3.5 weeks post surgery

It's now 3.5 weeks since surgery and I'm feeling much better, I've been managing 1-2 mile walks daily for the last 4 days. Today I managed 3 miles. Going to try a little drive later in the week round the village too. All being well I can phase back into the office from next week, get back to Musical Theatre and dance classes and get fit.

It has been one hell of a journey the last 21 months but I'm a survivor and I'm ready to take life by the balls. Roll on 2017 it's holiday year for me, I've got a lot of catching up to do. Also got my girlie fun weekend with zip wires and bounce below at zip world in Snowdonia. Spa days with family & friends and much more.

Thank you to everyone that has supported me through this journey, Thank you for being my rock Tim, love you forever and always. Thank you to all my other rocks Mom & Dad, Angie & Frank, Barry, Adrian, Lauren, Jan, Nige & Sarah, Collette, Dawn, Lynda & Jen, Jo, Andy, Bex, love you all. Thank you to my boss Steve, Becky and all my work colleagues, you have been amazing. Thank you to everyone that did events in my honour, Lucy for Cabaresque for Cancer 2015, Jan and Kay for shaving their hair, Debbie for your fantastic scar work therapies, Amber for making loom bands for charity, AJ's Warrior's, my Breast surgeon, oncologists, and the best plastic surgeon and all the nurses, my GP, my counsellor, my chemo and surgery buddies Julie & Sharon, Ally and all my pink sisters, ALL my visitors during house bound times, including Jill, Mel, Lynne, Jackie, it meant so much to me. Thank you for all my flowers and gifts that I will treasure forever. If I have missed anyone out I'm really sorry, chemo brain (it's real) strikes again.

I love my new boobies and I'm a one year survivor. Here's to the future. X

Beautiful lowers from Dawn xx

2 weeks post surgery

What a long day it was on Friday, we spent hours at the hospital as there had been an emergency in the burns & plastics department. Then spent ages at the doctors and chemist, trying to get my medication sorted!

You'll be pleased to hear I'm healing well and they are very happy with my wounds, they have signed me off sick for another two weeks due to pain, so no work for me...what to do! The main pain areas are my liposuction site, my cleavage now I have one and under my arms. But they said none of them are anything to worry about. I have really itchy skin, but that's all good as it means the nerve endings are healing. They left me with an open appointment in case anything does worsen.

I slept for 15 hours yesterday, mainly due to a migraine attack. I've not had a migraine attack for 2 years, but I've suffered with them since I was a teenager, so not that long ago...wink wink!

I'm hoping I've caught up on my sleep now, so all I can do is watch box sets, that is now I can finally look at a screen. My car is fixed and I can't go anywhere, but please feel free to come and see me, cream cakes or chocolate required, or take me and my big fluffy pillows for a drive, lol. xx

A year ago...during Radiotherapy.

 

A year on from the end of active treatment.

Recovery is going well after my latest surgey

Hello everyone, sorry for the delayed post, but the liposuction part of surgery has stopped me from sitting up for too long, so sitting at a computer was just not possible. This is the first time since diagnosis I have had to actually use a sick note to be off work, which I'm gutted about after managing to work all throughout Chemotherapy, surgeries and radiotherapy!

I was in hospital for 4 days, not as long as expected as I didn't need the back flap, my plastic surgeon thinks my skin could recover, but only time will tell. So surgery wise, I had both my implants changed to straight silicone implants which are lighter for me and my ribs with my pain condition. The dreaded ports and capsular contracted implants have finally gone out of my body, they had their funeral on 30/09/16, much to my delight and I celebrated with a hospital brunch in bed. I also had liposuction of my abdomen through my belly button, to fill out the bottom of my right boob, to make me look as symmetrical as possible after the damage radiotherapy caused making it concave.

I had the awful drains again, but only 1 on each side this time, I had them for 3 days and couldn't go home till they were out! To get them out they had to be draining less than 30ml a day. My right drain took longer due to the fat transfer I guess. I had a few nice curries in hospital which made a nice change from the stodge you usually get fed, making you come out fatter than when you go in! So that's why I've put so much weight on after cancer causing me to need 4 operations...well that's my excuse hehe.

