Physio-therap-me!

You will be pleased to hear I'm going to stop writing miserable posts for a while. Post-Christmas has been hard for all the reasons I moaned about earlier but I've taken control and been feeling better for it. It all started last Friday with my Physiotherapy session.

I've really been looking forward to my Physiotherapy as I was hoping for acupuncture to help with my rash. Sadly this was not to be.

My immune system is too suppressed for that at the moment. I also couldn't have extensive massage or manipulation of my muscles as I am 'too fragile.' Me, fragile? Not a word I would have used for myself, (especially not with the extra weight gain, ha ha) so I was surprised to emerge with some simple exercises to help stretch my back, stretch my arm and improve my posture.

And that was it.

The thing about Physio is it's a little at a time. Considering I'm normally used to pounding the pavement, lying on my stomach and squeezing a cushion between my knees feels a bit pathetic. But, I am a trooper. So the last few days I've been squeezing away as though my life depends on it.

My life may not depend on it but my posture does! I was told my posture is 'poor.' This horrified me as I've always been proud of my deportment. I've gone from finishing school to slouching like a sulky teenager at school. It has to change if I am ever to sashay in my shoeboots again.

My Physio realigned my back as my pelvis was slightly tilted and demonstrated how to sit correctly. It feels nice to sit up straight but it feels very strange. I've really had to catch myself during the day and pull up my spine and relax my shoulder blades. It's been five days and what a difference! Already it is becoming more natural as I make a conscious effort in the car, in front of the TV (sometimes!) and when I'm walking along.

As for walking...I took the Physio's advice and have also started walking for half an hour a day. I am desperate to go back to running, (I envision running 5k, 10k, a half-marathon for the Katie Piper Foundation) but I have realised this is a pipe dream at the moment and as the old adage says...I need to walk before I can run.

The physio also recommended some holistic therapies such as Reflexology and Reiki to help relax me. I'm looking forward to those!

So well done me. Now I'm going to sit up straight, squeeze those knees....and have a glass of wine.

Compression garments

The discovery

I had a couple of weeks where every time I went to the hospital, the nurse got out what I referred to as her list of doom. 'You need skin grafts now.' Boom! Number one on the list of doom. 'This will really hurt.' Boom! 'Afterwards we will measure you for your compression garment.'

I had no idea what this compression garment was, as no one had mentioned it yet. So I regarded the child-size one she brought out to show me with something akin to aloofness. What did this have to do with me?

As she began to explain the purpose of the compression vest, it began to sink in.

It's my exact measurements.
It's tight.
Really tight.
I have to wear it for 23 hours a day.
I have to wear it for up to 2 years. When I will be nearly 30 years old.

It has a little collar.

Did I mention...it's really, really tight?

The reality

Here is my compression vest.



It's taken me a long time to get around to wearing it as I've had a rash around my grafts for 2 months. Nothing has worked on it so I'm going to try acupuncture in the next few weeks. Eventually, the physio told me that not wearing the vest was going to be detrimental to my scarring, so I am wearing it and hoping it doesn't make the rash worse.

Actually, it's not that bad.

It's been 3 days so far and this is what I've decided.

It's not that visible under clothes really. In fact, it's more cosmetically acceptable than my red chest and neck.

My grafts feel quite 'safe' under it. Less vulnerable.

It is coming up to winter and I'm always cold anyway!

It is really tight once you put it back on but you do get used to it. It never gets comfortable but you adjust to tune it out.

I can take it off for special events or nights out if need be, as long as I put it back on to sleep in.

When I take it off to massage I can already feel the grafts and scarring flattening out. I am seriously pleased about this!

Everyone who I care about seems to accept it.

And the only true positive thing about it is....I can wear a proper bra over it!!!! I have had to wear strapless ones for three months as the straps seriously chafe my skin. All of a sudden I have a bust back in the place a bust should be and not halfway down my waist!

If you have to wear a compression vest, it is a horrible thing to be told. It is not sexy or glamourous and 2 years is a long time. But I promise you, if I can already feel the flattening in 3 days, it will be worth it in the long run.

I am aware that people reading this might have to wear facial compression masks or full body garments and might be thinking 'oh dear, this girl has no idea' but I can only face my own battle. I did see these type of compression garments when I was doing my research and I am aware of how lucky I am, lucky that mine is not visible under my clothes. I wish you all well. I think of Katie Piper, she was the model of patience and dignity when faced with her treatments. She looks amazing now thanks to her perseverance.