Hit me with your best shot

Today wasn't such a great day.  Yesterday was a full day.  It started at 7:15 with blood work and ultra sound at the fertility center.  Followed by 8am at the plastic surgeon and 9 am at the oncologist.   I had my FABtober makeover (more on that in a minute) at Nordstrom and then ended the day with the breast surgeon at 4.   All in all everything is looking good. I won't see the PS or the BS now until after chemo is done.  I will do some physical therapy to help the range of motion in my arms. The right more then the left needs it since that is where all the lymph nodes were taken.  I got the go ahead for regular bras!  Wooo-hooo!  I also got a flu shot.  The oncologist wanted that since my white blood cell count will be way down.  I woke up feeling pretty shitty.  Between the flu shot and the egg meds I think my body is mad at me.  

This should be my costume! 

I got the call that they will harvest my eggs now tomorrow (Friday).  This is one day later then they told me last week.  Apparently my eggs, well follicles really, needed one more day to grow.  So I did my trigger shots last night - one at 11:45 and one at 12:45am and then the last one at 12:45pm.  Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful I had this option to ensure I can have babies someday; however, these last 2 weeks have been crazy with all the shots and appointments.  But it will all be over tomorrow!

So much easier then the one in the butt

This is what 2 weeks of my meds looks like

Back to the make over.  I won a FABtober makeover at my local Nordstrom! The Pink Agenda and Giuliana Rancic’s FAB-U-WISH program gave me a fabulous Estée Lauder makeover experience as part of their FABtober campaign. They wanted to provide a fun, memorable experience for girls in the midst of facing breast cancer.  I got to take 2 friends, we got made up at the Estée Lauder counter and had a great lunch at the Nordstrom Cafe.  We all came home with some fabulous goodies! 

Not the best photo of me, but I tried

This was the best part for sure!

The goodies :)

Chemo starts Monday!

Out and about and back in bed

This was my first weekend since the mastectomy surgery I didn't have any family in town. Thankfully, I had some things planned but boy was I beat today.  I was in and out of sleep until 4:30 pm, but they say that's normal.  I may have over done it a little, but am so happy with how things went.

Carrie is always a good idea

Friday night was low key, because I knew I would be out for a bit on Saturday.  Adena, my awesome photographer (more on that later), had a Breast Cancer Awareness Open House at her studio.  I brought my Stella & Dot goodies and there was pink hair extensions, temporary tattoos, pink drinks and lots of fun.  Her son and daughter were there and at the end handed me a stack of pink cards that all the kids that came made for me.  I did not even realize what all the kids were doing the whole time.  It was so sweet.  I have to figure out where to hang them! 

Bags, scarves and book - Oh My!

On my way home, I stopped at a bar downtown to catch the last quarter of the A&M game.  My good friend Erica is an alumni and she and some of the girls were out for the game.  After that is was home to spend the rest of the night on the couch.  

Ready to go!  Glad I can step into this shirt.  It was warm.

Sunday was the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K.  Me and 6 of my girl friends and 3 of there pups walked the 3.1 miles.  It was the first time I had done one.  I got a Miss America style sash that said Survivor along with a special t-shirt.  The Top Golf tent had the best goodies - bags, beer koozies and hair ties! 

Survivor Squad

After the walk I had to run and get blood work and an ultrasound for the fertility folks.  The girls went to Southern Hospitality to get a table. Brunch was amazing!  I can't wait to go back when I can drink - $12 bottomless mimosas or bloody mary's - yes, please!  I did have one virgin bloody but it wasn't the same.  The food was so good and because of the pups, we sat out on the patio.  The sun was shining, it was just perfect.  After brunch, a few of us stopped at the outlets on the way home.  I picked up a cute zip up and a shirt, both will be good for chemo so they can access the port.  

Wasn't quite the same...

What a fun weekend even if I slept all day today.  This is a big week;  follow ups with all the docs BS, PS and the oncologist, egg harvest and first chemo treatment.  I'll keep you posted!

Oh baby!

Last week when I met with the oncologist on Monday, she mentioned the risks of chemo on my fertility.  When she was done, the nurse came in and gave me information on a fertility clinic.   I called when we got home and made an appointment for Wednesday.  The doctor was great, she explained how things work and recommended, based on the chemo that I would be getting, that I go ahead and freeze my eggs.  Because chemo was set to start in a little over 2 weeks, I had until Friday to decide due to the limited window.  

Dad got here shortly after the visit.  We talk over the information that I had.  There would be a follow up visit on Friday morning (day after surgery) and he would go to that with me.  In the meantime, I did some research and this is not covered by my insurance.  I would need to pay upfront and it is not cheap!  Luckily, I had the money in my savings account.  I did look into borrowing from my 401K and some other things, but taking it from my savings made the most sense.    

