Staying On Track

Yesterday I met with Dr. Geter, my plastic surgeon. I still wasn't able to get my drains out. They are not cooperating very well. However, Dr. Geter was optimistic that I would be able to get them out on Monday......perhaps. Prayer warriors, start praying. Although I have become quite used to them and feel as if they are a part of who I am, I could easily say goodbye and not miss them one bit. A couple of weeks ago Ryan told me a story about a dog he had when he was little. The dog kept killing his neighbors' chickens, so in order to teach the dog a lesson, his dad tied a one of the dead chickens around the dogs neck for several days. I know...it's morbid. Ryan said that after one day, his dog didn't even want to move because he was so sick of the dead chicken rubbing up against him. Unfortunately, the dog didn't learn his lesson despite the punishment because he continued to kill more chickens. I don't blame him. It probably only made him want to kill them even more! Anyway, I kind of feel like that poor dog with a dead chicken tied around my neck. The drains have to go before I go crazy!!

The good thing about my appointment yesterday was that I got expanded.....again. Two more expansions and I am done! I am pretty sore this morning. It is amazing how much the skin will stretch if done gradually. The expansion process is a lot like when a woman's belly expands during pregnancy. The skin is tight and extremely hard. It is really amazing. My cannon ball chest is slowly becoming more like a bowling ball chest. At this point, you would never even know that I had a double mastectomy! Yesterday I asked Dr. Geter how long he has to wait after chemo in order to put in the permanent implants. He told me no less than 4 weeks. So, if everything stays on schedule, and I am faithful it will, my last chemo treatment will be November 24Th. As I have mentioned before, because of insurance purposes, I am desperately trying to get as much done as I can before the end of the year. So, my permanent implant surgery is scheduled for December 29Th! If we make that date it will be by the skin of our teeth. Ironically, December 29Th is my 7Th wedding anniversary to Ryan. Happy Anniversary Ryan! How many other women can say that they gave their husbands "breast augmentation" for their anniversaries?!

The other bit of good news that I have is that next week I will be going to Barnes in St. Louis for a second opinion regarding my chemo regimen. I just want to make sure that I am going to get the most up-to-date treatment and the most effective chemo drugs for my cancer. I pray everyday that I never have to go through this process again. With that being said, if I have to battle it now, I want to do it right the first time. I am looking forward to the appointment. Dr. Ellis is the doctor I will be seeing. He is head of the breast cancer program at Washington University and Barnes. He has done extensive research in the field of breast cancer and I feel so fortunate that I will be able to meet with him and seek his advice. It never hurts to get a second opinion, especially from someone who has been rated one of America's Top Doctors! Thank you Lord!