Amazing Grace

This past month FB has popped up with lots of memories from last year....like today being the anniversary of my Pre-op Appointment for my Bilateral Mastectomy!

What a crazy and surreal time that was but also amazing!  I know, I know....how does someone refer to a breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent life-altering surgery as "amazing"?

Well, I'll tell you.....

#1: God is good...ALL the time. (Say it with me) And, ALL the time, God is GOOD!
Even in the worst moments, He is in control.  When we don't understand, He does. Once you relinquish control and let HIM guide, great things can happen.  God put me in all the right places at the right time.

Some of you know this, but I was not even supposed to be in San Antonio at the time of my diagnosis. If things had gone according to plan, I would have gotten married the Summer before and moved out of town.  Obviously, having my heart broken and a relationship ending was NOT something I saw as a blessing at the time!  But, in hindsight, God knew where I needed to be, who I needed to be with, and what catalyst it would take to get me there.  That relationship ending gave me the push I needed to leave my job and get back to work in the NICU that I love.  If I had not changed jobs when I did, I would have had an entirely different course of care, physicians, etc. Because of my job, I was in position to work with one of the top surgical oncologists and a renowned plastic surgery group who performed a "gold standard" type of reconstruction!  I was also surrounded by a team of people I love and who love me and supported me throughout the whole journey.  God knew....even when I didn't....amazing!

#2:  You never know how you will be used.
As a nurse, its my job to help people. I think that most nurses feel some inner calling to do just that...just part of our nature.  As a NICU nurse, I never in a million years thought I'd have anything to do with oncology...breast cancer in particular.  Because of my diagnosis, I have met so many people...other women touched by breast cancer, family members and friends.  I have friends now that I would never have met. By sharing my story openly, other women have been helped.  I've volunteered as a patient advocate with two groups and am always willing to lend an ear to another fighter/survivor.  Who would have thought I'd be

walking in breast cancer 5Ks, attending breast cancer awareness events, and blogging my personal life for the world?  My son grew a lot throughout this past year and has participated in events with me too. I believe he will have a better compassion and understanding for others in his life now. Even though this isn't the path I would have chosen, I am happy and blessed that God has allowed me to be used through it.  It is amazing is it to be able to help others!

#3: Grace is typically defined as "the free and unmerited favor of God".  My

breast cancer was caught early (Stage 0) and was contained (DCIS, non-invasive). I got my biopsy within days of the ultrasound that found it. My surgery (within 2 months later) was successful. No other locations were found and my lymph nodes were clear. Yes, I had a bilateral mastectomy, but I woke up CANCER-FREE....no chemo, no radiation.  My recovery was certainly not a breeze, but it was relatively complication free. My revision surgery gave me exactly what I needed and again was complication free.  My overall results (all completed within 1 calendar year) are wonderful. I was significantly blessed!  I know this even more than ever before in my life. I am grateful for things..little things...more than before. I  found out that I am as strong as I hoped I'd be in the face of a scary thing and happier than I imagined I would be again.  And, I surely feel HIS amazing grace in my life.

Here's hoping you feel HIS Amazing Grace in your life this week!

October Update

                            WARNING:  THERE ARE GRAPHIC/NUDE POST-OP PHOTOS IN THIS POST.

Not much post-worthy happening around here but I wanted to touch-base with all of you and give you some photo updates.

It's October 10 and today is in the 60's...actually feels like Fall!!  Won't last but a few days, but we'll enjoy it today. :)

As far as surgical recovery goes, life is pretty okay.  I get a little frustrated sometimes with my decreased endurance and lack of upper body and abdominal strength.  I was working on a DIY project last week and could not have done it without my teenage son to do the heavy lifting.  I used to be able to do so much more in one day, but now I find myself tiring out and needing to take a break.  It's not all bad...I tend to push myself too hard to finish projects, but it is frustrating.   Everything takes time, I know, but having never had major surgery prior to this year, I never realized just how much its affects can linger.  I'm trying to learn to embrace the rest....easier said than done. 

