My other Dr. K

I had my follow up with my plastic surgeon (my other Dr. K) We are both very happy with the reconstruction so far. There are some "final touches" I could have done but right now I have no desire to have more surgery and if I do decide to have the "final touches" done in the future I will have to find a new surgeon. Yes I am losing him too. Yes he also recommended a new doctor for me sooooo we shall see. I'm sure all the new doctors will be wonderful...I'm just not looking forward to starting over.

I did go out and buy myself some new bras woo hoo!!! Now that the implants have settled in and all swelling is gone my old bras are WAY tooooo big. Of course I don't have to wear one. I don't need support anymore. These babies hold themselves up :) (I still worry that gravity will make these ones sag eventually too). The bras do give me a nicer shape. Not that the shape is bad. He really did a great job compared to some of the pictures I've seen during my research. No one else seems to notice the uneven areas that I think are obvious. The bra also makes me feel feminine hahaha how silly does that sound hahaha.

xoxo

Dr. K

I had my one year follow up with my breast surgeon a couple weeks ago. The appointment was great...everything is fine and I only need to have yearly visits for the next 5 years. I love my surgeon and I was so glad to get to see him before the new year because it looks like we will be getting new health insurance and I won't be able to see Dr. K anymore. I am so upset about this but Dr. K recommended a new surgeon and assured me that he would make sure the transition went smoothly. I am still praying that my husbands company will change their mind and stay with the insurance we currently have. If we switch I will be losing most of my doctors who I have been seeing for years. We've been through a lot together. I love them and I don't want to have to start over again with new ones :( I know they will all help me find great doctors to switch to and I am so very thankful to have health insurance. Its just no fun switching doctors especially with my complicated medical history. On a happier note I was surprised to find that my sister had an appointment right before me with Dr. K. She is 9 years cancer free!!! No we did not plan this it was a very happy coincidence. We spent the rest of the day together and had a lot of fun.

I have my 1 year follow up appointment next week with my plastic surgeon. I will be losing him too :( boooooooo.

xoxo

Bras Across the Bridge!

As you all know October is full of many Breast Cancer awareness events, walks, donations, and support. I wanted to share with you some great pictures of one of our many bridges.


(Photo by Ed Rieker for Aerie by American Eagle)

Yes those are bras and they are hanging from the Hot Metal Bridge...4000 bras to be exact, in all shapes and sizes and colors.

Our very own Pittsburgh-based American Eagle Outfitters came up with this idea to help spread awareness. They provided the bras and hung them from the bridge.


(WTAE)

The bras hung around for about 3 weeks and I am happy to say I personally got to travel over the bridge while they were there. After the 3 weeks the bras were washed and donated to a woman's shelter.


(Luminari Blog)

Can't wait to see what they do next year!

xoxo

Happy Thanksgiving

Thank you, dear God
For all You have given me

∩ │◥███◣ ╱◥███◣
╱◥◣ ◥████◣▓∩▓│∩ ║
│╱◥█◣║∩∩∩ ║◥█▓ ▓█◣
││∩│ ▓ ║∩田│║▓ ▓ ▓∩ ║
•°*”˜˜”*°• From our house to your house •°*”˜˜”*°•
•°*”˜˜”*°•Happy Thanksgiving to family and friends•°*

On October 29th I walked with my nieces CRS-A, AMS, and Gi in the American Cancer Societies Make Strides To End Breast Cancer 5k walk. It was a better day for ducks but we had a wonderful time and the walk along the north shore was beautiful. Here are a few pictures.




Gi is warm and dry under the blanket!





The Pirates get in on the pink action...


The North Shore...












The finish line...



I can't wait to do it again next year.

xoxo

1 YEAR CANCER FREE!!!

Is it really possible that it has been 1 year since my double mastectomy? 365 days without Cancer!!!
When I think back to last October I do remember all the emotions all the anxiety about the diagnoses, surgery, and treatments but what I remember most is the tremendous love, prayers, and support of my family and friends. I was never alone in the hospital. Every time I opened my eyes someone was by my side. Every doctors appointment my husband or sisters or nieces would go with me (sometimes all of them :). Every four hour chemo treatment went by quickly with them by my side talking and laughing as if we were sitting around a table having tea. In the spring my sons college baseball coach had a pink ribbon put on the teams game hats and gave me a hat to wear to the games. The love and support continues even 1 year later. People have made donations in my name, hit home runs for a cure, dedicated a pink out high school field hockey game, and on the 29th some of my nieces and I will be walking in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk.

Here are just a few pictures from the past year:

Me and my boys after surgery...love them so much!







First Chemo





Hospital for 3 days after first chemo...I'm ready to go home





Hair Hair Long Beautiful Hair.............









Last Chemo...Dance with me!











Growing back even more beautiful



Pink Out Game!



I'll post pictures of the walk next time.
xoxo

Got Boobs...Check them!!!!

Yes it is October and everywhere you look there is pink!!! Its wonderful to have a whole month where everyone is spreading awareness. Now ladies some time today while you are at home do a self exam and do one at least once a month. Are you due for a mammogram??? schedule it. October is great but you need to love your boobs all year long. Guys you should check yours too and everyone encourage the women in your life to do a self exam and schedule their mammograms!!!

xoxo