A Pet Scan Approved By My Insurance!

When I was 1st diagnosed with Cancer the first concern for the doctors was to get the cancer out! When I meet with my original Oncologist he ordered a Pet Scan. I had no problem with insurance approval. I remember it being sort of a long test but at that time I was so out of it I was just going through the motions. After my chemo was completed my oncologist ordered another Pet Scan and at that point because I was in the "clear" of being cancer free (from the mastectomy & chemo) I was denied. I excepted that and had every other test comparable to the Pet Scan I could. ex. Bone Scan, Muga Scan, CT Scan, MRI, Ultrasound. Now does that make sense? They wont pay for a Pet Scan which is the King of all Cancer tests but I can take 5 other test which probably cost the same if not more! Just outrageous!

After I switched oncologist she fought for me to have this test and didn't give up. I was able to have this test last week and results= CLEAR! things look good all over! fluid build up in the breast area but is believed to be from all the surgeries. We hope to redo this test and compare in 3 months. So for now its all good. What a relief.

The testing room I went into had this sign on the door and I was not allowed to talk during the time this radioactive stuff was injected into my body. So I text a little and read a little... "Eat Pray Love" and by then 1 hour was up and I went into the room for the scan.



So glad I'm not claustrophobic. Such a small hole I stayed in for a lengthy time!

And it was over ... So happy it was done... I'm healing doing well with recovery and trying to enjoy everyday. I haven't had this much peace in a long time. No thoughts about doctors, surgery, lab work etc. Just me time...

A REAL ANGEL FROM HEAVEN...

Today has been one of the better days of recovery. This surgery set me back a little. I cant seem to understand why except maybe my ribs were involved this time and I was extremely sore because of the added nips and tucks!



Maya begged me to take her swimming. I did not want to at all. I just looked at her and could not say no. So many times before I had to let my time with her go because of no will power/motivation/energy etc... We sat in the pool just the two of us and talked about bugs, sang songs and blew bubbles. After a while I found myself just staring at her and an overwhelming feeling came over me. She was my Angel sent from Heaven. Oh how I love her....

9th surgery done! but boy it sure does hurt!

See I'm already complaining this one really has put me a little under. Over all I'm fine just very tender to the touch and sore all over.

Dr. Boll is amazing though (my reconstruction surgeon) She has been able to transform something that was destroyed by radiation and infection to something that looks somewhat normal. The reason I'm in so much pain is because she had to sew my implant into my rib cage. I knew that when I woke up this time from surgery it hurt 10XS worse.



(side note: I had been feeling the previous implant shift at times when caring Maya or exercising I just thought that it was normal. It always felt so weird. Did not like the feeling of it at all)



So when Dr. Boll began the surgery she saw when I was laying down the implant moved from side to side and it just didn't stay in place. She says that the implant seems to shift do to damaged radiated tissue. So she sure fixed that one.... Sewing it into my rib cage!



What miracles can be created by such intelligent caring doctors. I'm blessed, I'm blessed, I'm blessed.

I'm going to complain...Then put it in perspective

I have to admit I do complain a lot about this surgery stuff as well as taking a daily dose of tamoxifen. The surgery seems to be endless yet necessary for me to feel physically normal again... Simple things like putting deodorant under my arm might eventually feel less sore without so much skin bulked underneath...Filling out my bra so that one breast isn't bigger than the other... Plus this tamoxifen has crazy side effects! I now can say I suffer from memory loss and forgetfulness (along with other things)! Not only do I stress out about it but it is a terrible reminder that I had cancer.

So last week I was on my way to see my oncologist. All these things mentioned were on my mind and I had a little attitude! I was sitting in the waiting room just mad I had to be there. As I got called back to the room I saw a board with lots of pictures on it. I said to the nurse "oh are these all the Dr's patients?" She said "yes but lots of them have passed on". Within seconds my attitude instantly changed. I drove home very humbled and emotional. I get to have a choice to have additional surgeries so I can feel and look normal again. I get to have a choice to take tamoxifen to help add years to my life without the chance of cancer coming back. The people who have passed on might not have. With all that said, I know that I'm still here for a reason and I need to keep that in perspective.

