At 43 yrs old,I had my first mammogram and was called beck in for ultrasound.core biopsy etc and learned on new years day that I had invasive ductal carcinoma and would need surgery asap to remove 2 tumors,I never once felt bad for myself,instead I died inside with fear of leaving my husband,my kids,my family!… Continue reading Gracie's Silver Linings
Cancer
The New Girls in Town
For 3 days after my surgery, my new “breasts” (it still feels weird to call them that because they aren’t real breasts, so from here on out I’ll refer to them as “The Girls”) were wrapped up like mummies. Friday was the big “unveiling.” For the past year, our daughter, a/k/a Sweetly Six has been asking… Continue reading The New Girls in Town
Another Recovery Road
Hi Everyone! I’m back! Thanks to the HOTY for posting yesterday…and for taking such good care of me – AGAIN. Wowsy. Bowsy. Am I ever glad to be home and DONE with surgery! Major Silver Lining of the week! Thank you all so very much for thoughts, support…& your implant input! I am deeply appreciative. My… Continue reading Another Recovery Road
One Last Time
I usually like going back to familiar places, restaurants, hotels etc. Something about the comfort of knowing your way around, etc. So when we walked into the hospital this morning we knew our way around from the last time in Nov. 2010. Not a place you wish to be familiar with. The Silver Lining is… Continue reading One Last Time
Laura R's Silver Linings
One of the most surprising things I have found about having cancer, so far, is the different reactions I have received from people. I am talking about my friends. I have been reading a great breast cancer book called “Just Get Me Through This” and I continue to refer back to it. If you have… Continue reading Laura R's Silver Linings
Coming Out Party
This weekend I went to a fancy schmancy black-tie event in Chicago. The HOTY is especially cute in a tuxedo and I love wearing a long gown. Our daughter, a/k/a Sweetly Six, swoons over a long dress and is already planning to be a flower girl in one of her older brother’s weddings so that… Continue reading Coming Out Party
Silicone or Saline: That is the Question!
As I have learned, recovery from FBC comes in stages (tsunami waves may be a more appropriate description for me). The next step on my FBC journey is surgery to exchange my expanders to implants. I’ve been avoiding this surgery for, well, as long as I possibly could. Now, however, it’s time to deal and deal… Continue reading Silicone or Saline: That is the Question!
Funkilation
The poor HOTY – again. I am totally funk’d up – again. I am, however, able to trace two of the sources of the funkilation, the first of which is that I have my second post-FBC checkup tomorrow. Today, I went to get my pre-appointment blood draw (a requirement before every checkup). Prior to the stick,… Continue reading Funkilation
Karyn Mae's Silver Linings
I was a single mother, working three jobs to support my children. It was also my first mammogram. I didn’t want to do it; there were so signs, I didn’t feel any lumps or pain and I was a small woman. There was no history of breast cancer in my family, so why should I… Continue reading Karyn Mae's Silver Linings
Mary Beth's Silver Linings
When first diagnosed with breast cancer, it didn’t even occur to me that it was something I needed to fight. The “war on cancer” declared in 1971 wasn’t part of my perception. Eight years earlier it might have been but 7 years before my diagnosis my life took a drastic jump down the rabbit hole,… Continue reading Mary Beth's Silver Linings