Hello all!  

Last Thursday, February 24th, I had my final breast reconstruction surgery under the care of Dr. Valerie LeMaine.  I checked into Fairview Southdale at 5:30 am, and by 7:35 I don't remember a thing.  😊 I woke up in recovery wearing a pretty, soft black bra to keep the girls in place and what I call a "stomach trainer" which is a tight contraption with foam underneath which makes it relatively comfortable.  The operation was to get my boobs back to the same size since radiation has continued to shrink my left breast to a point something definitely needed to be done.  I guess I hadn't really noticed how unbalanced I was until saw this photo John took of us at our friends Shea and Kyle's wedding in October that I attached to this update.  Yeah.  I called the following Monday and got an appointment scheduled.  

Surgery was to once again do liposuction to add fat into my left breast, and then raise (and possibly reduce) the right breast to make them even.  John was pleased to hear after surgery, Dr. LeMaine was able to successfully move more fat into the left breast and didn't need to reduce the right side.  She did need to move my nipple, to get the two sides to align.   But I prefer that option over losing it altogether.  Although we do know an amazing tattoo artist who has perfected a 3D nipple tattoo for breast cancer patients. John was quite impressed with all of the marking and measuring that went on prior to surgery.  😉 Thus the "stomach trainer" is to help the healing where the liposuction occurred and that is no joke.  Sheesh.  I think I have invented a few new colors for the bruise pallet.  

I got home about 1:30 on Thursday, and immediately went to bed.  I actually do not remember much from Thursday or Friday for that matter.  Saturday I thought I was feeling better, but mid afternoon a headache hit me that didn't want to let go.  Fortunately, by Sunday I was feeling tired, but really pretty darn good!  The only odd thing I am experiencing is that so much of what I eat tastes like salt.  As in sticking a tablespoon of salt in my mouth.  Even toothpaste gives me that sensation!  Mint flavored anything seems to be the worst.  I always find it so interesting the various affects medications have when something new is added into the mix.  

Reading the after care paperwork, it does state no repetitive motion like cleaning windows (that was not something I had not considered doing, so no issue there) or vacuuming for two weeks.  Typically any option not to clean, I will take in a heartbeat!  It is not something I love.  But with a dog in the house, not vacuuming for two weeks possibly is a health hazard as Mr Peabody has never learned how to wipe his feet.  Nor does he wear boots that could be removed.  So dog hair (he sheds like he is in some type of hair shedding competition) and paw prints are now at a point I don't think there is any way I can make it two full weeks.  Maybe if I just do a small area at a time?  Wow.  Who would have ever thought I would figure out a way to justify cleaning.  Not my mother, that is for certain.  

Other news, I did have an appointment at the Oncology office with Dr. Tsai's Physician Assistant, Melissa. I was hoping she could see me out for the rest of my care over the next eight years.  Unfortunately, the bosses at MN Oncology said that was a no go.  So I am meeting with a new oncologist (Dr. Tsai moved to Seattle) on St. Patrick's Day (March 17th in case you forgot).  It seems so strange to start a relationship with someone this late in my treatment, but I am guessing she will be fine and the course I am on will remain the same.   It will be odd to go to a new clinic though.  Instead of going in Minneapolis as I have for the past 2 1/2+ years, I will be heading to Maplewood. I am not certain if I have ever been to Maplewood.  Sounds familiar.  Oh wait, there is a bowling alley there.  Yeah, I have been to Maplewood.  

The very good news is that as of May 14th, the third anniversary of when I got my diagnosis of breast cancer, my chances of a recurrence of breast cancer drops significantly as it most often occurs within the first three years of diagnosis.  I won't be totally out of the woods of course, but the first three years are when the most care and doctors appointments are scheduled and after my appointment in March I will not be seen again until September.  Appointments every six months is much easier to accommodate!   

But that means my updates are slowing down, and soon may end.  Except if I have something absolutely hysterical to share.  Then of course I will do an update because I can never miss out on a good story!  

I hope everyone reading this note is doing well, looking forward to spring and maybe I can get a "new and improved boobs" photo out after the bandages are off and swelling has subsided!  😆 

Finally, some of you may remember this date being Jonathan's birthday.  He would have been 27 today.  Hard to imagine that little blue eyed guy being an adult.  Such a sweetheart and still missed.  But knowing he is having a grand old time celebrating with everyone who loves him in heaven makes my heart happy.  😊