Tag: post mastectomy

Use the force

For the last several weeks the girls have been interested in seeing Star Wars.  I guess the interest came along side the download of the Star Wars angry birds app.  They love those silly birds and the new one has them all decked out with different abilities including one who uses a light saber.

So with the holiday and my limited activities, a few days off from school and our first weekend soccer free, it seemed like a perfect time to rent the movies.  We have a Netflix membership but I was surprised that it was not available.  I checked Video on Demand and apple TV to find the same result.  I actually own the original trilogy on VHS but no longer own a VCR.

This morning I called a friend  and neighbor who has a son.  I know he loved the movies.  They must own them on DVD.  The next thing I know their teenage daughter knocks on my door with a bag and a VCR.  They have the newer movies on DVD but figured they could solve my VHS issue.  Very exciting!

I hooked up the player and turn to reach for a movie.  Madison, in her short 6 years does not remember ever watching a VHS tape.  “Can I put the movie in Mom?  How does this thing work?” If that was not bad enough, it was followed by “I saw these things on TV”. She inserts the movie with a giggle as if it is now the coolest thing she has ever seen.

I remember the first time I saw a VCR.  It was the size of a small car and had a pop-up door on the top so you could not put anything on the thing.  I guess I looked at it with the same amazement Madison did today.  The only difference was my amazement was due to the super cool technology.  Madison’s was more of child standing at a display in a museum wondering how we ever survived.

We settled in with mugs of hot chocolate and microwave popcorn.  That is our thing…it all helps make Bailey girls movie time special.

Me and my girls on Thanksgiving

Now, what really makes this all very interesting, is after all of this I start flipping the channels tonight to find a special airing on Television.  Tomorrow is The Empire Strikes back and Monday The Return of the Jedi.

Strange sometimes how things work out!

Post BPM day 141

Interesting when I see it broken down into days, 141 days since I made the radical life changing decision to take charge of my life and have the bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.  Three surgeries, lots of pain and some whining later I am almost through the tunnel.

Yesterdays surgery went well.  Although I had to arrive at the hospital at 5:30, I was bumped due to an emergency before me.  I was not taken back until about 9am.  Although I was a bit frustrated due to having to arrange for care for the girls etc, I took it in stride remembering my time in the ICU and the possibility that I could have been that emergency.  I breezed through recovery with no issues at all, thankfully!  The last time was a real issue!  Because things went so well there we were home and laying in my own bed by 1:30.  Not too bad!

I am pleased with what we did yesterday.  The Newpple issue seems to be corrected and the girls seem to be much more even.  I do not think they are perfect but then again I do not think any woman’s are so I am pleased with them. He did revise some of the scares that were really off which was a negotiated middle ground between what I proposed and where he was so again I am pleased.  He also did a minor cut along the abdominal scare where I have had an irritating lump.  He thought it may have been a suture that did not desolve but instead turned out to be an area of scare tissue that had formed.  Although the incision point is sore, I already feel better having the lump out!

So with all of that said, barring some strange outcome from the healing I have to go through over the next days, I have achieved a level of peace with the “girls” and see no reason why I would need to have any further surgeries on them! I follow up with the Surgeon on Wednesday.

Looking back, Moving forward

So with my next and hopefully last surgery next week as well as Thanksgiving, I got to thinking about what this year and a half has been like.  A bit of a roller coaster to say the least.

  • March 2011 mammogram and breast ultrasound; lump confirmed
  • June 2011 needle guided biopsy
  • June 2011 surgery to remove the lump due to “abnormal” pathology results
  • August 2011 Breast MRI
  • Doctors appointments with specialists
  • early 2012 abdominal CT to ensure I was  DIEP candidate
  • Blood work
  • more doctors appointments
  • July 2, 2012 Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy and DIEP flap
  • More blood work
  • more appointments
  • August 24, 2012 Breast reconstruction and revision
  • More blood work
  • more doctor appointments
  • November 7, 2012 Pelvic Ultrasound
  • November 9, 2012 Colonoscopy
  • November 19, 2012 Breast revision Pt 2 **Pending**

In between Birthdays, Holidays, back to school nights, summer break and normal daily activity because the reality is, doctors, scans, tests  and surgery have been normal daily activity for me for a many months now.  I have tried to keep a good attitude but there is a stress that hangs over the family since it is on going.

What have I learned?  Shit happens and most of it can not be controlled so, relax.  I will not say I do not have my moments but as a whole, I am more relaxed.  I am enjoying my family and our time together.  I am putting “us” first.  I am more thankful for what I have!

And with Thanksgiving around the corner, what am I thankful for? These are easy…first although my list looks long and obnoxious, I do not have cancer!  I am thankful that I did not wait to take action.  I am extremely thankful for my health.  I am in the best shape I have been in for years. I am Thankful for my beautiful family. I am also so very thankful for concerned doctors who continue to go the extra effort to ensure that we check everything.

My list is not finished yet.  Surgery next week and follow-up appointments after.  I will have to repeat the pelvic ultrasound and hope the cyst removed itself, if not it will need to be removed.

So although there is more to go, I sit here so very thankful for a wonderful year.  A beautiful family and good health, what more can you ask for right?