No News is Good News

I don't have a whole lot to update on, but I felt like it was time to post again.  Keep in mind that in this case, no news is good news.  :)  I am still waiting to start my radiation.  I have what's called a simulation this Friday (3/22).  I will have xrays done of the area to be treated and will be marked with "tattoos" so that the exact same areas will be treated each time.  Hopefully we can start next week, but I really don't know the time frame from the simulation to the start of treatment.  I'll have to go in 5 days a week for 6 weeks.  I'm told that the most common side effects from radiation are skin burns and fatigue.  I guess I'm looking forward to those after the side effects from chemo.

I'm pretty much healed from the mastectomy and have been having fills in my tissue expanders.  I'm not going to pretend it doesn't hurt because it does!  The expanders are underneath my pectoral muscles, so after the saline is injected to stretch me out, it really does feel like I am being ripped apart.  Luckily, the pain only lasts for a couple of days, so I guess in the end I can say it was worth it.  My plastic surgeon actually told me that he was impressed with my "breasts."  They are progressing exactly as they should be and my skin is beautifully elastic.  (Good thing, since I'm only 29!)  My permanent implants will go in 6 months after I finish my radiation treatments though I wish it could be NOW since the expanders are truly uncomfortable.  They really feel like boulders sitting on my chest.

I am impressed by the turnout we had at the taco dinner my (BEST) friend organized for me.  And I am grateful for everyone who attended and those who donated...  I am humbled by the support.  I was able to completely pay off a couple of bills after the event!  I still have more and I will still incurr more.  I am keeping my youcaring site active for a while longer in case any of you are willing to share my journey with your friends or if you want to donate but have not been able to yet.  Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!

link to:  youcaring fundraiser site

Blessed

How blessed am I to have so many people pulling for me?!  I am amazed and humbled by the support being shown, both monetarily and emotionally.  I was able to completely pay off one of my very expensive chemo treatments thanks to donations from wonderful people.  I thank you for that.  I thank you for being there for me...

I apologize for the misunderstanding about the donation site in my last post.  The flyer is actually a picture, so you cannot simply click the link.  But if you are interested in donating any amount towards my medical bills and are not planning on attending the fundraiser dinner, you can use this link.  If you are planning on attending, I can't wait to see you (and be sure you rsvp)! 

I am feeling GREAT five weeks after surgery.  I am healing well and have all of my range of motion back.  I have no pain other than the day or two after my "fills" for my tissue expanders.  I have been back to work since 3 weeks out of surgery, albiet with some lifting restrictions.  It really does feel good to be getting back to "me."  I will have one more filling process on the 15th and will most likely start my radiation the next week.  I will have treatment for 6 weeks, 5 days a week.  I pray that radiation goes without a hitch just as everything else has.  (And I'll knock on wood, too!)

My hair is coming back, as I'm now NINE weeks out from my last chemo treatment!  My eyebrows are growing in and I have enough eyelashes to actually put mascara on.  :)  I know it sounds vain, but it really does feel good not to look like a cancer patient anymore even though I'm still fighting. 

So other than the hair and the fundraiser, there's a big fat nothing new!  Hooray!