Well I'm glad to say apart from the liposuction bit, the rest of this surgery was a doddle compared to my Mastectomy. Anyone unsure of going for delayed reconstruction after mastectomy, I would seriously consider it if you would like something that resembles boobs. It is nowhere near as bad as anything you have already been through. Liposuction is a different matter, but every pain is worth it believe me.

I am over the moon with my new boobs, it has taken a long time to get here, but I can now say I have my body confidence back. My hair and nails are growing too, so the future is bright. I am back for a wound check at hospital tomorrow, fingers crossed they say I can go back to work, I have a few holidays to save for now. The only way is up :-D

Day after surgery

Hospital food

2 days after surgery



Sunset from my hospital window
 

Thank you Mom for looking after me for 2 weeks xxx

Thank you Tim & Mom for my Celebratory meal of Enchiladas,  Profiteroles & Prosecco xx

 

Thank you to all my Work Colleagues for my beautiful flowers & vase xx

 

 

Thank you Mickey for the beautiful flowers xx

 



Thank you Angie & Frank for the lovely plant xx

Thank you Mom & Dad  for my new garden sign xxx
 

Nom nom, Thank you Julie & Andrew xxx

 

Thank you Debbie for my lovely mermaid blanket xx

Recovery from surgery

Just a quick post to let you all know I'm doing well after surgery and home recovering since yesterday.  I'm not up to doing a full on blog as I'm not yet sitting up for long periods of time.

I'm struggling with the pain from liposuction more than anything. But I'll tell you more in a few days. I just wanted to let you know I'm ok and I love my new boobies. X

Before surgery 

After surgery with my drains 

sexy stockings 

The day after 

Only 2 sleeps to go!

After a stressful few days and a visit to see my Surgeon, I'm so happy I am fit for my surgery, and it can go ahead as planned on Friday. Doing a little dance as I type!

I will be having both implants replaced with lighter silicone ones, so bye to the dreaded ports and heavy saline/silicone implants, I will also be having an LD flap on the right (back skin and muscle...see link below) this part of the surgery is 5 hours alone. I will also be having a Mastopexy on the left (Breast lift) current implant is too heavy for my skin and has caused sagging into my armpit. Then finally I will be having liposuction from under my arms, which will hopefully be transferred to my right boob to even it out to match the left boob. So Surgery will range from 5-10 hours, long day but it will be worth it.

All I wanted to do this week was rest and recuperate from the cold I'd had, from which I still have a lingering cough. But on my 2 days holiday Monday & Tuesday, I spent 2 hours in the GP surgery Monday and 4 hours in hospital yesterday. So I spent most of today working in bed and will do the same tomorrow. But I did manage a hair cut, to tidy myself up a bit before hospital. Had to take all my Gel nail polish of, so not fair!

Anyway doubt I will post again till after surgery and I'm sitting up in bed, so have a good week and weekend. TTFN xx

LD Flap:
https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/going-through-treatment-breast-cancer/surgery/breast-reconstruction/breast-reconstruction-ld-flap

Will I or won't I Have surgery on Friday!

I've recently been on a week of antibiotics due to what looked like an infection under my right mastectomy scar! Over the weekend I got a hole in the infected area and I could see what looked like white puss in there (TMI oops!), the hole was only about 1mm, but I decided I best see my GP anyway, after also having a cold/bug/man flu!

I've spent two hours with a doctor today, she said I did have an infection, but luckily it's now closed over and looks like the infection has gone, but she can't be sure! I'm on another set of antibiotics just in case, different one this time. She has also booked me in to see my plastic surgeon tomorrow, as it's not her call to cancel my surgery or say my surgery can go ahead on Friday.

Some good news is that I don't have a temperature and my chest sounds fine, it's just a rasping cough I have. So I've got my fingers crossed for tomorrow's outcome. But then it is what it is, and nothing I can do about it!

They can take my agonising implant out if I still have an infection but they won't want to put a new one back in till it's cleared up apparently! So watch this space what will my plastic surgeon say tomorrow!

