August 15, 2015 - Harrisburg Senators Paint the Park Pink Night
My family and Cole's family had a wonderful time at this game. Cole and I went on the field prior to the game. It was a touching moment. It was neat seeing my name on the jersey. Definitely brought on another "moment".
August 25, 2015 - My parents met us at our house and we arrived at the hospital right on time, 7:30 AM. As I approached the machine to take a number, I told my family that it would be so cool if I got the same number as I did when I had my port put in. Low and behold...
I was double 0 7 again! #bondchic
It wasn't long until I was called back to pre-op and all of the pre-op procedures began. Not one nervous feeling. I thought the nerves would set in by this time, but honestly, they never did! I was too excited and anxious to have the surgery.
My surgery time was set for 9:30. Well, 9:30 came and went quickly. The surgery before mine was running over. I was worried about that patient and prayed that they were ok. It was after 12:00 some time when my anesthesiologist, Dr. Later (yep - not making that up), came in to see me. He apologized for being late, made the jokes about being late and his name, and ran through all of the important information. We had a good time carrying on and I told him about the text I sent out: "Laying on the OR table, 1 off, 1 to go". I wanted him to know what he was dealing with! Dr. Barton then came in to go over everything with me. She marked the side that she would be removing lymph nodes from with her initials. I told her, "Had I known that I could write on myself, I would've written bye-bye across my chest". Dr. Barton already knows what she's dealing with! Ha! But I was still worried about her first patient so I made sure to ask if everything was ok. Dr. Barton was happy that I was concerned about her patient and not upset that my surgery was running very late. Fortunately, her patient was okay. There just wasn't enough time booked for that surgery.
I received many texts that morning wishing me the best. I thank you all for those as it meant so much reading them while I waited. My colleagues at school sent me well wishes in their prettiest pink colors.
Around 1:00, my anesthesiologist and his assistant came to get me to take me to the OR. Woo hoo!!! Still no nerves! My parents, Cole's mom, and Cole all kissed me and wished me the best! One of the doctors said he was giving me a sedative to keep me calm. I told him I didn't need it as I wasn't the least bit nervous. He gave it to me anyway and I certainly felt it kick in as he was wheeling me down the hall. I barely remember that trip. I don't remember scooting onto the OR table, but I do remember them telling me to put my arms out to my sides and the oxygen mask being put on my face. The next thing I knew, about 7 hours later, I was listening to people that were helping me get settled in my room. I was in and out of sleep and remember very little of what I was saying and doing for the next several hours. But I remember Cole telling me that everything went very well for both surgeries. He told me that Dr. Barton said her surgery went even better than expected!
Enjoy some pictures...
Pre-op
My cousin was watching Chance until I got home.
Letting everyone know I was doing well!
I was in the best of care at West Shore hospital! Many, many thanks to everyone there! Many thanks to Cole and my parents that took turns staying with me while I was in the hospital. And much appreciation to my cousins that came to visit me while I was in there. My apologies for not being very coherent! They were some good meds! :-)
I also received some very beautiful flowers while I was in the hospital and shortly after coming home.
You know you're a super fan when your favorite team sends you flowers!!
Thank you, Hershey Bears!!!
My time in the hospital went very quickly and I was back home around 9:00 Thursday night - 2 days after surgery. You would think that a double mastectomy would be very painful, especially having expanders put in under the breast tissue for immediate reconstruction. Honestly, the pain hasn't been bad at all. I have a lot of tightness across my chest more than anything. I had a few muscle spasms, but I really can't feel anything on or in my chest. You see, they took most of the nerves when doing the surgery, hence, not having much pain. I also had a pain pump that put numbing medicine in my chest for several days. My plastic surgeon removed that Monday, 6 days after surgery.
1 week after my surgery, I met with Dr. Barton. She informed me that surgery went very well. She believes that the cancer was in me for years before it was discovered. She also stated that before chemo I was stage 3c. After chemo, she believes I was stage 2a. Chemo worked!!! And it worked more than they thought it ever would!! She informed me that the cancer was gone. I asked her, "Cancer free?" She looked at me, smiled and said, "Cancer free!" She walked over and gave me a big hug as I began to cry.
The next day, I received a phone call from Amy, from the Hershey Bears. After congratulating me on the great news of being cancer free, she asked me if I would be interested in doing a ceremonial puck drop at the Breast Cancer awareness game on Sunday, October 25. Wow! I obviously committed! I can't wait! What a privilege to represent those dealing with and those that have dealt with breast cancer!!!
So now the healing continues. I'm doing very well! Anxiously awaiting the next step. I will have some expansion done and then radiation will start.
As always, thank you so very much for your continued prayers and support!!! They're definitely working!!! Love to you all!!!
