Interesting title huh? Here some back story. Yesterday was a good day for me. I made some money for Jay's party doing a focus group in Hunt Valley and I was able to schedule an appointment with my plastic surgeon to finish my breast reconstruction. See after my 1st reconstruction I needed 3 major surgeries, so she wanted to wait until I was doing well to finish up. I called my oncologist's office to get the results from my blood work that was done last week. **BIG SIGH** Everything looks good except that darn alkaline phosphatase levels. It has gone a little higher than it was in May. (raised alkaline phosphatase levels means the cancer is trying to come back) The nurse told me that Dr. Couzi will call me later to talk to me. That put me in a bad head space. I allowed myself to be there just for a moment. I called my husband and being the wonderful person he is reminded me EVERYTHING else is good. Even the PET scan I had a month ago came up with nothing. So I decided that I will give it to God and have the same faith I did with my brain tumor. Ok Dr. Couzi called me last night............She kept asking how I am feeling. I told her I feel good and doing well. I told her about my shoulder that didn't really concern her because I am getting physically therapy for it. She kept asking about my back. I kept saying my back is fine. She told me she is at a lost to why my levels are rising and everything else is normal. She is going to talk to her colleagues and get back to me. She thinking about doing another bone scan. So I should be hearing from her at the end of the week. I also finally heard from my Neurologist about my 6 month MRI and check up. I go in Aug for that. So a lot of info thrown at me in 1 day...lol But I can handle it.
So this morning during my quiet time I decided not to ask God for anything today. I just sat saying THANK YOU. Over and over just thanking Him. Then I heard it loud and clear "LET THEM WATCH" Now I know this word isn't just for me. Someone reading this gets it and understands. At first I was like "What do you mean?" Then I remember what He did during my brain surgery. I had to start crying tears of joy. I know I will be ok no matter what is coming my way. God has always taken care of me. Always had me come out better than I was when I went in. So if you don't believe......just WATCH
I have been instructed by God to share my journey to become a breast cancer and a meningioma (brain tumor) survivor!!!!
Showing posts with label plastic surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plastic surgery. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Post surgery
Wow that was an experience, It was funny cause I didn't remember much that happened before my mastectomy last time. That gosh darn lorazipan works wonders. But this time I didn't take anything ... I was ready for this. I had the operating team laughing because I pretty much jump up on the table before they were ready for me..lol Then afterwards ugggggggggg.. The pain was bad. it was getting close to labor pains. I started to cry it was so bad. I have a high pain threshold from dealing with the fibromyalgia. That didn't make any difference I was hurting.. They kept giving me pain meds then they gave me liquid Tylenol. That stuff works. I'm on percocet now. I seem to be in constant pain but not as bad as earlier.. It's like a burning sensation on the left side of my chest. I keep being told the results are worth it.. HMMMMMM they better be nice...lol this mess hurts.
The good thing is I am able to move around better today.. got all that pain meds and anesthesia from the hospital out of my system. My head doesn't feel fuzzy anymore. Now don't get me wrong I am so ever thankful for being able to have this surgery. There are so many women that can't have reconstruction surgery for one reason or another. I have read the stories of my cancer friends and they seem to be going thru so much more than me. I pray for them everyday. These are some tough women. They make my journey look like a walk in the park. They still support and encourage me when needed.
I am looking forward to healing so I can hold my baby Dylan again. I kept kissing on him yesterday morning. He was looking at me like he knew why. I can't wait until I am able to tale him to the pool. My big boy Jay has been such a blessing I really can't imagine life with out him. Nay couldn't come down because it was her first day on the job. Last but definitely not least my hubby... he even went without food because I couldn't eat. I love him so so much..
So now I focus on healing and moving. Still got stuff to pack. I'm going to more of a director than anything else. What a busy week we have.
The good thing is I am able to move around better today.. got all that pain meds and anesthesia from the hospital out of my system. My head doesn't feel fuzzy anymore. Now don't get me wrong I am so ever thankful for being able to have this surgery. There are so many women that can't have reconstruction surgery for one reason or another. I have read the stories of my cancer friends and they seem to be going thru so much more than me. I pray for them everyday. These are some tough women. They make my journey look like a walk in the park. They still support and encourage me when needed.
I am looking forward to healing so I can hold my baby Dylan again. I kept kissing on him yesterday morning. He was looking at me like he knew why. I can't wait until I am able to tale him to the pool. My big boy Jay has been such a blessing I really can't imagine life with out him. Nay couldn't come down because it was her first day on the job. Last but definitely not least my hubby... he even went without food because I couldn't eat. I love him so so much..
So now I focus on healing and moving. Still got stuff to pack. I'm going to more of a director than anything else. What a busy week we have.
