It's been a while since I've blogged, life has just been busy. I had a LD Flap on February 22nd which was successful and took care of the explosion of the breast skin that was exposing my implant/expander. Aside from the 7 inch scar on my back I have a new breast - again but more important I'm here.
Tomorrow I see Dr. Sowden who is my Oncologist surgeon, it's been a while since I've had an appointment with her. As you can imagine mixed emotions race through my mind everything goes well.
To see LD flap google breast reconstruction ld flap.....
September 23, 2011 a new world begins..........
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
December 26, 2011
My journey continues........
Seven weeks post surgery was this past Friday, prior to this my breast that had the mastectomy had always been a little pink on the bottom half. Monday December 19th I started noticing it turning a bit red so I contacted my plastic surgeon. I did not have a fever nor did I feel ill, I scheduled an appointment for Friday with Dr. Maclennan. When I saw Dr. Maclennan Friday my breast was as red as an apple. Her first words was I don't like the looks and your timing isn't so great. Let's try to get some fluid out and put you on antibiotics. She was able to get a tiny bit of fluid out but didn't was to risk puncturing my implant. My hope was make it through Christmas and then deal with the next step which would be surgery. Well I made it, when I woke up this morning I felt two half dollar size water blisters on the outside bottom of my breast. I woke Tim up and said I'm calling the doctor on call get ready we have to go to the hospital. Fast forward a few hours I'm in surgery they removed the implant and replace it with an expander. There was not as much infection inside as originally thought which was good news not knowing the cause a little confusing. Needless to say I'm back to a drain. They will gradually fill the implant so I will be walking around with two different size breast for sometime but who cares as long as i have my health. I must say I did feel like I owned the post op since I was the only one in the area as they were closed for the Holiday. However checking in at the ER was a freak show. I was also very fortunate that Dr. Leitner was on call because Dr. Macclenan had the day off. He called her to let her know my situation, she had left him notes and a picture of my breast to go by. She decided to come in a do my surgery, how sweet was that.
So now a new chapter begins the bright side is the cancer is gone. I'm feel very lucky that I was able to spend time with my family for the Christmas weekend, the kids look so forward to that magical day.
My journey continues........
Seven weeks post surgery was this past Friday, prior to this my breast that had the mastectomy had always been a little pink on the bottom half. Monday December 19th I started noticing it turning a bit red so I contacted my plastic surgeon. I did not have a fever nor did I feel ill, I scheduled an appointment for Friday with Dr. Maclennan. When I saw Dr. Maclennan Friday my breast was as red as an apple. Her first words was I don't like the looks and your timing isn't so great. Let's try to get some fluid out and put you on antibiotics. She was able to get a tiny bit of fluid out but didn't was to risk puncturing my implant. My hope was make it through Christmas and then deal with the next step which would be surgery. Well I made it, when I woke up this morning I felt two half dollar size water blisters on the outside bottom of my breast. I woke Tim up and said I'm calling the doctor on call get ready we have to go to the hospital. Fast forward a few hours I'm in surgery they removed the implant and replace it with an expander. There was not as much infection inside as originally thought which was good news not knowing the cause a little confusing. Needless to say I'm back to a drain. They will gradually fill the implant so I will be walking around with two different size breast for sometime but who cares as long as i have my health. I must say I did feel like I owned the post op since I was the only one in the area as they were closed for the Holiday. However checking in at the ER was a freak show. I was also very fortunate that Dr. Leitner was on call because Dr. Macclenan had the day off. He called her to let her know my situation, she had left him notes and a picture of my breast to go by. She decided to come in a do my surgery, how sweet was that.
So now a new chapter begins the bright side is the cancer is gone. I'm feel very lucky that I was able to spend time with my family for the Christmas weekend, the kids look so forward to that magical day.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Getting ready to be wheeled to the OR some good stuff in the IV.
The best nurses!
Ready to go home and recover!
Reason to kick cancers ass!
Reason to kick cancers ass!
Yet another reason to kick cancers ass!
Last night I spoke with Dr. Sowden who was my cancer surgeon who is now my hero! She took time out of her weekend to give me the news that my cancer is gone. There was some concern during surgery that it my have been invasive rather than the DCIS non invasive. The other concern was that the cancer was very close to the outer skin in one area and would the margins be clear. All turned out great it was non invasive DCIS and after making over 200 slides of what was taken of breast tissue and tested the margins are clear and I've been born again. I can't begin to explain the feeling of joy, happiness, relief etc. more for my children and family than myself. During this journey I've had a very calm sense of peace I knew I was in very good hands and from all the support I had I knew no matter the turn out somehow everything would be ok.
I must say I would not change this experience it has actually been a positive eye opener on how life can change within minutes. I do look at things differently and I am trying to slow down and take life slower. However I can't ever change how I like my life in order and my OCD is just here to stay I can deal with that.
My family and friends I will treasure forever they are my rocks that I said formed my boulder to crush the cancer.
I'm excited to start working out again that will happen in a few more weeks I still need to rest that is very difficult for me but I know when to say when.
Thank you to my amazing parents, sister, Ashley, husband, children, Beth, Darcey all my dear friends there are too many to type my fingers are sore you all know who you are and I love you all very much!
Cheers to health, happiness and smiles................
CONSTANT FORWARD MOTION!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
November 5, 2011
Waking up in my own bed this morning cancer free was a feeling I can't explain.
My surgery yesterday went better than expected. I arrived at the hospital at 6:45 and had the nuclear medication injected into my left breast. From their I was in pre-op. Tim, my sister, Darcey, Beth, Wanda and Paula kept Tim company throughout my surgery. It was also nice to see my dear friends wish me well as I waiting for surgery.
