Bad Booby Biography

Putting the Girls out there!

2010-04-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

Implant surgery went just fine. I was able to go home the same day and was back at work Monday morning. Got my stitches out yesterday and will see the plastic surgeon in a month for a follow-up and to discuss the nipple issue. Mike really wants me to have one - I still think a Seahawk logo would be cool!

Anyway, I no longer have Barbie boob and saggy boob - yay! They are fairly even, but Lefty is a little bigger and Righty is a little higher. Oh well, I'm not posing for Playboy, I just want to wear v-necks again. I think they look fairly natural, definitely not stripper boobs. Now, on to the ultimate test - low cut tops! I'll be busting those out (pun intended!) in Vegas in a couple of months.

Hope you are all well!

upcoming fun!

2010-04-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

wow, it's been forever since I posted on this blog. I have just been l-i-v-i-n
livin! When I was last on here, I had just gotten the expander. Since then I have finished herceptin. No infusions since January, woo hoo. Supposedly, once herceptin is done my hair is supposed to grow a bit faster. It's certainly poofy. I am in the inbetween stage of deciding whether to grow it or chop it all off again. I was kinda liking it super short - so easy to take care of. Mike, of course, would like it to be long again. We'll compromise and go for chin length, maybe:)

Anyway, next Friday, April 16th, is my implant surgery - yay for new boobies! My pre-op appt was Monday and here's the scoop:

It was pretty much the same as my expander pre-op. No ibuprofen, vitamin E, or Omega 3s 2 weeks before surgery. No eating after midnight. No lifting heavy items for 2 weeks after surgery; bed rest for 48 hours after. Sponge baths only the week after - blech! However, I will be going home the same day and I can lift my arms above my head - yay! She's gonna take my port out during surgery, which is nice. She can't guarantee me absolute symmetry and she hopes I'll be okay if my boobs are higher and bigger than they were before - ha ha ha! I assured her I am perfectly okay with perky ones!

Hope all is well with you, dear readers!

Barbie boob!

2009-11-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

Hey All,

I had the expander surgery almost two weeks ago. It went just fine. I stayed overnight which was a good thing since I got really nauseous and a nurse got to clean me up when I tossed my cookies instead of Mike! Anyway, the first week was annoying because I could only do sponge baths and couldn't drive. I got my sutures out this week, can shower (yay!) and drive, so that's something. The expander is not painful anymore, but it does feel like I have an orange taped to my body. It really does look like I have a Barbie Doll boob on one side too. It's very perky and smooth. Poor Lefty, she's looking a bit droopy in comparison. Thank goodness for underwire bras, at least I look symmetrical in clothes. I get my first fill next week, which means they'll add more saline to my expander. I will be getting two or three of these and then in 3 months or so, I'll be ready for my implant. That's the skinny for now. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

NEW BOOT PART I

2009-11-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

I am off for surgery today to get my tissue expander. wish me luck! I'll write again as soon as I am able - probably in a week.

MRI FUN!

2009-10-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

You all know I hated the last MRI I had, so I got a prescription for sedatives for the one I had on the 16th. Mmmm, sedatives! They sure did the trick. I slept through the whole thing. However, I probably should have taken one tablet instead of two, since I was a drugged up mess afterwards. My aunt and sister had to help me get dressed and walk to the car. Aunt Deb said I was making strange faces while I was eating my orange in the back seat, but I don't remember eating an orange! Also don't remember talking to my brother-in-law on the phone later that day. Luckily, my co-worker, Jamie, picked up Connor from daycare for me, but the poor kid had to sit on the bed and watch movies with me, because I was too tired to move much! Lesson learned - one pill should be enough!

The results came in last Friday and they didn't find anything. Yay me!

CANCERVERSARY

2009-10-12T16:28:00.001-07:00

It's been one year since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Wow, time just flew by. I just had my yearly mammogram and got the letter saying they couldn't detect any cancer in lefty - yay! I still have to have a breast MRI this coming Friday (bring on the sedatives!), reconstruction, and herceptin until January, but it's beginning to feel like this chapter is closing and I couldn't be happier.

