Tag: bilateral prophylactic mastectomy

Competition

SInce I was a child I have loved the olympics.  Where else can you see some of these sports, moreover who knew some of these things were sports such as handball?  This morning my girls and I have watched Badminton, ping-pong (table tennis), fencing and soccer (football).  Other than soccer, these are not thing I would normally turn the channel to, but every four years we are glued to the television.  Clearly as Americans it is obvious who we would cheer for if the opportunity is there.  What is great about the olympics is the pure competition of it all.  The US is not represented in all sports nor can they be playing in every event throughout the day.  The girls need to cheer for a team so right now New Zealand is playing Brazil in woman’s soccer…Megan is rooting for Brazil…why?  Who knows. I on the other hand am impressed with how well New Zealand is playing.  The other day we watched Mens soccer and Gabon…(a country we had never heard of and had to look up) quickly became our favorite due to the heart in which they played.

A few weeks ago I was laying in the hospital unable to basically move.  Today I am able to enjoy some sport with my girls.  Funny thing is how they hear things in the news…so as certain countries were announced last night they thought it was interesting how just for a little while people are able to put outside issues aside to play a game.  If only those in charge could look at things through children’s eyes.  Maybe instead of war it should just be a good ole handball game…(really don’t get that sport).

Sportsmanship, heart, effort and hardwork.  What a great lesson that our kids need these days.

Day 25 Post Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

Tired this morning.  It was stormy all night.  I could not sleep to start with but then the thunder would boom every time I did finally doze off.  The one thing the storm did achieve was to cool things off a little at least for the morning.  The girls were up by 7am so I decided we should get up and about early.  After just sitting around all day yesterday I really wanted some activity so the girls ate a quick breakfast and off we went.  They expect another 90+ degree day full of humidity so I want no part of that!

We got dressed and and we were out the door. They rode bikes while I walked.  This time the walk was a compromise between the first short one and the second one that almost put me back into the hospital.  It felt good to get the blood flowing (and yes I took a pill as soon as I got home).  I am going to lay low the rest of the day..not push it.

Megan and Madison on the other hand were so sweaty after their bike ride that they are in the pool.  They can play for a while before lunch and by that time I will be ready for a nap and they will have had some nice outside time. There is a breeze blowing so sitting under the awning in somewhat comfortable.

Just under four weeks since surgery and I continue to improve with each day.  I have periods through the day where I feel no pain at all..lovely times!  Then in my way I do something to over exert and I have awful pain :-).  It is all a process and I am figuring it out as I go.  The update has not changed much.  I really look forward to the doctor Tuesday.  I am really hoping we can schedule phase two, rebuilding the nips!  I will be really bummed if we can not.  Guess we will deal with it as it comes!

The “pointy part”

Frank had to go out-of-town for business for a few days so it is my first time all alone for a few days.  Still can not drive so he went shopping last night to make sure we would have everything we would need.  Because of my overdoing it a bit yesterday I really had nothing left in me today.  The weather of course went back into the ugly humid 90’s and I just could not sit out by the pool in that heat so the girls were forced to play inside today.  Don’t get me wrong..they are really very good but the voices…those wonderful little voices NEVER stop.  Thankfully, a few minutes ago the knock came at the door.  There is a rag-tag little group that gets together several nights during the week right down the street to play baseball/tag whatever.  They are a mix of boys and girls age range 5-9 and a couple of the dad’s stay out to keep and eye/pitch or referee..whatever is needed.   Finally my first moment of quiet today. And a few hours of exercise and social activity for them!  Win win!

So I am still not allowed to wear a bra.  I have tried to keep the girls from seeing me topless.  Being as they are both girls I honestly have never hidden from them in the past.  I do not want them to be ashamed of their bodies. I have thought it best since things look so different that I did not want to scare them. But even with a sleeveless shirt it is pretty clear that as my 5-year-old puts it “they are not boobie shaped”.  Tonight as we were sitting here out of the blue she says to me that she can see the “hole” in my boob.  She wanted to know where the “pointy part went”.  She really is one smart cookie.  I told her the truth, for the most part.  The pointy part was part of what could have made me sick and that in a few weeks I would get a new one.  She found this to be fascinating.  Thought it was just amazing that they could just give me new ones.  I ‘ll tell you this…these are not conversations I ever thought I would be having with a 5-year-old. They asked to see…I told them my concerns and they told me that they were stronger than I gave them credit for.  Can you believe that?  So I showed them and asked what they were thinking.  They said that although it was strange it did not scare them.  They did say that they were happy that the doctor was going to replace “the pointy part”.

Wow…On top of the numerous things I have learned through this process one huge thing is that my babies are not babies anymore.  They are wonderful, smart caring little souls.  I am so proud of them both and I love them with all of my heart!