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?

Remembering the Fight

"For me, breast cancer has been a great challenge, and an even bigger triumph!"

Lisa Norman, Mom, wife, breast cancer warrior, amazing woman

Pretty awesome reconnection with Suzanne. Here's her post. Thanks friend!

http://www.amazingwomenrock.com/stories-written/breast-cancer-triumph.html

BOOB -A -GRAMS

SEND A BOOB-A-GRAM !!!
By sending one, you will be helping an important woman, 50-69, become aware by reminding her about the significance of mammograms. But don’t stop there! Send it to all the women in your life and ask them to pass it on to the women they know who should have a mammogram.

Just fill out the “to” and “from” fields, customize your Boob-a-Gram with your own personal message, and then hit “send” and your message will be on its way.

http://boobagram.cancer.ca/sendaboobagram.asp

Still Amazed!

I am stunned by the number of women who opt for a lumpectomy or single mastectomy despite the incredible stats of cancer reoccurring in the other breast. I just completed an eight week online group study conducted by the BC Cancer Agency. This two year study is aiming to target women in their early 40's who have recently battled breast cancer to better understand the recovery process after treatment. Two of our group had a double mastectomy as well as having our ovaries removed. The others in the study had single lumpectomies or mastectomies. These women live with the constant fear of cancer coming back. These fearful thoughts impede the recovery process.
This does not make sense to me. Would you not rid yourself of all possible sites for cancer to reoccur? If the breasts are removed, the ovaries are the next best site for the cancer to metastasise. Have it all removed and live - knowing you've done all that you can. It takes a long time for recovery, so why give cancer ANY chance to come back just to do the whole process over again? No thanks. Yes, it's a personal decision . . . I guess it's just a no brainer for me.