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Wednesday, March 7, 2012
My 1st Shower
I took my first shower today...... It was a very surreal moment. Bandages gone, drain tube gone, breast gone. All I could do is look at myself in the mirror. The last shower I took was the morning of my surgery. I had to wash with that special stuff the Dr. gave me so it would reduce infection. I had smelled like medicine ..lol Today I was able to wash with my own shower gel. As I stepped into the shower I was kinda scared to get the right side wet. I am still numb in that area and under my arm. I was happy with my body. I was very proud of the body I had at the age of 41, especially my breast.. I really really liked them. Now I have to get use to this new body. I know I will have a new breast soon but its not the same. The shower felt good. I didn't do much with the "right"side because it is still healing so I just washed around it. I'm praying my test comes back that I don't need chemo or radiation. This going too take some time getting use to.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Day after surgery
Ok it's the day after surgery. I am feeling better than I thought I would. My daughter stayed overnight with me. She is taking very good care of me. They took the IV off early this morning, so I have more freedom. You know what's funny, the nurse kept wanting me to pass gas... it's funny to tell some stranger that "yeah i passed gas today"...lol Good thing i didn't get my hair done.. I would have sweated out the style and be mad for wasting the money. So that's on my todo list when I up to it. Nay and I took a walk around for a little bit. I got to put on my cute Minnie Mouse pajama pants. I'm loving my pain pills...lol God kept his promise and I am doing well. My surgeon came by and told me my lymph were negative..YAYYYYYYYYYY. THANK YOU for all the prayers and good vibes sent my way. They worked, I still feel weak but will be getting stronger and stronger everyday. Now I'm just hoping I can go home today *crossing fingers*
Saturday, February 11, 2012
This Weekend
Ok this is the weekend before my surgery. My nerves are getting bad..It's getting harder to hide them. Matt and Jay and I watched Bad Teacher last night...very funny movie..I need funny movies right now. We bought a couple of things that I will need after surgery.. That started to get to me until my brother "ROB" called me (I repeat I don't call him that)..lol His calls seem to come at the perfect time to make me laugh. Jay is being wonderful too. He is getting real good with rubbing my feet to help me relax. Nay is going to spend the night with me at the hospital. I have been really blessed me with these 2 great kids. I have been trying to keep my mind busy. The fibromyalgia has me very tired these days. My Dr. told me its normal considering the stress I'm under. Oh I have been cleared for surgery. My blood pressure finally lower. I still have to watch my diet. I think I need to start those anti anxiety meds again. As much as I don't like them, they probably help my blood pressure.
I'm glad we have the women's session tonight Detox 2012, Agape Christian Center 4601 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212 @ 7pm. ok there's my plug...lol It's easier when I can focus on helping others and not thinking about myself. I'm gonna go get my toes done so I will at least have pretty feet. I was going to get my hair done but changed my mind because I will sleep on pain meds for quite a bit so I'm gonna wait until after surgery. I plan on crocheting while I recover so be on the look out for some of my new creations. :) Now I just need to get laundry done and clean my bedroom and buy some PJs then, I think I will have everything ready.. I guess as ready as I'm gonna be
I'm glad we have the women's session tonight Detox 2012, Agape Christian Center 4601 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212 @ 7pm. ok there's my plug...lol It's easier when I can focus on helping others and not thinking about myself. I'm gonna go get my toes done so I will at least have pretty feet. I was going to get my hair done but changed my mind because I will sleep on pain meds for quite a bit so I'm gonna wait until after surgery. I plan on crocheting while I recover so be on the look out for some of my new creations. :) Now I just need to get laundry done and clean my bedroom and buy some PJs then, I think I will have everything ready.. I guess as ready as I'm gonna be
Thursday, February 9, 2012
WOW
I really messed up today. I totally forgot my appointment with the plastic surgeon. I thought my appointment was Friday but NOOOOOO it was today. They called me at 12 asking me if I was coming the appointment was at 11:30am. What got me was that they said they had no other time available for me to be seen before the surgery. Plus they block out an hour of time for the consultation. So I only had 30 min left to see her. I was a basketcase on the drive to the office. I prayed and prayed asking God to make this appointment work. I couldn't handle if I messed this up. Well I got there at 12:20. I was scared that they were going to say it was to late to see me but they were very very nice and understanding. And God did his thing and the patient after me had to reschedule so she was able to spend the time needed. This is starting to become very real. We were sitting there talking about cutting off a part of me and replacing it with something else. This whole thing is just crazy. I don't want to go through with this but what choice do I have. I must get this cancer out of me. Its all through out my breast so they can't just remove the lumps. This sucks! The closer the day comes the more I don't want to think about it. Well at least I can keep my hair. No chemo or radiation, so I have that going for me. I'm so ready to get this over with so I can put it in the past. so I will be spending the next couple of days getting things ready for Wed. I will admit it is getting harder and harder the closer I get. I know I will be ok. God promised me that.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Thank You
Waking up feeling good today. I want to thank my wonderful husband Matthew for loving me so much thru this and reminding me I'm beautiful no matter what happens. He has been so understanding on my bad days and he does what ever it takes to put a smile on my face (which is not hard for him to do). I also want to thank my kids, Chardiney and Jayson. They are so strong and supportive, They keep me laughing and make me fight harder. Talk about keeping me laughing, my brother Rob( not the name I call him lol), had me laughing the day I got the news about the cancer. No matter what bad news I call him with he finds some way to have me laughing before I get off the phone. Thank you for being such a great brother. I want to thank Lashawn, my new cousin by marriage, for being by my side and helping me understand and FIGHT this cancer. The toughest part is yet to come. I know with all the love,support and prayers from everybody, my family and I will be just fine.. I thank you. All the encouraging words and prayers have given me strength. Please continue to send them. Just a side note.. I don't know how people get addicted to anti anxiety meds...when I take half a pill, Jay and Matt laugh at me cause they say I am moving in slow motion.Yes I do have to think harder when I take them but they will sit there and laugh at me...lol. When I take a whole pill the world seems to slow down until I pass out sleep...lol I can't take those things all the time.. but they were helpful when needed...lol. This will be something we will be able to look back and laugh about. Well, we laugh about it now ....lol Laughter is the BEST medicine and my family is full of that..hehe
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Hold Still
The last couple of days have been tough. I have been on the verge of tears most of the time. I had a very hard time with not having a plastic surgeon to do the reconstruction surgery right away. My brain just couldn't accept waking up to having nothing there. I understand it is just a breast and the cancer had to go but the thought of nothing being there was sending me to a very dark place. I have been taking the anti anxiety meds the Dr. gave me. I felt myself needing them more and more.
