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

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

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

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

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

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

Monday, December 20, 2010

Monday December 20, 2010

Well two weeks have pasted since my last post. I went to see the plastic surgeon for my last fill. I am scheduled to get my permanent implants on Monday February 14th! I'm excited. Not to go through another surgery and be dependent on anyone, but to finally get these cantalopes off my chest! Sleeping or laying down on my side is becoming very uncomfortable.

I have started my Tamoxifen pill. This is an estrogen blocker that I will have to take for 5 years or until/if I have a hysterectomy. Since my cancer was hormome positive, they need to block the estrogen so another cell doesn't start to mutate with the estrogen somewhere else in my body.

My hair hasn't started to grow back yet and I'm emotional about this. I knew it wouldn't just be there when I was done with chemo, but I don't totally feel done because I still look/feel like a cancer patient. I know in time, it will grow back so I just have to be patient. Of course, patience isn't my strong suit...

Next Monday is my first follow up with my Oncologist since finishing my chemo. We will see how that goes, but I know one thing, I'm never stepping foot in that infusion room again.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!
Christy