January Mastectomy

Kat, that was a whirlwind!! So awesome for you.

Some of the details, from my FB account:

So exactly two weeks ago (in another 3 hours) I realized as we arrived having driven 11.5 hours from Columbus State to Door Co, WI.... that the black leather portfolio filled to the brim with 15 quilts from RWB and my favorite 3 from YW were not in the car -- that they had been left on the side of Grove street somehow in the re-packing of the car. Before dawn the next morning, we called our dear friend Brett a CS student & he went around the campus posting reward posters. We called security on a daily basis yada yada.

This morning hubby Allen drove down to the campus to do his own personal investigation, spoke to security scoured the building where I presented, did a canvas of the campus etc etc. He then drove north to OSU to pick up our great-neice who is here spending the night tonight, and as soon as she got in the car his cell phone rang. In those few minutes in the interim, student Missy noticed one of the reward posters and realized that it must be the porfolio that had been tucked into the computer lab where she studied. So Allen and lucky-charm neiceie drove back to that campus.

So somehow they walked across the street and down to a new & different building and got 'stowed' in the computer lab for the 14 days of my agony. Strangely, my name and email address were right on the exterior handle. I don't think anyone ever even unzipped the thing to see what was inside. In any case, Missy put it all together and made the call...... then she absolutely refused the reward, saying that she'd only made a phone call. Seriously, she refused the reward!! My head is still turning about that! Blessings will always follow her. My Catholic yoga friend, Mickey had suggested first to pray to St. Anthony and gave me the prayer: "Tony, Tony look around...... something's lost and must be found." In the two weeks interim, I added about 20 additional verses beseaching him. We became quite good buddies.

I think it's safe to say that I had a "blanket" and outpouring of prayer that crossed the country, crossed religions & denominations & cultures & even countries -- asking & hoping for a happy ending. I feel as though I have won the super lottery, the Super Bowl and then gotten a hole in one in the same morning. I seriously couldn't unzip it/the portfolio for the longest time. Then I just stayed on my knees for the next hour. Then as I finally saw them again I literally had to lay prostrate on the floor.

THANKS to EVERYONE involved in the praying, hoping, wishing for their safe return. What was 'eerie' was last night, no less than 6 different people asked me if they had been returned. It must have been the collective concern that turned the corner.

xx00xx00xx00xx

Hey Sally...have you thought about showing your foobs to the picture board?  I bet some of the gals who have been through trams can be of help to you in deciding what to do. I learned long ago not to give men a say....they will come up with size DD with Farrah nipples!  Best to go with what your heart tells you. (and/or a few experienced women!

Scars or no scars...that's a biggie.  My scars are fading and I thought the tattoos would detract from them but now it just looks like a horizontal line through my nipples to either side.  The lift scars though go vertical and from the bottom to the nipple so maybe it wouldn't be too noticible.  And they do fade! 

Today I'm hurting.  Lugging baggage around for the last 24 hours and then I went to the grocery store.  Towards the end of the store I can hardly push the cart.  What a wimp I am.  I feel like I should be fully recovered and I act like I am.  But maybe sometimes I should take it easy.  sigh.

I feel a nap coming on...enjoy the rest of your Sunday! (with out Mad Men

Kat 

Hello January sisters {hugs}  Wow, I have been gone for a while and what a whirlwind!  I am sorry that I seem to disappear at times. Life gets so busy with the kiddos that I often don't have time for the computer. And I have been overwhelmed by the October PInk month. Debbie was right, it was very emotional and in your face every where you turned. I just needed to not think about breast cancer for a while.

Debbie, I am so glad to hear you got your artwork back. God is good!

Kat, you looked so cute in the picture with the beer and so beautiful on Rodeo Drive! I love that picture! I do not blame you at all for making bc wait.

Kim {{hugs}} so sorry that you are unhappy. Good for you for telling your doctor and good for her for listening. You should be able to like and be happy with them.

Marianne, I think marriage counseling is a good idea. Where there is love there is always hope. I don't blame you at all for wanting to live for the here and now.  I can't wait to see the picture of you in her Hooters shirt!

