The new boob

Well I finally found a surgeon and on May 20th I got my new boob. Yahoo!!! I had to travel to Santa Clara for the surgery. I'm happy with the results. I can wear a swimsuit without fear that my prosthetic will fall out. I will have to have one more surgery to make them even but this will be a easy one.

update

I know I have been away for 2 months but it’s hard to write about what I’m dealing with. I have found a doctor in Santa Clara who will doing the surgery I want. I’ve been waiting 2 months for him to give me a surgery date which hopefully will be in May. I hate waiting but what can i do.

Happy New Year!

My hair is out of control. It’s coming back curly and dark. I will have to take a picture and post it so every to laugh.
It’s been a relaxing passed few weeks and now I’m on the job hunt. I’ve put my resume in at a few places and now I’m just waiting.
I’ve also started the doctor hunt again. (I sound like a broken record) I’ll keep everyone updated on that. Wish me luck! It has been great not having to deal with doctors for 2 months. It is a big change and I don’t miss it.
Today Justin and I are going to my sister’s house to celebrate Sean and Grace’s 9th birthday. They are getting so big. Here is what they looked like in 2000. They were 3 months old.

It’s almost xmas

Not much has been happening here. I guess when I face the doctor issue life will be more exciting. I’m going to wait until next year to deal with everything.

I need to start looking for a job soon. I’m so ready to work again. I have a need to learn new stuff.

I’m still on the hunt for a new doctor, even if it is not from Kaiser. I guess I’m on the hunt to find who can make the best boob.

Waiting Game or Is It the Crying Game

I met up with a new doctor. He was really nice but he doesn’t do the DIEP processor. He also likes to wait 1 year after radiation. That would bring my surgery date to September. I’m going on a cruise in September. So what does that mean to me? I’ve decided to take the holidays off and worry about it in January.

I also need to start looking for a job. My disability ends December 31st.

Other then all this mess I’ve been good. I feel healthy and my brain is starting to work again.

Winter is Coming and I Have Hair

My appt was cancelled last week. The doctor’s nurse called me and told me I weigh too much. The doctor won’t do the surgery. They told me it would be a waste of my time if a come down. So I’m back at square one.

I have an oncology appt tomorrow. I’ll see what she says. I’m so tired of doctors at this point!

I have a new picture to share. It’s of Sean (nephew) and me. As you can see my hair is coming back!

Kaiser Sucks!

I had an appt. in Hayward with my new plastic surgeon. I drove all the way down to find out that my appt. was canceled. I was pissed! I have no love for Kaiser right now!
They rescheduled my appt. to Wednesday at 4:30pm.

I Walked 4 The Boob

This weekend I walked 5 miles for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. It was an amazing day. I walked with some of my girls from my support group and some of my family. Here is the first picture I have:

Total Freak Out

I called to make an appointment with my plastic surgeon. His office told me he no longer works at Kaiser. He was the only doctor that does the DIEP procedure in Walnut Creek. I just saw him 3 weeks ago.
I'm so screwed.
There is one other doctor in the area that does DIEP but she is in Hayward and I have to get a referral to see her. I have an appt in Walnut Creek Monday to hopefully get it. I just have a feeling that they are going to try and talk me out of doing this procedure. I also think my timeline for reconstruction is now going to be pushed out.
So I’m freaking out!!!

Radiation Free Zone

I’m done with radiation. It gave me a pretty big raw patch under my arm and I itch but other than that it was easy.

My next step is to start Hormonal Therapy. I will be taking Tamoxifen for 5 years. Here is some information on it:
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/serms/tamoxifen.jsp

I’m also on the countdown to reconstruction surgery. The girls will be together again soon! I can’t wait!!!!

5 more to go!!

I’m back from my wonderful weekend at Kelly’s bachelorette party. I have a couple of pictures to share.. Me as a hot red head and laura!! LoL





Only 5 zap's to go!!

To the powerful women I know:

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says,

'Oh shit....she's awake!'

Almost Done Getting Zapped!

I’m just hanging out at Kelly’s house today. We are getting ready for her bachelorette party this weekend. We will be heading down to San Luis Obispo tomorrow. We are going wine tasting and out to the bars. I haven’t decided if I’m going to wear a wig. I think I look funny in wigs.

I only have 7 more radiation sessions left. It hasn’t been too bad. I’m just a little red, sore, and tired.

I have some messed up news… I probably won’t have my reconstruction surgery until Jan. That means I won’t go back to work until March. I was so upset. I just want thing to be back to normal.

1 Week Down 4 Togo

I started radiation this week. I have to go everyday (Monday – Friday) at 8:15 am. It only takes about 15 minute’s total. They radiate each area for about 1 minute. I have 3 areas that get zapped.
Well I feel great. I had my blood work done this week and my counts are still low. I have about two weeks until my counts should be “normal”. I can’t wait until my hair grows back then I won’t look sick.

Slow Down

Not much going on here. I’m just trying to get back into shape. Wait was I ever in shape. Lol
I have one week until radiation starts. I hope I can go early in the morning.
I’ll be heading up to Eureka next weekend with my friend Kim. I haven’t been up there in at least a year. I can’t wait to see everyone. I’ll have to take lots of pictures. I hope its not to cold! Cold weather and a bald head doesn't mix.

Chemo Free

Today I have finished all of my medication in relation to my Chemo. I did my last neupogen injected. I feel like having a party.

It was my birthday on Monday. I had a pretty mellow day. I wasn’t feeling good. Poor me… LOL Justin brought dinner home and we watched Stargate Continuum together. That made me happy! I’m a Stargate (it’s a TV show) addict.

Tuesday I went to my radiation oncologist. I received 3 tattoos. The tattoos are where radiation beam will be pointed. I will be starting radiation on the 25th on Aug.

Last Chemo

My last Chemo cocktail! I'm to excited!

Finally Done????

I’m excited that this is my last chemo treatment but I’ve been around too many women that have said the same. Their Cancer has returned and they had to undergo chemo again. Who is to say I won’t be the same!!! How do I go on thinking I will be the lucky one???? I know if the will to fight was the way to stop cancer from returning then I would have no Cancer in me. I know I will kick cancer butt although I know its all about how my cells are behaving.. I'm not going to be Cancer's Bitch… She will be mine. I have radiation next and I’m going to breeze through it!!! I know it!! l'm kicking Cancer BUTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cancer 0 - Colleen 1

Inovis Picnic Over the weekend

Here is some funny pictures from this weekend.

1 Down One to Go

I only have one chemo to go. I have also finished with my support group. I guess I have graduated from the newly diagnosed group. There is another group I can go to but I’m not sure if I’m ready for it. It is just a breast cancer support group. I’m not sure about having to tell my story again. I guess I will just wait and see how I feel. I’m thinking about going to an individual councilor. I will have to check into it! I feel I have a lot of anger built up over this cancer. I really want beat the crap out of it and ask it why! lol
I can’t believe I only have one more chemo treatment to go. I hope the chemo killed all of the bad cells. =)