Change In Plans!

My reconstruction surgery to put the expander back into the radiated breast area was scheduled for December 9th, I wasn't wanting to do this before Christmas but had no choice with Insurance issues and the end of the 2009. On Monday I went in to see my doctor and go over my surgery date, medications, etc.... Dr. Boll came in looked at me and within seconds she said "Change in Plans". Your skin is so tough and tight. There is no way an expander is going to be able to go in." I just didn't heal well and this is the terrible thing about Radiation. Its different for many people but for me I probably had the worse case for skin that can not be worked with.

This means only one thing! SKIN Graft or Reconstruction Using Back Tissue:
When back tissue is used for breast reconstruction, it involves the latissimus Dosi muscle, along with the skin and fat that covers the muscle. This procedure is called a latissimus Dosi (LD) flap. The tissue from my back is removed and moved to the front of my chest, with the arteries and veins still attached. Since most women do not have enough fatty tissue on their back to recreate a breast using only the LD flap I will have an implant put in that same day.

8 hour surgery....6 week recovery...4 day stay in hospital. Lovely! Because of the length of surgery I am happy to say it has been moved to Dec28th right before the New Year so hopefully Ill get it ALL in before the new insurance issues arise in 2010...

So for now this is a quick up date.. More to come later... Hope you all are Happy and Doing Well. I think of you all often.

5 Years Ago Today...

I had DRAKE!

My sweet boy that I wanted so bad.

I had tired with many failed attempts to have him.

After my 5th InVitro try I saw that embryo float right into my uterus! Kinda detailed but that is exactly what I got to see! With Technology I was able to see him embed into my uterus and hope that he would stay. What a Miracle it was. He has been such a joy to Mitch and I. He is just like Denis the Mince! But everyone who meets him just adores him. We had a party for him Saturday and that was just enough for him! So Grateful to the Lord for my Children that I thought I'd never have...I Love you Drake!

NEW ONCOLOGIST

I mentioned before that their were several things I felt were not a 100% with me after meeting with my oncologist last month. So I did a lot of sole searching and felt in my heart I needed to follow through with a 2nd opinion about the places seen on my kidney, my tamoxifen I'm taking for 5 dreadful years and several other medications that I'm taking that might be interfering with my med's (for example... my Happy Pill!)

Any ways, I met with a women Oncologist who was referred to me by my dearest friends and oh how grateful I am for this! This Doctor was an angel sent from heaven. She went over everything I have gone through, reviewed my medications, talked about all the side effects Chemo does to a person for years after treatment and what the tamoxifen can do to Pre menopausal women. The answers were pretty much what I thought but what reassurance it was and to have someone really listen to what I was concerned about.

So for now unless I want my ovaries and uterus taken I will have to continue with tamoxifen and deal with the side effects I am experiencing. So sad I have to work out almost 7 days a week just to maintain my weight for now. The weight gain and irritability is the worst. There are other side effects but I just wont discuss!!!!


What a connection I had with this doctor. The funny thing is after talking with her we found out she was from Roanoke VA (where my parents are from) and she grew up and went to school there. I knew there was something eastern about her!

So for now I'll keep doing what I'm doing. Several test to do this month and then I will review results with her in December. The next thing to come is... The beginning of reconstruction. Ugh! Mixed feelings about this. I want to move on but don't want to endure the pain again. I'm tired of looking at a sunken in chest with my arm pit dug out like a pumpkin! So it's time to begin again. I don't mean to complain I know how lucky I am and I'll continue to say that....

Love you all!!!

Halloween Memories.....All the things We did...

This is a recap of our Halloween activities...I was able to really enjoy them this year.
Here is Sweet Maya....She loved getting dressed up for Halloween 2009

Trying to get a picture of them facing the camera was impossible!

Ethen the Vampire~~ Drake Harry Potter

On Halloween Morning the boys had soccer games... Here is Me and Maya at the games....

Ethen after playing so hard... He was not happy to get a picture. Way to tired.

My boys wanted to spray there hair blue & white for the team colors!

Both boys scored 3 goals!!! Excellent players.

They were so proud of what they did! Carving the Pumpkins was quite a site...

This year we decided to get a head start on carving

pumpkins the week before Halloween. We had so much fun carving them. As I was patiently helping the kids I found myself saying "now remember this time last year you didn't get to do this!" So it helped me keep things in perspective and not be so impatient with them. (Even when the pumpkin mess was about all I could take!!!!) Good Memories, Good Times. So Thankful to the Lord that I am able to witness these memories....Life will never be the same for me. Again my life was spared for these special times. Love you all!

MAUI... My Own Get A Way!

I got to get away for 4 days with my mom and sister. We stayed at the Ritz in Maui. Just an amazing time to relax, relax, relax. Mitch took care of the kiddos and I was able to let go of all the stress that has come in the last year. My sister had asked me during my chemo treatments if I wanted to get away when I was done with all my treatments. At that time I could hardly comprehend that this day would even come. My mind could not rap around the thoughts that Life would be somewhat normal to do a trip like this. I told her I'd love to go so she arranged the trip. I truly appreciate her arranging this. It was pure Bliss!

View of the restaurant off the ocean.

Me, my sister and my mommy!~~

Wonderful Virgin Pinacolada. Sipping while taking in the constant ocean breeze!!! The water was so clear and warm. I actually got in!

Here is one of views from our room.

My sister and I after arriving at the Ritz. We got these black beaded necklaces after checking into the hotel . The hotel was located at the very end of the Island in Maui. Quite and Secluded. It was just what I needed. I had lots of time to think and was able once again realize how grateful I am for Life! Dispite the many challenges I still have and will have in the future I saw such incredible beauty in everything. What a great time I had with my sister and mom. We enjoyed each other and laughed all the time. Something I needed to do for a long time.

Love~ Love ~Love you guys!

I Did The RACE FOR THE CURE!

Great Experience! Thousands of people just an amazing site! Cant believe I was able to do this...Within one year after several surgeries, chemo, radiation, 20 hyperbaric treatments here I am! It was pretty emotional.

This is me and Charlene. We are both survivors! We were able to walk together. Our dear friend Monda joined us too!

My 2 nephews and niece before the race. Ethen just had to participate! His sign says in honor of my mommy!

My dad, Brother in law Nick, Sister in law Denise and their children

My sister Leslie and my brother Matthew joined me in the walk

This is me, Ethen and my sweet nephew Cole after walking

Little Drake waiting for me to be finished with the 1 mile walk...He missed me!

Mitch, My Mom, Drake and Maya cheering me on.

I DID IT!!!

I have Desire!

It's amazing now that I feel good I have a desire to do things. For example taking pictures!!! For months my desire to do anything was gone. I had very little excitement in anything. This past week I decided to start taking pictures of my family so that I can remember Good Times! It's so nice to feel good!!!

Here is Maya 21/2 not wanting me to get a picture of her... Isn't she so cute?

Ethen didnt want a picture either before soccer practice but he sure is a sweet kid!

My boys at the Cardinals vs. Colts game last week. No we are not fans of the AZ Cardinals! The Boys are in LOVE with Peyton Manning!

Me and Mitch. Love this Guy!

This is Drake. He just had to wear his new Halloween Shirt and begged me to spray his Hair Blue. Months ago I would have said NO I don't feel like it but I actually got into making him a full Mohawk!!!

My Desire is Back...

I love my kids!!!!