Hi all,
Twelve years ago today I was going into surgery for a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. It had taken a while to get that far because I was diagnosed on September 19. At the time I had no idea I should be my own best advocate….now we encourage everyone to be their own best advocate! Steve and our three girls were there for my surgery…..I remember kissing everyone before I went into surgery and then waking up in my room…..they were all standing at the foot of my bed….(which was weird to open your eyes and see everyone looking at you, ha ha) but I was happy to see them. They said surgery went well. Ok….I have to figure out how to move around without using chest muscles among other things….I had no idea…..but they kids were super helping and by the end of the week they had all gone home. I am very nosey so I was very interested in seeing what my chest looked like….I had done exactly as I was instructed not to and looked at pics on line ……see? I did everything you all have done too!!! I was pretty sure this was going to be terrible….ok, not too bad and my plastic surgeon assured me it was not the finished product……he was so right!! So, along with my fills, I started chemo….I got my fills the morning of chemo because that is when I was at my best…..(bear in mind, each Doc’s plan varies for their patient and this was 12 years ago and many, many improvements have been made……this is just my story) By the end of May I had had my exchange surgery and was starting to look at what normal was going to be for me going forward. I quickly found out that this was all going to be new and I was going to be happy with some of the adjustments and not so much with the others. I talk to myself about a lot of things….I guess my way of working thru what I have to deal with…..somedays I would kind of feel sorry for myself …sometimes a few tears….but then reality…how lucky am I they found my cancer (2 different kinds because I do everything the hard way) and now my life will go on…..on to welcome more grandkids….on to enjoy old and new friends…..on to have time to love my family and on to figure out how to help other women going thru breast cancer so they don’t have to manage alone.
Now we have Driven by Heart, going strong…….I have retired but as you can see I am still blogging sometimes and posting things I think might make someone smile because it did me…..but the real work is being done by Tracy and Angie at the office, keeping the “drive alive”and chatting with new gals, supplying items to make things easier, sharing tips ……resources for additional needs….and just chatting so no one is alone. We are beyond lucky to be supported by Brevard County and the amazing folks that live here!!! So….if you and anyone you know has breast cancer, give us a call. 321-474-6900…..we are here to help!!!
Big Hugs!!
Sherry