JSS

My kids and I are huge fans of The Walking Dead.  We all eagerly await the season every year when it starts up in October.

In tonight's episode one of the group, a teen who has lived on her own writes 

"JSS"

everywhere.

By the end of the episode we learn it means

"Just Survive Somehow"

While this is appropriate for just about anyone, I think it goes double for anyone in either a zombie apocalypse

OR 

carrying a cancer causing gene mutation.

Until you are in that moment, I am not sure you completely get it.  

Prophylactic surgery is the VERY definition of ...

Just Survive Somehow.

And so I am.

I couldn't help but think Carol would be a great BRCA mutant.

Now that my hair's growing I'm proudly rocking Carol's short gray hair style.

(photo credits to TWD and MM)

Adventures in Plastic Surgery....Part 1

The Consult

I've been pondering just how much to put on my blog about the process of my preventative mastectomy and have decided I need to keep it real.   Buckle up it's going to be a WILD ride.

My Gyn Oncologist cleared me for surgery so I have begun the process of having my breasts removed.  My breast MRI was clear in August,  I am hoping for a true prophylactic surgery.  They tell me this should be the case.  But I think I have a little PTSD going on since that was what I was told before I had my ovaries and tubes out.  Then SURPRISE they found cancer.  I generally like surprises, but that one?  Notsomuch

A few weeks ago I went for a consult with a plastic surgeon.  A doctor who, I hear from people who know...is supposed to be "the guy" to go to.

We talked a bit about what I hoped to do.  Thankfully he agreed.  Then he took a look at my *ahem* girls.

He did some measurements and then we discussed his recommendations.  The surgery I'm looking to have is Diep Flap surgery.  Which is basically using your lower abdominal fat to reconstruct breasts.  It is a long microsurgery which means some significant surgical risk.  The benefits?  I have my own tissue instead of breast implants.  Plus I get a nifty little tummy tuck out of the deal.  I was also hoping to have one major long surgery but my PS feels it would be better to do it in two.  Initially I was somewhat taken aback by that.  But now that I've had time to think about it? I think he's probably right.

Then I had my photoshoot with the office photographer.  Also known as the "before".  Me and my disposable underwear.  In their studio. This is as close to a nudie as I am ever going to get.

"Draw me like your french girls, Jack"

So on my way back from my appointment I called my sister who is my bff and probably knows more about me than I do myself to discuss the appointment.

I also wanted to share my irritation over my measurements.  Now 3 kids, weight loss and weight gain and then loss again have not been, shall we say "kind" to my breasts.  I often like to joke when I lost weight a few years ago I went from a 44DDD to a 38...LONG.

So the surgeon measures my breast length and says "37"

I thought he meant INCHES.  

I couldn't figure out how that could be??? I mean that's 3 feet, a yard.  I am only 5'5 tall??

After complaining to my sister I realized that evening (ok as I was measuring myself) it was 37 centimeters.  

While still LONG...it isn't guinness world book of records LONG.

Thank god.

I also had to have a ct scan to map out the arteries and veins in my lower abdomen.  Which was the easiest test I've had in radiology.  

You know you've had too many tests when you start thinking about what flavor of contrast you like best.  I was almost upset I didn't have to drink anything at all.

So now my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon's people get together and give me a date.  Probably in November.  

Hoping my 2 last bras with steel support girders hold out till then