I've started an annual fundraiser and silent auction. Really it's just an excuse to get everyone together and raise funds for a great cause...CIBC Run for the Cure...
Eventhough the weather was not the greatest, we raised over $1500 and I think everyone had a great time. I really enjoyed putting together the party and it kept my mind of being sick.
I can't wait to see what next year's party with bring!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
It's been awhile!
Since I last wrote, I've had the hysterectomy, which went fairly smooth and I recovered in 2 months from that. But then I started to get really bad headaches, this was new for me, as I never really had headaches before. The oncologist was really great about it. I had every head scan that they could perform done on me. Happy everything was negative, so I saw a neurologist who said it could be the start of magraines, although I never had one before, cancer & chemo can do strange things to your body. With the pain from the headaches and anticipation for the reconstructive surgery, I was being to have mood swings. My GP was able to help me out and get me back on track.
Next up, was the reconstructive surgery at the end of January 2010. I decided on a tram flap rather then implants, it was a personal choice but a healthly one. A trap flap basically is a tummy tuck and the doctor uses the skin from your tummy to make the boobies. Sounds great, two surgeries in one. Well, not so great! I had to have a blood transfusion after the surgery because I had lost so much blood, then once I was out of the hospital, I had a continual infection in my abdomen that put me on antibotics for 6 months (different concocsions). Also, after the surgery, the skin around the abdomen started to die and turn black and icky. So I had to go under the knife again to have the skin removed and when I woke up, they had attached a machine to me that was sucking on my belly. It was called a VAC (vacuum assisted closure) device which helps the healthy tissue grown from the inside out. Wish they would have warned me or something. I had to wear this machine for 3 months and it was not cheap, but that's a whole other bitch session. It's now 7 months after the reconstructive surgery and finally starting to see an end in site but my abdomen has not yet closed up completely, should only be a few more months, so I'm told. There is still pain in the scars and as the wound closes, however, pain killers are a wonderful thing.
Through this journey of reconstructive surgery, I depended on my parents alot for help, especially my mom, who stayed for months at a time to help with the kids and the house, as I was not allowed to lift anything or move around too much. It's the middle of summer now and she has gone home and my house is a mess...but hey...my house looks lived in.
BTW, my boobies look great! They are healed and perky. But I'm having trouble finding a bra, I have no idea what size I am anymore. But if that's all I have to complain about, then I'm doing pretty good.
I can say that I am in remission and getting stronger everyday (but not strong enough to go to work yet).
Next up, was the reconstructive surgery at the end of January 2010. I decided on a tram flap rather then implants, it was a personal choice but a healthly one. A trap flap basically is a tummy tuck and the doctor uses the skin from your tummy to make the boobies. Sounds great, two surgeries in one. Well, not so great! I had to have a blood transfusion after the surgery because I had lost so much blood, then once I was out of the hospital, I had a continual infection in my abdomen that put me on antibotics for 6 months (different concocsions). Also, after the surgery, the skin around the abdomen started to die and turn black and icky. So I had to go under the knife again to have the skin removed and when I woke up, they had attached a machine to me that was sucking on my belly. It was called a VAC (vacuum assisted closure) device which helps the healthy tissue grown from the inside out. Wish they would have warned me or something. I had to wear this machine for 3 months and it was not cheap, but that's a whole other bitch session. It's now 7 months after the reconstructive surgery and finally starting to see an end in site but my abdomen has not yet closed up completely, should only be a few more months, so I'm told. There is still pain in the scars and as the wound closes, however, pain killers are a wonderful thing.
Through this journey of reconstructive surgery, I depended on my parents alot for help, especially my mom, who stayed for months at a time to help with the kids and the house, as I was not allowed to lift anything or move around too much. It's the middle of summer now and she has gone home and my house is a mess...but hey...my house looks lived in.
BTW, my boobies look great! They are healed and perky. But I'm having trouble finding a bra, I have no idea what size I am anymore. But if that's all I have to complain about, then I'm doing pretty good.
I can say that I am in remission and getting stronger everyday (but not strong enough to go to work yet).
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Appt w Surgeon
Monday, July 6, 2009
I had my appointment with the surgeon that is going to perform my hysterectomy & double oophorectomy (ovaries). Because my cancer was Estrogen positive, this is the best way to remove the production of estrogen.
I had my appointment with the surgeon that is going to perform my hysterectomy & double oophorectomy (ovaries). Because my cancer was Estrogen positive, this is the best way to remove the production of estrogen.
Appt w Plastic Surgeon
Monday, June 29, 2009
This went really well, the doctor was very helpful and understanding. We discussed the various type of breast reconstruction and she gave me the pros and cons of each type.
Implants; I would need to have an expander installed first and filled every couple of weeks until the desired size is reached, then the actual implants could be installed.
Tram Flap; a procedure where your stomach skin & muscles are used to form boobies. The down side is that the recovery is very painful and long. The up side is a free tummy tuck!!
I'm leaning towards the tram flap, I just can't see myself with implants, especially when I'm 90. I don't have a problem with implants but I really like the idea of a tummy tuck.
This went really well, the doctor was very helpful and understanding. We discussed the various type of breast reconstruction and she gave me the pros and cons of each type.
Implants; I would need to have an expander installed first and filled every couple of weeks until the desired size is reached, then the actual implants could be installed.
Tram Flap; a procedure where your stomach skin & muscles are used to form boobies. The down side is that the recovery is very painful and long. The up side is a free tummy tuck!!
I'm leaning towards the tram flap, I just can't see myself with implants, especially when I'm 90. I don't have a problem with implants but I really like the idea of a tummy tuck.
Zoladex
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
This was my second injection of Zoladex, which is the drug to shut down my ovaries...let the crazy hormones begin!
This was my second injection of Zoladex, which is the drug to shut down my ovaries...let the crazy hormones begin!
Cirque du Soliel
Friday, May 22, 2009
I had bought tickets to see Cirque du Soliel OVO just as all the cancer stuff started happening, I was my treat after everything I have been through. We brought the kids and they loved it. Hunter's not a big fan of noise but the show made up for it. This makes 8 shows I have seen.
I had bought tickets to see Cirque du Soliel OVO just as all the cancer stuff started happening, I was my treat after everything I have been through. We brought the kids and they loved it. Hunter's not a big fan of noise but the show made up for it. This makes 8 shows I have seen.
Radiation 1 through 25
May 11 to July 16, 2009
Received daily radiation treatments which weren't too bad until near the end. I started burning but I didn't get open wounds until after treatment was complete. I was warned that I would "continue to cook" for about a week or 2 after treatment, which I did. The worst was the burn on my neck area, as it's right were my seatbelt rests and it really hurt. I went to the Almonte Hospital and the ER doctor was great, very helpful and prescribe me burn medicine that healed me up.
Received daily radiation treatments which weren't too bad until near the end. I started burning but I didn't get open wounds until after treatment was complete. I was warned that I would "continue to cook" for about a week or 2 after treatment, which I did. The worst was the burn on my neck area, as it's right were my seatbelt rests and it really hurt. I went to the Almonte Hospital and the ER doctor was great, very helpful and prescribe me burn medicine that healed me up.
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