FOURTH OF JULY IN SAN DIEGO

One of our traditions for the past 16 years or so have been to be in San Diego for the 4th. Because I was just to sick last year we didn't make it. This year we decided somehow we would get to the place I love so much! S A N D I E G O....

We walked from our hotel to the pier at Seaport Village. We made it just in time for the amazing display of fireworks.

Maya wasnt a bit scared of the loud noise. She enjoyed hereself so much

What a difference a year makes... I've said it before but seriously mean it,,, Look at us now!

One of my favorite places to go is Old Town San Diego They have lots of places to eat and the best Mexican food ever! The children went into the Candy Kitchen and were speechless! I told them they could get whatever they wanted... Ethen carefully chose each piece, Drake took whatever he could get his hands on and Maya put 2 little pieces in her bag and said she was done~

We headed to Legoland for a day trip with the kids. Overcast skys and for me it was dreamy weather... We loved each moment there with the kids. They were in Heaven.

Maya with Princess Lilly

Lego land has some great hands on activities with billions on Lego's. This is a shot of Drake and Ethen building their Lego cars and racing them against other kids and getting to rebuild until they win!

TONS OF FUN...MAKING UP FOR LOST TIMES...ANOTHER GREAT MEMORY

SURGERY #9

Last week I was able to see a licensed esthetician and have a little permanent pigmentation done. Basically I see it like a permanent tattoo for the areola! A little more maybe for my readers to know but again this is for me to document and look back at my experiences and help others. With that said it truly is the icing on the cake! It camouflages a lot of the scars and was completely worth the effort of completing me! Now that that's done (one more final touch in a few weeks) I will have Surgery #9 to "debulk" fat from under my arm and transfer to the front where the breast area con caves. This is a 3 hour procedure but again I'm use to this. I'm not worried just ready to complete the process. I could stop now and be done but I feel I might as well complete what my plastic surgeon started and created. So for now that's it on the reconstruction side. Fat grafting and debulking... doesn't that sound fun?

THE SEA OF CORTEZ...A MUCH NEEDED VACATION IN M E X I C O

A much needed vacation was planned for us! We had the help of some incredible friends that allowed us to hang with them and it will be memories that will last forever. If you had told me last year that I would be with my children and husband on the beach for a week doing next to nothing and feeling great I'd say I don't believe you and that my life will never be back to normal. Well whatever normal is I experienced it. One year later...I will never forget the time with my mother, children, husband and true friends! Here is a sneak peak of our time in Mexico. It's about a 3 hour drive from AZ. The Sea of Cortez is beautiful! Warm water where the kids swim all day, sun shine no clouds, just about every sea creature you can find and sea shells galore! Just fun times and who knew AZ was so conveniently close to a beach!

all of us basking in the sun with SPF50 on!

Beautiful site to see that day...

view from our condo

My little man...

We would buy Mango's on a stick from vendors here is a picture of them on the beach selling fruit and Mexican Popsicles.

My mommy with little Maya and her best friend Ava

our amazing friends who have now got us "hooked" on this place

Drake and Tori enjoying seriously the best ice cream ever!

My friend "E" who I love dearly,,,

Drake and Boston had a great time together...

Ethen and Owen loved catching those crabs!

Owen saved me several times with Maya... She would go to him when I was needing a break!

My mommy went with us! She even enjoyed the sun and fun

An evening walk on the beach with little Maya and daddy

Look at the ripples in the sand this was breathless, I so enjoyed every minute of this

Drake was non stop from morning to night! Couldn't get enough of the beach

Ethen bought this shark tooth neckless from a guy selling these on the beach. He was so excited to have a "real" shark's tooth!

No other words....Pure Bliss