Super excited to report that my final Phase 3 is scheduled!!  My micropigmentation procedure (aka tattoos) will be completed in my PS office by my nurse on Nov. 7th.  Yay!  This should be the last procedure on my breast reconstruction journey.  

As my new nipples/areolas have healed, I am even happier with them!  As promised, the nipples have gone down about 50% and are not as "noticeable" when I am not wearing a bra (not that I do that in public, but I could! ;) ).  To see them with color soon...it's like waiting for Christmas as a kid!  

New nipples built 2.5 months ago...all healed and scars fading.
Just waiting on tattoos for color!!

The breasts themselves are great! The fat grafting made all the difference in shaping for me and they are very symmetrical.  Most of the time, my foobs are soft and natural feeling. When I first wake up in the morning and sometimes after an active day, they will feel a little firm.  This goes away immediately with a quick massage.  Love that they are "perky" even without a bra....its been years since that was the case!! 

My incisions have all healed well and the scars are starting to fade.  I'm not very good about massaging them daily like I should, but I'm working on it.  Right now, I am alternating between Palmer's Cocoa Butter and Mederma Oil as recommended by my PS.  Just recently, I purchased the InviCible Scars cream (made by one of the MD's in my PS office).  I've heard great things about it, so we will see how it works and I'll let y'all know.  

The scars on my chest from the fat grafting in Phase 2 are not as red and noticeable....made me feel like I had the measles or chicken pox before!  :)

Fat grafting scars on chest at 2.5 months post-op

My original abdominal incision looks good...not fading as quickly as my breast incisions, but it is very smooth and flat.

DIEP Flap Abdominal Incision at 7.5 months post-op

My new flank incisions from Phase 2 surgery on 07/25 are a little different.  One is already quite flat and thin.  The other side is "indented" and "tighter"....can't figure out a better way to describe that.  Obviously, these scars are newer so it'll take them awhile to fade like the original.  

New right flank incision...smooth and flat already at 2.5 months post-op

I've gained weight since all of this began but I'm hoping that some of the indentation will smooth out with weight loss and scar massage.

New left flank incision...thin but a little "indented" at 2.5 months post-op

So, that's my update for today.  I've "met" quite a few ladies on this journey and have enjoyed chatting with several this month on Facebook. If you have questions or comments or just want to share your story, please comment below!  

Since October is officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please don't forget to do your self-exams and get your mammograms!!  I found this ad amusing:

Have a great week!

Got Nipples?? Phase 2 is done!

                             WARNING:  THERE ARE GRAPHIC/NUDE POST-OP PHOTOS IN THIS POST.

Yesterday was my Phase 2 surgery with my amazing Plastic Surgeon, Dr. O.  Not as much preparation needed for this one since it was outpatient and such a big difference in recovery.

My sweet son is such a trooper getting up at
0430 to go with me to the hospital!

I had to be at the hospital at 0530 with an 0730 start time....we pretty much started right on time.  The whole surgery took about 4 hours and I was home by 3pm.  Only negative was that I got nauseated and was vomiting from the anesthesia afterward....no fun!  I was still sick all evening off and on but finally took a phenergan and tried to sleep it off.  Thankfully, I woke up early this morning feeling more like myself again.  No nausea!

I am really not in pain, just very sore.  My breasts are tender, but the flanks and thighs where he did the liposuction for the fat grafting is where I feel the most discomfort.  As I am typing this, my flanks feel sore but not painful; however, it is quite painful to get up and down from sitting position.  Once I'm up, I can walk with only that sore feeling.

Since I was sick yesterday, I didn't really eat but a few bites.  Had a small breakfast this morning and so far so good.  Just dropped a pot roast in the crockpot for tonight.....definitely wasn't working in the kitchen after last surgery!

