Wow. Things just got incredibly real.
I just went from being really frustrated that the two surgeons' offices couldn't coordinate and figure out a date for my surgery to overwhelmed because of the phone call that told me that this surgery will take place SIX days from now. My mastectomy and first part of reconstruction will be Wednesday, January 23.
I'm actually very glad that they gave me very little time to "absorb." As soon as I heard that date, I immediately started sweating. I knew this was coming. I've had more than 4 months to decide, understand, plan... But it's here. NOW. I'm so anxious about losing a part of myself (as much as they disgust me) and about having surgery. I know I'll get through this. I'm hoping I can bounce back as easily as I managed to through chemo. But it's so major! My life has been altered from the day of the diagnosis, and here's another step.
I have updated the meal train dates, so if you are interested in helping with a meal, you can sign up now. If anyone is interested in helping any other way, please contact me so that I can coordinate: Meal Train
Oh man...
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
Waiting for a Date
I am now awaiting my surgery to remove my breast tissue and start the process of reconstruction. I saw the surgeon who will be doing my mastectomy on Tuesday (1/8) and saw the plastic surgeon who will be doing my reconstruction this morning (1/11). Now I have to wait for their "people" to coordinate with the hospital's "people" to get my date. It could be as early as 1/23 or as late as 2/13. I expressed to both offices that the earlier, the better. I was told I should receive a call by Tuesday (1/15).
In case you missed it in other posts, due to my BRCA1+ gene mutation, I have opted for a bilateral mastectomy. I don't want the worry of recurrence to be on my mind for the rest of my life because of this mutation that makes my risk ridiculously high. Any of my own breast tissue is game for cancer. That is scary. Obviously for vanity reasons (remember that I'm only 29!), I want to have breasts. There are a couple of options for getting "new ones," but I have opted for the simplest and most common- silicone implants. After the general surgeon performs a skin sparing technique for removal, the PS will insert what's known as an expander in order to stretch my muscle and remaining skin to accomodate the implant. Once I am healed, this expander will be filled with saline a little at a time (PS said every two weeks) in order to reach desired space (or size :) ). Then another surgery will take place to make an exchange- the expander for the implant. If it is determined that I need radiation as part of my treatment, the PS will decide whether we shouls radiate first or expand first. Radiation causes damage to skin and is detrimental to implants, so exchange surgery will not occur until I finish radiation.
I have had offers of meals brought while I am out of commission. I have created a "meal train" in order to better organize. If you have made this offer to me, or this offer is in your heart, you can sign up here: meal train . Right now the dates are not exactly accurate as I just don't know. I will update once I DO know. Also, if you are interested in helping in any other way, let me know. The husband is trying to take as little time off work as possible, since every day he takes off is money lost for us. :(
In case you missed it in other posts, due to my BRCA1+ gene mutation, I have opted for a bilateral mastectomy. I don't want the worry of recurrence to be on my mind for the rest of my life because of this mutation that makes my risk ridiculously high. Any of my own breast tissue is game for cancer. That is scary. Obviously for vanity reasons (remember that I'm only 29!), I want to have breasts. There are a couple of options for getting "new ones," but I have opted for the simplest and most common- silicone implants. After the general surgeon performs a skin sparing technique for removal, the PS will insert what's known as an expander in order to stretch my muscle and remaining skin to accomodate the implant. Once I am healed, this expander will be filled with saline a little at a time (PS said every two weeks) in order to reach desired space (or size :) ). Then another surgery will take place to make an exchange- the expander for the implant. If it is determined that I need radiation as part of my treatment, the PS will decide whether we shouls radiate first or expand first. Radiation causes damage to skin and is detrimental to implants, so exchange surgery will not occur until I finish radiation.
I have had offers of meals brought while I am out of commission. I have created a "meal train" in order to better organize. If you have made this offer to me, or this offer is in your heart, you can sign up here: meal train . Right now the dates are not exactly accurate as I just don't know. I will update once I DO know. Also, if you are interested in helping in any other way, let me know. The husband is trying to take as little time off work as possible, since every day he takes off is money lost for us. :(
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