Since mother told me to update my blog, here I am. Yes, I am 35 years old and still listen to my mother! :-)
On May 5th (Cinco de Mayo), I had what was hopefully my last surgery, nipple reconstruction. Or as Jamey likes to call it "Dos de Nipple Day."
I was forewarned the nipples would be "big." Yeah well... they are! It looks like someone took a piece of chewed up bubble gum, put some stitches on it, and then attached it to my foobs! He said they would shrink but he didn't say how long that would take. I go see him again in 2 weeks to get my stitches out, so I'm hoping they will be normal size by then.
This whole ordeal has been a learning process and just when you think you know what to expect, nope, you really don't!
He said I can get my tattoos in about two months. I am going to see if I can get them done before July 2nd so I can be 100% done before my diagnosis date.
This Thursday is the FOCUS fashion show. FOCUS is the cancer survivor group here in Stephenville and every year they host a fashion show to benefit Relay for Life.
I will be a model this year :)
Until next time, I will be busy with end of the school year stuff. Morgan is finishing Intermediate school and heading on to Jr High next year. She came home last night asking to take Spanish as her elective and also asked to take two pre-AP classes... Next year should be VERY interesting!
Of course I wouldn't have it any other way!
Love to all!
Christy
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday March 29, 2011
It has been a little over a month since my last blog. Time is really starting to fly by now.
Yesterday I had my port removed! I am sore, of course, but I am SO happy it is gone. Now no one will try and access it! hahaha
Nothing spectacular happened at my 3 month check up with the Oncologist. He said my blood levels were "in menopause" and to come back in 3 months...
I am on the schedule for my nipple reconstruction. That will be May 5th. After I heal from that surgery, I will have the areola's tattooed on, and I will be 100% completely done! YAY!
I be 100% done before the 1 year anniversary of my diagnosis, is truly a blessing!
Until then my friends,
Love to all,
Christy
Yesterday I had my port removed! I am sore, of course, but I am SO happy it is gone. Now no one will try and access it! hahaha
Nothing spectacular happened at my 3 month check up with the Oncologist. He said my blood levels were "in menopause" and to come back in 3 months...
I am on the schedule for my nipple reconstruction. That will be May 5th. After I heal from that surgery, I will have the areola's tattooed on, and I will be 100% completely done! YAY!
I be 100% done before the 1 year anniversary of my diagnosis, is truly a blessing!
Until then my friends,
Love to all,
Christy
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday February 24, 2011
Tuesday I went back to the plastic surgeon. He did not remove my stitches because my right breast is bruised. He says this is from using my arms too much. I call BS because I haven't done anything. I am gladly letting Jamey and Morgan do it all!
Anyway, he also told me to wait 2 additional weeks to get my port out :( I was NOT a happy camper about that. So the earliest I can do that is March 14th. Jamey pointed out that the 14th day would be "my" day if I did it then. Implants on the 14th, port removed on the 14th, sounds good to me!
I go back to see Dr. Strock next Tuesday. I think I'll get my stitches removed then. While we were there, he put the grandma bra on me. It is tight and comes up WAY too high under the arm pits. Do all bras go this high? I can't remember since it's been 7 months. It's annoying to say the least and I have to wear this pretty much 24/7 for the next two months.
I was also released to go to work... happy happy joy joy :)
Monday I have my 3 month check up with my Oncologist Dr. Nugent, then Tuesday it is back to Dr. Strock.
Also this week I found a book of poems written by Karla Morton, the 2010 Texas Poet Laureate. She wrote these poems while battling breast cancer in 2009 and many of them are AMAZING! The name of the book is Redefining Beauty.
Love to all!
Christy
Anyway, he also told me to wait 2 additional weeks to get my port out :( I was NOT a happy camper about that. So the earliest I can do that is March 14th. Jamey pointed out that the 14th day would be "my" day if I did it then. Implants on the 14th, port removed on the 14th, sounds good to me!
I go back to see Dr. Strock next Tuesday. I think I'll get my stitches removed then. While we were there, he put the grandma bra on me. It is tight and comes up WAY too high under the arm pits. Do all bras go this high? I can't remember since it's been 7 months. It's annoying to say the least and I have to wear this pretty much 24/7 for the next two months.
