Update 10/28 Sat.

Hi all,
Well, today is a better day. My allergies were still bugging me last night and I still did the "get up threee times a night" thing but I didn't stay awake as much inbetween episodes of sleep, and I took some Claritin about 4:30am and I was able to sleep well between that and 8:30. I was determined to go on a walk today so, after I had a cup of coffee and time to wake up a bit, we went for about 45 minutes so that was just enough. What's kind of strange is what to do with my arms becuase I can't exactly swing them as one would when they walk, so I just concentrate on opening and closing my hands, doing some wrist cirlcles and trying to keep them at the level of my heart at times so that I don't get sausage hands on either side...also, posture, I'm wanting to be more cognisant of standing up properly when I walk since I think my body naturally wants the more rounded shoulder look as a response of protection. When we returned from our walk, Jenni made some eggs and we had some fresh fruit so we had breakfast ( I love fruit salad) and then I took a shower. I managed to do the whole shower bit by myself. It just felt so good especially on my head to have the hot water running over it. Jenni helped to change my dressings and milk the drains. At the moment, the left side is draining about twice as much as the right, which is strange since I had lymph node dissection on the right side, so I would expect more drainage from that. I'm hoping that there isn't a seroma building on that side that can't make it to the drain as it seems like there might be a slightly more protruded area on the right as opposed to the left. Fortunately, I'm set to see the plastic people on Tuesday so I'll have Hillary (the plastic pa) look at it then.
It felt so good to be outside and walking. Jenni also did some wonderful kinds of physical therapy moves on my legs and hips to help stretch me, which was awesome. You just do't realize how much you rely on your arms for things like stretches even, so I'm learning to be creative. I'm so fortunate and grateful to have my sister here to help me. I had no idea just how much help I would need, though I'm stubborn enough to aske her to back off and say "I want to do it myself" until the point where I know I need help. It has been nice that she has been there and I'll be more on my own now, but I think I'm ready.
It's a beautiful day here and I'm so glad that the wind isn't blowing - that is a total blessing - and I'm glad that today seems to be a three steps forward day rather than a two steps back day.
I'm staying cozy in some velour outfits that my dad's wife, Ellie, sent me and they are wonderful. I just put my drains in a fanny pack in front and I'm good to go.
Well, we're off to LA again, so it will be a while before I post things myself. In the meantime, Debbi Geyer will be doing that for me.
I could use prayer for healing, that the bruising would be minimal and the healing process would have a nice cosmetic effect. Mostly that I would just heal.
Blessings to you all and thanks for your prayers,
Julie