Cool Pink Hair

My awesome niece dyed pieces of her hair pink for breast cancer awareness month. She is gorgeous and I love her pink hair!

Shopping

I went to Victoria's Secret and bought two new pretty bras today. For anyone who has had breast cancer and breast surgery, you know what a big deal this was for me!! I haven't even stepped inside VS in four years.

Stage 2 Update

Stage 2 surgery went well. It took about 4-1/2 hours. I'm sore, especially after I get up and move around, but overall I'm doing great. I'm quite swollen, so it will be nice to see what the results look like after the swelling goes down. I've been resting well. I was discharged from the hospital yesterday and am now all settled in at the Hope Lodge. I just had a bite to eat and coffee, now it's time for a nap and then a walk outside this afternoon.

T'was the Night Before Stage II Surgery

Stage two surgery is tomorrow morning and oh what a day it has been in New Orleans. Mom and I got up early and went out for breakfast on Magazine Street (an artsy Fremont-type area) at an outdoor cafe. Every meal here seems to come with sides and grits. Big food and too much of it, but so good. We went to the WWII museum, saw some very interesting memorabilia and had some proud moments explaining that grandpa is a WWII veteran. Then, we came back to the Hope Lodge to re-group and get ready for my pre-op appointments. Found out at the last minute that the pre-op appointments had been re-scheduled for morning. We made the most of the mix-up and headed back out to the French Quarter for some sight seeing. We walked through the French market and visited the oldest above ground cemetery in the area. Finished up the evening with a very nice big pre-surgery Bombay Sapphire martini and incredible Cajun/creole dinner at Jacques-Imo's. I had blackened red fish with mashed sweet potatoes and collard greens. Mom had crab-stuffed catfish with jalapeño cornbread and red beans & rice. Yummy! Nothing to eat or drink after 9 p.m., so this was the last supper and a delicious one at that. We are now back in the room, ready for an early bedtime and just about to watch a movie (Bridesmaids, it is supposed to be hilarious). Surgery check in is at 6 a.m. I am anxious, but ready to have all of this behind me. L(.)(.)king forward to the results and fine-tuning. All is well at home with Austin and the kids. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers.

Pre-Surgery Routine

Pre-surgery pedicure. Check. Now I just have to pack and I'm ready to roll. This will be surgery number six for me since being diagnosed in January 2008. I will be updating my blog from New Orleans after surgery.

Seattle 3 Day 2011

Dena & Dacca = Team Double D. Friends before breast cancer and now survivor sisters. We were diagnosed only four months apart. Between the two of us we've had 54 chemo treatments, 10 rounds of radiation and 11 surgeries. At this point we are both cancer free. This past weekend we walked 60 miles in 3 days for Komen. Just Cure It!!

Thank you to all of the friends, family and YSC Sisters who were out there with us walking and cheering us on. You guys are awesome!!

Next Surgery Scheduled

I will be returning to New Orleans for stage two of my reconstruction. The next surgery is scheduled for October 7, 2011.

The 3-Day Round Two

I will be walking in the Komen 3-Day for the Cure (60 miles in 3 days) again this year. The walk is the weekend of September 16th. It was such a powerful experience for me last year and I'm really looking forward to walking again, this year with the other half of Team Double D - my survivor friend, Dacca. The training walks have started, slow but steady. Go Team Double D.

The Noobs

Here is a self portrait of my Noobs (New Boobs). Surgery was three weeks ago. I am doing great! I couldn't be happier. I'm walking more each day, resting when needed and healing nicely.

Bye Bye Foobs

These are my "foobs" (fake boobs) aka prosthesis. They made it three years and the life expectancy is only two, note the duct tape. I was so sick of these things. I no longer needed them, so after this picture they were left in the garbage can at the Hope Lodge in New Orleans. All done foobs. Yahoo!

Reconstruction Update

6/11/11 - Austin and I arrived in New Orleans, got settled at the hotel and headed to Bourbon Street for a Hurricane and some dinner. We explored the party town and listened to lots of great live music.

6/12/11 - A full day to hang out, relax, explore and see the sights. It was HOT. Our hotel is right in the French Quarter, close to everything, so we had fun walking around. We enjoyed the French market and a walk along the Mississippi river. I can't believe surgery is just two days away.

6/13/11 - My pre-op appointment, which included meeting with the lymphedema specialist and having an abdominal CT with dye contrast. Austin went to visit his friend from high school who now teaches at Lafayette, near New Orleans. The purpose of the CT was to check the exact location of the blood vessels they'll be transferring from my stomach area to chest. One bonus is that the radiologist also looked at all of my organs. I loved reading the report: liver, pancreas, kidneys, etc. (everything, all organs) show no signs of metastatic disease. Cancer Free. Yes! Thank you.

6/14/11 - Surgery day. I checked in, got ready for surgery, they started the IV and the relaxing medicine. Nice. Everything was a go and before I knew it they were wheeling me back to the OR. Surgery took a lot longer than expected (10 hours total) because the blood vessels they needed to access were attached to muscle, too, not just fat, so the doctor had to do more dissecting and re-connecting under the microscope than planned. He spent the extra time and did it right. I had three surgeons working on me at the same time. They gave Austin updates every couple of hours. It all went very well.

6/15/11 - I remember waking up in my hospital room. Austin was there and the pain control pump was in my hand. I felt pretty good considering what I had just been through. I was pretty out of it though. When the dressings were changed I got a peek at the new tata's. I have something there! I look down and see bumps for the first time in what seems like forever. I was able to get up and walk later in the day. Austin left for home in the evening.

6/16/11 - My mom arrived in the afternoon. I was so happy to see her. More walking laps around the floor.

6/17/11 - My first shower. Fabulous! I was discharged from the hospital and we moved to a facility called Hope Lodge. Still very sore, but doing well.