I must say I don't find the "October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month" as annoying as I did last year. I still think selling pink scrub brushes, frying pans, etc. is strange, but I can appreciate the sentiment behind it and if it pays for research that can prolong someone's life, then bring on the pink waffle irons, spatulas, and ribbons. Just don't buy one for me:)

new hairdo

2009-09-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

Told ya I wasn't gonna keep the salt and pepper! It's bright yellow, but I'll have to give my head a rest before I lighten it more. In a couple weeks I should have the shade I am looking for - fingers crossed. Meanwhile, I am having fun with the new color and I feel 10 years younger!

Expanding my horizons

2009-08-11T15:15:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

just a quick note to update you. my hair is growing - yay! but it's coming in salt and pepper- boo! so I'm gonna dye it soon. Next time you see me, I hope I will be a platinum blonde.
I also have the busiest plastic surgeon on the planet, so my expander won't be put in until November 13th. This means my implant won't be going in until well after the holidays. I think I am going to look on the bright side - I can enjoy the fall and Halloween without painkillers and I'll be used to my expander by the time Thanksgiving rolls around. It's all good.

This has been a great summer so far! Hope you are all well!

muga and more

2009-07-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

I had a follow up MUGA (heart test) on Friday, plus blood work and herceptin. Yippee, my hematocrit is within one point of normal range! Bye, bye chemo-induced anemia. The MUGA went well and the rest of my blood tests came back great, so I don't have to see my doctor for 9 weeks. I will still do herceptin every three and I am going to schedule my reconstruction for the fall, but I feel like I am getting back to normal. What a wonderful feeling! Hope you are all enjoying your summer so far. I am having a blast.

good news

2009-06-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

I got a call from my doctor yesterday and it looks like my margins are fine and I won't have to have radiation - yay!! Also, my vitamin D level looks good too. Getting out in the sunshine probably helps.

Follow-up visit with Dr. Rinn

2009-06-13T08:25:00.000-07:00

I went with my peeps to get my 3week dose of herceptin and to see my oncologist Dr. Rinn yesterday. She is still trying to figure out if my margins were clean enough to forego radiation. I really, really hope I don't have to. It's not that it's hard or anything like the all day chemo thing, but it does involve daily trips to NW Hospital and that sounds like a drag to me. So anyway, she will talk to my breast surgeon next week and get back to me. On a good note, my white blood count is back to normal - yay! My hematocrit, which is tied to anemia, is still low but up 3 points, so I gotta keep eating my Total with Raisin bran and clams - what a hardship! I am going to get a MUGA (heart test) in 6 weeks, but other than that I don't have any testing for 6 months. At that time, I will have the dreaded MRI. Bring on the valium!

On a fun note, we had a lovely camping trip to Lincoln Rock. The weather was nice, but the water was freeeeeeeezing!! Next up - Michelle's Iron Man in Coeur D'Alene. We'll be taking a side trip to Silverwood, so that should be fun. This is a busy, busy summer.

Peach Fuzz!

2009-06-03T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I am getting some hair back - yay! The wigs are stifling in this heat, so I've been wearing my baseball cap or bandannas. Yesterday we walked to Golden Gardens and a little girl asked me why I had no hair. I told her I lost it. She asked me if I have a garage and I told her no, but I have a carport. She said "maybe you should look in your carport for your hair because you look like a boy!" She gave me a good laugh! So, if you seeing me rooting around in my carport....

Done with Chemo - Yahoo!

2009-05-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

I finished chemo on Friday the 8th and I feel pretty good going into my second week. I still have to have herceptin every three weeks until January, but that's a piece of cake compared to chemo. I have decided to just enjoy the summer and not worry about getting a new boob until fall. Who wants to be in pain when the weather is nice and there's so much fun stuff going on? My hair should start growing back soon, but be prepared to see "GI Jane" all summer because these wigs I am wearing are getting too hot. I really need to invest in a few straw hats. Anyway, I will post pics and keep you all updated when I get testing done to see if the cancer is gone.

Also, I want to say congratulations to my cousin Lesa, who had a baby girl on May 11th - Mommy and Bristol are both doing well.

Chemo 5 and I'm Alive!

2009-04-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

This Friday I had my 5th chemo and a visit from my pal, Michelle. Aunt Deb and Jen were there as usual, but she just adds a little sizzle to the day! My peeps were worried they were going to get thrown out of the chemo lounge, but I think the nurses appreciate that having a good time while you're there is instrumental in getting through the day. Thanks, Michelle! Also, thanks for the fun new wigs - since they are black and dark brown, they are more alter ego than everyday, but I look forward to creating a great look for each one! That was really nice of you your mom-in-law to give them up, especially since they are brand new and human hair!

