I found a way to sleep!!!! I actually got really nerdy and used my VFX artist skills by using a 3D program (Maya) to build very quick models for what I have in terms of cushions and pillows and determined every way to arrange them that I could possibly see (I thought that a more painless way to approach it than actually push and pull with attempts on the bed). I finally found a way to slot 4 cushions together with 2 pillows that actually works for me and doesn't fall apart. It's far from perfect. I manage about 6 hours interrupted until I give up and get up but 6 hours is way better than 1-2 hours! I'll keep adding on ideas that I've seen here in hopes it gets better. I eventually found that a 45 degree angle worked for me, but I had to modify it so that my neck was supported but that my head actually goes down a bit after. Hard to explain and odd to know why but I found with my head raised or straight on the 45 degrees that my neck was feeling the strain. Once I had it so that my head went back and down a little bit, stretching the neck, it was a lot more comfortable. I think the reason for this is because I'm a stomach sleeper who uses a pillow. On your back your head is brought forward at the neck but on your stomach your head is moved back the way from the pillow. So just in case others are in the same boat at some point and noticing neck pain, this could very well be the reason! It was for me.
I also take a nighttime dose of benadryl which helps knock me out. The only problem with benadryl is that the drowsiness effects wear off very quickly, so it helps me get off to sleep but if I wake up an hour or two later, I'm stuck until I'm actually able to take another dose or maybe one day luckily just get tired enough again. Hoping I can stick with using them for now and try not to get addicted using something stronger. Relying on benadryl would be bad enough!
Good news though: I got my drains out today - YAS!!!! Also got stitches off the nipples that doctor thought would need to wait until Friday, and everything is looking fantastic. I can also finally shower now! WOOT WOOT! Sleeping on back is still advised for best results, especially with swelling. Obviously getting a good night sleep is important but in the interest of not messing up which looks like great results thus far, I'm gonna at least try to tough it out until at least 6 weeks. Maybe by then I'll be used to it...HA!
It also seems that I have Gilbert's Syndrome which makes me jaundiced. So I look a little banana like right now. My chest is almost florescent! Lol. I talked to my brother and turns out he was diagnosed with it not too long back after an appendectomy and never thought letting me know about that GENETIC problem was important
. It doesn't make much difference though, it's just a chemical issue making me jaundiced and not being ill so it doesn't affect anything other than making me look a little weird
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