Life after Surgery...what comes next?

The following days at home were so hard, I am a do it yourself kinda girl, well mostly!  And I couldn't brush my daughters hair, I couldn't hold her in my lap, I couldn't attend my sons play at school, here I was relying on everyone else.

The doctor gave me tons of exercises to do to get my mobility back in my arms, yea well I am not an exercise girl.  I never once did it however I did have full mobility back - guess that age thing worked for me for once. 

We had been under the impression that the tumor was 3 cms we were very wrong,  it was more like 5 cms.  The doctor explained that meant it had been in my body for some time.  How does your body let you down like this? 

When I had my surgery my reconstruction choice was tissue expanders to expand the incrediably tight skin on my chest before replacing with implants.  I had drains in after surgery as well, just for the record in case you have never had them, or seen them, they are gross!  The reconstructive surgeon who is by far one of my favorite men ever even though he is a Giants fan, took out my drains and started my expandings.  Neither feel great but neither really hurt either.  There would be many expandings over months.

It was time to face the oncologist.  It was time to deal with the fact that I attempted to avoid that I would have to take chemo.  Surprisingly I also adored my oncologist even though he too was a Giants fan...what the heck?  While my age was a concern for long term damage that chemo would do to my body for once my age was in my favor as well I could cut this chemo thing in half because my young body could take more and stronger doses. 

Oncology had me go through bone scans, and CT scans, and xrays, and heart scans, blood work, and so on and so on and so on!  I also had to have a port placed into my chest so that I wouldn't have to have the nasty chemo through my veins. 

Chemo was so scary....just the thought ....I mean its poison... going into your body... yes its to save you but its just scary!  Even the word.  The thought.  It just send chills.

The one highlight before chemo and after surgery was my cousins wedding!  She was married in Disney World, it was a once in  a lifetime opportunity!  My dad drove me and the kids down to Orlando we were all 3 in the wedding.  It was the greatest time,  at a point where I felt unattractive because of the hideous scars across my chest and the thought of losing my hair this was exactly what I needed.  I felt beautiful, I danced, I had fun, I got to witness the beauty and joy in a wedding and it was the best medicine ever!  Until I had to come home!