Happy New Year!

On our way to the hospital for surgery.
No makeup allowed but I snuck my
eyebrows on! LOL

Hello everyone and Happy New Year to you all. Kendall was so sweet to post for me the day of my surgery. I was afraid that it would be all gibberish if I did it under the medication! From the stories I am hearing I think I was right. I am told that I was actually pretty darn funny and sarcastic...I remember none of it though so it's all hearsay! LOL

Our "Sweet ride."
Kendall and I got driven in
this from Moores to Thornton
after the wires were inserted.

Words cannot describe how relieved I was to hear that I didn't need a lymph node dissection and that they were totally clear of cancer! Praise God for that!! When I was in the recovery room the family came in and I would ask where I was and then say I wanted to sleep and pass out again. My other repetitive themes were if they got in touch with my brother, how old the nurses dog was and of course if my lymph nodes were clear. What sweet words they were to hear when I got that answer! 

I know Kendall mentioned that I was able to stop in at church Tuesday night (the night before surgery) while I was on my home from work. Yes, I worked most of the day to keep my mind off of things!! The moment I entered I was overcome with peace and happiness. I knew that things would all be fine and it kept me very calm the next day for surgery. I felt so blessed to have my whole family there with me and they did a great job distracting me and keeping me entertained while I was in pre-op...especially Danielle and Cameron! We ended up being at the hospital for 12 hours! They are true troopers to say the least.

The "cheer squad" right before they wheeled me away.
I am so blessed to have such love surround me!

I woke up with these nifty
compression things on. Danielle
said I looked like a storm trooper!

While the surgeon was in there removing the tumor and checking the lymph nodes she also did a reduction on the other side and lifted both breasts. Otherwise I would have had quite a bit missing from the right breast and getting a bra to fit would have been hard. It ended up being a bonus I had never even considered! I came home in a torture device that was part straight jacket and part bra. Wow, just trying to breathe was a challenge in that thing! She also placed a device in me called a BioZorb. I can feel it through my skin and she showed me what one looks like. It will help them target the right spot for radiation and after a year or so my body will absorb it except the metal markers.  

I packed some snacks and games
for the family. Bubble Yum makes
for a great contest while waiting!

The BioZorb that is in me

I'm FREE!!!

So today Joe took me to see the surgeon, she removed the "torture device" and I took my first true deep breath since surgery! That "bra" was so tight and escaping from it would have taken Houdini! That also means I got my first look at my breasts. Dr Wallace had the biggest smile on her face when she saw them and stood there admiring her work. She looked somewhere between a proud artist looking at their masterpiece and a proud mother looking at their child. Either way it made me feel like a thousand bucks. Someone hasn't smiled at seeing my breasts in a long time...at least without it proceeding laughter! LOL Let's face it, I nursed 3 children and I looked like Dolly Parton during that time. Deflated balloons come to mind. ;o( Not now...I can honestly say that when you look past the stitches, steri-strips and bruising I have some nice perky breasts! Like I said, a perk I had not considered but so thankful she suggested it. I'm told a woman has a right to symmetry so the insurance covers this. 

The Next Step

Next week on the 12th I will meet with Dr Parker, my oncologist. At that point I will get my pathology report and find out what all that means for me and what the game plan is. I ask that you all pray that I had none to very little cancer cells living still and that more chemo will not be needed. As far as I am concerned, I am cancer free at this moment and I believe other rogue cells didn't wander anywhere. That would mean radiation would be next which is 5 days a week for 6 weeks. At the end of that I can just focus on Kendall and Christian's wedding...what a joyous blessing to have to look forward to!

My attempted at relaxing! 

I have a true challenge right now. I weathered the 16 chemo treatments and the surgery...now I am told to "take it easy" and "lay low". Any of you that know me knows what a big challenge that is! I am the Eveready Bunny for goodness sake...I don't know how to take it easy! I know this will be good for me and I want to be a very good girl so I can heal well. It is a lesson I need and a test of patience. No lifting anything over 10 lbs for 6 weeks, no housekeeping (darn) and I can't even drive for 2 weeks! I will see a occupational therapist and she will let me know what I need to do to get strong safely. Thank goodness I like to read!

Blessings

This whole post was dotted with my many blessings. From the peace God washed over me as I walked into church the night before my surgery, to my whole family being there for me, to my lymph nodes being clear (thank you Lord), to all of the wonderful friends and prayer warriors, I am a blessed woman and thankful for it. I had so many wonderful messages of love and support from family and friends...my niece even had a Luna Grill meal for us. What a sweetie pie! I just feel so surrounded by love and lifted in prayer and I can't give thanks enough for it all. I feel very positive about 2016 and welcome this New Year with open arms and heart. My trust is in the Lord and it couldn't be in a better place. Happy and healthy New Year to you all...you are my blessings!

Happy New Year from our house to yours...not to worry, just
Martinellis in my glass! I even made it up to midnight even though
it was the day after surgery! It was due to great company!

It's a cotton candy sky...God is such a great artist!

Guess what?! I got gift Part II from the family.
Here is it with Part I. They are too good to me...
blessed and spoiled!