I was also released to go to work... happy happy joy joy :)
Monday I have my 3 month check up with my Oncologist Dr. Nugent, then Tuesday it is back to Dr. Strock.
Also this week I found a book of poems written by Karla Morton, the 2010 Texas Poet Laureate. She wrote these poems while battling breast cancer in 2009 and many of them are AMAZING! The name of the book is Redefining Beauty.
Love to all!
Christy
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday February 21, 2011
Friday, Jamey took me to my post-op appointment with Dr. Strock. I was SO ready to get that tape off and those drains out! Along with removing my tape, the nurse also removed part of my skin... OUCH!!!
I was not released to go back to work. He said he would like me stay home for 10 days. My next appointment is tomorrow, so Jamey and I are still hanging out at the house. Me doing nothing, and him doing everything.... ahhhh! :-)
From Friday until tomorrow I am in this althetic looking bra (with no wire) and an elastic band under my arms. My arm pits are SO sore from this band. I have to wear both 24 hours a day until Tuesday, except when in the shower, of course.
Also tomorrow, we have to stop by Neiman Marcus on the way to the doctors office because he gave me a specific bra to go buy. This bra is $70 and looks like something my grandmother wore...
I am to wear this bra for two months... two months I will have to wear a grandma bra when I've been bra-less for the last 7 months? Life is SO unfair sometimes... HA HA
Oh well, this is just the next step in the process.
Today I have been arranging everything to get my port removed. Since I got the implants, the port is now itchy and irritated, not to mention, I was just ready for it to go. I feel like when it's removed, I'll be "done". I know that sounds crazy, and I'm already 98% done, but when this poison port is out, I will be able to breathe easier (I think)
Until next time, love to all!
Christy
I was not released to go back to work. He said he would like me stay home for 10 days. My next appointment is tomorrow, so Jamey and I are still hanging out at the house. Me doing nothing, and him doing everything.... ahhhh! :-)
From Friday until tomorrow I am in this althetic looking bra (with no wire) and an elastic band under my arms. My arm pits are SO sore from this band. I have to wear both 24 hours a day until Tuesday, except when in the shower, of course.
Also tomorrow, we have to stop by Neiman Marcus on the way to the doctors office because he gave me a specific bra to go buy. This bra is $70 and looks like something my grandmother wore...
I am to wear this bra for two months... two months I will have to wear a grandma bra when I've been bra-less for the last 7 months? Life is SO unfair sometimes... HA HA
Oh well, this is just the next step in the process.
Today I have been arranging everything to get my port removed. Since I got the implants, the port is now itchy and irritated, not to mention, I was just ready for it to go. I feel like when it's removed, I'll be "done". I know that sounds crazy, and I'm already 98% done, but when this poison port is out, I will be able to breathe easier (I think)
Until next time, love to all!
Christy
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's day to everyone! Or as I now refer to it as, New Foobs Day!!
Over the weekend we celebrated Jamey's 37th birthday and Valentine's day, so going into this morning, I was already in a wonderful mood. Even the no coffee thing didn't bother me (and that's huge for me!)
Jamey and I showed up at the surgery center at 6am. Did my paper work and was taken back for pre-op. My parents and twin sister Michelle were also there. I got to visit with them during all this also. Dr. Strock came in and drew on my chest with one of those huge black permanent markers again. We discussed size again. Funny how when he asked what size I want, Jamey answered him! Haha
Surgery took approximately 2 hours. I recovered for about an hour and then Jamey and Michelle got me dressed and off for home we went. We left there at 11:45, home by 1. Of course I slept the whole way home AND took a four and a half hour nap! Once I got up, I was starving! But I feel really good. My soreness isn't anything like it was with the double mastectomy, it doesn't hurt to use my arms this time. Of course, I'm not supposed to use my arms, but it's hard to remember sometimes.
Friday is my post-op appointment with Dr. Strock. I will remain taped up until then so I can't see how big "Betty and Boop" are yet! :) Jamey said they already look bigger but I think that's wishful thinking on his part right now...
No using my arms or driving for 7 days so I'm letting Jamey do everything this week, and I'm going to enjoy it!
Thank you to all my friends and family for their thoughts and prayers! Without any or all of you, I wouldn't be where I am today, and for that, I'm truly grateful!
Love to all!