Paula, so sorry to hear about your uncle sweetie {hugs} I am sure you will be looking hot in Cancun! I love your joy and enthusiasm. Your posts always make me smile.

Robin, I was so touched by you saying your hubby kisses your scar. You are a beautiful lady I am so glad your ankle is healing nicely.

Donna, I had hysterectomy in 2002 and remember how painful the recovery was. But I have never looked back or missed 'it'. Hugs for a speedy recovery. 

Laura, I am with you on missing my natural breasts. At times I feel very sad. But these 'newcomers' are starting to settle in and months after placement (April) they are finally softening up and feeling more like real breasts. Even if I can't feel them. {hugs}

Gina, your smile always makes me smile   {hugs}

Sally, I think my daughters soccer season helped me not think about bc more than anything. I am praying for your friend Sonya. {hugs}

Anyone I didn't mention please know that you are in my heart and prayers as well. Team January rocks! We are rapidly approaching our 1 year anniversary, time is just flying. I found out I needed a biopsy the Wednesday before Thanksgiving last year and this is kind of a weird time for me. Wow, how life and my perspective has changed in the last year. I am struggling with lymphadema issues. Finally got my sleeve and I can't stand it. It keeps rolling down and just wearing it makes me want to cry some days. Oy. I am looking forward and not looking forward to this last surgery. Hopefully if the PS removes the scar tissue that is mishaping the breasts and I get nipples I may feel better and more like myself. We shall see.

Love to all. And if you haven't added me as a friend on facebook, look me up: Lynbob Grossman. Just say Team January!

Well it's over and done now!

It's weird reading all the posts of memories of this time last year...here I am really living it over again!  They took 4 little chunks of needle biopsy from my nodule and the doctor is encouraged it's a fat necrosis.  I will find out for sure tomorrow.

The worst part was walking in the same place but this time knowing...looking around at the scared women who are trying hard to be brave as they get through their ultrasound/biopsies of their intact breasts.  When I walked out I saw the little room where I first heard the words uttered 'you have breast cancer' and I can't believe how far I've come. 

It was fun to say to the techs though...'this aint my first rodeo'  (I've always wanted to say that!:)

Feeling a nap coming on.  Have a great day Team January!
Kat

Hey you all...I just LOVE reading all your updates!!!  It is an interesting time for all of us, though, isn't it????  I know we're ALL thinking about our "this time, last year.....", because each one of us was somewhere heading toward the new chapter in our life that led us to this little group.

I wouldn't have purposely chosen this path, but now that I'm here, I wouldn't trade it either.  Thank you ALL for being a special part of my life....every single one of you!!!!  You have blessed my life immensely

Kat....I loved reading about your experience with CAbi....now I'll have to check out their clothes.  Hadn't a clue of them before...

Debbie....I loved reading your miracle story again.

Sally....glad you made your decision.  Making the decision is usually the hardest.

CinD....congrats on your one year cancaversary!!  Glad you enjoyed it, and got something special!!

Becky...always good to hear from you, glad you had fun with family!

Life is going way too fast around here....son away at college, daughter applying at colleges, and is finishing her 4th college class now (even though she's a high school senior), 8th grader is growing up too fast, too.....too many things to get done.  AND I'm having to prepare for three programs at school.....ugh.  Still trying to decide what to do about the hysterectomy.  I seriously need advice.  From those of you who have gone that route....this surgery is up to me.  But IF I'm going to have this done, for insurance/financial reasons, I need to have it THIS calendar year - otherwise, I need to stick it out forever and always. 

Seriously, I DO need advice.....so if you have any, feel free to PM me if you'd rather....

blessings to all...you're always in my thoughts and prayers....robin

Love hearing from so many.

Brilliant for those of you capable of giving individual shout-outs. That part of my brain seems to have gone on hiatus. Know that I pray for each one of you as I read your posts -- so grateful to see what's happening in your story.