Well the good news is that my lymph nodes are just inflamed from infection from the last biopsy. So I'm happy about that. Now back to the reconstruction, my new cousin by marriage Lashawn, has gone thru this 2 years ago. She has been such a wonderful support. She has called me almost every day to make sure I'm ok. I told her where I was mentally. She told me to FIGHT and FIGHT some more. Cause I was just ready to let the surgery happen and deal with what came. But Lashawn gave me her plastic surgeon's name. I looked it up and email him. He is the head plastic surgeon at another hospital. If I was having it at his hospital he would do it but he has obligations to where he is at now. I understood. He explained everything that will happen and encouraged me to stay with my current Dr. cause he is the best in what he does. He left his personal number and offered to make some calls for me. It was nice to know that I had a surgeon after the mastectomy but that didn't help me right now. I remember yelling out to God to help me cause this was getting real hard real fast. All I heard was " I got you". 2 days later I was sitting in my car after I dropped Jayson at school and looked down at my breast and try to imagine it not being there. I knew if I went thru with things as planned I will need some serious counseling afterwards. God told me to tell my Dr. So I sent my Dr. an email describing how I was feeling. Less than an hour later he replied back saying he was going to make some calls. That lifted my spirits. So an hour later his office coordinator calls and tells me that I have a plastic surgeon to put the expander in which I have to have in for 3 months and I can have any other surgeon to finish up the job. I fell to my knees thanking God. I haven't felt the need to take the meds or even felt like crying. I'm actually my happy positive self again and looking forward to getting this over with and start healing and moving on with my life. God keeps telling me to hold still and don't move until I say so. Its hard when you are use to being the fixer in people's lives. Candy is doing as she is told...lol . There is no way you can convince me there is no God. Look how he is working in my life. I just have to HOLD STILL and LISTEN
Well the good news is that my lymph nodes are just inflamed from infection from the last biopsy. So I'm happy about that. Now back to the reconstruction, my new cousin by marriage Lashawn, has gone thru this 2 years ago. She has been such a wonderful support. She has called me almost every day to make sure I'm ok. I told her where I was mentally. She told me to FIGHT and FIGHT some more. Cause I was just ready to let the surgery happen and deal with what came. But Lashawn gave me her plastic surgeon's name. I looked it up and email him. He is the head plastic surgeon at another hospital. If I was having it at his hospital he would do it but he has obligations to where he is at now. I understood. He explained everything that will happen and encouraged me to stay with my current Dr. cause he is the best in what he does. He left his personal number and offered to make some calls for me. It was nice to know that I had a surgeon after the mastectomy but that didn't help me right now. I remember yelling out to God to help me cause this was getting real hard real fast. All I heard was " I got you". 2 days later I was sitting in my car after I dropped Jayson at school and looked down at my breast and try to imagine it not being there. I knew if I went thru with things as planned I will need some serious counseling afterwards. God told me to tell my Dr. So I sent my Dr. an email describing how I was feeling. Less than an hour later he replied back saying he was going to make some calls. That lifted my spirits. So an hour later his office coordinator calls and tells me that I have a plastic surgeon to put the expander in which I have to have in for 3 months and I can have any other surgeon to finish up the job. I fell to my knees thanking God. I haven't felt the need to take the meds or even felt like crying. I'm actually my happy positive self again and looking forward to getting this over with and start healing and moving on with my life. God keeps telling me to hold still and don't move until I say so. Its hard when you are use to being the fixer in people's lives. Candy is doing as she is told...lol . There is no way you can convince me there is no God. Look how he is working in my life. I just have to HOLD STILL and LISTEN
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