Listen Carefully....it whispers.

Fillin' those Foobs!!!

Today's fill went extremely well and was a very well attended event. Of course there was Dr. Temple, nurse Christine and my angel Margo, the nurse practitioner; but today's audiance also included Dr. Evans, Carlos, a clerk (student maybe? not sure?), and a photographer, DH. Yes, today's session was photographed from start to finish so everyone can see the process. I hope it doesn't freak anyone out. It looks a lot worse than it is!!! Notice how Dr. Temple managed to somehow dodge the camera's eye (other than her hands)...next time!!!

I received 75cc in each side today...I wish she would have given me 100 as I feel pretty fab after today's session...maybe next time. She didn't want to give me more because of my "small frame"...bleh...I could have taken it! I have 450cc expanders and so far I have 250cc in each. At least I'm over half-way full. My next fill is set for September 8th...I can't wait!!!

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Syringes and other medical-type goodies needed for the fill.

Dr. Evans

Carlos

Margo!!!!!

Dr. Temple finding the fill ports.

Needles in and tubes attached ready for the saline-filled syringes.

Since Dr. Evans was helping out Dr. Temple, they filled both sides at the same time and were done in no time flat...no pun intended!!!
and a special message for you cancer...CAN'T GET ME!!!

I'm still here!

Sorry, but I've been bad at updating my blog. To be honest, I just haven't felt up to it; physically and emotionally.

I had my drain tubes removed on July 23, no problem. It was actually painless and it sure felt good to get those drains out!

After that though, I sort of went downhill. Physically, I've been in a fair amount of pain and discomfort. Emotionally, I been on a rollercoaster. Today is the first day that I've actually felt sort of human.

I saw Dr. Temple on August 4 for a follow-up appointment. She said the incisions are healing nicely and everything looked good. She then sprung on me "are you ready for a fill?" Well, I wasn't expecting that, but I thought why not. I was terrified after seeing the syringes, tubes and needles, but believe it or not, I felt nothing when she inserted the needle into my chest. She put in 50cc into each side. I tolerated that very well, so she put in another 25cc in each side. That was enough. I definitely felt that...it was tight! 100cc was put in at surgery, so I'm now at 175cc's per side.

The week following has been hell. I've had horrible nerve regeneration pain where my breasts used to be. I've also had horrible rib pain following the fill. I'm living on ibuprofen to help with the swelling and pain and today is the first day I've felt somewhat human. I hope the fills get easier but I have a feeling they won't.

Dr. Temple also broke my heart and told me I likely won't be able to go on any of the big rides at Disneyworld when we go on our family trip this October. She said the pain will probably be horrible and she's unsure about damaging the expanders. She said we'll keep talking about it each appointment and see how I'm progressing.

This is what an expander looks like. The round disk is the filling port. A needle is inserted through your chest into the port and then a large syringe filled with saline is attached and injected into the expander.





My next fill is scheduled for August 24. I couldn't get in earlier as Dr. Temple is on holidays. DH will be going with me next time, so I'll be getting him to take some photographs of the fill process.

Here is what I look like on day 26. I have a little more shape following the fill last week. Click on the thumbnail for a larger picture (will open in a new window).

Viewer Discretion is Advised!

Don't say I didn't warn you!!!!

Here I am at day 5 out of my PBM and I'm feeling pretty good considering what I've been through. I am tired and sleep a lot but I blame a lot of that on the lovely cocktail of pharmaceuticals they have me on!

Of course I was a nervous wreck on surgery day...the thing I dread the most is the IV. I have small veins and they always have a difficult time putting the IV in. I had the same lab tech and pre-op nurse as I had for my hysterectomy. I thought that was kind of strange, but was also a little comforting.

I saw Dr. Temple around 9:45 just before I was going into surgery. She quickly marked me up and then we were good to go. Surgery went very well. It was scheduled from 10:00am - 1:00pm but I was out and awake by 12:30pm. I did have to stay in recovery until about 5:00, but I did come home that night. DH had me home by 7:30.

These expanders will sure take some getting used to and they definitely feel like I have waterwings stuck up under my arm pits!!! 100cc was put in the expanders at surgery, so I'm not totally flat...and these puppies do sit high...I can only imagine what they'll be like as I fill up!

I'm going to post photos as I progress. Just a warning, you may find these images to be personal, graphic and contain partial nudity. Don't let the Franken-boobs scare you!!!

These were taken on the day of surgery, July 17, 2009, just after we got home from London. I still have the gauze on.

Click on the thumbnails for larger pictures (will open in a new window).









After two visits with home care, I now only have the steri-strips on the incisions and no more gauze. The home care nurse said the incisions are perfect.

The following were taken July 21, 2009, day 4 after surgery. Aren't those drains lovely? They are scheduled to come out on the 23rd. I can't wait!









That's about it for now. I'm in the lazing around recovery stage and am enjoying it. I'll update later!

T-5 and counting!

I can't believe my PBM is only 5 sleeps away! I've been suffering from the worst anxiety and insomnia EVER!!! I know this is par for the course and will pass in time. My doctor gave me a script for sleeping pills, but I was afraid to take them (I'd never had sleeping pills in my life), but 2 weeks of no sleep and the pleadings of a pre-op nurse convinced me to use them...I'm so glad I did. The past 4 nights I've had the most heavenly, peaceful, restful sleep that I've ever had.

I've been busy "nesting" and getting everything ready at home for my return from surgery; I've actually been compulsively cleaning and organizing. I actually defrosted and cleaned out my big freezer this morning...YUCK! It has been very therapeutic and has keep my mind off of things...and it's been good for the soul. I'm starting to feel more at ease with everything ahead of me.

I just wanted to say "thanks" to everyone for all your support and words of encouragement.

I'll try update as soon as I can.

(((BIG HUGS)))

Boob Voyage!!!

My Boob Voyage party is set for Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ ma sista’s house in Kincardine. WOO HOO!!!

I’m finally getting the boobs I’ve always wanted!!! and I'm “celebrating” the departure of my former girls! They’ve served me well, but it’s time to say tata to the TaTas!

My mastectomy is scheduled for July 17, so as I embark on this journey, I want to celebrate with friends.

Thanks to everyone for all your support. (no pun intended!)

Bald is Beautiful!!!

I DID IT! Last Saturday, May 30th, 2009, I shaved my head in support of Cops for Cancer.






This is me with my long-time friend, Constable Darryl Campbell.

I raised close to $1300!!! WOO HOO!!! Thanks to everyone for their generosity.