Today was my scheduled post-surgery follow-up with the GYN surgeon.
Thankfully, all the bruises have been noticeably improving, so that was one less thing I was worried about going into this appointment.
The right incision is healing almost perfectly, there is just a very small bump underneath. I think it's scar tissue. The doctor was unconcerned and said she thinks it'll go away on its own.
The bigger lump of scar tissue under the left incision is still there. The doctor said to Google "C-section massage" and apply the same techniques. The incision area isn't swollen anymore, but it's still puckered - the doctor used the word dimpled - and she said it can take up to 4 months for everything to settle down. (I appreciate having my expectations set appropriately.) She said she thinks it will eventually look normal, but it's possible the incision will create like a "shelf" (or "pooch"), which is exactly what has happened with my C-section scar. Unlike the blog entry I just linked, I don't mind it, I hardly ever think of it, and it doesn't bother me. So, on the one hand, I'm used to my C-section scar, and it's fine if the left incision heals similarly; on the other hand, the right incision already looks basically normal, so it'll be a shame if the left incision doesn't heal the same way.
Finally, the doctor said there was nothing concerning in my pathology report, and it's okay to sleep on my belly now.
After she assured me everything surgery-related was fine, I told her about an unusual symptom I've been having, which is that my right leg started to feel numb last Friday. It's a very mild numbness, like the neuropathy in my first three fingers on both hands (which is a lingering side effect from chemo). I feel it most in the 4th and pinky toes on my right foot, but sometimes my whole right foot feels a little numb and tingly, sometimes it's in my right calf, sometimes through the knee, and sometimes all the way up my leg to my right hip.
The doctor said any surgery-related numbness would have occurred immediately after surgery, so this one popping up 3 weeks later means it's not because of the surgery directly. I remembered that I had some bizarre, unexplained numbness in my hands after breast surgery and chemo, and at one point I thought that maybe sleeping on my back all the time was pinching my nerves, because sleeping on my side seemed to help. This time, though, I have been sleeping on my side a lot. The doctor said it's possible that might be the problem; sleeping on my left side might be stretching the nerves of my right leg. She suggested placing a pillow between my legs when sleeping on my side, or changing my sleep position. She didn't seem worried, and I guess I'll just follow up with my PCP or oncologist if it persists.
Meanwhile, I also remembered that my physical therapist used to talk a lot about "getting the lymph flowing". At the time she recommended the Instagram account of a physical therapist who specializes in oncology. I like this account a lot and still follow it, so I looked up some lower body exercises for the lymphatic system. I figure it can't hurt to do them.
