I got the date for my next surgery, in which more skin will be removed. It is scheduled for Aug. 16. It's in August, which is good. Another good thing is that I will have about a month of "nothing" essentially; no saline fills or other procedures. Not that my tissue expander has ever been comfortable, it WILL be nice to kind of just "be" for a while and make plans with friends.
I am anxious though, as I would be with any upcoming surgery. I'm anxious about the results: will they get a clear margin, and will this be the end of my "treatment"? I hope so. If this takes care of everything maybe I'll be a little less anxious.
On another, happier note, Sean and I went to pick out the bridal party tuxes for the wedding this evening. We knew (or, I knew) what color scheme I wanted beforehand, and Sean knew a thing or two about ordering tuxes and all the parts and pieces that go along with them. (silk pocket pieces and socks and suspenders and cufflinks?) So, between my color-knowledge and his, well, tux knowledge, the process was pretty seamless. (Like how I made a clothing joke?)
It was fun because the saleswoman was a bride-to-be herself. (She got proposed to in Italy!) So, naturally, we asked each other typical bride-to-be questions, like "how's the planning going?" and "what do you have done already?"
It's funny how even though in the back of my mind I store this breast cancer surgery and anxiety, I am able to put it aside when wedding stuff rolls around. I never stop thinking about my breast cancer and what will come next. But I am able to get excited about the wedding. It is, after all, the beauty that waits on the other side.
Marjie,
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a blog entry about what to know to feel. Since I found out about your diagnosis, I have been *ahem* checking myself. But it's so hard to tell what is what, if you know what I mean.
I am so proud of you!!
Hi Bethany! Thanks for writing! Per what the doctors say and what I've read online and in pamphlets, you should "feel yourself" once a month, and what you're looking for is any change in appearance or feel. It's hard to know what is "normal," I will agree with that, so instead, familiarize yourself with what YOU normally look and feel like. I'm not a doctor, obviosly, LOL, but this is what I've learned through reading, etc. Hope that helps :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bebrightpink.org/programs/support-community/breast-self-exam-text-reminder/