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.