Next Steps

Follow-up visit January 24 
Well, essentially, things are looking the same as they did at my last appointment. Incisions are healing. I told the Dr. that I bought sweater bras, but while they help a little, I have to still use a small insert and that still doesn't correct everything. Plus, they aren't all that comfortable.

 What is it that needs to be done?

I'd like:

• A lift on the left to bring the left nipple to the height of the right (reconstructed breast)
• Volume in the right place on the right breast to fill in the valley above the breast and balance out the volume of the breast

What can/may be done:

• There will not be a lift on the left due to concern about interrupting vascular supply with the implant in its current location
• We will consider moving that nipple higher. Based on my basic photoshop skills that would probably look ok.
• On the right, trade out for a lower profile, wider, and probably larger implant. 

Dr. C is willing to do what needs to be done, but obviously, this can't go on forever. So we'll have to choose a stopping point. I say the third time is a charm! I hope. I'm not sure I have accepted it yet, but I may always and forever have one ugly boob. Not excited by it, but working on accepting it.

Next
I'll have a pre-op appt. on Feb. 21 prior to my next surgery, whch is scheduled for March 6. Meanwhile I have a few things to do to get ready.

There are outdoor projects which I am putting off for a couple of weeks so the timing will be closer to right. March/April are kind of important spring gardening/cleanup months. I won't be doing much if any of that during those months. On the inside, we started painting a room this past weekend, tore the carpet up, and will be laying laminate. I want to finish that by the end of this coming weekend. It's looking so good. I have some touchup and the quarter round to paint yet - then the floor goes down.

In order to help determine how much volume needs to be added to my right breast, I have an assignment to complete before my pre-op appt. I am to make flubber out of borax, glue, water, and food color - but then most of you probably already knew what it was. It was all new to me! I'll sculpt it over my breast to fill in the spaces and fill out the roundness, place it in a container of water and see how much fluid is displaced. That should give us volume. I'm looking forward it. Not sure what color I'll make it just yet. Bright pink? Flesh color? I think I need a pair of calipers to help with the measurements. Yet another art project! We'll see how it looks - you may get to see some pictures. Unconventional, I think, but maybe it will help to better visualize what needs to be done.

Motivation is good....
I don't think I have any new jewelry or sculpture to share with you. But what I do have to share is probably just as good. After a very long time of not accomplishing much, and playing way too much solitaire, I decided to get moving, get motivated. I'm trying to exercise more - walking and strength training. Painting has kind of interfered with that for a bit. Accomplish projects that have been delayed -we started on the "office" - reorging, tearing up carpet and doing the painting. I've done some pruning. And... well doesn't sound like much, but I am feeling sort of energized by it and want to get more done. Is this what it feels like to have the nesting instinct? I've gained weight - sure hope it's not a baby!

Wait, I do  have a bracelet to show you. I made it for a work friend who has walked and talked with me alot. She likes. Says her daughter wants to wear it, and would like one of her own in silver! This one made me a little cranky though a 2nd one would be easier. Don't think I'll go there!

Copper with wire, glass beads

 I am trying to think of a couple of jewelry projects for when I am off again. I don't think that taxes and shredding financial papers will take up the whole time. I certainly hope not anyway.

I worked some more on my "brochure". I didn't like how it came out graphically - I had some technical issues. Not sure if it has all the content I want, or maybe too much. I think I'll have several people review it and see what kind of feedback I get from it. I left it with Dr. C this past visit to see what his thoughts might be on it.

I have a drawing to share with you, just for the heck of it. Soon after my last surgery I was trying to measure the symmetry, or perhaps, the asymmetry of my breasts. Might be some more in the "series" later on.

Measuring for Symmetry

Well ladies and gents, I think I'm done rambling for one night. I'll check in with you again in a few weeks. Come back for the flubber breast sculpture in your favorite color!