Barbie boob!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.