Let's get started!  Dr. O with me just before surgery.

He marked me up all over....secret language of Plastic Surgeons!

Now for the part y'all have been waiting for....the surgery and results!

Dr. O built my new nipples (3D nipples!) from the skin flaps from my abdomen that he placed during my initial reconstruction in March.  There are sutures all around the edges and on the nipples.  It looks rough today, but I am so VERY HAPPY with them!  My breasts look like breasts again!  

Look at that dimension!

Gnarly looking today, but once they heal and have the
color tattoo, they will be practically perfect!

He also did liposuction on my inner thighs and along both flanks....these are the sore areas today!  Dr. O said I will be bruised pretty badly all along there and even maybe the back of my legs.  The fat he got from there was used to "plump up" my breasts and give me the size and lift I needed.

Hard to get a good pic of my inner thigh, but the top right is the "hole"
from the lipo cannula.
Thighs are sore, but maybe I'll have a bit of a high gap after!!  :)

My abdominal incision looks great so he did not revise any of it.  He did however cut off the overhanging skin ("mini muffin tops" or "dog ears") from each end of the abdominal incision. Again, thrilled with the results there.  Even though I am swollen and look Sponge-Bob shaped again, you can tell it's going to be great once the swelling goes down.

Incisions on both sides where Dr. O removed my "dog ears".
Love not having that overhang!

 I woke up from surgery with the ugly surgical bra on and a tight compression garment that goes from just under my breasts to my calves.  That sucker is a beast to get on and off!  The spare one I bought only goes to my knees and seems to slide up easier.  I think both will be better to get in to when I'm less swollen and sore to the touch.

I am supposed to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen every 8 hours....which I probably will just to stay ahead of this soreness (don't want it to turn into pain).  I am also on an antibiotic every 8 hours.  Otherwise, my instructions were regular diet, light walking, and to sleep!!

Sounds like a Netflix day in bed is called for!

Look at the difference!  First photo was yesterday morning when I was getting
ready to head to the hospital. The second photo was this morning, less than 24 hours later!

All in all, I am thrilled with the outcome.  I love my new breasts...nipples make all the difference!

I asked my friends and family to send me pics of them wearing their #teamJules t-shirts yesterday while I was in surgery.  It was so fun to scroll thru my FB feed last night and see all of them!!  I have the best group of friends, co-workers, and family!

Have a blessed week!

My drains are gone....I've been set FREE!

POD #10 was a lovely day.  Went to my first post-op office visit with my Plastic Surgeon's nurse at 0900 this morning.  It felt a little weird to be up and putting on "real" clothes over my bra and binder.  I fixed my hair and wore makeup even.  It was kind of nice to get out.

I used my new seat belt cushions that were given to me by a family friend. They worked quite well to provide a little cushion from the seatbelt rubbing or pressing on my chest or my abdominal incision.

These cushions velcro around the seat belts.

After calling me back into a room, I noticed that she had set-up the supplies for drain removal....I was so hoping for that!  Don't forget your drain records...she needs those to determine if the output is low enough to remove them.  For me, she was looking for less than 30ccs/day of output for 48 hrs.  I easily met that requirement on all 3 drains, but she told me that she is very conservative on removing the abdominal drain early because she has seen patients need it replaced again...ugh.  But, she would assess my abdomen for swelling and  if it looked good, it could go too.

My allergic reaction rash is still VERY present but nothing like what it was.  We discussed that a bit but agreed that the steroids appeared to be working. After a brief assessment, the nurse said that all looked well...breasts were soft, incisions healing well, and no abnormal swelling. And, ALL THREE drains could come out.  Yippee!

She told me to take a deep breath or to keep talking to her as she snipped the suture in my right breast holding the first drain in place and slowly pulled it out.  I felt the tug as she snipped the stitch, but I really did not feel anything as the drain slipped out. This was the same on the left breast.  The abdominal one I felt, but it was not painful.  It's a longer drain so I felt a little more of a tugging sensation as she pulled it out.  Once each drain was out, she placed antibiotic ointment on a gauze pad and taped it over the wound.