Pretty much!

On Friday, they took blood, did an ultrasound and then Dad and I met with the nurse.  She went through the medicines and how to do the shots.  There was 1 shot in the morning and 1 shot and 2 different pills at night.  She gave me some to get me started and sent us to a speciality pharmacy to pick up some more.  The meds are an additional expense.  While waiting for the meds, I got a call from the Livestrong Foundation, that I was approved to have some of the meds covered by them.  This was great news and saved me $1,000!  They would overnight the meds so I would have them the next day.  On Saturday I got a call from a program at Walgreens that they would also be donating some meds.  These programs are for girls like me going through this process due to cancer treatments.  

Image from Google. I can't take one of myself.

I have been doing the meds for almost a week.  I have been to the clinic several times for blood work and ultrasounds so they can make sure everything is progressing on track.  Yesterday, the nurse called and added another shot to the morning meds.  Tomorrow I will have a regroup with the doctor.

All the needles!

This is all happening so fast but it wasn't a hard choice.  I have wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember.  I didn't think I would be doing this part alone.  Single, very single, was my answer when the doctor asked about my relationship status. Don't get me wrong, Dad was great while he was here but this is just another reminder that there is no special someone.  But this will give me the best chance for babies when I find him...someday.

Surgery Round 2

Things have been a little nutty the last few days.  My dad got here on Wednesday so he could be here for the surgery on Thursday.  For this procedure, they will remove 10 more lymph nodes to test and put in a port for chemo.  I hope to hear the lymph node results today.

My cousin in PA designed this shirt and 70+ of his coworkers are all wearing them!

Before the check in for surgery, I had to have an echocardigram done.  This is so there is a baseline to compare future heart tests to during and after the chemo.  That took about 45 min.  My implants kept getting in the way.  Oh well, nothing I can do about that.  After that was done, we went to check in at the surgery desk.  They took me right back to get ready - gown, IV, etc.  I did not have to do the nose to toes prep this time.  That was nice.

Pre surgery slefie with Dad

Once the IV was in, Dad came back to sit with me.  Finally Dr. B came in to chat.  She had requested that Dad wear a pink shirt, just like Mom and the Twin had.  She was so happy to see him in pink.  He was also a big hit with the nurses as well.  He was easy to find in that shirt.  She went through the procedure, make some marks and with that, it was time to go!

I woke up in recovery, Dad came back for a minute.  I also saw Dr. B, she said everything went well.   She did have to put in a drain under my arm to help with the fluid.  They took a check xray to make sure the port was in the right spot.   I also had a patch behind my left ear to help with nausea.  The only con to this was it gave me dry mouth.  Ice chips were my best friend!  After a shot stay in recovery, we were on our way home by 3pm.  

The Chemo port

I was a little out of it the rest of the day.  I talked to family and was in and out of naps.  Friday we got up to go to an appointment at the fertility center.  I will get more into this in a separate post.  I was feeling pretty good on Friday.  Got up, took a shower and washed my own hair.  Took it easy most of the day.  I was sitting on couch when all of a sunned there was a shooting, hot pain running down my arm.  I had no idea what was going on, this was brand new for me.  It brought me to tears it hurt so bad.  I think I scared Dad too.  It didn't last too long but I knew we needed to call the doctor.  By the time she called back (less then an hour) it had happened again.  She said the tube from the drain was most likely hitting a nerve causing the pain.  She said we would get the drain out on Tuesday.  

I spent the rest of the weekend trying not to aggravate the drain tube or the verve.  (This means a lot of Netflix).  We did make it to the grocery and hardware stores for a few things.  And Dad cooked elk steaks on the grill.  Sunday was the best day with no nerve pain.  This was supposed to be the easy surgery, but if this is as bad as it gets, I can't complain too much.  

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Oh and some good news!   I  found out I’m a #FABtober recipient! So excited to enjoy my fabulous { Estee Lauder } makeover experience at Nordstrom with my squad! Let’s raise awareness with { The Pink Agenda }, { FABUWISH } and Giuliana Rancic to support the ultimate wish of finding a cure for breast cancer: http://bit.ly/GiveFABtober16 

Keep it Going!

Surgery day again tomorrow.  They will be taking 10 more lymph nodes to test and I will also get my chemo port put in place.  I am always a few days behind on posts but that helps me process the information before I write about it.  I will fill you in on surgery and the meeting with the fertility folks this morning at the end of the week. 

In the meantime, here is more shopping fun!

Stella & Dot's sister company, Keep Collective also has items to support Bright Pink this month. Create a bracelet or key tag that is as unique as you.  Tell your story or grab a gift some one brave woman you know that is fighting against cancer.  

Use the link below to see all items supporting Bring Pink

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Real men wear pink too!  The uni-sex black silicone keeper and the pink ribbon are the perfect way for any guy to show his support!

