Thursday, April 30, 2015

April 28, 2015 - Breast Reconstruction Day!

I have always and still do feel that beauty is on the inside, not on the outside. My plan was to be flat and fabulous! lol. I struggled with the decision to reconstruct but after four months of "stuffing," I was more than ready! lol. Once I decided to go forth with breast reconstruction, it immediately fell into place. I met my wonderful and fantastic plastic surgeon on a Wednesday and surgery was scheduled for the following Tuesday!
We arrived at Novant Ballantyne Surgery Center and were immediately made to feel so comfortable and welcomed by the staff! While I was in the pre-op area, the surgery and the recovery nurses that had been assigned to my case came and introduced themselves and told me exactly what they would be doing for me. I also met my CRNA and anesthesiologist and of course my surgeon came by wearing a special surgery cap with pink ribbons on it!  These "small" gestures are really a "big deal" from a patient's view. I was completely relaxed and without dread when I was rolled into the OR.
The surgery lasted two hours and then onto the recovery room. I woke up to a delicious red can of real Coke! lol. While I was in recovery, my pre-op nurses, surgery nurses, CRNA and anesthesiologist re-visited me. It was definitely a "red carpet" day for me at Novant Ballantyne and I highly recommend this location! 
I left here thanking God for a successful surgery and for all the helpful people I met on my unexpected journey today!

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

April 21, 2015 - Saying Farewell to My "Purple Heart" Chemotherapy Port!

This is my chemotherapy port that had been with me since December 11. I love that it is colored purple and in the shape of a heart! It certainly served its purpose by working well each and every time, thus avoiding arm sticks. However, it is time to bid farewell!
I signed into Dr. Turk's office at 2:15 and was taken on back to a treatment room for removal of my chemo port. As always, the staff were courteous, caring, efficient and mindful of the patient's time. Never having to "wait" is just another reason I love coming here! As I am getting undressed, I think back to my first appointment with Dr. Turk on December 2.  I was immediately at ease with him and trusted him completely to do my surgery. He was so understanding and moved swiftly to get me on the OR schedule.  I can't believe I am here for port removal today. The time has passed so quickly. 
This is Vicki, Dr. Turk's nurse. She is always pleasant, helpful and beaming with a smile! She was also very helpful in getting my December surgery scheduled.
 This is the tray once Dr. Turk finished. The port removal was quick and painless. He is such a wonderful and skilled surgeon and part of my unexpected journey.
 Here I am in my lovely pink paper top taking a selfie with my favorite surgical nurse, Vicki! lol. Today was a BIG day! 
My unexpected journey has led me into many different places, crossed paths with so many fantastic people and has given me so many "warm fuzzies" and fond memories! I overwhelm myself when I look back and remember the many faces along the way on my unexpected journey. I am so thankful for my blog and hope it helps others as much as it helps me! 


Saturday, April 18, 2015

April 5, 2015 - Spring Break With Family in Pisgah Forest!