Covered drain site on my left abdomen

These stay on for 24 hours and then I am to use gauze until they scab over.  It was really no big deal and took a matter of minutes to remove all three drains.

Once we finished that, she brought in some instructions for me regarding the next couple of weeks.  We reviewed my current medications and which ones I will stop (like the baby aspirin regimen is only for two weeks). She also told me that Monday (my two week mark), I can change from wearing this post-op bra and binder to a store-bought bra and "panty girdle" (think Spanx).  They provided me with a list of brands and photos, most available at Walmart and Target.  I am actually really excited about that prospect...this current binder and bra are supportive but bulky.
At week 3, I can start some little range-of-motion exercises for my arms.  These are important to getting full ROM back and stretching the post-op tightness out.  And, I should also be scab-free around that time and can start massaging my incisions with cocoa butter cream.

In the meantime, things look good and I feel good.  I actually felt great without the drains. Just not having them hanging around my neck on that lanyard was so freeing!

Throwing away that drain lanyard
from around my neck!

After the visit, I stopped by my NICU unit to say hello to some of the folks working...it was nice to see everyone and get out for a bit.  Its a large unit, and I was tired after the walk.

Later this afternoon an old friend stopped by and we caught up and chatted for a long time.  She brought me a book and a stack of magazines to help me pass the next several weeks at home.  So sweet.

I also got to chat online with a friend of a friend who has also just started her breast cancer journey.  We chatted back and forth about my procedure and I tried to answer as many of her questions as I could. Sometimes it is really nice to connect with someone who has actually just been through it.

Ended the night with a movie in the living room with my boy and my mother.  All in all, a terrific...drain free...day!

Being on the other side of the bed...

WARNING:  THERE ARE GRAPHIC POST-OP PHOTOS IN THIS POST.  And, this is a really long post.

It is Post-op Day #6...my surgery was a week ago tomorrow.  Seems unbelievable really.  It went fast.  

The morning of surgery, we arrived at the hospital at 0530.  My parents and my son were with me wearing their "Fight Like a Girl" buttons and my son had a t-shirt that read:  "I wear pink for my Mom".  

Shortly after arriving, I was taken back to a pre-op room where I changed into a gown and compression stockings....super cool look.  My IV was started and then my family was able to join me in the room while we waited for the physicians to come in.  Our Pastor came by and prayed with us as well.

My Surgical Oncologist, Dr. K came and reviewed the plan with me again and answered any last minute questions.  I signed consent for his part again.  Then, my Plastic Surgeon, Dr. O came in and did the same.  I signed consent and then he marked me up for surgery.  As soon as he left, the anesthesiologist stepped in and I signed yet another consent.  Lots of signing!

After that, it was just a matter of minutes before I said my "see ya laters" to my family and the medications started kicking in. I really don't remember much of anything after they left the room.

I woke up hours later in Recovery...very groggy and my eyes felt heavy. I tried to ask about my lymph node biopsy but my throat was dry and sore and the nurse said she didn't know. I closed my eyes and the next thing I remember was Dr. O standing over me smiling.  He was replacing a T-Sat probe on my left breast and said: "Miss Hudson, Julie, it's Dr. O.  Everything went great.  You are doing great.  The biopsy was clear...we got it all."  That was the phrase I was waiting for....I was CANCER FREE!   

They started talking about taking me to my room, but I really didn't care at that point....I had heard what I needed.  Once the nurses got me settled, my family came in to see me....it was early evening.  My face was so swollen and my eyes so puffy (from all the fluids they gave me in the OR) that it was hard to keep my eyes open.  My family didn't stay long and I fell asleep immediately after saying "goodnight".  

You can see how swollen my face and eyes are!
It was much better by breakfast time.