Christy
Over the weekend we celebrated Jamey's 37th birthday and Valentine's day, so going into this morning, I was already in a wonderful mood. Even the no coffee thing didn't bother me (and that's huge for me!)
Jamey and I showed up at the surgery center at 6am. Did my paper work and was taken back for pre-op. My parents and twin sister Michelle were also there. I got to visit with them during all this also. Dr. Strock came in and drew on my chest with one of those huge black permanent markers again. We discussed size again. Funny how when he asked what size I want, Jamey answered him! Haha
Surgery took approximately 2 hours. I recovered for about an hour and then Jamey and Michelle got me dressed and off for home we went. We left there at 11:45, home by 1. Of course I slept the whole way home AND took a four and a half hour nap! Once I got up, I was starving! But I feel really good. My soreness isn't anything like it was with the double mastectomy, it doesn't hurt to use my arms this time. Of course, I'm not supposed to use my arms, but it's hard to remember sometimes.
Friday is my post-op appointment with Dr. Strock. I will remain taped up until then so I can't see how big "Betty and Boop" are yet! :) Jamey said they already look bigger but I think that's wishful thinking on his part right now...
No using my arms or driving for 7 days so I'm letting Jamey do everything this week, and I'm going to enjoy it!
Thank you to all my friends and family for their thoughts and prayers! Without any or all of you, I wouldn't be where I am today, and for that, I'm truly grateful!
Love to all!
Christy
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wednesday February 9, 2011
Yesterday I had my pre-op appointment with my Plastic Surgeon. We discussed the type of implant that he will use, but not the size. He said he will take 5-6 different sizes into the OR with him and use which ever one fits the best. I think I will end up being an agressive C or a conservative D cup. :-) Which is what I want.
I also signed all my paperwork and consents, got my prescriptions and was told to be at the surgery center at 6 am on Monday. I am his first case of the day, the surgery should last about an hour and a half, then I'll recover and be sent home. Again, I will have drain tubes (booo!) but this time I will only have 2, and only have them for 5 days. I cannot use my arms or drive for a week.
Needless to say, I'm not looking forward to the drains or being taped up for 5 days... Don't think there is an alternative to that tape so I'll just have to live with the tape blisters.
Happy Valentine's Day to me! I am getting rid of these cantaloupes and getting some real foobs (fake boobs)!!!
I cannot wait!
Love to all,
Christy
I also signed all my paperwork and consents, got my prescriptions and was told to be at the surgery center at 6 am on Monday. I am his first case of the day, the surgery should last about an hour and a half, then I'll recover and be sent home. Again, I will have drain tubes (booo!) but this time I will only have 2, and only have them for 5 days. I cannot use my arms or drive for a week.
Needless to say, I'm not looking forward to the drains or being taped up for 5 days... Don't think there is an alternative to that tape so I'll just have to live with the tape blisters.
Happy Valentine's Day to me! I am getting rid of these cantaloupes and getting some real foobs (fake boobs)!!!
I cannot wait!
Love to all,
Christy
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday January 24, 2011
Wow 2011! Can I just say how thankful I am that 2010 is gone! Bye bye! See ya!
Thankfully not a lot has happened in the last month but I have had a few appointments.
Last week I had my first teeth cleaning since chemo. So far so good! The dentist said my teeth are good! I just hope they stay that way!
Today I had my follow up appointment with the breast surgeon Dr. Bussey. She examined me like I still had breasts! OUCH! She said everything was good and wants to see the "finished product" so I have to go back in 6 months.
I also realized today that I only have 3 weeks until my surgery! Woo-freaking-Hoo! I cannot wait. These cantaloupes are hard and need to go!
Hope everyone has an awesome 2011!
Love to all,
Christy
Thankfully not a lot has happened in the last month but I have had a few appointments.
Last week I had my first teeth cleaning since chemo. So far so good! The dentist said my teeth are good! I just hope they stay that way!
Today I had my follow up appointment with the breast surgeon Dr. Bussey. She examined me like I still had breasts! OUCH! She said everything was good and wants to see the "finished product" so I have to go back in 6 months.
I also realized today that I only have 3 weeks until my surgery! Woo-freaking-Hoo! I cannot wait. These cantaloupes are hard and need to go!
Hope everyone has an awesome 2011!
Love to all,
Christy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)