December 2011 Surgeries - want to wait together?

December Ladies!  Wow - I have not been on this site for a long time.  I hope you are all doing well. 

May I update and ask a question... I had my surgery -single MX - last year on December 23rd and I had a temp-filler-pump-me-up- put in.   I still have not had the replacement surgery and wanted to get that done next month.  Is there anyone on this chain that can share their recovery that had the same process?    BTW - I stopped taking Tamox after 6 months... 

I am so happy to see all the posts still from the December 2011 group.  Happy Holidays and Happy Anniversary to all. 

Congrats Blessings and Cookie.

Ginger-prayers and positive thoughts being sent your way. 

Hello all. Good to hear from you. Tomorrow will be the one year mark for me. My, how time flies. I had an appointment with my ps yesterday, just a follow up. He said everything looks great and he's pleased with the results. Asked if I was and yes, I am. Even commented on how nice my tatts were. Thanks Vinnie. He, along with my bs will follow me once a year for the next few years and I'm glad for that.



So, how do I feel now that it 's all done? Happy and relieved. But cautiously so. Does that make sense? I am living my life and trying to move forward and not dwell on the bc business but I fear that it is something that will always have a spot in my mind and keep me wondering. Part of me is having a hard time truly believing that I am cancer free. At least that's what the docs have said. I suppose there's no reason to think otherwise but I'm not stupid and know things aren't always what they seem. I'm hoping time will change my thinking and the further I am away in time, the further from my mind it will be.



I don't come to the boards much any more and I think that's a god thing for me. But I do check once in a while to see how you all are doing. You've all meant so much with your support. Couldn't have gotten through this without you.



Thoughts and prayers to all of you.

Christine

CarolAnn- I thought the exchange surgery to implant recovery was much easier than my BMX recovery was. Still had some restrictions but not terribly painful. I did not even need drains but I know some people do. Best wishes!

edited to add: you might want to check out the thread called Exchange City to read more about it and connect with others who are going through it too.


Fitz- have a great, bump free trip!

It's the one year anniversary of my BMX.  Thank you all for all your support-I honestly don't think I could have made it through without you.

Blessings, so happy for your friend.

This time last year, I was just settling into the OR for my DIEP (and happy DIEP-iversary CookieMonster). It really was a gradual process to heal, more so than the lumpectomy or Mastectomy. After a very reasonable initial improvement, it was a very slow process. I still do have daily consciousness of ab tightness here or lingering resentment of sick-leave issues there, but everything is soooo much better. I look well healed and feel well. Frankly, I look better than I did before the whole BC adventure started. I am almost reluctant to upset the apple cart for the aesthetic tune up of the reconstruction so I am just putting that off until I feel ready.

Best wishes to everyone on their one-year milestone from last year's surgery. Your encouragement and support was a rock.

Cookie, happy for you. My journey got derailed a couple times and I am still not working. gonna be stuck half semi reconstructed for probably at least a year. If nothing goes wrong with the semi filled TE that is. Only if they fill it and Exchange it will they try to put TE back in my other side. Sucks but I guess I should get fitted for a foob now that its gonna be a while. Sigh.

But everyone have a good Christmas or holiday. I am going to enjoy just living! Much love.

Hi, Kam170 - Retirement? YAY!!!! I highly reccommend it! 

Seriously, I don't know how I had a life when most of it was taken up with working hours. Now my calendar is filled, but with things I WANT to do, not things I have to squeeze in on lunch hours or before or after work.

Happy crafting to you!

Kam170 - Absolutely... the conditions surrounding your retirement can play a big part in how you feel about it. Many people who are forced to take disability retirement do have to go through that grieving process, and often feel cheated out of being able to finish off their careers the way they wanted to.

When I retired, I had been married for a year. My DH retired right before our wedding, after 33 years of teaching high school. He was SO ready. But I had a mom in assisted living, and the costs were very high, so back to work I went.

When she went into a skilled nursing facility the following year, MediCal picked up the tab and I could afford to retire.

I absolutely loved my job, my colleagues, and my students. My identity was wrapped up in being a counselor, and I did wonder who I would be after I was no longer employed.

I gave the university six months notice. During that time, I made sure I completed the major projects I had started, so I could leave on a high note. While I knew I would miss my co-workers, several had already left for other jobs or retirement, and I knew we'd find a way to keep in touch.

My first weeks at home were a blur. I felt compelled to stay busy; to be productive. I cleaned out closets, I rearranged rooms, I organized the junk in the garage. Then I realized I didn't have to do anything I didn't want to 

You're right... you are making a very fast transition. It may take a while to realize the benefits. But I think especially since we've had BC, that makes us think about the way we spend our time, and just how much time working does take up. 

I am so fortunate I retired before my dx. I can't imagine trying to make doctors' appointments at only "convenient" times, or begging for extra time off because I just wasn't feeling strong enough to go back to work after surgery.

Now that I think about it, I don't know anyone who has regretted the decision to retire!

I am happy for you.

p.s. Are those your kitties in your avatar? CUTE!

So nice to hear from both of you and the encouraging words.  I'm kind of pretending to be retired today and it feels good  I hope I clean closests Blessings!!!

Faith - so nice to see you here. Sorry about the trouble you've had. btw, I had my ooph 8/30 and it was easy peasy.  All clear - thankfully.  I think being brca+, we just can't wait to get those things out!  Totally know the Iphone route....it has to be short, or I won't say (type) it.  My Ipad died and may be the first casualty of downsizing.  It was slightly easier for communication.

A knitting coffee shop.  What a great concept!  I guess, until, one spills their coffee

Moonflower-did you get the blizzard that went through parts of Wisconsin? Doesn't look like it'll be a white Christmas in Chicago-I'm originally from Wisconsin and can remember having to use a plow to get to out on many Christmases.

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday and a healthy 2013!

Hello all. Hope everyone is doing well. I think of you all often. Here's to a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannakuh (sp?) and all the rest. Have a happy and healthy New

Year!

Ginger48 - "redness and polyps."  Is this preliminary news good?  I hope so.   MRI of neck - what could they be looking for?  I had numbness in hands 6 years ago and it showed degenerating spine - no MRI, just an Xray.  In your case, what are you/they thinking?  Hoping the best on all accounts!

Best of holidays to everyone... xxo