Great news on the family front - Aunt Deb is gonna be a great grandma! That means cousin Mike is going to be a grandpa - wow, what an old guy! Congratulations to Drew and Justine!

Counting the weeks until chemo 6 and my summer can begin!

Chemo #4 - The end is in sight!

2009-03-31T12:22:00.001-07:00

Had chemo #4 on Friday, the 27th and I am so excited that there are only 2 more to go! Today, I have decided to focus on positive things and not talk about my side effects, or how poopy this week is. It will pass and that's that.

A friend of mine who has gone through the chemo thing already, Tracy, came to visit while I was there. It was really nice to see you, Tracy - you look great and you make me realize that this is just a temporary situation - I will get my hair back and I will feel really good soon!

I also had my loyal chemo peeps, Aunt Deb and Jen - you guys are the wind beneath my wings! I can always count on Auntie to have baby oranges for me to eat and my darling sis for warm blanket retrieval. I am so grateful to have you guys there - you take my mind off infusions and put it where it should be - Vegas, baby! I am so looking forward to all the good things that will happen once this chemo is done. Fleetwood Mac in May; camping at Lincoln Rock in June, Gram's 80th birthday party and Vegas in July, Seahawks games in Sept, Halloween in October (already thinking about Connor's costume!) and Elton John and Billy Joel in Nov. - this is what keeps me going. It's not about how quickly my hair grows in or whether I'll have a great new boob this year, it's just about how much fun I'm going to have when I don't have to be poisoned every three weeks. I am counting the days!

Congratulations to Lesa and Neil!

2009-03-09T16:27:00.000-07:00

Wow, I just got done kvetching on this blog about my icky day and I decided to check my lovely cousin Lesa's blog. Her news has just totally turned around my day. She and Neil got married on Feb. 28th in a very small ceremony! I am so happy for them. I am sure Kaeden and Baby Bristol (coming in May!) are very happy their parents have become a legal unit. Can't wait for the reception in August!

Chemo #3 - Halfway done!

2009-03-09T16:09:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I had my third chemo on the 6th of March. I am so happy to be at the halfway point. However, this is day 4, which is my yuck day, so I really wish I was just done with this whole thing. My added intake of iron rich foods doesn't seem to have helped my anemia; my counts actually went down - boo! Oh well, bring on the supplements, I guess. So, I am having a pity party today. My whole body aches and my face and hands are red and swollen and I want my blankie - wah! wah! Okay, that's enough whining for now. I am sure tomorrow will be better and I'll be peachy keen by Friday, when I go in for my weekly Herceptin. It's really nice to be able to do the Herceptin at Ballard. I can just walk over from work and walk back. If only everything was this easy.

Chemo #2 and Shana's hair adventures

2009-02-19T13:25:00.000-08:00

I had my second chemo on the 13th of February and it's been going the same as the first. The 4th day has turned out to be the yucky one and the dizziness seems to be still with me today on Day 7, but it's getting better. I tried a Diet Coke this morning and it still tastes a little off, so hopefully tomorrow or the next my tastebuds will be back on line. As you can all see, I shaved my head as the shedding was driving me completely nuts. I find it hilarious that Mike and I share the same hairstyle. Of course, at work I've been parading a variety of looks around the office. My alter-egos so far: Biker Babs (Do-rag, no wig), Shar (reddish wig- don't know why that name, but it seems to fit for this look), Posh (Mike's favorite, the short, sassy blonde wig), Penelope Pitstop (the black hat and blonde wig together or just black hat. It was Daphne, but I like Penelope better.) I was calling my long blonde hair and pink hat concoction Hannah Montana, but the guys at work call me Georgy, as they don't really relate to the pre-teen stuff and it looks kinda mod 60's. I am sure as I try out different combos, I'll have more names. Everyone knows I love dressing up, so this has been a hoot for me so far. Now, if I could get my beer drinkin' persona back, I'd be in hog heaven.

