The end is in sight...

We just got home from a much needed vacation to San Diego to visit Zac's folks. Besides the 16 hour drive with a 3 year old we had a great time! Got to see Shamu and everything...how old is that whale anyway??:)
Well, here I am. Four days away from my next and final surgery. It seems somewhat surreal that the end is actually in sight...a moment I thought would never come. I am feeling very calm and at peace and ready to face this next one head on. I have been so blessed that the Lord placed me in the hands of such an amazing doctor that is making my dream of looking "normal" again slowly come true. I am having what they call an "exchange"...replacing the temporary implants with permanent ones. The procedure is said to be quite easy and I should be able to go home within the same day. I will need a good week of recovery and should be back on my feet in no time. There will be some touch up work to complete in the next few months or so, but no surgeries or anesthesia...praise God!
On this Easter day I am reflecting on God's abundant grace and the way it has touched me and those around me in so many ways. We are so blessed to have such a loving Savior. My life will forever be changed by the past two years of my life and I have Him to thank for it. I am glad to be at the end of this road and ready to head on to the next one. Again, the support and prayers have been so appreciated and continue to give me strength everyday.

The case of the bad Blogger...

I cannot believe how long it has been since my last blog! I really have been meaning to update, but I have been on Facebook way too much and can't justify any more computer time! :) I'm working on that!
We had a wonderful holiday...I hope everyone else did. We had Zac's parents in town and his sisters family. It was so nice to have them here and one of the best Christmases I have had in a long time! Such a gift that I was healthy to enjoy it and we actually had Zac's parents here just to visit, not having to help with my gimpy self.
I had my last fill about 3 weeks ago...watch out Pam Anderson (hee, hee)! Everything is going great...still a little tender, but to be expected. My final surgery is scheduled in April...there is an end in sight! On the 27th of this month it will be 2 years since my diagnosis...kind of a bitter, sweet anniversary. It has been the longest two years of my life, but some of the most fulfilling. I have been reflecting a lot lately about our journey (I think it must be a New Year's thing) and I am so entirely grateful for my wonderful family and friends and most of all for God's grace and love. Something that has changed my life and kept me strong when I could have been knocked down. I tell you, there is nothing like it!
Staying with the New Year's theme I have started working out again. I joined a gym and I am meeting with a nutritionist and trainer. I need to start taking better care of myself and go back to the healthy lifestyle that I am used to...Praise God that I am able to move forward. I will keep ya'll posted on any results...
Finally, I had a check up today with Dr. Kreisle, along with an x-ray...everything is absolutely clean! I also learned today that Dr. Kreisle is a part of the St. Luke's research team that continues to make amazing advancements in cancer research. I am really glad that I have a guy like that on my team. Please continue to pray for those stricken by this disease...we have learned of a couple more people that we know that are battling as we speak.
I think that is all for now...I will try and be better at this thing!! Love you all!!!!!

Has it been that long?

Wow! I was just realizing that it has been a week or so since I posted my last blog! That must be a good thing since I really only post when I have appointments or something. Just thought I would jot down a few thoughts...
I was up until 1am watching election coverage last night...that was totally the poli sci major coming out in me! Those things fascinate me and this election proved to be quite historic. I'm sure the majority of you know who I was rootin' for, but I digress because I don't like to discuss politics among friends...call me a coward. Anyway, I read a very interesting email the other day that was basically explaining that no matter who is in the White House, God is always in control...I have learned that in so many ways the past couple of years to be able to believe that to the fullest. Everything ultimately leads back to Him and trusting in Him is the most important task I have.
I visited a friend in chemo yesterday and was back in the infusion center...that called up so many memories. I am far enough away that the smell of the place is tolerable now, but still hits a little too close to home. She is doing really well and is half way done with her treatments. Her name is Susan...please pray for her when you can.
Finally, we are eating like kings tonight...we had a gift certificate for this mail order steak and lobster and we decided to order it...we got it this morning, so we are feasting tonight! Neither of us have ever cooked a live lobster, so this will be interesting...I will report back on this one!
Oh, and I have my next fill coming up on Friday...I am really hoping this one is not as painful, but I think I am wishful thinking. I just made sure that my pain pill prescription was filled and now I am going in with ammo. I realized that I only have 3 more fills including this one, so we are nearing the end! YAY!