I remember them telling me that both surgeons said I was a "textbook case" and that my surgery was only 6 hours instead of the 10+ we had planned.  I really wasn't very lucid until about 0300 that next morning.

The nurse had to check my new skin flaps every hour that night with a doppler.  She would come in and

Checking with the doppler for
blood flow to the "skin islands"

put the doppler probe on the edge of the flap and listen for the blood flow.  I also had T-sat probes attached to the new skin that constantly monitored the oxygenation status of the flaps.  I couldn't really see anything from my angle, so I used my phone to take selfies so that I could see.  

Finally got that catheter out and was allowed to go to the
bathroom myself...and wear shorts!
Still had those hose and SCDs though!

I was wearing a bra, an abdominal binder, and a gown. I still had on the knee-high TED hose, a pair of socks, as well as the SCDs on my calves (they inflate and deflate every couple of minutes). There was a pillow under each of my arms and one under my head. My bed was up at an angle because I could not lay flat.  I also had a heavy blanket laying across my chest.  I was SOOOOOO HOT!  As a South Texan, I am a big fan of ceiling fans and air conditioning. I also typically sleep in tank tops and shorts with light covers.  This was miserable for me.  I could see the thermostat in the room next to my bed was set at 76!  They had to keep my new vessel connections and flaps warm, so there was no negotiating on any of this.  Honestly, this was hard for me to get used to....every day I looked forward to my walks in the hall where it was cold to everyone else.  

My fancy post-op bra

By breakfast I was feeling more like myself. I was able to eat a little and finally got to see my abdomen when the dayshift RN came in to do her assessment... she was kind enough to help me take a picture.

Every 2 hours throughout my stay-day and night, the RN would come and do the doppler check. As a nurse in the hospital, I was a pretty decent patient to have....compliant and motivated.  The staff kept telling me I was ahead of the curve and I didn't argue about getting up or doing my walks.  The only thing I really really really wanted out was that annoying foley catheter!  I had nursing students following me that week as well....I actually enjoyed that because they were eager to see and learn everything.  My RNs were teaching them so they would take their time to explain things and I got to learn along the way.  Each day, I tried to take photos of my progress.

My three JP drains....these are a bit annoying.
They have to be stripped and emptied several times a day.

On POD #1, I walked up the hall.  It was more exhausting than I thought it would be, but felt good to be up. POD #2, I felt great!  Got up, ate breakfast, walked.....and then I got nauseated!  That was not my best day. I still wound-up walking 4 times that day, but I never really felt well.   

POD #3 was way better!  I finally got my first shower!  It was one of the hardest things I've done

POD #3 fresh from the shower!

but felt so good!  The sweet CNA was kind and showed me exactly how I would do it at home.  It was hard for me to be the patient. I've never been on the other side of the bed before and totally reliant on someone else to do things for me...like move me up in bed or help me out of my chair. It's a weird feeling, but I had the very best staff taking care of me.

Abdomen and re-located bellybutton

"Lollipop incisions"...the center circles are the skin flaps from my abdomen.
The rest of the breast is my native skin that was spared.  Obviously swollen everywhere.

By POD #4, I could do two laps around the unit.  Dr. O came in and said I could go home.  A few hours later, I was heading out.  The trip home was not as hard as I had imagined.  You definitely want a pillow to go between you and the seatbelt to help cushion for bumps in the road.  It felt good to be free from monitors, IVFs, and those SCDs!  As good as home felt, it did make me feel vulnerable to be on my own....no one checking me every 2 hours.  

Lymph Node Biopsy incision
under my left arm

I stayed up most of the afternoon and took a shower before going to bed.  I slept hard that first night, only getting up twice for bathroom breaks.  POD #5 was even better.  I walked to the mailbox and back with my son and my family came over to visit.

Abdominal drain insertion point

Insertion point of one of my chest drains...
you can see here that my abdomen is swollen.