more head pics

2009-02-17T10:06:00.000-08:00

Taking the Plunge

2009-02-16T18:09:00.000-08:00

Well, the hair was falling out in earnest this weekend and I wore a hat to work today. My lovely friend, Erika, came over and buzzed me. Glad that's over! Now it's on to rocking the bald or wigs and hats! Connor prefers me with a hat:)

Getting Wiggy With It

2009-02-12T13:31:00.000-08:00

I went out with friends and family for a fun day of wig shopping and ended up getting a couple I liked. I am shedding copiously now, so may be sporting my new hair soon. I am thinking of buzzing it all off this weekend as the strands of hair everywhere are driving me bonkers! Chemo #2 is tomorrow and I am hoping it goes as smoothly as last time. It wasn't fun, but I managed it and I have felt absolutely great these two weeks in between - fingers crossed that it remains the same! I am terrible at layout, so here's the pics all catty-wampus up top. I bought the bottom two. Thought you also might like to see my rejects - Holy Tammy Wynette and Mullet-head!

Gone, Baby, Gone

2009-02-02T08:57:00.000-08:00

So, here's the new hair. This picture was taken on Friday and I lightened it considerably on Saturday. All my blonde got cut off and I just couldn't have that! I should have my hair for another couple of weeks, then it's wig-o-rama, or cute hat-o-rama.

I had my first blood draw and herceptin infusion on Friday. My white blood cell count was great and I got to go to the movies on Saturday night. "The Curious Case of Benajmin Button" was really good. Wanted to see Slumdog, but it was sold out. So, 1 of the Best Picture nominees down and 4 to go! I'll have to get crackin if I want to see them all by the 22nd.

I have turned a corner and I'm feeling great this week. I am able to drink my diet coke and my beloved Bud Light - had a couple during the Super Bowl and they were oh, so good!

Chemo #1 - the saga continues

2009-01-27T12:17:00.000-08:00

I'm on day 6 of chemo and I sure wish I could go back to day one. It's not that I'm ultra sick or achy or anything, I just feel off. My beloved Diet Coke and Bud Light taste horrible, which I was sure would never happen to me! I am able to go to work and for the most part be productive - except during these lovely waves of dizziness I keep getting. Don't worry, that's from the stomach stuff they give me. Speaking of stomach stuff, I can't seem to get enough food in my mouth - it's a strange way to be. I feel completely bloated and full, but need to keep chewing all day long in order to feel semi-okay. Since this is just the first chemo, I'll probably be looking back on this week as a good one - ha ha! Enough complaining, though. I am trying to visualize the chemo as Ms. Pacman and she's eating all the icky cancer pellets. When she gets caught by Inky, Blinky, or Clyde, that's the side effects. I'll eventually get the high score and be worshipped by all, and okay, that's where the metaphor breaks off....

Getting my hair cut off this Thursday and all I can think about is the disastrous haircut Julia Roberts gets in Steel Magnolias. Please Lord, don't let me look like that! Anyway, Erika is no Truvy, so I'm sure it will be as hip as can be for the couple of weeks I'll actually have it.

CHEMO - Round One

2009-01-22T19:58:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

Got back from chemo around quarter to 4. My aunt Deb, sister Jen, and I got there at a 8am, so it was quite a long day. I had lots and lots of drugs administered, some of which took 90 minutes a piece. Next time it won't take so long. The Benadryl they put in the IV is lovely and I was able to nap quite a bit. I have every type of anti-nausea medication they could give me, so I'm hoping that will be one thing I don't get. I feel pretty good right now! I'm on steroids, so they make me a little hyper. I got 4 hours of sleep last night because of them, but I have a sleeping pill to take tonight - woo hoo!

The results of the CT Scan, Muga, and Bone Scans were all good. No problems with my liver, so bring on the Bud Light! Dr. Rinn was quite pleased with the lack of any cysts or irregularities as that is pretty rare - so yay me!

They changed my herceptin schedule, so I will be doing that every week instead of every three, but after the next two, I can switch over to Ballard and get this when I do my blood draws. I am so lucky I have such a great workplace where everyone is so supportive of all this time I take off.
Is it no wonder that I love my job?

Anyway, off to give Connor a bath. Night, Night, All!

p.s. I thought of a new nickname for me last Saturday - "Half Rack" or "Lefty Half Rack" - kind of sounds like a country western singer, right?

