So before my diagnosis, only a year ago, if you had told me I would have a boob job, a shaved head and a tattoo a year later I would have laughed you right out of my house. But here I am with perky girls, barely-there-hair and a boob covered with vaseline and plastic wrap. Today was the beginning of the last step in my breast reconstruction - my areola tattoo. If you'll remember, I had a nipple sparing mastectomy last April. Not all of the nipple and areola tissue survived the surgery, so I was left with a very faint and discolored areola and more of a nubble than a nipple. So this procedure makes that area look normal again.
The procedure was done at a medical dermatologists office where they do permanent cosmetic makeup, medical peels, injectibles, and also areola restoration. A few before photos were taken and then different shades of dye were swabbed on my left breast to match the color. It looked like a bunch of foundation samples from the department store cosmetics counter. Measurements were taken, lines were drawn and the color selected. I've never seen a tattoo applied before, except on TLC, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The little tattoo gun looked like it does on tv and the technician dipped it in the dye and then applied it to my skin. Luckily I still have no feeling in the right breast, so I didn't feel anything more than a slight vibration as the tattoo was applied. The application took maybe 30 minutes. Easy and painless with instant results - these are the types of procedures I like! So now, the right breast looks much more normal than it did before. The tattoo is redder than the areola on the left, but she said it will calm down over the next few days. I need to keep it covered with vaseline and plastic wrap for the week and then I can show it off. I'll get a second application in about a month to prevent the dye from fading. After that my reconstruction will be complete! I like forward progress.
Everything else is fantastic. I've ditched the wig for a short, dark boyish haircut. My hair is growing, but of course not as fast as I would like. I feel good and energetic and almost back to normal. At my last doctor's appointment I was told pretty much the only things to do to prevent the cancer from coming back was to exercise regularly (30 minutes a day) and eat a well balanced diet. Since I was pretty much doing that before I got breast cancer I got a little snotty. I'm frustrated that breast cancer is so common and there's still no information other than "be healthy" available. So I've stepped up my broccoli and brussel sprout intake and reduced my processed sugar. I'm taking vitamin supplements and trying to avoid stress. Basically I'm trying to live a balanced and happy life. And because I have such wonderful friends and family like you it's not that hard to do! Have a great day!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
What a Difference a Year Makes
Can you believe it's been almost a year since I started my excellent cancer adventure? I learned of my diagnosis on February 28, 2010. You have all supported me so much over the past year - I am forever thankful! It's been a while since I've posted so here's what's new with me...
Chemo - I continue to receive the herceptin infusions every 3 weeks and will continue to do so until June. No side effects to report, so it's really no sweat.
Hair - Yes it's growing! My eyebrows are back and so are my eyelashes. What a difference they make! My hair is growing in thick and dark mixed with lots of gray. I'm wondering if the gray will stay or if it's an effect of the herceptin (that's what I'm hoping!) It's about an inch long and I'm ready to hang up the wigs, but my kids are not. They have the final say in when I can go wigless in public, so for now the wigs stay.
Boobs - Their shape and size are way better than they've ever been! I got to go bra shopping and get all new much larger under garments - how fun is that? Did you know the women at Nordstrom stay in the dressing room with you and help you put the bras on? I've been wearing them for at least 25 years - I think I can do it myself. But once I got over myself it was actually very helpful to have someone else in the room :) Everything is healed and looking and feeling good. I have my next appointment with my surgeon on February 28 where I think I get my areola/nipple tattoo on the right side. Now that will be an interesting day! Stay tuned...
Tests - I have an echocardiogram every 6 weeks to make sure the herceptin isn't damaging my heart. My last one was Feb 3 and so far everything is fine.
Public Speaking - I did a speech about my experience with breast cancer for my public speaking class - 15 minutes of just me talking with no podium! I managed to make the class laugh a few times and I didn't cry (that was my goal!) I was pretty proud of myself and to top it all off, I got an A in the class!
Tamoxifen - After pledging that I would take it in December, I never picked up my prescription. I've been feeling really good - almost normal. The hot flashes are gone, my emotions are in check, I'm sleeping all night, and I just couldn't convince myself to trade in all this feeling good and feeling like my body is mine again by messing with my hormones. Plus the reconstructive surgery for me symbolized the end of my treatment (except for the herceptin) and starting a new drug regiment would have depressed me and made me feel like the cancer was still calling the shots. After a year, I don't want to be a cancer patient anymore. It sucks! So it was a my-life-is-moving-forward-I-hope-I-don't-regret-this-decision kind of decision. I'm good with it (even though I know a lot of you disagree with me - but I realize you just want the best for me and don't want the stupid cancer to come back!) So at this point I am not taking the drug.
So now you're caught up! Life is busily normal which is great. I'm running again (to try to lose the extra 5-10 lbs I put on during treatment) and feel really good. I really can't thank you all enough for the year of support. I'll keep you posted on my progress!
Chemo - I continue to receive the herceptin infusions every 3 weeks and will continue to do so until June. No side effects to report, so it's really no sweat.
Hair - Yes it's growing! My eyebrows are back and so are my eyelashes. What a difference they make! My hair is growing in thick and dark mixed with lots of gray. I'm wondering if the gray will stay or if it's an effect of the herceptin (that's what I'm hoping!) It's about an inch long and I'm ready to hang up the wigs, but my kids are not. They have the final say in when I can go wigless in public, so for now the wigs stay.
Boobs - Their shape and size are way better than they've ever been! I got to go bra shopping and get all new much larger under garments - how fun is that? Did you know the women at Nordstrom stay in the dressing room with you and help you put the bras on? I've been wearing them for at least 25 years - I think I can do it myself. But once I got over myself it was actually very helpful to have someone else in the room :) Everything is healed and looking and feeling good. I have my next appointment with my surgeon on February 28 where I think I get my areola/nipple tattoo on the right side. Now that will be an interesting day! Stay tuned...
Tests - I have an echocardiogram every 6 weeks to make sure the herceptin isn't damaging my heart. My last one was Feb 3 and so far everything is fine.
Public Speaking - I did a speech about my experience with breast cancer for my public speaking class - 15 minutes of just me talking with no podium! I managed to make the class laugh a few times and I didn't cry (that was my goal!) I was pretty proud of myself and to top it all off, I got an A in the class!
Tamoxifen - After pledging that I would take it in December, I never picked up my prescription. I've been feeling really good - almost normal. The hot flashes are gone, my emotions are in check, I'm sleeping all night, and I just couldn't convince myself to trade in all this feeling good and feeling like my body is mine again by messing with my hormones. Plus the reconstructive surgery for me symbolized the end of my treatment (except for the herceptin) and starting a new drug regiment would have depressed me and made me feel like the cancer was still calling the shots. After a year, I don't want to be a cancer patient anymore. It sucks! So it was a my-life-is-moving-forward-I-hope-I-don't-regret-this-decision kind of decision. I'm good with it (even though I know a lot of you disagree with me - but I realize you just want the best for me and don't want the stupid cancer to come back!) So at this point I am not taking the drug.
So now you're caught up! Life is busily normal which is great. I'm running again (to try to lose the extra 5-10 lbs I put on during treatment) and feel really good. I really can't thank you all enough for the year of support. I'll keep you posted on my progress!
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