The Fletcher Allen staff was amazing we joked a little with laughter, it was nice to take the edge off. I was taken down to surgery at 11 right before they wheeled me down the hall I had a little cocktail in my iv next thing I remember was a oxygen mask over my face. Four hours later I woke up and it was over.
Tim was standing next to my bed and told me I had done amazing. Dr. Sowden took three lymph nodes, they were cancer free, she told Tim they all did a dance in the O.R. when the negative result came in. Dr. Maclennan was by Dr. Sowden's side, what a great team. Dr. Maclennan is the reconstructive plastic surgeon and instead of the expander she was able to place my permanent gel implant and to boot I got a breast lift.
While in recovery I had a male nurse, not sure how much Tim had to pay for that but it was a pleasure. His name was Christian and he was adorable but most of all very sweet. I asked if he would come home with me and my husband would be glad to pay him - after all it's almost hunting season. Of course Tim ended up not buying that and Tim gets an A+ for his nursing skills. Of course though I made my mother come over last night to massage my feet a legs.
So hear I rest and recover and thank God for the best outcome.
I've been beyond blessed with my family and friends I'm very fortunate to be so loved.
Now I start my new life it's time to slow down and breath and most important enjoy every moment.
Again Thank you everyone for sticking by me on this bumpy road.
xoxo
Shelly
Waking up in my own bed this morning cancer free was a feeling I can't explain.
My surgery yesterday went better than expected. I arrived at the hospital at 6:45 and had the nuclear medication injected into my left breast. From their I was in pre-op. Tim, my sister, Darcey, Beth, Wanda and Paula kept Tim company throughout my surgery. It was also nice to see my dear friends wish me well as I waiting for surgery.
The Fletcher Allen staff was amazing we joked a little with laughter, it was nice to take the edge off. I was taken down to surgery at 11 right before they wheeled me down the hall I had a little cocktail in my iv next thing I remember was a oxygen mask over my face. Four hours later I woke up and it was over.
Tim was standing next to my bed and told me I had done amazing. Dr. Sowden took three lymph nodes, they were cancer free, she told Tim they all did a dance in the O.R. when the negative result came in. Dr. Maclennan was by Dr. Sowden's side, what a great team. Dr. Maclennan is the reconstructive plastic surgeon and instead of the expander she was able to place my permanent gel implant and to boot I got a breast lift.
While in recovery I had a male nurse, not sure how much Tim had to pay for that but it was a pleasure. His name was Christian and he was adorable but most of all very sweet. I asked if he would come home with me and my husband would be glad to pay him - after all it's almost hunting season. Of course Tim ended up not buying that and Tim gets an A+ for his nursing skills. Of course though I made my mother come over last night to massage my feet a legs.
So hear I rest and recover and thank God for the best outcome.
I've been beyond blessed with my family and friends I'm very fortunate to be so loved.
Now I start my new life it's time to slow down and breath and most important enjoy every moment.
Again Thank you everyone for sticking by me on this bumpy road.
xoxo
Shelly
Thursday, November 3, 2011
November 3, 2011
Tomorrow is the big day I’m ready for a good night sleep after a busy day today. The phone calls, doctors appointments, making sure the kids are set with school and hockey for the weekend, laundry and the list of medications have kept me on my toes today.
My surgery is going to be about 3 ½ hours hopefully I will get in on schedule. The first thing is to be injected with nuclear medicine. Once in surgery Dr. Sowden who is the cancer surgeon will remove my nipple and extract my breast tissue through that incision. Dr. Sowden will also remove my first lymph node and text it immediately. Next step will be Dr. MacLennan the plastic surgeon; she will either place the expander or an implant depending on how healthy the skin looks.
I’m mostly sad that I’m going to miss my children play hockey this weekend I’m the biggest fan and I cheer the loudest.
Thank you everyone for all your love and support.
I will keep you posted on the surgery result, no before or after picture – sorry.
xoxoxo
Kicking Cancers ASS!
Friday, October 28, 2011
What a long week it has been not just for me but Tim and my family as well. We had yet another appointment this morning with the surgeon Dr. Sowden. I have to say my blood pressure is never raised but this morning when I entered the breast care center I was having heart palpitations and difficulty catching my breath. When the nurse took my vital signs it was not high for a normal person but it was raised for me as she looked back on my chart. And then the knock on the door which I knew was Dr. Sowden. As she entered the small examining room she was upbeat but I did not want to get my hopes up. She asked how we were I said anxious she basically said you don't need to be your right breast is fine. I stood up and hugged her I was so happy as too was Tim.
Dr. Sowden then proceeded to go over the details of the surgery that will take place Friday November 4 in the morning. Her nurse came in after to go over the care of the drains I will have and we left. I must say it was the first time I left there since this journey started that I had a smile on my face and I was walking on air.
I also had my pre-op with Dr. Rubman whom I thanked a million times again for finding this early. He is very modest and it's just his job as far as he is concerned. Well in my mind and families he's our HERO.......
I will breath a big sigh of relief when next Friday is over though I know I will be in the hands of two more than capable women surgeons.
Thank you all for the love and support you have surrounded me with.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Kicking Cancers ASS!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgTMQnZrk9IAmazi...
Kicking Cancers ASS!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgTMQnZrk9I
Amazi...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgTMQnZrk9I Amazing song by Martina Mcbride!
Amazi...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgTMQnZrk9I Amazing song by Martina Mcbride!
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