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. 

"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 ~

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The Anniversay

This is a special day for my sister, Carol.

It's been one year since she had her lumpectomy. I remember that afternoon vividly - visiting her before surgery, amazed by her courage, waiting with our family for the results and thanking God for giving us the news we prayed for: the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes!

Coincidentally, this day is even more special because she is having the port removed from her arm! This signifies the end of her journey through breast cancer and the beginning of her new journey as a breast cancer survivor!

Congratulations Sister! I am so proud of you!

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My New Theme Song

Received second chemo yesterday. Recuperating today. Will go back for the

Neulasta shot in my belly at 4:30 this afternoon.

My sister, Heather, sent this video last night. I have been wanting to find a theme song 

and Stronger by Kelly Clarston absolutely speaks volumes to me.

If you want to subscribe to Megan's Facebook follow this link: 

http://www.facebook.com/megan.kowalewski2

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The Windex Theory

Photo by Rosina Huber

This evening, as I was trying to think of a brilliant new post, my son came to me complaining that we didn't have any Windex in the house. "How do you people clean glass around here?", he asked.  It reminded me of the Windex Theory that I share with my students when they are contemplating some big issues in their lives and need to see the big picture. Sometimes the window through which we view our lives becomes cloudy. We can get lost and distracted while trying to find our way. Then life throws us some Windex and provides an opportunities to wipe off portions of the window to get a better look at our future and what direction we should go. Naturally, you have to stop what you're doing and concentrate on the job of making things clear again.
I've just received a huge dose of Windex and I think it's exactly what I needed.  I've been trying to reinvent myself for years now, trying to figure out what I will be when I grow up. My window had become very mucked up with layers of disappointments and losses. 
But I'm already starting to see my future as a cancer survivor. I will be a stronger, more compassionate person, with a mission to help others through their own journey. This clearer view gives me peace of mind and something to look forward to.

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Comparing Our Girls

Christie & Carol bc (before cancer)

My sister, Carol,  stopped by after work the day of my biopsy. I was still in shock and really scared. She has been through this journey herself and will finish chemo in mid-December. We sat on the couch going over the events and  I asked if she wanted to see my wounds. Now, we hadn't seen each other's chests since 1965 so this was an odd moment. But I lifted my shirt, tugged on my Genie Bra and proved to myself that this was not a dream (nightmare!). She winced at the sight of band-aids and bruises crisscrossing my breast. She said that after radiation my breast will be smaller than the other. "Do you want to see?", she offered. She lifted her shirt and Genie Bra to reveal her breasts and sure enough one was smaller. It was like we were looking in a mirror because our wounds were right across from each other (my left, her right), and in the same location. But more importantly, she could see how far she has come, from being bruised and battered. And I could see were I will be when my treatment is over, healed and healthy once more.

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