So there was me thinking my man flu would possibly get my surgery cancelled and now it might be the actual boobies that do it! Till tomorrow. xx

 





Pre-op Assessment

I've been having an awful few days. It all started with being emotional at the hospital end of last week. Thoughts going through my head...am I doing the right thing! Not sure why! Oh yes I do...the opinions of one silly woman! (Shocked at myself for listening and giving a shit!) After a few days of strong emotions and feeling terribly low. My throat/chest is hurting so bad too! Surgery in 9 days and counting!

So last week was my pre-operation assessment which turned into quite a long day. Bloods, ECG, swabs and lots of questions and answers. Visited the ward I'd be staying on for 4-5 days, which I'm liking, felt like being in BUPA a little. I've heard nothing from the results, so I'm assuming I'm fit and healthy for surgery to go ahead! Apart from this blasted cold I've caught of course, my throat feels like it being burnt with a blow torch and cut with razor blades. My body feels like I have flu. I think the steroids are still working, but can't be sure at the moment as I hurt all over! Why this on top of all my other pains, haven't I got enough to contend with! Please someone give me a break!

I need and want this surgery now! Go away cold! Roll on the 30th! Oh to be pain free!

Sorry it's not a very upbeat post, I'll be ok in a few days, and be bouncing back like my little old positive self. xx
 

 

The surgery I'll be having next week.

Yes because this really does support Breast Cancer...NOT!

 

https://www.gofundme.com/alivecancer

 

Annual non-mammogram & Steroids

Today I had my first annual non- mammogram!

I've been to the Breast Centre many times since diagnosis January 2015, but today it was so hard to walk in that door. It bought back so many memories of that first day, but I eventually found my positivity and walked in there head held high. An hour later I came out with the all clear and don't need to be seen by them for 2 years so 2018! 2017 is my Oncologist. So yearly checks between them. Fabulous news to start the weekend with.

Well my bloods have improved so my bone/joint pain is nothing serious. So my GP has put me on a low dose steroid for 6 weeks to see how I go, don't want to tempt fate, but I've only been on them 2 days and I'm already noticing a change in pain levels!

I won a free treatment for the new 3d building Sleek Brows and had that last week, They are all my own hair! I now have my first set of full brows since chemotherapy...yippee!

Anyway it's Friday and I'm celebrating...chin chin. Have a great weekend one and all. xx

Brows before Sleek Brows applied

Brows after :-D

Pain, meds and a bit of fun!

Well it's been 3 weeks since my last post, so I thought I'd better do an update.

It's now 7 weeks post Oophorectomy and I am well and truly over that, shame I can't say the same about everything else eh!

I've been off Anastrozole for 3-4 weeks now, and the thoughts in my head are sky high and the pain is no less, so I've decided to go back on them as it obviously not them!

There are 3 types of pain that I have, one I've had 8-9 years which is called Fibromyalgia (Fibrous tissues), and I had that under control to the point where I only used lidocaine patches occasionally. That was before cancer, my doctor has now put me on Pregabalin as I refused point blank to go back on Gabapentin, which made me gain 3 stone all those years ago. Yes I'm back where I was all those years ago weight wise, but this time due to cancer, eating normal (because my Oncologist got me sorted on sickness meds) and no exercise (due to being in so much pain).

The second pain is my breast/side/back pain due to capsular contracture in both breasts, I have grade 3 in the left and grade 4 in the right. It sounds like cancer all over again! Cancer the gift that keeps on giving! Also the pain is due to the ports as I've mentioned before. So on the 30th September I will be having them exchanged yippee! It can't come soon enough, I just want it over and done with. I want to be fully better before the other big C later this year and have a great 2017!

The third pain is my bone pain , which I've had for months now and I don't understand what is causing it! I've had 3 sets of bloods done over last few months and they show a high 'C reactive protein' and a high' Plasma viscosity'. The reason why so many blood tests is due to surgery as that can cause high levels too. I had my latest bloods done on Friday and I'm back to see my GP on Wednesday to discuss the results and hopefully have an answer. It's something to do with inflammation and I'm hoping it's just inflammatory disease in response to my recent surgery.