I really thought 24/7 care seemed silly since I was not really hurting and I was getting around well.  But, it IS necessary.  My mother has been staying overnight and my grandmother and Dad take turns with her during the day.  It is the little things you need help with: I can't bend over and I can't reach above my head.  My pillow is actually a little too heavy to carry.  I can strip my own drains, but I have a hard time getting the abdominal one thru the t-shirt that I wear under my binder.  Last night I got nauseated after taking a pain med and was so thankful I could call me mother from the other room to bring me Sprite and crackers in the middle of the night.

Every day is better than the last and I have hardly taken pain medication.  The sitting and laying around is the hardest part for me, not the pain.  I'm not going to lie to you and say this is easy, but it is not as bad as I had read or heard.  It is frustrating to not be able to do things I want to do and to get winded just walking down the hall, but I am so grateful and blessed to be here CANCER FREE!  

I am going to try to record more of this journey in video form when I can.  To get started, I had my mother help me film a really quick YouTube video of how I strip my drains for anyone who is interested:

#FightLikeAGirl

MY TIMELINE:

12/22/16  Routine Screening Mammogram

01/18/17  Repeat Imaging and US of left breast; LUMP found.

01/20/17  Core Needle Biopsy

01/24/17  Biopsy results positive...Stage 0 DCIS, left breast

01/25/17  Meeting with Breast Center Navigator and Genetic Testing

01/30/17  Consultation with Surgical Oncologist, Dr. K

02/08/17  Consultation with Plastic Surgeon

02/21/17  Pre-op Visit with Dr. O's nurse

02/27/17 Pre-op Labs and Testing

03/05/17 Lymph Node Injection

03/06/17 SURGERY DAY!

03/10/17 Home!

Pre-op...getting ready for the BIG day!

Today I am less than 4 days away from the BIG SURGERY!  

On 02/21 I went for my pre-op with my Plastic Surgeon's nurse.  Even though I had read through all of the information they gave me ahead of time, there was still new information and instructions.   

C gave me all of my prescriptions on this visit and went over instructions for their use.  Post-op, I will need to take:

• Celebrex as an anti-inflammatory and pain med x 1 week
• Gabapentin for nerve pain x 2 weeks
• Phenergan for nausea as needed
• Oxycodone as needed for breakthrough pain
• Extra-strength Tylenol for pain as needed
• Baby Aspirin to prevent blood clots x 2 weeks
• Stool Softener and Milk of Mag for constipation daily until regular bowel movements resume

I was also instructed to drink 2 protein shakes (think Ensure or Boost) per day for this entire week before surgery.  They also recommend a high protein diet after surgery to promote healing.

She gave me a pre-op carbohydrate drink that I have to mix with water and take the night before and the morning off surgery.  Other than that, nothing after midnight.  

C also gave me the order for my pre-op labs and tests.  These are in addition to the ones Dr. K, my Surgical Oncologist ordered.

I had already read that I would not be allowed to have caffeine for 2 weeks prior to surgery and 4-6 weeks after surgery, so I have been weaning myself off of my caffeine for the last several weeks.  It's a good thing too, because I had terrible headaches at first!  If you are a caffeine-aholic like me, I highly recommend you start weaning yourself in the beginning of your journey rather than waiting until just before surgery.  

The kicker to this one is that it means I can't have chocolate either!!!  So, the protein shakes mentioned above have to be vanilla or strawberry or something else.  Of course, it happens to be Girl Scout Cookie season here!!  I just received my Thin Mints the day I was to start being caffeine-free!!  At least they taste great frozen....they'll be waiting in my freezer after recovery.  :)

While I was in the office, C showed me the mastectomy bra and the abdominal binder I will need to wear 24/7 for 2 weeks after surgery.  These two items will be fitted and supplied while I'm in the hospital (staying 3-4 days post-op).  The only time these come off is for daily showers and while being washed/air dried.  