The Port and I

2009-01-18T14:50:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

I got my port on Thursday. I will take a page from my sister Jen's book and substitute "barnacles" for swear words. So, holy barnacles that port hurt the first day! It's day 4 now, so the pain is subsiding, but I swear getting the boob lopped off hurt less. Also, the day after the port I had a Muga (heart) test, bone scan, and ct scan of my liver, abdomen, etc. The solution they give you to drink is absolutely disgusting - like liquidated vanilla chalk and I had to drink 2 bottles of that barnacle! So, hopefully the test went well and I'll have no problems getting the chemo this Thursday.

I went out this Saturday for my last hurrah before the chemo starts - it was so much fun! Thanks to Kelley for planning it! Thanks, Alissa, for the cool bandana, too! I'm sure I will get a lot of use out of it. Now, I'm not saying that was the last Bud Light I'll ever drink because my doc said I could have beer if I felt like it, but I won't be having 5 in a row for quite a while. She actually thinks I won't want it because everything is going to start tasting funny. Oh well, I can still hang out with you all while you're tossing them back! It'll be like when I was pregnant.

The week after chemo I have decided to go get my haircut really, really short, so the next time you see me I may either be "rocking the baldness" as my brother-in-law would like or have the Heidi Fidanque-type do, at least.

ciao for now!

No boob for you!

2009-01-10T09:40:00.000-08:00

Well, Righty 2.0 is being pushed back until after chemo is done. After talking to the plastic surgeon on Monday the 5th and then the oncologist on the 9th, it's the best decision. There's just too much risk if I get an infection while my immune system is lowered. I am truly okay with this, foam booby seems to work just fine. I haven't heard any whispering behind my back, so I must be looking fairly symmetrical:)

By the way, Edie and I have decided to invent a boob "purse" - basically, it will be a neoprene-fiberfill form with a hollow middle for holding dollars, keys, what have you - might as well make the boobless side work for me, right? See what drinking at Bleachers will inspire one to do!

My first chemo starts on January 22nd and I will have to go every 3 weeks for 6 rounds and also have herceptin infusions every 3 weeks for a year. I liked my oncologist a lot, so I've decided to get the chemo at Swedish on Capitol Hill, since she doesn't travel to Ballard. I may change to the Ballard site when I'm just doing herceptin and I can get blood draws in Ballard too. So, my last chemo will be at the end of May. Yay, just in time to go camping! If all goes well, I'll get my expander put in in June and then have the implant done in August or September. I may be putting the goods in the window at Halloween!

And yes, for all who are wondering, I will be losing my hair. Dr. Rinn says it will fall out 14-21 days after my first round of chemo. I'm planning on getting my hair cut really short before then and then buzzing it when it starts to come out. I will be wig shopping too, so those of you who love costume shopping can come with me and help me pick out something groovy.

Next week is gonna be fun, bone scans, heart scans, blood tests and port placement, oh my!
Can't wait to get out with my peeps next Saturday for a little fun before the real work starts!

Path to Recovery!

2008-12-30T13:58:00.000-08:00

Went to the breast center yesterday to get my drain out - yay! No more carting the bulb around, looking like I've shoplifted something and put it under my sweater.

My surgeon is out of town, so I met with an RN to get the pathology results from the mastectomy. My tumor was 1.6cm with an 8mm satellite tumor. The margins are clean, so no cancer in the chest wall, thank you! No cancer in the nodes, which we already knew. Then she tells me that I'm triple negative and that's not good. Triple negative means that you don't respond to hormone blockers or herceptin and it's more aggressive. "Huh?" I say to her, "before I was Her2neu positive." I didn't really question it because she's reading the report, not me. I'm just happy to have the drain out and get the okay to go back to driving, working, etc. - I can even wear a bra! So, I get home and I'm getting ready to go to work when she calls me back and tells me she read the report wrong and I am Her2neu positive - yay! She also forgot to give me a copy of my pathology report, so now it's in the mail. I will not name her, but she seemed a little scattered. I know they are really busy, but jeez! Oh well, at least it was good news.

Next stop - Plastic Surgeon on the 5th!

