A friend of mine shared this with me. I just thought it was perfect for everyone and especially those who are going through cancer diagnosis.
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Can Online Friendships Be Real?
5 years ago
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Follow-up Appointments
The morning of July 23 was certainly busy. My follow-up appointment with the plastic surgeon was 8:30 am. He announced that the tissue sent to pathology came back clear. All Right! The swelling has gone down some and he was pleased with the work he had done. He left the room and the nurse proceeded to remove the surgery tape with tweezers and small shears, and snip the long pieces of stitches. I left there feeling a little tender and raw.
No more appointments for the plastic surgeon! Yay!
I made my way to work and then had to leave again for my follow-up appointment with my oncologist. It has been awhile since being there and I walked into the place to see much change ... reconstruction.... the place had more room and organization. Doc was also impressed with the breast reduction.
We discussed my current state of being as she recorded it on the computer system. I saw my history of the last 18 months and we had a good chat. The smile on her face was enough for me!
My next appointment isn't until November 2013. Nice!
I feel like I have come out of the depths of hell and am now renewed as my healing continues with each new day.
May peace be with you ~
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No more appointments for the plastic surgeon! Yay!
I made my way to work and then had to leave again for my follow-up appointment with my oncologist. It has been awhile since being there and I walked into the place to see much change ... reconstruction.... the place had more room and organization. Doc was also impressed with the breast reduction.
"No more leaning to the left!" she said. Funny Doc!
We discussed my current state of being as she recorded it on the computer system. I saw my history of the last 18 months and we had a good chat. The smile on her face was enough for me!
I can remember her saying,
"You will be able to fire me in 5 years".
My next appointment isn't until November 2013. Nice!
I feel like I have come out of the depths of hell and am now renewed as my healing continues with each new day.
May peace be with you ~
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Finished With Treatment
We celebrated the last day of radiation treatment on Thursday, July 25th. I asked Carol if I could start tracking my anniversary. This would be easy to remember because it's Dad's birthday.I bought an angel food cake and made pink Cool Whip frosting. I couldn't help noticing how the cake resembled my broken boob:
The hole in the center is where the tumor use to be. The surface showed the battle scars and unevenness. And it's pink from the radiation burns!
This has been a long journey but I've learned a lot about myself. I am a better person because of this experience and can only look forward to the new normal. They say that when you have cancer everyone around you is affected. I'm so lucky to have my family by my side. I couldn't have made it through the journey without them. There are many friends who were affected by my cancer too. They kept me in their thoughts and prayers and encouraged my family along the way. It was tough for everyone.
But we made it!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Woe Is Me
I know it's been a while but I feel like my brain is fried. It's difficult to write more than a few words at a time. I think the fatigue is starting.I'm still getting radiation but only have 5 more to go! I look like I have a sunburn and sun poisoning on the entire breast, chest/neck and shoulder/back area. It's very itchy and sore but should start clearing up soon. I'm looking forward to getting this part over.
I've been so busy with a new endeavor and convinced Carol to be a part of it too. We are finishing the last details of a new website and combining our blogs into one. You know how you've asked if you could do anything to help? Well this will give you the opportunity you've been looking for! We will unveil the entire project in just a few days!
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Back to Work!
Tomorrow is my first day back to work since June 28. Getting butterflies in my tummy, which seems to happen after being off for awhile. Never know what I'm going to face when I get there (kinda hard to describe). But, I'm as ready as I'm ever going to be!
This month makes 1 year since my radiation treatments ended. I think that is long enough to make a decision. Most of the bleeding/seeping has stopped, and the bruising is slowly clearing up. Still looks like Frankenstein! I don't regret the procedure, even though sometimes it feels like someone hit me with a baseball bat (too graphic?)
~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday, we had a wonderful get together with extended family from my father's side. It was great to see everyone again....it seems once a year now. There is also an emptiness in our hearts for the ones that have moved far away and for the ones who are now in spirit. The world keeps turning and we keep getting older.
It reminds me of one of my favorite songs that I have posted before. It makes you think about your own legacy.
My sister and I are developing a website. Christie is the brains of the operation and my husband is working on logo ideas. We hope that it will be helpful and hopeful to breast cancer patients. It is a need to "give back" and to help others going through the brutal journey. So....stayed tuned!
