BRCA: Terrible Day?

We had a SUPER busy weekend. Like in bed after 11pm on Friday, company picnic and then drove over 4 hours to TX and in bed after 11pm on Saturday, drove over 4 hours home on Sunday, made it back in town just in time for my husbands soccer game, then quickly home because our neighbors daughter stayed Sunday night with us since her little sister was having surgery Monday morning ... Busy! 

I loved every moment though because I was able to meet new friends and share Arbonne's amazing Clean Eating Challenge at a party in Bixby Friday night and then at a party in Richardson, TX, on Saturday night. And, of course, the girls loved having their friend stay the night on a school night! I can't remember a weekend where we crammed so much into such a short amount of time. It was fast and fun!

Back to today. I had to get four little girls (ages 2-6) up and ready this morning with three of them going to school. Everything was going smoothly. We all got strapped into my SUV, I turned the key, and ... nothing. Click, click, click. Nothing. Click, click, click. Nothing. I called my husband and he came straight home from work to drive the five of us to two different schools in record time. We got to the first school right on time (like to the minute) and we arrived at the second school with one minute to spare. Whew.

We came back home and my husband jump started my SUV and advised me to go to Goodyear to have the battery checked. He went back to work and I was incredibly grateful for his help, and the fact that his office is only 15 minutes away. Good thing I took my car in because the battery had a short in it and needed to be replaced. $130 later I was good to go. Ugh. This was not an expense we had planned for. 


Today could have been terrible because: 

• My SUV was dead and we were on a strict schedule to get three little girls to school.
• My attitude went down hill when I wasn't sure if the girls would arrive on time. We needed to be at two different schools, in two different directions, at approximately the same time. 
• The new battery was expensive.
• My schedule was thrown off and I missed an important conference call this morning.

However, I counted my blessings because:

• The dead battery made sense after I recalled having trouble setting my cruise control on the turnpike driving home from my Arbonne party late Friday night. But, I made it home safely.
• The dead battery forced me to go to the auto shop. I've had to air up one of my tires twice in the past couple of weeks from what I assumed was a slow leak, but I had not stopped to take it in for a check up so I had it looked at along with the battery. Come to find out, the tire was coming off the rim. It's rare, but it happens. I wonder what could have happened if I kept driving on it?!
• The cruise control issue and leaking tire kept me from wanting to drive my car to Texas and back so I didn't argue when my husband wanted to take his truck even though our bags, etc would have fit better in my car.
• The battery was expensive, but it was on sale which saved us $20.
• Super dad (my husband), got all the girls to school on time. 
• Thankfully, his job is only 15 minutes from our house. Last Spring, he applied for a job that was 45 minutes away, but he didn't take it when he was offered his current job while waiting to hear back from the first job.
• The conference call was recorded so I listened to it when my two year old took a nap. 

To top it all off, during my daughters nap time, I received a delivery from the Susan G. Komen foundation and Panera bread. Here is my Facebook post from October 14th about this delivery.

"I had a voicemail from Susan G Komen when I got home from picking up the girls. The lady said that a small handful of survivors are chosen to receive a Panera basket for surviving cancer and that she'll deliver it next week. When I called back, I asked how I was chosen because I did the preventative surgeries and never had cancer. She said that was part of the criteria. I don't recall specifying any of that info when I signed up to do the walk last month. I certainly didn't choose the survivor box on the application. I told her that it's just another sign from God that I've made the right decisions, and she replied that I'm the 4th recipient to bring God into the conversation so she knows I'm the perfect person to receive this blessing. To God be the glory!"

The two ladies that delivered the basket were amazing! We connected right away and talked on the porch for about 15 minutes. I had completely forgotten about the basket coming this afternoon because my morning was such chaos. I was blessed and honored to receive the basket of "survivor" items. 

Yup, I'd have to say it was a good day! 

Philippians 4:4-9 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

BRCA: Fill Check-Up & Final Surgery Pre-Op

Last Friday (Oct 3rd), was my four week (post final fill) check-up and the Pre-Op for my next surgery. Everything looked good and only a few adjustments need to be made in the final surgery to complete this year long process. I was told at my last fill that if all looked good at my 4 week check-up then I could have my final surgery anytime up to two weeks after this appointment. Well, that would be great except that my doctors' schedule is booked up until early November. It's a little discouraging knowing that I have to wait another 6 weeks before my final surgery, but I fully trust that God has a plan so I just need to be patient. Romans 12:2 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Here's the game plan for November:

• The final surgery is to exchange the expanders for the implants.
• I have some tight tissue toward the bottom middle of both breasts that needs to be "released" to make the implants settle better so my doctor will take care of that in surgery. 
• The expanders take about 3 minutes to remove, and the remainder of the surgery is countless adjustments to make things even. 
• Surgery is outpatient.
• Healing is 4-6 weeks of light activity.
• I was told to expect drains on both sides after surgery, but I won't need them for two weeks like last time. I do NOT like the drains!
• The pain level after the next surgery should be minimal compared to what I've already been through. Praise the Lord!

I often get asked how I'm feeling and I always reply with "I'm good!" Honestly, I am good considering my journey this year. My chest is still sore at night and when I first get out of bed, but it's fine during the day. Once or twice a week I feel tightness in my chest, but most days I don't feel anything significant. I still don't like wearing a bra because my expanders are filled to the max and nothing is comfortable, but I know that it could be worse so I'm not complaining (very often). I can't say enough about the all natural *Arbonne Sleep Spray that has helped me get a more restful sleep since my discomfort makes me toss and turn all night.

The evening before my appointment, I felt the need to run so I laced up my shoes and ran two miles. I had not run since before my hysterectomy in April so my time was super slow, but I did it and it felt good. My chest area was sore the next morning so I'll keep the running to a minimum, but going out now and then will be good for me. Don't worry, my doctor approved running (of course, I didn't ask until after I ran because it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission, right?!). I would love to play soccer, but the fear of getting hit in the chest (and the fact that my husband won't let me play) is keeping me off the field. I'm glad that he's looking out for my best interest because I tend to push the limits in an effort to return to normal. 

*Click Here to read more about the Arbonne Sleep Spray, and please let me know if you would like to try it. It's great for nightly use, those that travel, or anyone that just has trouble falling asleep. I highly recommend it!