Shop my online Keep event and create your bracelet { here }

When it rains...

I am coming off a great weekend.  My cousin Doug came out for a visit.  He got here on Friday morning and just left this morning.  He and I used to live around the corner from each other before I moved to Denver.  So we fell back into our normal routine for the weekend - Chinese food, movies, Costso and Real Housewives!  There were lots of laughs (which is hard because it still hurts when I laugh) but it was so great to have him out here!  He did reorganize my kitchen so the cabinets make much more sense now!

My plus one!

Yesterday morning he went with me to meet with the medical oncologist.  My BS called last week to give me the results of my Oncotype DX test.  This is a test helps predict the recurrence of the cancer. My score came back in the range that says I need chemo.  I prepared myself for this.  I mean lets be real, I keep getting curveball after curveball.  The only thing since the diagnosis that has gone my way is that the PS could do the direct to implant saving me from tissue expanders.  I don't want to sound like a brat.  I know I am in much better shape then a lot of other people.  But I was hoping that chemo would not be necessary.

Stopped at Ulta on Sunday to get a pink extention

I have more appointments to really understand all this.  I will see the breast navigator, fertility specialist and American Cancer Society navigator - she will fit me for a wig.  

Still can't wash my own hair.  I got a gift cert for the Drybar.  Best idea ever!

More to come on this as I learn more.  Thursday, I go in for the surgery to remove 10 more lymph nodes, they will also put in my chemo port at the same time.  This will be good because normally you are awake when they put it in with a local.  I am totally ok with being out for that!

Shop for a Cause

Three years ago this month, I became a Stylist with Stella & Dot selling jewelry and accessories.  Not only has this given me the opportunity to meet some amazing women, it also allows me to earn some additional income.  My Stella girls have been nothing short of amazing since my diagnosis.  In fact, less then 24 hours from the finding out my biopsy results, I was on a plane headed to our annual conference.  It was hard to forget the news I had just learned, but the girls were there for me in every way possible.  Hugs and laughs when I needed them.  

What could be better than a guilt-free shopping spree? In my humble opinion, nothing. These 3 fantastic pieces support breast cancer awareness. Stella & Dot has partnered with Bright Pink. Their mission is to save women's lives from breast & ovarian cancer by empowering them to live proactively at a young age.

My everyday arm party right now!  

Love this simple Wishing necklace!

** This weekend only Save $25 when you spend $100.  No code needed!  Use link below for details! Some exclusions apply. **

Check out my online shopping event { here } 

Fabulous Breast Cancer Boutique

This October help me help others and Shop for a Cause!  

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Let's talk about drains

I knew that surgical drains were part of the recovery, but like most people, I didn't really know what to expect.  Or, what was really draining.  The PS (Plastic Surgeon) explained to it the Twin like this - you know when you skin your knee and a clearish liquid shows up and then scabs?  It's like that but a whole lot more.  When my breast tissue was removed, my body knew something was missing and started producing lots of fluid to fill the space.  Eventually my body recognizes the implants and the fluid production stops.  Until then, I get to have these fancy drains.  

The drain set up

The nurse in the hospital said before these drains, women used to have dressings that needed to be changed once they were soaked.  I am so thankful for the person that came up with the drains.  They are a little annoying at first, but after 2 weeks, I am totally used to them now.

From Google so you didn't need to see mine

The drain looks like a hand grande, no joke.  When squeezed together and then capped, it creates suction to pull the liquid from my body.  I have 4, two on each side.  In the hospital and for the first week, I emptied them every 4 hours and recorded their output.  Now I empty them 3 times a day.   I came home from the hospital with cups (really used for pee) to measure the output of the drains.  

Measuring the output

For the shower I use the mess pouch from the hospital.  They are all made by volunteers for the mastectomy patients.  It certainly does keep the drains out of the way.  I am happy my PS let me shower 2 days post op.  I have heard some docs only allow sponge baths until the drains come out.  

Shower set up

Before the surgery, I looked at lots of different ways ladies managed the drains.  A friend recommended this {camisole}.  I ordered one of those and a {drain apron} from Amazon.  The hospital then gave me 2 more of the same camisole and a mesh shower pouch.  I have worn the apron the most since it has still been warm here in Denver.  If I put on black pants, it almost disappears.  The cami is good but the drain pouches are right under my boobs so unless I put on a zip up hoodie, it looks like there is an alien in my belly.  I have worn the cami under other shirts because it is easy to step into.  Then I wear the apron for the drains.  I even sleep in the apron so I don't worry about the drains over night.  It may be the best $9 I spent so far!

Apron + the cami

Barely there

Headed to the doctors

My alien belly

I see the PS this afternoon.  Hope he takes these bad boys out but I think I have one more week.  We shall see!!