Also, to all of you who have called, emailed, sent flowers, books, ipods, cards, dropped off food, and generally been there for me these last couple of weeks after surgery - THANK YOU!! I am overwhelmed by the generosity I've been shown. You are the wind beneath my wings!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T09:39:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve and it's snowing again - aaargh! As you all know, I am not a fan of the white stuff, so this past week has been a bit torturous. We've been making the best of it by walking up to our local video store, coffee shop and watching the sledders go up and down our hill, but boy will I be glad when the snow is gone. We managed to get our Subaru out today, so we're gonna make the trek to Bothell for our annual family Christmas Eve - yay! I hope you are all able to make your holiday celebrations as well. I am looking forward to seeing all my friends soon! Being at home is for the birds.

I called a co-worker yesterday and got a ride into work. It was wonderful! I got lots done and was even able to do some final shopping at Fred Meyer. I can't wait to get back into my normal routine. After my visit to the breast surgeon on Monday, I'm hoping for an "all clear" to go back to work full-time and start driving. I haven't really needed my narcotics since I came home, so that should help. I'm also getting my drain out - can't wait to get this grenade off my body!
Anyway, that's the news for now. Back to watching Dora for the thousandth time with Connor!

Have a wonderful Christmas, everybody!!

I'm back!!

2008-12-18T11:08:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

the surgery on Tuesday went really well. They found no cancer in the lymph nodes they took out. I will find out the final pathology on the 29th.

Since you're probably wondering what Righty looks like, I'll tell you. She's deflated, kind of like an underdone pancake. have to call and make an appointment with the plastic surgeon to see when they can start reconstruction, but if I have to stick in a cutlet for a while that's fine.
Amazingly enough, losing this boob hasn't bothered me. It's an interesting specimen now. I've been cleaning my drains myself and have almost normal use of my right arm. Doing the exercises really helps. I can't lift Connor, but so far that's the only downside to this experience, as yet. Percocet is lovely, but I am mostly relying on ibuprofen. My pain level is pretty minimal except when Connor accidentally elbows me or the cat jumps on me.
I am trying to take it as easy as possible, the snow actually helps since I can't go anywhere.
I feel like I could go into work right now for 8hrs, but I promised I'd slow down a bit.

Anyway, I'll continue to keep you all posted. If I don't see you, have great holiday!

Bye Bye, Righty

2008-12-15T20:11:00.000-08:00

Barring a blizzard or something, tomorrow is the day I lose my friend Righty. It feels like I'm about to go on vacation - what clothes, what books, did I get all my work done? - that sort of thing. Maybe I'll freak out tomorrow, but today I'm calm. So, what will I miss about Righty? Well, she filled out my bra, but then so will my fake boob. She fed Connor, but I'm done with that. She's pretty much served her purpose. So, RIP, Righty. Coming soon, Righty 2.0!

By the way, thanks for all the emails and phone calls! I am really feeling the love and support.

Talk to you soon.

Shana

FIRST AND LAST IN THE FAMILY?

2008-12-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

Bob Resta, genetic counselor and heck of a guy, called today. I do not have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Yay for all my female relatives - unless we've got some crazy cancer gene they don't know how to test for, they have no more chance than the next person of getting it. Bob says I can keep my ovaries, too. So, good news all around!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-27T10:42:00.001-08:00

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted to say how thankful I am that I have such supportive family and friends. Having breast cancer isn't something I would wish on anybody, but it has really brought out the best in people and I feel really lucky that I have you guys.

I am also thankful for Connor, who keeps me from dwelling on me too much; for my husband for cooking everyday and being such a great dad; that eggnog is out in the stores; that I will be eating my weight in mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie; that I get to have my annual viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life" and, last but not least, my Christmas tree goes up tomorrow!

Hey, everybody! Let's limbo!

2008-11-22T18:54:00.001-08:00

So, now I have the surgery scheduled. The genetic testing is underway. My surgery follow-up is scheduled for Dec. 29th and January 9th is when I meet my oncologist (yay! I got Dr. Rinn) for the first time. Now what? Let's spend the time between now and my surgery on the 16th making up colorful nicknames for me ( I like "Lefty". Thanks, Larry at Pioneer) while I'm in my uni-boob state. I am also still looking for a good t-shirt. Found one on Cafe Press that says "I'm making cancer my bitch". Think my surgeon will let me wear that to the mastectomy? I also like one that says "yes, they're fake. the real ones tried to kill me" . Anything that will give me a laugh is good. Oh yeah, I guess I could also spend this down time Christmas shopping!

