Just over a week ago, I went in for my 9 week post op appointment. The purpose of this appointment was so the doc could see how I was healing and discuss our next step, Phase 2 of the DIEP surgery and talk scheduling so the OB can do the hysterectomy at the same time. Yay. Progress.
I was happy to learn that during the next phase of this surgery, the doc will be able to give my new breast a much needed lift and a reduction and clean up a few things around my ab incision. He will also do some “fat grafting” where he will take fat from my hip area and fill in the top of my breast where there are still some empty spaces from where the breast tissue was removed with the mastectomy. This appointment is really a discussion of how he will make things look pretty and more natural.
What I haven’t yet shared from that appointment is what we talked about first. I’ve been trying to process it and figure out exactly what it means.
When the doc walked in the room, he told us that before talking phase 2 he had something else to talk about.
I had a CT scan back in October to make sure that my blood vessels in my abdomen were viable for the DIEP flap surgery. If you were reading back then, you may remember that 5 days before surgery, I was told that my veins were questionable, and I was worried like crazy knowing that the surgery may not be a success. Doc did some serious microscopic “vein work” and the 10 1/2 hour surgery was a success. All good. Right?
Well, apparently also visible in the CT scan, (and I’m still very confused as to why I am just finding this out, but I’m thinking it was an oversight) is an Iliac Aneurysm. When I first heard aneurysm, I realized that I didn’t know exactly what that was, but I was fairly sure it had something to do with blood and I didn’t like the way it sounded.
Know I now what an aneurysm is.
An aneurysm is a weak spot in the wall of a blood vessel.. Where the vein wall is weak, the vein bulges like a balloon.
Some aneurysms are small and only need to be monitored, others require surgery.
My aneurysm is deep in my pelvic area. My plastic surgeon doesn’t want to schedule any further surgeries until after I see a Vascular Surgeon and find out more details about my aneurysm.
I’m going to assume that this should have been looked at prior to my last surgery, but was overlooked?
Remember, I love my doc, so I’m trying my best to not be frustrated with him and just focus on the fact that it was discovered and now we can look at the size of it.
I have an appointment on March 9th with a vascular surgeon. Obviously, I am hoping it is not large and it is not serious, but honestly, a part of me wants the doc to say that it is large enough that he wants to go in there and fix it so I don’t have to walk around thinking about it!
I just made a really difficult decision to have both breast removed to reduce the reoocurance of breast cancer, I sure as hell don’t want to walk around wondering if my aneurysm is going to burst!
So many Eye Roll Emoji’s here!!!
I’m frustrated that I’m just finding this out. I’m confused as to why I’m just finding this out. I’m not real sure of what level of activity I should or should not be doing right now. I’m irritated that phase 2 and the hysterectomy can’t be put on the schedule right now. I”m trying as hard as I can to just think about other things, but I’m not doing a very good job of it.
Therefore, I am sucking at blogging about Weight Watchers and Food and Yoga and all of the great things that are happening with my family right now and I’m a tad cranky that I’m letting it get to me.
That is all for now.
Signed,
Cranky,
2018 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
Fitbit 10,000 Daily Steps
“love the life you live, live the life you love”
Thank you Dixie (and welcome to the blog. Thanks for being here!) My faith is strong and I know that it is what keeps me going. I am also surrounded by so many wonderful friends and family and very fortunate there.
Happy that you have experienced God’s work and prayers for you as well.
Love and Hugs back to you!
Thank you so much Rita. Feeling your positive thoughts!
Tami,
Ha ha. Thank you so much for your faith in me! Made me smile.
The blog is funny, because when I see your name, I feel like I know you too! Thanks for sticking with me and your continued prayers and support.
Have a great week!
🙂
Thank you so much Karla. Your prayers mean a lot and are greatly appreciated!
Hi Nancy,
If anyone understands, I know you do. I agree, if it were a huge concern, they would have had me come in right away, but I also have learned that they don’t always know what they think they know, and I suppose that has me more concerned than I should be. That feeling of not being in control is not an easy task.
I promise positive self talk today. lol.
Thanks for your prayers! See you on Marco Polo!
🙂
Hi Nyleen,
Thanks for following. I’m sorry my blog about living a healthy life and trying new things has become what it has become, but you are very sweet to stick with me.
Congrats to you for joining WW!! I completely trust the program for weight loss and living the best life that you can. Because of WW, I know I am fighting this fight in the best way that I can.
I’m so happy you made the soup and liked it! That has become an easy favorite here for sure!
Thank you so much for your prayers. They are very much appreciated.
Have a great week Nyleen and thank you so much for reaching out!
Lucy,
I had this exact conversation with a friend over the weekend. This could completely be preventing something else from happening and I do realize that and acknowledge it, I really do. God is good and I know that.
Thank you so much for your sweet and uplifting thoughts.
Big hug back to you!
Thank you Helen. Appreciate the prayers and hoping all is well with you!
Wish we could have a glass of wine together!
🙂
Kathi,
Yes, hoping only a hiccup. Thank you very much for the prayers!
I’m sure glad you’re at least cranky cause if it were me I’d be darned right upset. Thoughts and prayers!! Thanks for sharing your journey!!
The topic this week will maybe help you! Following you is unbelievable but so inspirational! You have been through way too much! Thanking you for your blog and stay happy not cranky cuz you deserve a happy life!
From Denise in CA!
I am new to your blog but not to prayer. I acknowledge all of your stated emotions as perfectly normal and expected. I have experienced one amazing miracle of God at work in the last few weeks and ask you to hold fast to your faith! Loving companionship shortens every journey. You are and will be in my prayers! Love and Hugs.🙏🏻🙏🏻
So sorry for this news. Positive thoughts that this is just a small issue and everything will back on schedule soon.
Holy smokes, girl! You have every right to be cranky!!! Don’t be so hard on yourself. I will continue to pray for your recovery. Knowing you (only through your blog…but I do feel like I know you:)), you’re going to kick that aneurysm’s arse!!!
My prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Julie…do not feel bad for feeling cranky! You have every right to feel that way!
I have to believe that if the aneurysm was more serious than it already is, they would have seen you sooner. You also had a successful phase one surgery!!
So it’s ok to be cranky, but be sure to talk to yourself and feed yourself with inspiration just like you do with us!
Your in my prayers! And I know that works!
Oy. So many hurdles. I started following you a couple of months ago after reading your info in Prevention. You are the reason I joined WW again. I joined a few times through the past 25 years. I was at goal weight in 1994 (138 lbs). Goal weight now is 150 because I’m not 42 anymore. I just had your Steak Soup for lunch. Delicious. You will be in my prayers as you continue on this journey & know that you are strong & courageous person. Nyleen
Well this is certainly an unexpected bump in the road. The way I see it, is that God is preventing you (temporarily) from having that surgery. Don’t be frustrated by God’s intervention. He/She 🙂 could be preventing you from something more serious. Not that this isn’t serious.
I’m sending you a virtual hug and an abundance of blessings. Chin up, it’s just going to take a little longer that you anticipated. I’m sorry for you but I am also happy that you were given a warning from up above. I hope you find some comfort in what I am saying.
Julie, you are so strong. Hold fast. I’m sending prayers your way. 🙏💗
You are entitled to be cranky. Praying for a good resolution for you and that this is just a little hiccup in the scheme of things.