This is me standing in front of Moore's Cove Waterfall showing off my "journey" souvenir bracelet! It was the second day of our trip when I found this at the Brevard Belk store. It was marked down to half price and screaming my name! lol. I am definitely adding this to my journey collection!
Eleven of us decided to spend Spring break at Candy and Larry's log cabin in the beautiful land of waterfalls in Transylvania County! The cabin is located high in the Pisgah Forest and the view is magnificent from start to finish!
 We drove the RV and as you can see it is a long and steep driveway up to the cabin. Chicken Little here walked up as Ricky bravely drove to the cabin and also walked down the drive when it was time to leave! lol.
Here we are all set up. Ricky made maneuvering and parking look easy-peasy!
As I look out our bedroom window, I see this spectacular view! The   emerald green color is so pleasing to the eye and at the same time forces one to pull up a chair and rest for awhile. Resting while enjoying nature and watching the clouds float across the sky is by no means a waste of time. This proved to be a great view for drinking our early morning cup of coffee too! There was a gentle breeze all week and I am sure the wind was longing to play in my hair! lol.
This is a picture of the llama farm down the street. Llamas must be fairly social animals because they would always come "galloping" to the fence when we were out walking. As you can see, the cabin is surrounded by all of this beautiful green color!
The girls enjoyed their daily visits to the goat farm across the street from the cabin. Ava is holding "Whitley" who always insisted on nibbling on her hair! lol. Rubber boots are a "must" on a goat farm! The owners, Cindy and Eddie, even let them help feed the goats!
  This is Claire holding one of the eight baby goats. They loved spending time with the goats and learning how to care for them.
The cabin also has a creek out front. BooBoo enjoyed roaming the banks and getting his feet wet.
Ricky and the boys enjoyed spending time fishing from the creek bank. They look pretty serious in this picture though! lol.
Cole's "catch of the day" was a tiny rainbow trout! lol.
This is a picture of the goat farm across the street. Just cross the bridge over the creek! The farmers appear to know the secret of being happy and relaxed! Could it be living the simple life and knowing that being "rich" is having what money can't buy??
This is one of the waterfalls at Moore's Cove - beautiful!
BooBoo enjoyed the hikes with Claire to the different waterfalls too!
Photographer Candy caught me "adjusting" my wig! lol. Thank God for wigs and head covers!
This picture was taken on a covered bridge enroute to Bridal Veil Falls. They were a group of about eight or nine riders. Pretty horses!
This is another picture of the covered bridge. I found myself remembering Clint Eastwood and "The Bridges of Madison County" movie. Of course, as always the book was better.
 As I am looking through the trees at Bridal Veil Falls, I remind myself that all waterfalls are God's beautiful artwork! 
This is another picture of Bridal Veil Falls. Water is so easy on the eyes and the ears!
Candy and Larry were able to finish remodeling the cabin kitchen this trip! They started by putting in a new hand scraped hickory hardwood floor that has a pretty "rippled" effect. After realizing a cabin can be a little tricky to remodel and decorate, they decided to mix their colors of wood and replace the fixtures with a more rustic look. Oh no, I am beginning to realize that I have watched way too much HGTV! lol.  
Larry made the bar top from a slab of black walnut that he finished by hand. He bought it from Kyle at "The Sawmill" in Iron Station. They both highly recommend Kyle and The Sawmill! He put two pieces of metal on the front for the finishing touch! 
I feel all eleven of us had a great time together and made a lot of priceless memories! I highly recommend visiting Brevard and "the land of waterfalls" to everyone!

Next up - removal of chemo port! 






Monday, April 13, 2015

April 2, 2015 - Three Week Follow-up Visit After Chemo Completion.

It has been three weeks since completing chemotherapy and I am scheduled to see Dr. Mitchell today at 11am. I sign in and almost immediately am called back to a room. The efficiency here has certainly spoiled me for any other office. lol. 
My visit went extremely well today with lots of "hands on" teaching and instructions for doing self chest and lymph node  exams for possible signs of recurrence. His plans are to see me every three months and prn if needed. As I sat there listening, I began to realize that I never dreaded coming in for chemo, coming in for a Neulasta injection, coming in for lab draws or coming to see him for a visit. I always enjoyed interacting with the staff and the other patients. I never saw the surgery and the chemotherapy in a negative or fearful light, but as what I "needed" to treat my condition. My next appointment will be on July 2. Gee.... I hope I don't get separation anxiety! lol. 
As I leave today, I am 100% filled with thankfulness and gratitude as I think back to that dark radiology room on November 19 (breast biopsy results day). Later that day was when God gave me that "peace that passeth all understanding" by assuring and reminding me that He would go with me through this. Today, my chest exam is negative and my tumor markers are within normal limits. I have no evidence of disease in my body. I plan to continue to be 100% compliant with all doctors' orders, be very diligent with self exams, and stay alert for any reportable symptoms. I also plan to continue to live and travel positively knowing that the "Great Physician" is on this unexpected journey with me!
Once again, thank you to everyone who has followed along and  whispered a prayer or had a kind thought for me. I felt and appreciated all of them!  
Next up - Spring break with family!!