OH, HAPPY DAY!

2008-11-12T15:05:00.000-08:00

I have a surgery date!! Yahoooooooo!! I know it's weird to be so happy, but it's such a load off my mind to actually have a plan. It's going to be Dec. 16th at the Swedish Hospital Main Campus.

OH, THE WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART....

2008-11-10T21:11:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

Decisions have been made. And a surgery date is imminent - aargh, once again have to wait another day to get the exact date. Do these people not know that the all-important Holiday party season is almost upon us? I must know when to plan my functions after all!

First off, went for a visit with Bob Resta, genetic counselor and a heck of a guy! Genetic testing for the two breast cancer genes is recommended due to my young age (don't laugh!) and the lack of medical history from my late father's side of the family. If it comes back negative, peachy keen! If either gene comes back positive, I will have a dramatically increased chance of another breast cancer and ovarian cancer, plus my sister and aunts would have to be tested. Because of the risk, I have the choice of mastectomy on the other side or one mammogram and one MRI every year. I would also have to have a hysterectomy, which is fine as I was not planning on using my ovaries again anyway. I should find out in about 3 weeks whether I'm giving up more body parts.

After getting everybody lost going 4 blocks to a different Swedish Medical center, I met with Dr. Christine Lee, breast surgeon and heck of gal! The tumor has tendrils that make it 3 cm, not 2, but the absolutely great and fantastic news is that there is no evidence of cancer anywhere else in my body, so yayyyyyyyyyy!!!!!

As for Righty, well kids, her days are numbered. I tried to work it out with her, but she's just too toxic. Gotta cut her out of my life. I've been prepared for this, but it will be a little sad for me to lose one of my "perfect" boobs. Dr. Lee wants me to wait to have my reconstruction to see if there's cancer in my chest wall, so I'll be a little lopsided for a couple months. Heidi and I were discussing finding some t-shirts with slogans on the right side, maybe "Under Construction" or "Men at Work" or "Coming Groundhog Day 2009" - any suggestions?

By the way, were you all clapping like loons at 4pm? Thanks!! I'm still "technically" stage 1 until after surgery.

Ta Ta for now (seriously!)

IS THIS THE BEGINNING?

2008-11-10T09:39:00.000-08:00

Today I will meet with a genetics counselor and with my breast surgeon. I am hoping that the MRI results are good and we can get my surgery scheduled. Once this happens, I will feel like I can call this the beginning of my cancer treatment.

Remember how everybody had to clap their hands at the end of Peter Pan to let Tinkerbell know they believed in fairies? Well, at 4:00 today, clap your hands if you believe in boobies! Then I want you all to chant Stage 1 under your breath until security comes to take you away. Just kidding, peeps!

Check back tonight for the 4-1-1 on Righty's prognosis.

Not booby related

2008-11-05T08:45:00.000-08:00

I just had to say that I am so happy with last night's outcome. I am filled with excitement and hope for the future. It's nice to finally have the person I voted for win! I was very impressed with John McCain's concession speech and I hope he continues to distinguish himself as a "maverick" in the Senate. Now, Obama better give my Hillary some sort of cabinet position!

A VISIT TO THE BOOBY BEAUTIFIER

2008-10-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

I had my consultation with a plastic surgeon today to go over my options regarding lumpectomy and mastectomy.
First of all, I need to share something that before now only Mike and I knew. Yes people, my boobs are perfect! Jen will verify as she was there when the plastic surgeon measured me and told me so - ha ha!

Anyway, besides discussing my fabulousness, the nurse and the surgeon filled me with all sorts of information, which is flying around my head in crazy fashion. Jen again took notes for me, so I can give you the skinny:

I'm not a candidate for reconstruction that involves tissue from my back or stomach because I don't have enough fat - I thought it would be great to get a tummy tuck and a boob job, but the nurse said "it ain't no tummy tuck" . This can affect your core abdominal muscles and I can't have those compromised because I lift Connor all the time. So, should I decide on the mastectomy, it will be silicone city. Fine by me. I was encouraged to only think in terms of one side as they said they could make sure both sides look symmetrical. If I decide on lumpectomy, my breast may shrink or become misshapen due to radiation. I can have something done to fix this 6 months to a year after radiation is completed.

