Breathing Through the Journey

Wow. What a week it has been. I am officially out of the woods for hell week.

For those new here, “hell week” is what we call the week I have to change my sub-q site location. It’s the adjustment period where my body gets used to the medicine in a new spot– and it’s not exactly pleasant.

This week, I survived on ice packs, Tylenol, lidocaine, and Prep H. Yes, Prep H! It helps the itching, swelling, and tenderness around the site. My pain lasted about 7 days, with the most intense stretch falling on days 2-4.

Days 5-7 were much more manageable. The discomfort was mostly from swelling, and I only needed ice on days 5-6. I used lidocaine once on Saturday after sitting for a while–jeans and swelling are not friends. I also finally started sleeping again, which felt like a massive win.

The itchiness is still hanging around (which drives me crazy), but I’ve been using Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Body Lotion and it has helped tremendously. On top of that, I’ve had some cramping—and between the medication, my menstrual cycles still being out of sync, and two ovarian cysts, I honestly have no idea what’s causing what at this point LOL.

The biggest win? I feel like myself again.

This weekend, I was able to clean, organize, be social, and help more with the dogs. Earlier in the week, I couldn’t even bend down to pick up after them or hold their leashes comfortably. That feeling of getting back to my routine–my new normal– brought such relief.

What I learned this time around is that my hardest days are 2-4. Knowing that gives me power. I can plan better next time. Mental note: start on a Thursday so when the 24-hour mark hits, I’m heading into the weekend and can rest properly. That’s the goal…assuming my body cooperates.

I also learned something bigger: I am strong than I give myself credit for.

I pushed myself through my hardest days and still worked. I only took one day off–and that was because of lack of sleep from the pain left me completely drained. One day off feels like a huge accomplishment considering how intense days 2-3 were.

Thank you to everyone who checked in, prayed, texted, and supported me.

Hell week isn’t easy. But here we are–still standing, still fighting, and maybe a little more resilient than before.