In Limbo

I feel In Limbo right now and I’m trying really hard not to feel that way.  This time in between surgery one and surgery two is uncomfortable, full of overwhelming information and at times mentally draining.

That being said, I am doing my best to stay positive and take one day at a time.

The last few days have included walks, a little Yoga, I’ve enjoyed being back at work and I’ve tracked my food. The weather has been great for walks outside!

 

It’s been nice to count steps too! 

 

 

Routine has felt good, and I even got a short visit from my daughter Tess.

On Thursdays I have an early morning WW meeting and a lunchtime WW meeting. In between the two, I picked up Tess at the airport and she came to my lunchtime meeting with me! It was nice to have her there with me and also fun to get to introduce her to this group that I love so much!

We enjoyed the rest of the day on Thursday together and we had Friday morning to catch up as well. I had her back at the airport Friday afternoon. It was a quick visit, but just what the two of us needed.

I updated her on my temporary boobs.

Here is where I’m at. It’s all so weird. These tissue expanders really are no fun at all. I look fine in my clothes and that’s about it. I’ve been sleeping on my back for the last 6 weeks and I’ve had a bra on day and night for the last 6 weeks. They are just very uncomfortable, but it is the step in between the mastectomy and the reconstructive surgery, so I am trying to be a patient patient and count my blessings.

That dent at the top of each breast feels like someone is pushing on me at all times. It doesn’t hurt, it’s just uncomfortable and I keep wanting to move things around, but they don’t move. Rolling to my side in bed is apparently putting pressure on the sutures inside and that actually does hurt a tad. So sleeping on my back it is.

This time in between is just odd.

I will have an appointment with the plastic surgeon in November to discuss my surgery in December.

If you are new to the blog, I am having DIEP Flap Reconstructive Surgery, where a genius plastic surgeon will take these tissue expanders out of me and make me some new boobs out of my belly skin, tissue and blood vessels.

My weight is up, and upon the advice of my plastic surgeon, I am maintaining my current weight so he has enough belly fat to make boobs, or as I’m learning, Noobs. (New Boobs)

My nurse tells me that I am going to look great! I’m holding on to that!

While I’m trying to absorb all of the information coming at me in the last three months, and feeling grateful to have this reconstruction opportunity, my mood has been all over the place this last week.

This past week I have had several conversations with my team of doctors about the steps going forward and the best ways to reduce the risk of reoccurrence. I have been thinking so much about “today” and what we are doing right now, that I just hadn’t put much thought into the fact that reoccurrence was possible. I suppose I just didn’t want to think about it.

I was advised by my breast surgeon to stop taking the pill on the day that I was diagnosed with breast cancer due to the fact that my type of cancer is estrogen fed.

I met with my OBGYN for the first time last week to discuss my recent health developments.

My body has had some strange feelings since my mastectomy, one being a burning sensation inside my chest. That had subsided some, then came back, but more of a full body hot sensation. I hadn’t even thought about menopause. I just thought all of my body aches and new feelings were related to my recent surgery. Well, it seems as though what I described to my doc are actually hot flashes.

Now, almost three months after stopping the pill, it seems as though as I am beginning menopause. Nothing like a little mood alteration while going through cancer.

I have an appointment with the oncologist on Tuesday to discuss treatment to reduce the risk of reoccurrence and to discuss the possibility of a hysterectomy.

I’ll keep you posted.

I have a full Sunday of grocery shopping and cooking for the week and I want to enjoy the Chiefs game this afternoon, so I’m out the door for my walk then headed to the grocery store!

Have a great Sunday!

Here is an easy low point Breakfast that I have been enjoying these last few days!

4 SmartPoints

Sautee veggies in 1 tsp Olive Oil

Scramble Egg Whites in cooking spray.

Combine Scrambled Egg Whites with Zero SmartPoints Veggies seasoned with Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, Banana with 1 tsp Almond Butter, 1 tsp Chia Seeds and 1 tsp Honey.

 

These came in the mail!

 

Perfect Fall Breakfast! lol

RXBar – Pumpkin Spice – 7 SmartPoints

2017 Goals
Make time each week to Meal Plan
Drink 100 ounces of water each day
Exercise 5 days a week
Eat three meals and one snack daily
FOUR 100 Mile Walking Challenges this year! (This goal has changed a little now that I have this fabulous Fitbit.)

“love the life you live, live the life you love”