We saw lots of pictures of reconstructions and new nipples and nipple tattoos - overwhelming. Those of you who went to dinner with me a couple weeks ago will remember me talking about how they made nipples from labia skin. Well, you'll be happy to know that is old school. Now they usually use skin from your breast or eyelid skin. So, if you have droopy eyelids, you may find me looking at you enviously:) I don't have enough droop on mine yet.

So, now we wait until the 10th to see what the MRI results are and when surgery will happen.
If something comes up, I'll be sure to post.

SO THIS IS WHAT ALIEN ABDUCTION MUST FEE LIKE

2008-10-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

Just got back from my first, and hopefully last, MRIs. Why was I so anxious to get one of these done? I don't like enclosed spaces and I have a hard time laying perfectly still. Add to that the lovely jackhammer noise and blue dye going through my veins and it's my idea of hell. I asked the tech about music, since people told me the best way to get through was to count the number of songs, but the music was broken! I toughed it out and made it through two, one on my back and one on my stomach, but I would gladly take a pap smear, mammogram, and teeth cleaning combo over that trauma. If there's a next time - Valium, baby.

MRI, What MRI?

2008-10-27T18:18:00.000-07:00

aaargh!!

Well, I thought I was gonna have my MRI today after the consultation with the breast surgeon, but nooo, that was just a miscommunication. I am having the MRI this Wednesday. Oh well.

The breast surgeon was very nice. She called me young lady, which I thought was funny since we're about the same age. Anyway, Aunt Deb, Jen, and Mike got to be in the room with me, so at least one of us can remember some of the gobbleygook that was thrown out there. So here's the skinny so far:

My tumor is between 1 and 2cm . I have another small 5mm lump that may or may not be cancer, but the MRI will show that I guess. No cancer was seen in my lymph nodes, but they need to be investigated further. This will happen when I have the lumpectomy or mastectomy. I am hormone receptor negative, so won't be taking hormone blocking therapy, so I will have some sort of chemotherapy no matter what surgical course I take. Right now, without MRI, she is giving me a Stage of 1 - yay, me!

So, next step is an MRI on the 29th, a consultation with a plastic surgeon on the 30th, genetic testing (not sure when, they're supposed to call me), and then back to see my cancer surgeon on Nov. 10th.

Thanks for all the emails and phone calls, you guys! I feel really loved. Thanks Jen, for taking such good notes. I'm using them right now to do this.

So, Righty, the Bad Booby, is somewhat back in my good graces, but if she's gives me anymore trouble, it's curtains!

Will post again on the 29th.

Lovely Sentiment

2008-10-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

I got this great email from Mike's cousin Cindy and I found it so inspiring I had to copy it.

"when Jesus asks a man, "do you want to be made well?" he explains that he has no one to help him down to the healing well. So Jesus tells him "stand up and take your mat" he was already well. You are too. You are already well, you just have to stand up, take your mat and walk to the well and get your treatments and then the whole process will be done. It was so happy for me to pass this on to you this morning. I think I read it just for you.Love,Cindy

So, I've got my "mat" and I'm going to the "well" today. I'm a little freaked about being in a tube - I don't like putting a tanning bed all the way down! I keep telling myself it's a big tube and I won't get stuck. Is it too early to start drinking?

Once upon a time...

2008-10-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

This is the story of a bad booby named Righty. She was going along fine until her owner took her in for a mammogram. You see, Righty was hiding something and now Shana was gonna find out - yikes! Yes, dear reader, Righty had a little tumor. Like all boobs in trouble, she hid this for a long time, but knew one day it was going to come to light. Shana wasn't mad at Righty, but she was disappointed. "Okay, Righty, let's see how much trouble you're in" she said and took her in for a biopsy. The biopsy said cancer. "How could you do this to us, Righty!" Shana railed, " Why can't you be nice like Lefty?" That was Oct. 10th.
Don't worry, Shana's not mad at Righty anymore, and she promises not to talk in the third person or through her boob through this whole blog. Just thought I'd ease you into my whole 'woe is me' or 'hey, it's great to be alive' story, which I'm sure will go back and forth from time to time.

October 27th is my first MRI and they should be able to tell me what stage cancer I have. I know the tumor is a 9 out of 9 in aggressiveness, but that's a grade not a stage, so if it's still in one place - yay me!

So, tune in for the next installment of the Bad Booby Chronicles