Well, day two is in the books. I hope. I'm not totally sure because Murphy's Law has struck again. Today, I went to a friend's parents house to cook "Sunday" dinner (where I had a great time and totally love her family and getting to meet them!!). We got there around 3pm to start cooking... Continue Reading →
REACHing and Waiting
I think my ovaries know something's up. And before we dive into this quick update, I just want to throw out this warning: If talking about Aunt Flo makes you uncomfortable, I recommend stopping here. Just click that little back button and keep on with your social media scrolling. Thanks to this cancer mess, privacy... Continue Reading →
The Pesky Port
Well, the mysterious, migrating port has officially been found!! Last week, after my half-fill appointment, Dr. Criswell had told me to go home and tend to my wounds with ice and massage over the next few days before we tried again. I didn’t really get how massaging it would help since she'd just spent 20... Continue Reading →
Some Good News and Some More Good News
First thing's first: My oncologist called me yesterday to tell me that my sample was NEGATIVE for HER2!! This is good news because it rules out the year-long chemo treatment I would've needed had it been present. It is bad news because I now have to wait two more weeks for the Oncotype result to... Continue Reading →
Cancer Sucks
I have always hated that phrase. I don't know why, but even before I was diagnosed, I was never fond of it. I mean, DUH!! Of course cancer sucks!! And I'm willing to bet all the cancer patients in history can tell you that! Why do we need to make a catch phrase out of... Continue Reading →
Daily Dose of Frustration—Tissue Expander Edition
I went in for my first tissue expander fill today. I almost started that sentence with "I had my first fill..." but that wouldn't be the whole truth. The truth is that Dr. Criswell was only able to fill my right side because, after 20 full minutes of poking around, massaging, and sticking me multiple... Continue Reading →
So… Chemo or Nah…?
Well, I hope that those of you who are on this journey with me are prepared. It's time to buckle up your seat belts and settle in for a long flight. First, some good news: I GOT MY DRAINS OUT! I never thought I'd see the day!! And I am so. Freaking. Happy. Life is... Continue Reading →
Plastic Surgeon #3 and Post-Ops 1 and 2
This is kind of a long post that includes a journal entry from June 6 followed by a more recent update on post-op appointments from today. I met with Plastic Surgeon Number 3 yesterday. This one, Dr. Michael Robinson, does DIEP flap procedures. A DIEP flap is where they take skin and fat from the... Continue Reading →
Discomfort is the Name of This Game
Seriously. I'm not looking for pity or anything like that. I'm just trying to be as honest as I can about this process. These expanders feel like bricks on my chest. The drains have to be taped to my skin at the entry site or they get very sore and red. I can't reach across... Continue Reading →
Post Surgery Update
Well, it's been a few days since the surgery and all seems to be going according to plan. Including the fact that my breasts look like they've been blurred for censorship in a made-for-TV movie. But I'll get into that a little later. The first couple of days after the surgery are a little bit... Continue Reading →
