Today I met with the breast surgeon. He is actually the head of breast surgery at U of P. He is not a friendly-funny-easygoing type. No sir he is all business. In my case that is rough, I like people who laugh at my jokes and make pleasant conversation. But he is “The Man” when it comes to surgery.
Here is an overview for anyone who might be interested. I will have a double mastectomy on either the 11th or 12th of October or the following week( 18th or 19th). I will not be having reconstruction(new boobies) because it is not recommended with IBC. At least not at first.Also new ones will make radiation difficult. So I will be flat chested for the first time since 5th grade. I think I am going to get my chest tattooed and rock wife beaters.
Next so…I will be in the hospital over the weekend and leave there on Sunday or Monday morning. After that a home care nurse will visit me once a day to check on my drains. Drains will be attached to me to facilitate the draining of bodily liquids from the wound blood and fluids. Gross right? They will be there until my follow up appointment with him. I will be recovering though for up to six weeks. He is going to do two different procedures on me. On the left breast that has cancer he will do a modified radical mastectomy on the right a bilateral mastectomy. The mrm is more serious. The surgery should take 3 to 4 hours.
Honestly, he made the whole thing seem routine. Most likely because for him it is. I feel good about it I just want him to get all the cancer he can. I am nervous a little. He said there is no way to do this without there being a big scar across my chest. I know scars are cool…but I have my doubts about this one.
I feel overall good about this process. Mostly because I know that it is a good thing to remove the “bulk of the disease” , as my breast is now affectionately referred to by my oncologists. I am sure I will go through a whole series of emotions regarding the loss of the “ladies”. Right now I feel fairly analytical about it, other than anxiety about the pain and recovery.
Thanks everyone for your love and support.
rockin the wife beater and tattooed chest is hot! i love you.
You are one tough broad. Please please please let me know anything i can do when you need it. I am not opposed to house cleaning, but my cooking skills are very lacking. Anything you need, friend.
Siobhan – I will be thrilled to have help with the housework. We have been blessed with lots of good food. But if you want you can always just pick up pizzas and come hang out for dinner. No skills needed for that. I haven’t seen you in a while. I love you Andrea
Ruthie- I will see you Friday night right?
Andrea, I am so happy that I was able to locate your blog I could not locate your number from the hospital visit and you have been with me in mindand spirit since that day. First let me say that you have taught me so much through your life story with changing my views on what is really important in life and what battles are worth fighting and which ones should be put aside please know that you are truly an inspiration to me I know with your commitment to life and family you will have gods graces through this rough time. If there is anything at all that I can do to help you through this rough time either with the children or anything elseplease feel free to get in touch with me. All my love to you and the kids, Luisa
woman, i love you. you are beautiful and i am blessed to know you. it’s true sometimes scars are pretty wild and cool, sometimes they feel overwhelming, my dad’s scar from his lung transplant looked like an underwire bra, but it’s faded. i thought it was awesome. i think anything you sport will be awesome as well. tell me when you’re up for it and i’ll be there again! we can play that game again!!! i realized i kept thinking about it last week, haha you’ve got me hooked.
you are always in prayers. love you dear. xooxox
Hey Andrea, this is Julie – Dave Collis’s mum, Alison told me your news – then I checked out this blog, don’t know how to say how sorry I am that you are dealing with all this, but at the same time you are amazing. I will be praying for all of you, but let me know if there is anything practical I could do ( in case this is useful info I work 2 blocks from the Vietnam restaurant). Miss seeing you at the Rock school shows. Julie
Andrea, again, your strength amazes me. You seem to take it all in stride. I can’t imagine how overwhelming this is for you and your family, but you do what must be done to be with them. I hope to be like you when I grow up. I am still getting stuff together for the benefit for you here in FL, but as soon as I can get the $ together, I will be sporting the Andrea star, as I call it. My husband too has agreed to sport a permanent Andrea star in your honor. You never fail to inspire.
As soon as I get your shirt, I will wear it with pride.
You are truly my hero, Andrea Collins Smith.