Wow I can not believe it has been since May that I wrote in this blog. So many things have happened since that time. In September I did Dash for Diva's triathlon again and had a blast. I was not near in the shape I was the first time b/c I was unable to train until a month before the race. I had some difficulty with wound healing at the incision site and was unable to swim. But I did it and glad I did. It was on Sept. 12 and I had my surgery on Sep 15th!

The surgery was to remove the expander's and place the implants. It was day surgery but a week recovery. He had to do a lot of work on my right breast from where I had the hematoma and was rushed back to surgery after my mastectomy. So he had to clean the whole area out. It was nice to get those hard expander's out for sure!


A month after my surgery Kevin and I celebrated 20 years of marriage and I turned 40. He and my mom worked together and planned this amazing party at this fabulous place in down town Cary called the Matthew's House. I was totally surprised! We enjoyed an afternoon of dancing, eating and socializing with all of our family and close friends. We had a great time and during the party Kevin had a speech and then told me that we were going to St. John, VI the next morning. CRAZY! It was really amazing. He even called my surgeon to make sure it was ok for me to fly and go swimming! During my whole time going through the surgeries and recovery if I would see a plane (we live near the air port) I would say " I bet that plane is going to St. John". So we went to St. John just me and him and had an amazing time together! Boy was that a much needed vacation. We really enjoyed trying to get back to normal again.


I have said this before but you just don't realize how much of a toll going through all this takes on your family and your relationship with your spouse. It is a lot of work to just keep everything going as normal as possible.


Boy the lessons I have learned through all of this. For sure one major one is that family  for most it is a term that relates to "relatives"  but for me it is way more than that, it also refers to our close dear friends that are for sure a part of our family. Although we have a small family we received so much support from our friends and church family. Someone always wanting to make dinner or offer to help with the kids and the house or just stop by to check on Kevin and make sure he was doing ok through all of this. I was very thankful for all of that especially for Kevin.


I found that it is easier for the person that is going through this than your spouse and family! I know Kevin often felt like he was not doing enough to help our or just wanted to make things better. You really don't know what to do, say, or how to help. For me I just plugged along and just tried to keep on going and stay positive and encouraged.


The best thing I found was to be open and honest. If I am not having a good day I say, if I am struggling I say, talk talk talk! I talk to everyone who wants to listen, it is therapy for me. I do not have a thing to hide whatever someone would like to know I tell them. I think for many of my friends and co workers it has been and eye opening experience to go through this with me.


So Friday Jan. 8th we headed up to UNC and I had my last surgery! I tried to get it in before the end of the year but that did not work out. So on Friday I had nipples created using the flap of my incision. Not quiet sure how it all worked b/c I have these bandages on that look like cones. I told everyone I feel like Madonna! He also had to revise the incision b/c I had some excess skin on the right breast so he fixed that as well. So now recovery. I think I have these dressings on for the next 2 weeks. And after about 8 weeks the nurse will tattoo on the aerola.


The whole process has really been amazing. I would never ever have thought that this whole thing would take a year.


Oh I forgot to tell you about one more issue I am experiencing. It is painful! So I have been diagnosed with frozen shoulder. This occurred after my last surgery, I think. I am unable to lift my right arm it is just frozen. So on top of everything else I have been going to PT twice a week and the PT even taught Lexi how to work my arm. That problem could take up to a year to fix! The unfortunate thing is that I am unable to work out with all of this. So if any of you ladies that have had a mastectomy and are having some issues with your shoulders get it checked out do not wait! It is a long, hard, grueling, process!!!


Wow have I gone through changes this year. Some days I really struggle if I focus on this whole thing too much. My faith has gone through peeks and valleys. I am just praying for wisdom as I start this new year. You can never let your guard down you have to keep on keepin on. Stay positive, talk it out, write it out but keep going forward!


I know there is a lesson in all of this and it may be priorities, not getting caught up in drama, staying positive, embracing relationships that I feel are important and not worrying about pleasing everyone! Focus on my faith, husband and my family. Slow down, don't get so uptight, enjoy the small things as well as the big things.


So this is where I am at now. Recovering hopefully for the last time! Enjoying life to it's fullest, every minute!


My friends and I are thinking about doing the Avon Challenge walk in Charlotte. 40 miles in 2 days walking with other survivors! I am also thinking about training for a half marathon. So lots of goals for myself.


Hope this blog update finds you all in great health and happy!

Happy New Year!

With Love,

Debbie

Though this journey has been long and hard at times I continue to look to the Lord for my strength. And although I have had peeks and valleys in regard to my faith the Lord stays by my side.

I will leave you with this verse:

2 Samuel 22:33 (New International Version)

 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.