6/19/11 - Lots of resting, watching movies, reading and walking as much as possible. Having "breasts" again is so foreign to me. I keep looking down at them and can't believe there is a shape and it's all me. I am feeling so happy to be complete again. Met a very nice lady from Eugene who was also receiving services at the same reconstructive surgery center. Survivor Sisters unite.

6/20/11 - Post-op visit with the doctor. Two breast drains removed. Learned about taking care of the incision sites and the two remaining tummy drains that stayed in. Doctor is pleased with how well everything is looking.

6/21/11 - Travel home. Long day. Ugh. Feels good to be home in my own bed though. So good to see my hubby and kids. I thought the dog was going to have a cow. He was happy to see me.

6/24/11 - I'm getting out and walking more each day. I'm still sore, but feeling better. My attitude is great. I feel whole. I am happy.

6/28/11 - Talked to the nurse in New Orleans. The two tummy drains can come out. I had an appointment to see the breast surgeon who did my mastectomy surgery. It was so good to see him. He cleaned up the incision sites, took out a few stitches and took out the remaining drains. I still have to wear the abdominal binder for another week, but feel so much better with the drains removed. I am still sore and on pain meds, but getting stronger. I am so confident in my decision to go to a place that specializes in breast reconstruction only. I feel that the outcome is going to be the best it can be. I am planning to schedule stage two in October.

T'was the Night Before Surgery

Everything is in place for surgery at noon tomorrow. Austin and I have had a great time in New Orleans for a few days: fabulous people, music, food and fun. I am ready for the big day tomorrow.

The Procedure

I will be having the DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) tissue flap procedure. Perforator flaps represent the state of the art in breast reconstruction. Skin and soft tissue removed at mastectomy is replaced with soft, warm, living tissue which is taken from the abdominal area. It will be my own "tissue" and implants won't be involved. I am going to New Orleans for the surgery and will be there for two weeks. I feel very confident in my decision to go to one of the best places in the world for this surgery with specialists who only do breast restoration/reconstruction.

One Month To Go

Surgery is only one month away. It is like being eight months pregnant and waiting for the baby to arrive! Very exciting. The details are falling into place. I'm ready to go.

Something to Celebrate

Austin and I are headed to Seattle to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary this weekend. We are going to stay and play on Saturday and plan to go kayaking on Sunday. The weather Sunday is supposed to be gorgeous!

I leave for New Orleans in just over six weeks. It's getting close. I'm starting to freak out a little bit, but know this is the right decision for me.

Not Just a Boob Job

Some people don't get it. My reconstruction is not a just a boob job. It is so much more than that. Another survivor wrote on her blog exactly how I feel. She wrote about her experience with the same doctor I will be seeing in New Orleans. "This trip has been amazing. I feel as though I have been transformed. Yes, my surgical scars are still red and puffy, and there is plenty of bruising... but when I look in the mirror I feel as though I am healing the final wounds from breast cancer. Even though the cancer has been gone from my body for two years now, I haven't been able to really let go of it until now. Yes, my body has changed, my awareness has changed, and the core of my being has changed from the experience... but I feel as though the worst of the physical and psychological damage that was done, has now been repaired. I am incredibly grateful to my friends who told me about The Breast Center... and feel as though it is impossible to express my gratitude to Dr. D who sculpted the new me. He listened with compassion, did a perfect job, and did it humbly... "all in a day's work". It sounds corny to say that this feels like a turning point in my life... but it really does. I cannot describe to you how it feels to lay awake in the dark and feel that I have two warm, living breasts on my chest again. Such a personal part of me that was taken away by a vicious and evil disease, has now been returned to me. For two years I really never thought this would happen... but now it has and I feel extremely happy and grateful."

Reconstruction is Scheduled!

I am so excited! I just returned from New Orleans tonight. My reconstruction surgery is just 3-1/2 months away. It is actually on the books. Yahoo!! The consult went very well and everyone I met was so nice.

Three Years

It has been three years since the date of my diagnosis on 1/14/08. A day I'll never forget and don't care to celebrate, but it's the official medical date that the doctors consider when counting "how far out you are". Most triple negative cancers recur within the first three years. As far as statistics go, I am beating cancer. I saw my oncologist a few weeks ago, had my blood work done and I'm doing well. Counting my blessings. Still in remission. Thank you God.

Just Call Me Uni-Boob

I went back to the lymphedema specialist, an occupational therapist at St. Joe's. My left arm and side have been very painful. I've tried ignoring it and that isn't working. I've tried wishing it wasn't an issue and that didn't work either. So, I'm back in therapy. I was fit with a compression bra (lovely) that is more like a high on the sides and back, long on the torso, very tight, stretchy sports bra with a big zipper up the front. Believe it or not, it is actually very comfortable and it feels good to have the impacted area contained... or shall I say compressed. The foobs fit quite nicely in the compression bra, but it looks like I have one flat uni-boob. I'm glad it's comfortable, because I'm supposed to wear it ALL of the time. Next week I'll be fitted with a compression sleeve and glove. See, the impacted arm is like a water balloon and if the compression sleeve only goes to the wrist then my hand will swell up (envisioning a Mickey Mouse hand). This is all very important, because my left arm measured six centimeters larger than last time. That is quite significant. Luckily, if I am diligent with doing massage and wearing the compression garments the swelling should go down, the fluid should flow back to where it belongs and the lymphedema can be managed. I'm just stuck with a uni-boob and all these inconvenient contraptions for now.

Happy New Year

I scheduled a face-to-face consultation with the doctors at The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans, Lousiana today. My appointment is on February 28th. If all goes well my DIEP surgery will be in June. I booked my flight and hotel. Feeling like this is really going to happen and I'm ready.