Smooth Sailing

I had another fill yesterday.  I was able to have another 30ml on the left and 40ml on the right.  The plan was to place 30ml to the left and 55 on the right to even them out.  My right side got tight and Dr. P's nurse decided to stop at 40ml.  I am getting closer to being even!!  My chest is starting to look like Barbie boobs (and feel like them, too!).  Really weird.

A couple days ago, I had my yearly check up with my GYN.  He comes in the room and says "you have had quite the year haven't you?"  The last time I saw my doctor I was just starting to discuss the possibility of BRCA testing for me.  Since then I found out I was BRCA 2 positive.  Had an abnormal mammogram, needle biopsy, MRI with suspicious lesions (recommended follow up in 6 months for another MRI), and finally bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders placed.  Wow, what a year!! We discussed options for hysterectomy.  I told him no not at this time.  I said " I am afraid I would hate my husband after having a hysterectomy."  Dr. also agreed that he wouldn't like to see me have a hysterectomy this young either. 

I found a wonderful blog the other day.  This lady is hilarious!  She recently had a bilateral mastectomy and is at about the same stage I am.  Her blogs are just great!! They can really put a smile on my face.  Here is the link to her blog. http://imgettingmyboobsoff.wordpress.com/
One of the best parts is her talking about when she tells people she chose to have this procedure and didn't even have cancer.  She said the face is priceless every time.  I have to agree with her, because the majority of the time when you tell people that you decided to have a bilateral mastectomy to prevent you from getting breast cancer, most people think that is extreme.  No one knows what to say.  I have the luxury of having a lot of my friends in the healthcare profession.  They seem to understand a  little more why you would go through such extreme measures.  Also, I have met a lot of breast cancer survivors through my journey and every one I met said they would have done what I did to prevent going through what they had to. 

On a total different subject than talking about my boobs all the time.  Which by the way.... my husband has not gotten used to hearing me say "these things are hard as basketballs, here touch them."  Ha, it makes me laugh to think about.  It isn't like I go around telling people to touch my "basketballs," but seriously people are curious. I am curious to know what the girl's boobs look like that I have become close to that had surgery the day before me.  I consider her my "breast friend."  Her procedure was slightly different than mine so I am curious and would love that she was closer to me, so we could compare. It isn't everyday you have a 29 year old that chose to have herself cut off  It has only been close friends and nurses that I work with or have previously worked with.  But as I was saying on a different note.... My husband and I just last week started watching a new series on Netflix, Walking Dead.  I can't believe I have never heard of this before.  We have become such nerds!!!!!!  I never would have thought I would like to watch a show about zombies, but I am hooked.  Which is really bad since I am scared of the dark.  I am so spooked out by the time we go to bed.


Until next time......... Take Care!! Live Life Happy!!!

Did you say books?

I have been slacking on my posts lately.  Well I had another appointment on Thursday.  Finally my incision is healed on the right side!!! I was able to get a fill finally!  I got half as much on my left than my right to help even out my size.  On my next fill (on Wednesday) I will be even.  That is so exciting.  I finally feel like I am moving forward.  I will have weekly fills for a little while until I am at a correct size and then will get my permanents.  I have to tell you all of my husband's autocorrect fail.  My appointment had taken a while (waiting for dr. to check my incision, have the nurse remove my sutures and then prepare everything for my fill.)  Well, my husband had sent me a text asking if I was still at the doctor's office.  I hadn't seen it until a half an hour after he sent it when I was on my way to check out so I just sent him a quick text telling him "yes" with plans to call him once I got to the car.  Well his next text was "are you at least getting bigger books?"  I laughed so hard when I saw that.   I was still laughing when I called him and told "no, my nook really always stays the same size!" 

This weekend I have realized why the doctor told me I could start to increase my activity, but not to do much with my arms still.  I decided to hold my sweet nephew yesterday (while I was standing, so all his weight was on my arms) and he was being so sweet and laying his head on my shoulder, I just couldn't put him down.  I also did some extra carrying and helping my boys play at the park.  So most of the afternoon I had a burning sensation under my arms that wrapped around to my back.  It is not horrible pain, but is uncomfortable and very distracting. 

Starting this July, I will be starting my next round of testing.  I will have an ultrasound done and a CA-125 blood test to check for ovarian cancer.  (Happy 30th Birthday, huh!)  I will be having these test every 6 months until I decide to have my ovaries removed.  I don't know why I am having a tougher time with this decision.  Cain and I are not having anymore kids (we already permanently did that).  I just am not ready to put myself into menopause.  So the other decision is to have testing every six months.  It is scary and I know I will be a nervous wreck every time I am waiting for results.  I will keep you updated after those tests.  The reason I am waiting for these tests is that it is recommended right now for women with HBOC (hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome)  to have screenings for ovarian cancer every six months starting at age 30 (and my 30th birthday is not until July) until you have an oophorectomy (removal of ovaries). 

Also I received my email from KU's Breast Cancer Research thanking me for donating my breast tissue for research.  Prior to surgery I had the opportunity to have my tissue donated or not.  It was a no brainer to me to donate it.  This week it has made me think, how this procedure may have the benefit of not only saving my life, but possibly helping to find answers to help save someone else's life.  Just this past week a girl I went to grade school lost her mother to breast cancer (I believe) either way I know it was cancer.  I hurts to think about the pain cancer has caused this family and many others.  To know that it could have easily been my family going through this either mom or me.  I have had a struggle with this surgery, but I know I made the right decision. 

Here I am attaching a picture of what the process is with a tissue expander is:


Tomorrow my little man turns 5, so I am going to go now and finish enjoying his birthday weekend with him!