Surgery Time

Well friends, surgery is soon approaching.

I had my last chemo treatment on October 31st.  What a way to spend trick or treat day!  It was fun up at the clinic that day though.  All the check-in staff were Minions, the infusion nurses were Pac-Man characters, the research department were Ty beanie babies, and the doctors and nurses were Go-Go dancers.  I considered dressing up, but opted for comfy cozy instead.

I’ve been blessed this chemo path.  It wasn’t near as bad as we had expected.  Do I want to do it again?  Hell, NO!  But it could have been so much worse.

Finishing chemo meant time for another MRI and then start planning out surgeries.  Yes, “surgeries” is intentionally plural.  I had my MRI last Tuesday and met with my surgeon on Wednesday.  I took a sneak peek at the results Tuesday night and freaked out.  The report did not make any sense at all.  They had to have been reading someone else’s MRI.  It couldn’t have been mine because there were phrases like “There has been an interval lumpectomy on the left.”  Nope  Not true.  Then something about a new tumor, cyst, or something in the right breast measuring 0.8cm.  That had not been there before!  Paul talked me off the ledge and reassured me that we were meeting with the surgeon the next day and we needed to just wait and see what he had to say.  Ugh, Fine!

So, the next day, the nurse at the surgeon’s office was so excited as we walked back to the exam room.  She said “this day has been long-awaited” and expressed how they see many patients that have “easier” paths than mine and she was so glad to see we were finally at surgery time.  I agreed.  I’m ready…I think.

The doctor came in and did a physical exam and spoke about the report.  “So, I had to contact the radiology department and have them make an amendment to your report.  Evidently your chemo treatment worked SO GOOD that they thought you had had the cancer surgically removed.”  PRAISE GOD!  We had to laugh about how worked up I was the night before.  Then I asked about the cyst/tumor/whatever on the right side.  He confirmed that this was a new finding but reassured me that there is very little chance that it could be cancerous because of how well my body had reacted to the chemo.  Great news, but my stupid boobs are still growing extra stuff that shouldn’t be there EVEN DURING CHEMO.  Everyone that knows me, knows that I am a bit EXTRA, but DANG.

Then we got down to the nitty gritty discussion of surgery.  We could do a lumpectomy, single mastectomy, or double.  It was my choice.  I chose a bi-lateral (double) mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.  I had really already made up the decision for the bi-lateral but then when my boobs are still growing extra stuff, it reassured me that I was making the best decision for me and my peace of mind.  The doc agreed.  

Surgery is soon; scheduled for December 3rd.  I have a tag-team of doctors doing the surgery, one removing my breast tissue, and another one doing my reconstruction.  Surprisingly, it is going to be an out-patient surgery!  I am blown away that they will be amputating a major (well in my case not “so” major) part of my body and starting a reconstruction path, and I will go home and sleep in my own bed (or medical lift chair) that night!  Don’t get me wrong-I’m glad.  I hate staying in the hospital.  My last overnight stay after my hysterectomy last year was not so pleasant.  So, being in my own house is perfect for me.

My surgeon will begin the surgery and remove all my interior breast tissue while keeping my skin and my nipples as God created them.  It is expected that the major incisions will be on the bottom side of my breast which will leave “my girls” looking as natural as possible in clothing and swimsuits.  Then my reconstructionist (plastic surgeon) will tap in and start recreating my breast by adding expanders in the empty cavity.  They will add some fluid to the expanders so my skin can remain taught through the initial healing phases.

I will leave the hospital in a special compression bra and will have drains coming out of my chest.  I will be on a strict “no arm movement” order for a minimum of two weeks.  I am told the only arm movements I can do will be eating, wiping, and cleaning myself.  I will be on heavy pain meds.  My drains will need to be emptied and monitored regularly.  I will be on extreme restrictive activity for 4-6 weeks including no driving for that amount of time.  It’s a lot!

I am overwhelmed with everything I need to accomplish in the next few weeks:

• Prep my home for Christmas (thankfully a friend has already offered to help)
• Finish my Christmas shopping and get everything wrapped
• Close out a STRONG November in my Scentsy business
• Prep all my social media, emails, and texts for my Scentsy business for December.
• Enjoy time with my oldest son, his wife, and my adorable grand-daughter.  I am so excited they are flying down soon for a visit.
• Enjoy Thanksgiving.  I am taking the easy way out and offered to buy the plates and cups this year.
• Make sure my house is prepped to be a calm atmosphere for healing
• Make sure all the household bills are scheduled to be paid for December

If you follow me on Facebook, you might have seen a sneak peek of a new project I am working on.  I am so excited, giddy really, about what God has in store.  It is going to be hard to be still and not be in front of my cutting table or sewing machine while I am healing.  I would love to keep you up to date on not only this new business called Comfort Beanie, but also keep you in the know of my continued blog posts, upcoming book, and some upcoming speaking engagements and influencer gigs.

As always, my amazing community has been asking how they can help.  This next part of the journey is going to be TOUGH!  I will need lots of help, but also need to keep the germs and people in and out of my house to a minimum.

There are a few things on my Amazon Wishlist that I need.

The biggest blessing would be DoorDash or Instacart gift cards.  I will not be able to cook for quite some time.  Paul is awesome and could totally take care of us, but he is still running his business and trying to care for me alongside my parents and my best friend.

It is going to be difficult to work my business in the month of December.  If you have anyone on your Christmas list that would love Scentsy, or if you just want to spoil yourself, I would love to help you out!  Here is a direct link to my website:

I am praising God for the following BIG helps:

• I don’t know how I would have done this without a flexible job/business.  
• I am so lucky that both my parents are retired and live close by.  They have been amazing on this journey.  My bestie is right up there on the list next to them.
• I am blessed to have a regular housekeeper so our home is kept clean.
• A fellow co-worker has put me in touch with a non-profit that will loan me a medical lift chair!
• A friend from church has gifted me with a mastectomy pillow and a bidet attachment for our toilet since reaching around will be difficult for a while.