OUCH!!!

Alright, so I had my third fill yesterday and boy, did it hurt!! According to Dr. Mistry, as time goes on these things get more and more painful...nice! The reason for this is because my skin is no longer numb, so I can feel everything and as we continue to stretch my skin, muscle and tissue the pain will get more intense. I actually had to revert back to my pain pills today...kind of discouraging, but I guess this is normal. I have over a week until my next one, so it will be nice to have a little extra time.
I had my first day back at work yesterday. It went really well...I felt a little lost, since we have so many new things, but overall it felt good to get back into the swing of things. I was especially tired for only working 4 hours, but this is expected. I have three more shifts this week, so I hope to get some strength built back up.
Hayden and I are heading out to find some goodies for his class tomorrow. They are having a little costume party...Hayden is so excited to unveil his costume! I will make sure to take a lot of pics and post them here and on Facebook. Looking forward to a fun filled next couple of days!! :)

The Project...

It has been an interesting weekend for us. We have decided to tackle the project of reflooring our master bathroom...so far we have almost torn out all of the old flooring, been to Home Depot about 46 times and now finally resorting to a saw to finish the demolition. My husband was not sad at all that he had to resort to a power tool...Keeping my three year old that loves to destroy things away has been quite interesting.
I have another fill tomorrow...just one step closer to the finished product. After tomorrow I should only have about 5 more. I visited my friend that just had her implants placed this past week. It was very encouraging. She was doing really well, PRAISE GOD, and was up and around. She looks great!! I have about 6 months to be to that place...what a happy day that will be! I am feeling good and overwhelmed with God's grace...I continue to be amazed at the support and love that we receive and know that the Lord has His hands in all of this...

NO MORE NEEDLES!!

Alright, so I have had a total of 6 shots this week and I am officially poked out!!! I am feeling pretty sore today...tender from the shots and sore in general from my fill. I am glad to not have any more appointments this week. All I have left is a hair appointment tomorrow, which sounds like a tropical vacation compared to everything else! I always like getting my hair "did" anyway!
I was reminded today how blessed I am to know such amazing people. I had lunch with a fellow survivor that is currently going through treatment. It is always so great to make those connections. The cancer community is such an amazing place with the strongest women on this planet. I know I am forming bonds and friendships that will last forever!
My appointment with Dr. Kreisle went well...nothing new, so that is good! Everything looks clear including my pathology from my last mastectomy...not even a trace or beginnings of anything cancerous...YAY chemo!! That is hard to say when going through it, but I tell you I am so grateful for it now! I am getting stronger from surgery and starting to do more and more each day! I actually get to go back to work a few hours next week. I am ready for reality. Thanks again to everyone that has been such great support over these past few months. We have been receiving delicious meals, encouraging notes and emails and of course so much prayer!! God's glorious light continues to shine on us everyday! Love you all!!

The fill...and so much more

Well, I had my second fill today and I got more than I bargained for. The fill went fine...a little painful and weird, but fine. She said everything is healing on schedule and looking good. The only thing that was questionable was my scar from my port which was removed like 4 months ago. It has been very irritated, red and sore recently. She informed me that there is actually a solution for that...steroids. OK, easy enough, give me the steroids and all will be fine. Then she informed me that the steroid is actually a shot that goes directly into the scar tissue...YIKES!! She admitted that it hurts very badly and will take about 10-20 seconds to administer. That doesn't sound like much, but when in pain it seems like a lifetime. In hopes that the problem would resolve I told her to just do it and get it over with. OH MY GOODNESS! That thing hurt so bad!! I am actually glad that I didn't know about this thing before going in...I may have never gotten myself down there. I think through all of this I have developed a pretty high pain tolerance, but for some reason this thing was a doozy!! Now that I have gotten that off of my chest I will stop complaining.
She also released me for light duty at work starting next week. I am actually really looking forward to going back. I will start just working a couple of days a week and progress from there. I am coming back in at the prime time of retail, so things will be very busy from the get go, but it will be fun. If any of you are ever at the mall come see me at Sephora!! :)
Tomorrow is my appointment with my oncologist. I will make sure and post with the update from that...Goodnight!