As I went down the 10 flights in the elevator, my eyes filled with tears. Released. I've waited to hear those words for 11 months ... and 10 days. It was that long ago that I got a call from my OB saying that I had the BRCA2 gene. Life would never be the same. What a year it has been. I still have a follow up with the Breast Specialist in January and a follow up with the Plastic Surgeon in February, but no more surgeries or lengthy healing times. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm blessed. This journey has opened my eyes to a LOT of things. I've grown in my faith. I've grown in my compassion toward others. I've grown an inner strength that I knew was there, but it was never tested to this level. I've met some amazing women on a similar journey as mine. Overall, my life is better!
Highlights from today's appointment:
- I'm RELEASED!
- I had some inner stitches make their way to the surface of both breasts so those were removed. Why is it that every time that happens, it's on a part of my boob that has feeling as opposed to a numb spot?! Ouch! The rest of the inner stitches should dissolve over the next 6 months, but if more surface, I'll go into the office to have them removed.
- I have to continue rubbing lotion on my scars at least twice a day, including the 4 scars I have from the drains after the surgery in July. The drain areas were tender for months so I'm just now able to work on them. The purpose of the lotion is to keep scar tissue from forming under the incisions that are healing.
- I have to keep pushing my implants toward the center to get them to loosen up. They're in the right spot, but they need some tweaking (per my doctor). Seriously, pushing them to the center is the last thing on my mind so I'm letting gravity do it's job when I sleep on my sides at night. So far, so good!
- Over the next few months, I could start to feel shooting pains, like needles, in both breasts. This process won't be comfortable, but it will be a sign that feeling is returning to the breasts. There's a chance that it will only come back a little, on one side and not the other, or not at all. We shall see. I'm praying for complete restoration of feeling because having a numb chest just feels weird!
- Per my doctor, I can't wear an under wire bra because I can't feel parts of both breasts and he doesn't want the wire rubbing a raw spot since I can't feel it. Makes sense.
- I can finally wear my seat belt the correct way! Since my surgery in July, I've had to put the shoulder belt behind me in case I was rear ended and the strap did more harm than good.
- I can slowly return to soccer, boot camp, and running. I know that I will be exhausted since I haven't worked out in 8 months, but I'm VERY ready to get back in the swing of things.
To my family and friends: THANK YOU! Those two words don't seem adequate enough, but they're very heartfelt. Thank you for taking care of me, my kids, and my husband. Thank you for babysitting, for bringing us meals, for cleaning our home, for sending us gift cards, for driving me to appointments, for listening to me complain and rejoice, for gentle hugs, and for surrounding us in prayer. We were overwhelmed with support this past year, and we are forever grateful for the army that God placed around us to endure these last 12 months. You're kindness was not overlooked and it will never be forgotten.
Luke 1:49 - "for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name."
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