If I remember correctly, I found the lump in my breast on 5/10/11, had a mammogram on 5/13, a biopsy on 5/18, and within a week of that saw the surgeon, about a week later the reconstructive surgeon. It's all a little surreal. If my breast didn't show the scars I'd think maybe it was just a really long nightmare.
I'd like to make a difference for others who have breast reconstruction decisions to make. I'm not sure how I will do that. The greatest value I think would be to have contact/resources before any real decisions are made. But ....
One year followup...
This coming Thursday I will have my first post-surgery squeeze-o-gram. It won't hurt the right much at all since there is very little sensation there. I'm thinking the left squeeze will emit some ows. Not looking forward to that. A week from Thursday I will see the general/oncological surgeon. I expect all those reports to be good, and that I won't need to see him for another year.
Fun stuff....
Got together with a high school friend yesterday for breakfast. She has experienced breast cancer, mastectomy, etc. She is always great to chat with - makes me laugh.
Over lunch on Wed. I took my walk and made a quick trip thru the Crystal Springs Azalea and Rhododendron Garden in SE Portland (free on Tues & Wed). Of course, there were alot of people there on free day. Flowers are blooming and there are some new baby ducklings. I wanted to see them both.
Last weekend I went with a friend to a Sisters on the Fly NW event in Pendleton - a very Western focus and their vintage travel trailers. They name their trailers and decorate on the inside and outside. It's a hoot. Nice group of people, though I'm not very group or cowboy oriented. One evening our entertainment was Barbara Nelson. A kick. Great voice. If you like Western Swing or old timey tunes, you would enjoy her music. She must be 70+. Was a PE teacher, raised her kids, and got into playing/singing and recording.http://www.westernmusic.com/performers/performer-nelson.html
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| Winnebago - 1960's |
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| Barbara |
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| Lil Loafer on the left (1960's) |
We had a little incident on our way home. Stopped for gas and we had quite a sound emitting from the trailer wheel on the right. We tried the remedy that Linda's husband recommended - backing to release the brake. We were doing this repetitively in a truck stop parking lot and had more than one trucker let us know that we had a problem - not sure if it was bearings or brakes. We went to another truck stop to see if they had 24hr weekend service. Called a towing/repair company who was able to come to us. As it turned out their shop was just across the street from where we were so we went over for them to do some work. It was the brake - the discs were rubbing against each other. Rather than experience spontaneous combustion as we were driving down the freeway, we had him take the brake part out and disengage it. Got home just fine. Good thing there was a chapel right next to the "shop"!
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| Did you ever think about what would happen if you did? |
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| The "Shop" |
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| Biggs Jct. Chapel and Bishop Towing & Repair |
A couple weeks ago I did some metal bending to create some yard art. I had a great time! I went back to the steel yard the next weekend so I can work on some of my ideas when the mood strikes. Looks like I might get to do a little welding with a friend coming Friday. I need to come up with some ideas to make it worth his while. I need to find people who want yard art but will pay for materials. If not my yard will look like my "favorite" Centralia yard. I can't get to the photos to show you what I mean right now.
Things to celebrate....
We have a new baby - great niece in the family. Unfortunately, my niece had to be delivered at 28.3 weeks. Baby was 1lb 8 oz at birth. Small even for that gestational age. She has gained 5 oz. in about 2 weeks. She's nearly 31 weeks gestation. She has experienced a few road bumps, but she seems to be doing as well as can be expected. So, next Sat. we have a baby shower to go to. I got my pertussis vaccination today just in case I have the chance to visit the baby.
Sun. I have another niece (sister of above niece) who is graduating from college. I will be going to that and celebrating with the family. Very exciting. Can't wait to see where her life journeys take her. She went to Namibia for several weeks of student teaching this past winter. Great opportunity and experience.
Health, love, family, friends. I have many things to be grateful for.
