Post Surgery

A lot of people have been asking how I'm doing. It's nearly 8 weeks post surgery and I can honestly say that I'm feeling SOOOO much better! It still feels "weird" but in general I really can't complain. The pathology came back and I am officially cancer-free! Woo Hoo!

I have been overwhelmed by all the love that my family and friends have shown me during this difficult time! I have received countless meals, flowers and gifts as well as many many prayers! I attribute all these prayers to my miraculous recovery. I was supposed to get an expander put into my breast after the doctor removed the skin and tissue. But when I work up from my surgery, it was quite the surprise that my breast surgeon was able to save enough skin that my plastic surgeon was able to place the "perminent" implant in immediately. This saved me from having another surgery later this year! Woo hoo!

Some picutres from my surgery day:

This is in the pre-op registration - no, I don't look nervous at all, do I???? HA!



Here is one of me in pre-op when they started my IV etc. Cute gown huh? Really though, the gown is pretty cool. It has a little attachement that hooks up to it and pumps hot air right into the gown. I didn't need it this time since it was nice and warm outside but when I had my December surgery, you better believe I had that thing blowing so much that I looked like the Stay Puff Marshmello Man (too bad we don't have pictures of that!):


Here's one of me with the BEST breast surgeon EVER - Dr. Yazdi:



I told him after this picture that I hope I never see him again . . . He agreed! (All post-op appointments are handled by the plastic surgeon).

I had many visitors after I finally got into my room. The first were my mom, dad and brother, James. James tells me that I told everyone in the room that I had an implant - not an expander - and no one would believe me. He also said that I didn't really care that no one believed me, apparently I just wanted some drugs - I have very little recollection of this.

Here's a picture of me post-op - if I look out of it, well that's because I AM:



Erin and Gerry also came by to visit me! Erin brough Ted Drewes! Matt liked to make fun of all the meds I was taking. Here is the picture of my nightstand from when I came home from the hospital:



Before I had this surgery I hated what I called "the M word" (aka mastectomy). I hated it so much that no matter what, if the word came up I would cry. People asked what I would be needing after my surgery. I had no idea, I'd never had a mastectomy before. So I started researching on the computer. I found a lot of very helpful sites that included things like button up pajamas, special bras, soft clothes, etc that would help me in my recovery. But I also came across a coupld t-shirts. In order to find these t-shirts, I had to type "the M word" into the search engine. When this shirt came up, I was cracking up! It was the first time the word Mastectomy was actually funny to me! Here's the shirt:





The other t-shirt I bought that made me laugh (sorry, no pictures!) says across the chest, "Pardon our appearence while we're under construction." It even had a construction sign on it!

As I mentioned above, I received so many thoughtful gifts. I cannot even tell you how many meals I received. It was so nice! Most of the meals were consumed when I was on some pretty strong medications, so we didn't get any pictures of me at that point in time. But Matt really takes advantage of it when he can take pictures of me. I told him I wanted some pictures of me eating one of the meals for my blog. And in natural Matt fashion, he went over board.

I'm cooperating here:



Giving him what he wants here:



Still going with it here:



Officially annoyed:



Guess which one Matt likes best? Yep, the last one!

So that's pretty much how things were in the weeks after my surgery. Things have been relatively normal now (except that I broke my foot!) I'm so lucky to have so many people in my life that care so much about me!

Today's Wonderfuls:

• All of my great family and friends
• Prayer warriors
• I'm cancer-free!