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This month makes 1 year since my radiation treatments ended. I think that is long enough to make a decision. Most of the bleeding/seeping has stopped, and the bruising is slowly clearing up. Still looks like Frankenstein! I don't regret the procedure, even though sometimes it feels like someone hit me with a baseball bat (too graphic?)
~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday, we had a wonderful get together with extended family from my father's side. It was great to see everyone again....it seems once a year now. There is also an emptiness in our hearts for the ones that have moved far away and for the ones who are now in spirit. The world keeps turning and we keep getting older.
It reminds me of one of my favorite songs that I have posted before. It makes you think about your own legacy.
Nichole Nordeman - Legacy
My sister and I are developing a website. Christie is the brains of the operation and my husband is working on logo ideas. We hope that it will be helpful and hopeful to breast cancer patients. It is a need to "give back" and to help others going through the brutal journey. So....stayed tuned!
 |
| Christie's green thumb |
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Follow-up from Reconstruction
My follow-up appointment was this morning. It lasted all of 5 minutes. He was amazed at the bruising. Good news, no signs of infection. Just remembered, I forgot to ask about the pathology report. I'm sure it is fine or else he would have brought it up.
I will have to go back about 3 more times. At one of those appointments, the surgery tape will be removed and the stitches. Doc said that it will look more like the other breast in about 3 months or so.
Would I do it again? Probably. The weight on my shoulders and back does feel lighter. My bra straps aren't leaving crevices on the top of my shoulders!
Kind of wonder if I should have done the other side as well. Guess I won't know until I'm fully healed. Will they really be symmetrical?
My sister is managing her radiation treatments. She is a real trouper!
No need for a scarf anymore! What a beauty!
Next follow-up is July 23. Same day as my oncology visit .... wonder what Doc Esther is gonna think of my "boob job".
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I will have to go back about 3 more times. At one of those appointments, the surgery tape will be removed and the stitches. Doc said that it will look more like the other breast in about 3 months or so.
Would I do it again? Probably. The weight on my shoulders and back does feel lighter. My bra straps aren't leaving crevices on the top of my shoulders!
Kind of wonder if I should have done the other side as well. Guess I won't know until I'm fully healed. Will they really be symmetrical?
My sister is managing her radiation treatments. She is a real trouper!
No need for a scarf anymore! What a beauty!
 |
| Me & Christie |
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Reconstruction - Post Surgery
Hello all! Day 1 of post surgery. Yes, there is pain - plus, taking antibiotics as instructed.
Last night, I was curious (who wouldn't be) and decided to peel away the bandages to see my ta-ta. Lots of blood on the gauze and I can see where the cuts were made. Still have the marker drawing on my chest (tic-tac-toe anybody?)
I get to shower after 3:00 today!
So, as I was exploring, I found an electrode on my hip from the EKG.....and I was worried they would leave something "inside" me during surgery! hahaha, I was lucky!
Amazingly, I didn't go to bed when I got home until after midnight. I woke up a lot too because I couldn't get comfortable.
I don't regret doing this, not for vanity reasons, but for comfort. They don't make bras that come in 2 different cup sizes. (although that would be an interesting manufacturing business) Doc says the breast will start to look "normal" in 3 months or so.
My follow-up appointment is July 9th.
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Last night, I was curious (who wouldn't be) and decided to peel away the bandages to see my ta-ta. Lots of blood on the gauze and I can see where the cuts were made. Still have the marker drawing on my chest (tic-tac-toe anybody?)
I get to shower after 3:00 today!
So, as I was exploring, I found an electrode on my hip from the EKG.....and I was worried they would leave something "inside" me during surgery! hahaha, I was lucky!
 |
| Electrode laying on the lid of my laptop |
Amazingly, I didn't go to bed when I got home until after midnight. I woke up a lot too because I couldn't get comfortable.
I don't regret doing this, not for vanity reasons, but for comfort. They don't make bras that come in 2 different cup sizes. (although that would be an interesting manufacturing business) Doc says the breast will start to look "normal" in 3 months or so.
My follow-up appointment is July 9th.
Have a Safe & Happy 4th of July America!
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