Expansion Process

Ripken's Birthday! One year ago I got my lymph nodes out. What a year! I finished the expansion process on March 23. For anybody that is going to go through this I just have to say, be prepared! For some reason I thought it was going to be easy, it is anything but! With the mastectomy the surgeon basically put a balloon with a port in my chest wall. Every week I go to the plastic surgeon and he fills it with fluid. The first month wasn't bad. After that, it felt like a mini boob job every week. It is painful, and you can't sleep. I try to take pain pills, but they make me sick. It took about 4 months while the muscle slowly stretches I hated it. I guess radiation tightens the muscle? I have reconstruction on April 30th. Maybe then it will be done! Right now I have two extremely lop sided boobs, and one feels like I have an immovable tennis ball partially under my arm pit. I try to wear clothes that are loose, any bra hurts. I know, too much info again, I just needed to vent again, and thought anyone that is going through the same thing would appreciate knowing what to expect.
Signing out until another vent is necessary!

I haven't posted for so long. Everything is pretty normal. Just after Christmas we went to San Diego for a coaches conference. This is our trip to San Diego. We went to the beach, (though it was only 65), the other pictures are by our hotel, Petco park, and Kai and dad at the San Diego-Indianapolis game. This game was the highlight of Kai's life so far. We had a great time.
This is my short hair. It is extremely curly! I have to glue it down or I have an afro! At least it is hair, right? I still have 3 expansion appointments, then reconstruction (which is 2 steps), then I am done! Long road.

Christmas

This is the best Christmas present I have purchased! I found 43 jerseys for Kai on line. He has worn a different one every day of the week. This week is quarter back week.

Still Kicken'

Thursday, November 6th was my last day of radiation!!!! I feel like I have been microwaved, but that has only been the last 1 1/2 wks. Prior to that radiation was a breeze. It gets old going to the hospital everyday, but day by day you just check one more day off and eventually done! My hair is still growing in gray, so I will fix that this week. I am not complaining, at least it is hair. My eyelashes and eyebrows are back and I feel much better. I don't have to go to the doctor or hospital this week. The first time in 8 months! Next week I go back to the plastic surgeon and we start the expansion process over again. I hope to be reconstructed by December. Following that I have a doctors appointment every 3 months, (alternating radiologist and oncologist), I have a mammogram every 6 months, a Lupron shot every 3 months and Arimidex ($85/mo.!!!) pill every day. Things are definitely looking up.
Rylin had a softball tournament this weekend. The mighty father took all 4 kids and 1 extra to St. George by himself. I had state volleyball so I couldn't go. Our volleyball team took 6th, which was a great accomplishment. I am happy for the girls.
As of now radiation is over, volleyball is over, and Kai and Rylin don't have an extracurricular. What am I going to do with my time??? Ripken goes 100 mph., he is into and on top of everything. He will keep me busy for the next 5-18 yrs. I might have to start cooking dinners, whipping the kids back into a schedule and really cleaning the house. - Sounds like a real mom!

Britney and K-Fed rocked The EL (East Lehi)

We went to a party and Ang looked extremely "hot", she even wore a skirt she used to wear when we dated 16 years ago. Oh my!! Britney had her trusty umbrella in case there was any paparazzi, K Fed had some bling but he was pretty lame.

The Race Is On

We decided to have a race to see who could grow hair faster, I am afraid my hair will never grow back, Angie is winning. Picture taken on the 14th of September.

Cancer Sucks From Rylie, Kai, Hunter, Rip

Cool Sign until the notorious Lehi winds took it down.