Journal entry by Joel Heebink —
Hello All - it's Barb ! Today marks the one year anniversary of my surgery. What a year it has been! As I continue healing from my surgeries I get stronger every day. I'm feeling great with getting back to the normal things I love to do and feeling so much more like 'Barb'. It's so wonderful to be able to play with my little girls and cuddle and pick up little Maizie. I still have healing to do and it can take up to a year from my last surgery. I get sore from time to time and have shooting pains thru my breasts. My doctors call them 'Zingers' and they are my nerves waking up from the trauma of surgery.
All of the genetic testing came back normal. This was wonderful news! We met with my surgeon early January and she was very happy with how I am healing. I'll see her once a year for 5 years with a ultrasound in year three. I will meet my oncologist in March for an annual appointment.
Every time I hear of another friend or acquaintance that has been diagnosed with breast cancer I get very sad for them and start praying for their healing, physically and mentally. This past year I have come alongside a few women that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It's a sisterhood you don't want to be in.
I hope you are all having a good start to the year and I thank you all once again for your prayers and thoughts this past year for me and my family. You got me to this point and it is a WONDERFUL place to be.
Love to you all, Barb and Joel