We Can Rebuild Her...We Have The Technology

T-3 Days till I have Breast Reconstruction using Diep Flap Surgery

So many feelings...

Joy! No more feeling like I have a plastic plate embedded in my chest (bye bye expanders)

OMG! I'm going to have a Tummy Tuck

Ugh...Surgery/Meds/feeling like crap, again

WHOA...8 hours of surgery followed by 2 days in ICU

Gag/YIPPEE...12 weeks out of work

I am very torn between feeling a bit like the Bride of Frankenstein 

and 

Jaime Sommers The Bionic Women

 I think I will lean more towards the Bionic Women...since she was smart AND pretty.

I also had my 15 month Gyn Oncology appointment which was all good.

In a way I feel like I see a light at the end of the tunnel, or perhaps the tunnel just got more light?

Adventures in plastic surgery part 2

Thankfully my surgery is over and I've healed well.  My plastic surgeon was even surprised it went as well as it has.  So yeah!

I'm still not enjoying life with expanders but I am getting used to it.  SO of course they expanded them a little more.  Muscle relaxants are my friends, now more than ever.  Especially at night.  Breast expander pre-op (courtesy of allergen).

But I only have one more expansion left and then will most likely have diep/siep flap reconstruction in the spring.

I went back to work this week.  It was rather eye opening.  Clearly napping and watching netflix the last 6 weeks has done a number on my stamina.  I was one hurting pup coming home that evening.  The next day was better.  I have to keep remembering this whole process is a marathon...not a sprint.


So for now I'm going to enjoy sunny 60 degree Dallas, and rest up for my next surgery.

Well I guess there's also work....3 older kids....but that's just regular life.

OH and one other item of good news I was accepted to present on BRCA including my story this summer at the National Convention of the Association of Woman's Health, Obstetrical and Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN) - my favorite professional organization.
So I have a little work to do on that project as well.  Honored and excited to be accepted to do so.

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