As you can read from my previous post, I had a DIEP flap procedure to reconstruct my breast after the bilateral mastectomy. They were not able to save my nipples during the mastectomy so during the DIEP flap procedure the plastic surgeon, in anticipation, added an extra area of skin when he transplanted parts of my belly.
Continue reading “Return of the nipples”Tag: breast cancer
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy
The genetic testing I did when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer put me at a slightly increased risk of colon cancer so my oncologist recommended I get a colonoscopy.
Continue reading “Colonoscopy”Hysterectomy and Anastrozole
One of the reasons my reconstructive surgery took a long time, was because we actually did two surgeries in one.
The plastic surgeon would manage the reconstruction using the DIEP flap process and my gynecologist oncologist would perform a total hysterectomy.
Continue reading “Hysterectomy and Anastrozole”Reconstructive Surgery
On November 13th, 2018 it was time to rebuild my breast. After more than a year of expanders, it was time to create my new permanent boobies.
I had chosen for the DIEP flap procedure. During this surgery, the plastic surgeon will use tissue from your belly to rebuild your breast. The expanders had sufficiently stretched my skin and would allow for a nice D cup.
Continue reading “Reconstructive Surgery”Weight gain
My weight has been an issue for quite some time. I wasn’t fat or chubby growing up and I don’t remember it being an issue throughout my teenage years.
The first time I became conscious of my weight was after I had first moved to the United States. I was working at Club Med at that time and three times a day, there was a scrumptious buffet laid out. I had worked at Club Med for a few years already and the buffet and siren song of food had never been an issue. After a year in the US I had gained 60 lbs. It had gotten completely out of control. Where I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted, I now had to watch what I ate.
Continue reading “Weight gain”Tamoxifen and Zoladex
Upon completion of my chemotherapy my medical oncologist prescribed Tamoxifen.
I had heard lots of mixed messages about this medication. Going from extreme side effects and hot flushes to hardly any side effects.
Continue reading “Tamoxifen and Zoladex”Potions and lotions
Radiation can be pretty hard on your skin. After about ten sessions you will start to notice your skin changing.
In my case, it started with lots of little dots, that looked like moles. My skin started to gradually darken, it looked like I had been sunbathing, I got a tan. It would progressively get darker and darker.
Continue reading “Potions and lotions”Bring on those rays
After having healed from my implant/expander surgery I was ready for the next phase in my treatment. Radiation.
Before you can get started, there is a process that needs to be followed to make sure that the radiation machine is entirely programmed for you, your body and to ensure the radiation goes to specifically measured areas in your body.
Continue reading “Bring on those rays”High on Steroids
Steroids, they are the necessary drug during chemotherapy, but boy did they give me a hard time.
From the very first chemo session, they gave me a headache-like feeling mainly in my forehead and behind my eyes. A feeling I can still recall a little over a year since my last chemo session.
Continue reading “High on Steroids”Meeting the Red Devil
I really didn’t know what to expect from chemotherapy. I had seen some images of people getting chemo but had never been to the infusion area of the hospital until my first round.
I choose to have my sessions on Friday afternoon. Mainly, out of practicality to not have the chemo interfere with work too much and the advantage of going straight into the weekend after infusion so I could recover. I had arranged to also have the Monday following chemo off, if I needed extra time.
Continue reading “Meeting the Red Devil”
Bump In The Boob 