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.