The last 10 years

Today is October 27th 2020. What a crazy 10 years it has been!! My genetic testing came back negative for the BRAC1 and BRAC2 gene. My Breast Cancer is not genetic. As I left off I started reconstruction that fall of 2010. I had a tissue expander put in and slowly started the process of stretching out my skin to prepare it for the implant. This was a surgical procedure. The expander is like a port with a bag. The nurse would stick a long needle inside to add the saline solution to expand the bag and stretch my skin. It looked like a Barbie boob. A bump with no nipple, LOL. Towards the end it was sore. I just knew the skin could not stretch any further. This took place over the course of several months. Finally in February 2011 I was able to have my reconstruction surgery. It was rescheduled one time due to my slight fever on surgery day. This time a snow storm hit and I was bound and determined to get this done! Ric and I got a hotel room up in Troy where my surgery took place. This way we knew come Hell or high water I was having this surgery! Everything went as planned it was a big success. I had a latissimus dorsi flap preformed. Went back in to have a larger implant inserted and then some fat injected in my upper chest area. My chest was concaved in due to the mastectomy and removal of tissue and lymph nodes. After everything healed I had my nipple and areola tattooed. It looked great! I ended up staying on Tamoxifen for 10 years. That is what my Oncologist suggested. I experienced the normal side effects. Hot flashes like crazy!! All I wanted to do was drink super cold water and have a fan on me 24/7! I did have issues with my thyroid. I think the chemo or radiation did it in! I was experiencing hair loss, and fatigue. I lost all my eye lashes. I felt like my tongue was fat in my mouth. I was so tired and cranky. It was all I could do to brush my teeth. My arms felt like I had 50 pound weights attached to them. My face was puffy, I felt like I was squinting all the time. I would get so tired and out of breath when walking up stairs. This happened a few weeks after I started the Tamoxifen so I thought I might be allergic to it. My Oncologist suggested I meet with my OB to discuss my options. If I was allergic I needed to find a way to block my estrogen, since my cancer was hormone driven. Well he took one look at me and said "it’s your Thyroid I can tell by looking at you". He was spot on! I soon got on Synthroid medication and quickly felt like myself again! I has been 10 years sinces my diagnosis and I feel wonderful! Praising the Lord everyday for my recovery and continued health!