2010 Top Breast Cancer Blog Award

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Good-bye Tamoxifen!

I have officially completed 2 yrs of tamoxifen.  Goodbye to that noise! 
I am now on to 3 years of Anastrozole.  Apparently joint aches and bone density (decrease) is an issue with this drug. No problem :)
I have a bone density scan coming up here in PG and then a follow up appointment in Vancouver (November).

Summer surgery healing is ongoing.  I feel good - still a tad tender on the left hip.  Black and blue bruising is all gone though.  :)

Day 4 Stage 2 - DIEP Recovery

Up and around . . .


A little bit if bruising on the chest - not bad.  This definitely looks worse than what it feels like.  I just have a pinching sensation under my armpits - where a bra would sit.











Still a bit of bruising on the right side. This is not painful though. It is yellowing and healing nicely.

The left side is another story. This looks bizarre in real life. I have never seen this much skin so black! It is kind of itchy and puffy soft.

This is the look under both armpits.  Yellow bruising.

And this is my recovery computer budy - Ethan.  In the morning and afternoon he is my email checker and he likes to play "mine game" - Monster Nitro Trucks.

Always a treat to have around!

Post Op - Day 3

Post Op Day 3 and I feel human again.  The headache has lifted and I am up and about. I am not running marathons . . . but I am moving.  :)

DIEP Day 2 - post op

Last night was pretty rough.  I was nauseated and had a massive headache. I am also peeing like a racehorse. It is painful getting up and down AND actually maneuvering garments over the bruising.  OUCH!

Today is much the same.  The girls want to take me out for a walk - but no, no, no. It doesn't feel right. Tomorrow will be my "out" day. I feel like a dog.  More reading, soaps, and dozing in and out today  :)  I get enough exercise going to the washroom (heehee)

Maybe tomorrow

DIEP Stage 2 Surgery Success!

Two years have passed and reconstruction resumes. Surgery was Monday, July 19.2010. Rhonda took me in @ 9:30am and I was taken in to the O.R at 12:30pm.
Surgery was 2 1/2 hours and I was released @ 4:00pm.
Here was the day:

Arrival at UBC Hospital . . .  surgery day is finally here!

Admitting : reviewing data :)

Small world with superb nurse - Cathy. She knew about the TIT's as she knows Chrissy from the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club $$ Cathy was extremely helpful and just such a beautiful person inside and out.

So I went home and was up and about until 8:00pm.  Not too bad.  The bruising looks worse than what it is.  Day 2 - I met with Karen Gelmon - oncologist. In September she will switch me to a new drug for my last 3 years.  Adios tamoxifen - yeehaw!  She want me to return in November to see how I'm doing. Also - I will have Andrea and Sheina tattoo the areola at that time.

So this is day two. Rob Gilbert - a local professional photographer (and family member) took these recovery pictures. I'll post day by day.

Can you believe that people PAY for this pain?
Good God . . .
I have the breast shots as well - but I'll email these for DIEP candidates as requested.

Surgery Stage 2

Surgery went well.
I was at UBC for 9:30am - under at noon.
3 hour surgery and good to go at 4:00pm
Rhonda was my nurse :)
A tad groggy right now.
Pictures tomorrow!

DIEP Stage 2 Surgery

Surgery date is set for Monday, July 19th. I am scheduled for the following:
Left Mastopexy (lift)
Bilateral Dog ear excision,
Bilateral Nipple recon,
Lipo to bil. hips and axillae (arm pits).

I am so ready for this procedure. I'll blog throughout this second surgery.

Visit My Crazy Sexy Life

2 Years Cancer Free!!

What a difference two years makes! This time two years ago I was still on the operating table after a 7:30am start. 15 hours later I was finished and off to recovery.

This second year has been difficult. I have NOT regained my energy,and I am just emotionally flat. I have recently resumed running. I usually tackle the university hill from our home.It proves to be a 10km run, but I am not enjoying myself. It is still and chore.

Will this ever change?