They also made me sign a statement saying that I understood that I would need 24 hr care for the first 2 weeks!

Something I did not have on my list and had to pick-up was a package of cotton t-shirts.  C instructed me to buy a larger size t-shirt and cut it up the middle.  I am to put it on like a jacket (nothing over my head) to wear underneath my bra and binder....this will protect my incisions and also help keep the bra and binder cleaner.  Good to know.

Here are just a few of my post-op restrictions:

• No lifting greater than 10lbs and no repetitive motions.  It actually says no housework!!!  Woohoo! Too bad insurance doesn't cover a maid, huh?
• No sleeping on my stomach or sides for 3-4 weeks.....I'm a side-sleeper, so this should be interesting.
• Also, no sitting in the sun or heat for 3-4 weeks. It can cause swelling and firmness.  I live in South Texas...it's been in the 90's several days in February! :)

On 02/27, I had labs drawn, an EKG, and a chest X-ray.  I waited longer than the actual tests took.  Other than the blood draw, nothing is invasive or painful.  

 People keep asking me if I'm getting nervous.......the answer is "not really",  but I am feeling a little more like it's actually going to happen.  I also feel like there's things I wanted to get done and haven't....more cleaning around the house and stuff.  But, I think that's just me trying to keep busy.

Words of Advice:

Life goes on...good and bad.  So much has revolved around my diagnosis this last month and a half.  I really haven't had very many days that were free from work, appointments, getting things ready, etc.

It's easy to get bogged down by the diagnosis and let it take over...don't.  I have tried to continue to make room for normal life. My son still has school and tennis season coming up and a science project due.

Example:  Last Sunday was beautiful outside...a perfect Spring day for getting our container garden going.  I almost didn't do it because for a moment I thought: "What's the point? I'm not going to be able to take care of it."  But, that's not right....we always have a garden and it is something my son and I share and enjoy together.  There aren't that many things a 14 year old wants to do with his mom!  I'm taking advantage of every one!  I don't want this whole year to be a bad memory of hospitals and scary diagnoses.  We planted our garden, mulched a flower bed, trimmed trees....it felt great and I'm so happy we did it. And, walking out back to clip herbs will be one of my exercises during recovery.  :)

This week, I came home late from work to find our electric water heater burning...like actual smoke coming from the bottom element!  It smelled so bad!  It was scary too.  Needless to say, I wasn't planning on replacing my water heater 4 days before surgery, but life seems to be throwing me some curveballs lately.  On the bright side, I'm so glad it happened when I was home to catch it and when I could get it replaced....it would really be bad to have no hot water post-op!   And, grateful for friends who volunteer their time to help....a friend installed our new one tonight!

Life doesn't slow down just because you have breast cancer.  It is times like these though that you can truly appreciate the help, love, and support of friends and family!   So many people have bought t-shirts in my fundraiser/awareness campaign, have sent gifts, and offered their encouragement, prayers, and their time.  

Potluck at work tomorrow with my amazing coworkers....it's going to be hard to be away from them for 6 weeks. Birthday celebration with my family on Saturday night. Church, packing for the hospital, and lymph node injection on Sunday.  Then....that's it...I have to be at the hospital at 0530 on Monday morning!!

MY TIMELINE:

12/22/16  Routine Screening Mammogram

01/18/17  Repeat Imaging and US of left breast; LUMP found.
01/20/17  Core Needle Biopsy
01/24/17  Biopsy results positive...Stage 0 DCIS, left breast
01/25/17  Meeting with Breast Center Navigator and Genetic Testing
01/30/17  Consultation with Surgical Oncologist, Dr. K

02/08/17  Consultation with Plastic Surgeon

02/21/17  Pre-op Visit with Dr. O's nurse

02/27/17 Pre-op Labs and Testing

03/05/17 Lymph Node Injection

03/06/17 SURGERY DAY!