April 2014 Surgery Sisters

I'm doing well. I'm happy with my implants. Just about the only good thing to come out of this ordeal was a much-needed reduction. I am glad to be (roughly) a C cup instead of DDD. My PS did a good job on my nipples and tattoos. I can't wait to tell him at my next appointment that my gynecologist's nurse practitioner said to me at my yearly check-up a few weeks ago: "Oh, you got to keep your nipples?" She was amazed when I told her they were man made!

I've been taking Anastrozole for six and a half months. I think I'm having fewer hot flashes now than I did the first three or four months. That may be because the weather is colder. Whatever the reason, I'm glad!

Yesterday was my diagnosis anniversary. I thought about all that has happened since then. I'm doing well and only freak out occasionally about a possible recurrence. I take my Anastrozole and go to check-ups periodically, and so far so good. Most of the people in our April 2014 surgery group will have dx anniversaries coming up in the next several weeks. How is everyone doing nine months after surgery?

I went through a scare and had a biopsy on my left (MX was on the right), but it turned out to just be scar tissue from the reduction on that side.

My diagnosis anniversary will be February 7.

I've been wondering what date is used for your "x year survivor". Does it go from your diagnosis date? Surgery date?

That's true, and I thought of that also, but I've heard others say that "even though you had it, you were surviving it". So it's a toss up. I'll probably go with the surgery date too.

Hey girls!

I want to share what my daughter is doing. She's in an entrepreneurial class at Baylor. Each group in the class has to come up with a product to sell. They get funding to launch their product. Her group decided to produce post-operative shirts for breast surgery/mastectomy patients. I know there are probably products out there, but these girls want to come up with their own designs. Feel free to give me suggestions on what you wish you would have had to wear post surgery and I'll pass the ideas along. I wore my husband's flannel shirts and pinned the drainage tubes inside. Not very flattering but very comfortable!

Hey April sisters! This is our surgery anniversary month! How's everyone doing? I spent this past week reflecting and re-reading my journal. I have been somewhat weepy. I really thought at the one year mark I'd be back to my old self. Plantar fasciitis and now a shoulder issue have slowed down my physical recovery. Hot flashes interrupt my sleep. My left implant bugs me. And yes, I'm whining.

On Thursday, I did myself a favor and set an appointment with a psychiatric oncologist who specializes in menopause. I found her on menopause.org. I'm hoping she has some answers for me!

Yesterday, both of my daughters posted Facebook messages about how proud they are of me and how thankful they are that I'm still here! What started as a pity-party type of week, has ended on a good note. I need to push on and eventually I'll get back on track. I know my journey hasn't been as hard as many of yours since I didn't have chemo or radiation.

Thinking about you all today. Happy Easter!

Today is the one year anniversary of my BMX! On this day, I am thankful. Overall, I feel I am doing well, but I am still hoping to feel better in the coming months/year. My incisions are healing nicely but slowly. I still have issues with some discomfort. My PS says 50% of women experience various types of pain following reconstructive surgery with implants so I am hoping it improves with time. If not, I have not ruled out getting second opinions. I have been unsuccessful with the weight loss I feel is necessary to look my best and to improve the appearance of my implants, but I plan to continue to make positive changes to work on that goal (after all the Easter candy is out of the house!). Best wishes to all my April sisters!