabilities in life and am going to use as many as I can to my full advantage. I recently fell in love with running and once I am feeling up for it, it's going to be my every day thing, simply because...I can!

I told you i'd write the good and the bad, so here's some of the bad stuff! Part of the process of having surgery is taking pain medications and then deciding when you don't need them anymore. I went off of all pain medications roughly one week after surgery. The only side of effects I've had from going off the meds have been chills and hot flashes. This may not sound too terrible, considering the side effects that can arise, but going to bed, waking up sweating so you throw off the blankets, falling back asleep, waking up freezing, and the process repeating is not my cup of tea.  Actually, I am sure it is not anyone's cup of tea. This is what I have been going through for the past couple of days! Cute, I know. But at least I know soon enough, there will no more medication left in my system.

Another negative aspect of having this surgery is not being able to sleep. Ugh. I thought once I had my drains out that sleeping would get easier, but I was wrong. Basically, the only way that you can sleep after a bilateral mastectomy is on your back. Who sleeps on their back all night? That's right, No one. I was able to do it for a little while but now my back is like 'HEY, GET OFF OF ME' while I am sleeping. I have tried to sleep on my side but I have so much bruising and my muscle is pulled so tight that it's a huge no go! 

There is good news though, I asked around and have gotten a few interesting recommendations. The first recommendation I received I tried last night, which was to sleep with as many pillows as possible. You're probably thinking...what?! Well I was able to put the pillows under one side of me, taking pressure off of my back. Then I put a pillow under each arm, under my feet, and one on my chest to hug! Warning: If you stop hugging the pillow and lay your arms flat on your side pillows, your elbow crack will hurt SUPER bad when you wake up and haven't moved it in the middle of the night. Trust me! 

The other recommendation I received is to sleep in a recliner. I think this might be the money ticket because then it is like you're laying down, but really you're sitting and there isn't pressure on your back. Also, you can kind of lay on your side without actually putting any weight on your side. I'll let you know how it goes! 

My partner in crime, one of my dear friends since middle school, Alina Torres, sent me a very appropriate get well present! I am so lucky to call Alina one of my closest friends, as we can go months without seeing each other but pick up like we were never apart once we're back together and we know we can always rely on each other in times of need! Love you very much and am very proud of you, PIC. 

The cup reads "Good friends are like bras, supportive, never leave you hanging, make you look good, and are always close to your heart." See, super appropriate! Thanks again, Alina! 

In honor of an old friend and reminiscing on high school, my song of the day is The Starting Line- Best of me, because we got older but we're still young, we never grew out of this feeling that we wont give up.

I just took a serious walk down memory lane, so if you're familiar with The Starting Line, you should do the same! 

I hope everyone had an awesome Hump day! See you tomorrow!