I do know that I'm thinking of you Kat, as you ride the rodeo train in a new variation at the moment. Sending up all sorts of love & energy on your behalf while you await the news.

xx00xx00xx00xx

Robin, I had a hysterectomy (the abdominal type) in 2002 and have never looked back.  As Kat said it did not affect my libido (if anything I felt more like it! Ha!)  Definitely tougher than the bi-lateral recovery. The first two weeks my doctor had me stay on my pain meds 24/day to aid in recovery by not being consumed by discomfort/pain. So that was a blur. I wished I had said something to my doctor about doing a bladder repair at the same time because I had to have it later. So if you have any issues there you may be able to do it all at once. As for the recovery, the doctor said I could go back to work in 6 weeks. I kept feeling very weak and tired and wondered how I was going to do it. But sometime during the 5th week I perked up and was ready to go back to work. My doctor left one ovary and I am looking at having it removed as it is enlarged and quite frankly it scares me.  I will have to have it done this year as well since my deductible is met. Great big {{hugs}} for you dear.

Greetings Team.

I got the good news of BENIGN fat necrosis!  Whoohoo!  Praise the Lord!  If it doesn't bother you, don't bother it.  Nothing atypical....just a dud from the fat grafting that didn't take.  We're going to leave it right where it's at.  I see the PS and the BS next week so I'm doing the happy dance now!   Would you believe I didn't even tell my children?  I just didn't want to get them upset...hence there is nothing on facebook...but now I feel like I can sing like a canary!   YaY!

Oh Robin I'm sorry about your cast again!  But purple is good!  The color of royalty.  You tell your family "All I ask is that you treat me no different than you would...the queen!"  HA!  Hang in there!

I'm with ya Lynbob on the bladder repair.  They seem to omit that little piece of information that suddenly incontinence is a bit of a problem.  I've been wearing poise pads for 10 years now.  Just part of life I guess.  Never thought about going in for a bladder lift.  Just saying NO to anymore surgery...and that goes for my 2 little ovaries out there like beacons.  I'll take Lupron first before I talk about any more slicing and dicing!

Well my house looks like a tornado went through it.  Off to see what kind of dent I can put in it.

Sweet dreams team January! 
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxox
Kat

Yeah Kat!!!!  So happy for you. 

Kat, that's great news!  I'm so happy for you!

Robin, I'm so sorry to hear you're having more ankle/foot problems. Here's hoping that all will be well with you soon.

Cindy

WoW Elaine...that's really awesome.  A needed cause that was able to help you while you helped it!  It's interesting to hear each others voices too....you get a 'picture' in your mind about how people sound and then you hear them for real.  Wild!  

Sally....way to go on treating yourself to the spa treatment!  Watch out...it's addicting and then your girls will want to join in.  And I still get boob envy (bad)

I've got one little issue that I'm hoping will be nothing...but ever since my biopsy my R shoulder and underarm feel strange...achy like.  I'm scared that I've got a lymphedema brewing.  She went in not exactly at the armpit just medial to that and pointing to my divot to get to the nodule but I'm still afraid.  Someone talked about some selenomethionine?  Anyone have any thoughts on this?  I would like to nip this in the bud. 

Have a great day girls!
Kat

Haven't even gotten out of bed today....and it's going on 1 pm.....hubby brought me the paper and coffee.  Kids brought me breakfast.  Guess I'm having my own little pitty-party.  I just want to be able to do what I want to do when I want to do it.  I had finally gotten my energy back in June...and then, BAM.  The ankle.....sigh.  Thanks for the well wishes, guys.  I know it could be far worse, and it's *only* for a month.....but the month of September with the last cast was one of the longest months of my life.  argh.

 Kat....SO happy for you!!  Maura, you too!! (and so good to hear from you, and Elaine!)

anyway....always so good to check in on everyone....robin

Debbie...that's really powerful!  Yes, it defintely bears repeating. 

Thanks Maura for the PM"s about your bb nodule...that helped me stay calm cool and collected.  I didn't feel that way the first go around so I appreciate you helping alleviate my fears. 

Hope everyone has a happy halloween!  Paula...your pics on facebook are great!  Looks like you had a fabulous time

Enjoy!
Kat

CATHY !!!!!  Holy cow !  Welcome back, we were all quite worried when you went missing.  Are you feeling better now?  Where are you at in your reconstruction process?

 {{bc}}

Gotta run, lunch time for my kiddos.