favors, goodness, badness, a little bit of ugly?
Let’s start with another favor for someone!
A friend of mine from high school has a friend battling BC right now. Her situation is different from mine, and she really, really could use some financial support. Wanna get me something nice? Donate as much as you can to her, and tell her I sent you over if you like. Here is her fundraising link:
https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/3Zk32
Here is a little FaceBook page about her and her fundraising and battle as well https://www.facebook.com/carlinscancerbattle
She posts some great info there! Please “like” it if you are on FB and show her your support that way too!
On with the good!
My new living room comfort is so wonderful! Thank you again to those that provided me a squishy place for my squishy butt. (All the animals thank you also. Who didn’t see that coming?)
My second henna from Kim is so beautiful. I just cannot believe her talent sometimes.
This Is after about 4 days. It just turns colors so beautifully.
I had my surgical consults this week. On Wednesday the Breast Surgeon I met, Dr. Watson, was great. Very thoughtful, listened to my concerns, answered all my questions. Very kind disposition. I like him a lot.
Friday I met with a great Plastic/reconsrtructive Suegeon, Dr. Pike, super nice and professional with great style. Unfortunately, she does not perform the surgery I am interested in. So she very happily referred me to the surgeon in Temple who specializes in what I want (SIEA or DIEP) and set me up an appointment for 9/6. I was really impressed with her honesty and the fact that she completely respected my wishes without any hesitation or without trying to convince me that implants were better. I see a lot of that kind of thing on forums, and I was nervous about having that kind of conversation. I must say, if I ever decide to get any other kind of work done, she is on my list.
Because the recon/ps I will probably be going with is in Temple, that may change my BS from Dr. Watson. Luckily, Brettany knows a few ladies that have seen a wonderful BS in the same hospital I need to keep with that is apparently amazing (boob guru may have been a title given to her.) So if I have to switch, it will be to her.
It is good to have great referrals to wonderful surgeons. I’ve never had any real surgery, so this is scary and having others with confidence in someone’s skills is very reassuring.
Here is a little info about the recon I am interested in:
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/types/autologous/siea
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/types/autologous/diep
I have read a LOT of blogs and forums about implants and other recons, and simply not reconstructing. Thinking about how you want to live your life, and the quality of that life, the activities you can participate in, is so important. This is one of the best threads I found. I read it all, and it was worth it to me. If you have any doubts, questions, concerns about that part of your treatment, I highly encourage you to get on these forums and read about the experiences these women have had.
http://community.breastcancer.org/topic_post?forum_id=44&id=801359&page=1
I felt my apprehensions about implants were very justified. I would rather just not have any recon than having to worry about my quality of life later. Tits are great- they make a dress look good, but if that means I can’t lift and move one of my Hospice patients, or row, or do serious yard work and renovations on my home, or go rock climbing one day with John, they are not worth it. They don’t make me a woman, I do. Plus- once I get down to my goal weight, if I am not a good candidate for one of the above, all those gorgeous flapper dresses I still have in storage will look faaaboooo!
Thursday evening Shayne and Kim S. came over to enjoy some gab time! Kim brought some deeeeeelish cupcakes as well. So thoughtful! I love seeing my friends and wish I wasn’t just on my lunch break while they were here. While I enjoy sleeping in when my body lets me, not being off work till so late can really stink. Anyhow, we had a great visit, good laughs, and SUGAR. Yes!
The bad(ish):
Time is flying, and my second to last chemo is Monday! WOOOT! I am so excited for this part to be over. The hand-foot syndrome is really starting to be a problem though. It is so painful, I have to ice my hands all day to work. Walking is starting to get difficult now. My onc. said we will be reducing the dosage again to see if it helps. I hope so. It is making work very hard. The swelling is also really starting to try to lift my fingernails. I can say this taxol is worse than the AC/C, for me. Most women say it it is the opposite. The neuropathy is getting a lot worse as well. If I can just make it through the next 4 weeks I will be good.
I am not sure the steroids are helping with that part, but the depression is gone. I don’t love its’ replacement mood AGGRO though. I don’t like snapping at people or being pissed off for no or very little reason. And they make me manic and my insomnia is terrible. ick. Again- just 4 more weeks really if you look at it! 4! That is nothing!
the ugly
BIG favoring.
I haven’t asked for much by way of needing things done around here, but between now and my surgery, there are a LOT of things that I would like and need done around my home to prepare for it and all the activity and people that will be around (Some of it just for my mental state of mind, which will be really important,) as well as post-surgical house keeping/cooking/pet caring/me caring and visiting. I may be in recovery for up to 8 weeks, at least half of that without being allowed to do anything at all really.
We are working on a list this weekend of stuff. From next week to 9/12 there will be a bunch of help needed outside and in the shop.
I won’t lie- there is a lot of hot, dirty, manual labor that needs doing. Lots of organizing and yard work and just grunt work that I would have been doing all summer if I had been allowed. Between October 1 and my surgery, I should be able to really get down and dirty myself with a lot of these chores- which I will be soooo happy about!
If you are interested in helping, please shoot me an email or facebook private message. I will send out a mass email with kind of a sign-up/schedule sheet thing. I know that not everyone in my circle of love has love for one another. The email will go out non BCC so that everyone can see who is on the list. I want every one to reply all so there is no awkwardness if possible. I know we are all grown-ass mofos, but I also know that I hold grudges for a lifetime, and some others do as well. I just want whoever comes to help to me out to not have to feel in any way uncomfortable or anything while they are doing so. you know me and you know that I would not be asking for help if I didn’t really need it.
Most things will happen on Sundays/Monday as that is our weekend. I plan on having plenty of beverages and snacks on hand for anyone that comes to help. All this info will be in my emails, so just again, if you want to pitch in- get your email addy to me.
Ok everyone- I hope you have a marvelous weekend! love you all!
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