Pain medications I currently take:
Diclofenac
Paracetamol
Codeine
Pegabalin
Morphine
Lidocaine patches

Surely this is not right, even if I am in agony and awaiting surgery!

Think I'll wean myself of them slowly.

The week off with my Mom here in Sunny Rutland was one of the best weeks I've had in 18 months, it was the first time she had been here since cancer diagnosis that I could actually go out and about, but lucky for me she can drive and has a blue badge, otherwise it would have been impossible! I've been to a few local parties and had a visit from my brothers. Oh and I've just baked some apple & cinnamon cake, might take some to work tomorrow...if I have any left! ;-)

Anyway I've gassed on enough. TTFN xx

A fancy dress birthday party.

 

Mom & Me :-D



My new sunnies :-)

One of a few short walks I've managed :-)

 

My prince has returned :-)

The pain is now unbearable!

It's now been 6 weeks since my Oophorectomy and that is nicely healed and the easiest part of my journey so far. I've had scar work therapy again by the lovely Debbie at Stables Clinic, she works wonders and my scars are all smooth now. 

My problem now is the bone pain and chest pain. The chest pain is caused by my implant ports in both breasts, they're banging against my ribs, and the capsular contracture in my right breast, is so tight now it looks like it might burst! Why does radiotherapy have to keep on working! 

My GP thinks my bone pain might be caused by my cancer medication Anastrozole, so I'm having a month off it to see how I am. If the bone pain eases then it's back to Oncology to try a different medication to kill all the oestrogen in my body, to prevent cancer coming beck. All cancer medication that you take for 5-10 years (after active treatment is finished) come with side effects of some kind and they nearly all can cause bone pain. But some less than others, it's just finding the right one that suits you. 

A few days ago I couldn't take the pain anymore, so my GP has increased my Lyrica and put me on Orramorph (morphine). Which is great as I'm almost pain free, I just ache now, but I'm very dopey (nothing new there I here you say :-P), very uneasy on my feet and I can't drive, so it's not helping with my sanity, so stuck at home, yet again. But as always I have my work to keep me going thankfully, otherwise I don't know what I'd do. My GP told me to ease of the morphine the odd day and see if the lyrica is helping. Lyrica can still be increased more so there's hope yet. 

It would be nice to get back to work in the office during the next 6 weeks while I'm waiting for my next surgery. Yes you heard right, I now have a date of 23rd September for my implant exchange and possible LD flap to make my new boob. So it's anything from a 1-2 hour operation to a 4-5! I really don't want the LD flap but needs must if i want a pair of boobs. My new plastic surgeon said I'd never have to go flat chested with him, just hope he can keep to his word! But I have been considering going flat and will do if these next two operations don't work. 

Two weeks ago I managed a day out to Barefoot Festival in Loughborough with my friend Lucy. We had a great day face painting, hair braids, dancing, henna and more. I also got some new hippy clothes to cheer me up. The face painting lady even glittered up my cancer tattoo. I've also got some new hippy cushions in bright colours to go in my soon to be happy cheerful lounge. 

Last weekend I watched the men dig a pond in our garden and it's lovely. Just need some plants and frogs now and maybe a few fish, can't decide. 

Today I had a little walk after therapy, was great to get out in the fresh air. Can't believe I still need councelling but so glad I have that, everyone going through anything similar really should get one, it's so good to talk and let out all your emotions. Then walk away and get on with life as best you can. 

My moms coming to stay next week, so looking forward to it, I miss my family. So i'm actually going to have a weeks holiday from work. Already booked us in for a manicure, looking forward to a few days out here and there, it's good she can drive and has a disabled badge because I'll need it too. 

Anyway I've rambled on enough now and it's getting late. So have a good weekend. TTFN. X

Barefoot Festival 2016

She even glittered up my cancer tattoo

My new hippy pillows

Made a wall in my bedroom, with all my hanging gifts from last year

My back garden

Our new pond

Our first frog...I kissed him and he now my prince ;-)