Hello everyone,

I can't believe my last post was on June 5th....man, am I behind or what!!! I have often thought about coming onto this page to write something, but I have to admit that I have been so tired.  Doing chemotherapy alone wears you out, but I was still going into work and saving my energy to get my job done. I see why other patients have someone else to update their page for them....lol.

So here's the latest....

1st surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, August 29th. Having a total mastectomy (removing both breasts) and placement of tissue expanders.  The tissue expanders will help to stretch my skin to the size needed to have my implants placed. The breast surgeon will make an incision around my nipple and remove all of the breast tissue through that incision. Then the plastic surgeon will come in and do the expanders, place 4 bulb drains, and close me up real pretty.  I will be out for 4 weeks (bo-ring!!!), but coming in at 2 weeks to have 2 of the drains removed and then at 4 weeks to have the other 2 removed.

2nd surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, November 21st (day before Thanksgiving, no cooking for me!). Having my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.  This will be done laparoscopically and I will get to go home the same day. I will only be out 2 weeks for recovery (yay!!!) and then back to work!

3rd surgery will be sometime in February or March for the permanent breast implants.  Once my tissue expanders have stretched my skin to the desired size, I have to keep them in for 3 months. After 3 months, I am then able to have the permanent implants placed. My team is anticipating that I will be done with the expansion within 6-8 weeks, depending on how well I tolerate the stretching.

I am so glad to be done with chemotherapy and starting the surgical journey.  Chemotherapy is a beast and has really worn me out.  I am always tired and have to space out my activities to be able to keep up. I am still having hot flashes and runny eyes and nose.  My nails have lifted from my nail beds, so they are the grossest thing ever right now!  I have slight neuropathy in my fingers and toes, but I am able to function.  I just have some difficulty picking things up, as well as, buttoning and zipping my clothes.

Good news is that I am starting to see some little fuzzies growing out of my scalp!!! The hair is a super light brown color and really straight. That is soooo not my hair....lol, but hey I'll take it :) When I am walking around at home with my bald head, I can feel the air going through the few strands I have. Then I shake my head like I have a bunch of hair like Diana Ross....lmbo...just excited to feel something!!!

Well, I think that is all the news I have right now.  I will update you all again after the surgery. Praying for no complications and that my body doesn't reject the tissue expanders.  I have my anesthesia and PACU family lined up to take care of me, so I know that I am in good hands!!!

#pinkpower #positivelypink #supergirl