Hello...hello...is this thing on?

Yup, still here. Cleverly disguised as a really lazy blogger. So tomorrow will be the three week anniversary of my surgery and Tuesday will be my first day back to work in as much time. What's new since my last post? Well...

I got to watch Marissa compete in a regional cheer competition. There may be some bias here, but holy crap is she amazing. #soproud

We had dinner with Alyssa and Chris. And made brilliant election predictions. Then I slept through all of the election night coverage. #surpriseme

In an attempt to keep me from going completely stir crazy, Mom took me to see Cloud Atlas. Which I highly encourage everyone go see. Mostly because I have no idea what it was about and need all of you to explain it to me. #whatthehelljusthappened

Rob took me back to Dr. M's for my first saline injection. Which looks a little something like this...

This graphic is slightly inaccurate, in that my tissue expanders are beneath my pecs - stretching muscle. But...we forgot to take pictures at the appointment and this is the best one Google images had to offer. 

...Dr. M injected 40 cc's on each side and has got me scheduled to come back this Thursday for another 40-50 cc's. I was hoping to get rid of both my remaining surgical drains this week, but #2 has still been producing too much fluid. So at almost 3 weeks post-op, I've still got one very annoying drain left. #fingerscrossedthatitcomesoutthisweek

I got to visit - and shop - with Grandma yesterday where her community hosted a holiday bazaar. Also where I got loads of compliments on my haircut. #lovestylishlittleoldladies

And today I made Rob drive almost two hours to look at a bunch of really old rocks. #thatmanmustreallyloveme

Click HERE for our entire album of really old rocks!

Oh, almost forgot! And I received this in the mail...

...I'm gonna give you a minute for this irony of this to sink in. #areyoufrigginkiddingme

Warning! mildly graphic content below...

...but it's really not that bad, so don't be such a sissy. But first...

 Major accomplishments of the day!

1. Upgrading from yoga pants and tennis shoes to jeans and ballet flats.

2. Getting 2 of my 4 surgical drains removed. 

3. Having the steri-strips removed from my incisions. 

4. Getting a clear pathology report!

Today was 10 days post-op (and 7 weeks since last chemo - but who's counting), which meant ALL the docs wanted to see me. Dr. B was first up and went over the pathology of everything she removed during surgery. Long story short, chemo kicked some major cancer ass! 

Dr. B (surgical oncologist) removed 21 left axillary lymph nodes and their biopsy came back cancer-free. The invasive ductal carcinoma - which was a 3x3x2 cm tumor just a mere six months ago - gone. The only thing the chemo hadn't sent running and screaming was the ductal carcinoma in situ. There was still a 2.2 cm tumor hanging out in the evil twin. But not anymore, thanks to surgery. And the good twin? All pathology was clear there, too. Mad props to Dr. B!

Now, to radiate or not to radiate? That is the question. Which will be answered by Dr. G, the radiation oncologist. Stay tuned. 

Next stop was Dr. F (medical oncologist), who remains super psyched about how well the chemo kicked major cancer ass. Her recommendation? Stay the course with Herceptin (8 infusions down, only 9 more to go) and hold off on Tamoxifen until the jury has decided on radiation, or not. Also, go for another echo at the beginning of year.Three snaps in a Z formation for Dr. F!

Last stop was Dr. M (reconstructive surgeon), who was super impressed with how well/quickly my incisions are healing. I attribute that to the fact that I am now part vampire... or Wolverine... or something.

This is the right side (good twin) where two of my drains were removed today. Looking suspiciously like vampire bites.

And this is the "before" photo. As in before the drains came out. See? Not that bad.

Hopefully the two left side (evil twin) drains will be ready to come out by Monday or Tuesday. Then I'll be back in Dr. M's office next Thursday for my first tissue expander fill. He left both 450 cc expanders about half full at the time of surgery. Starting next week, I'll go in once or twice a week for the expanders to gradually be injected with saline. Kinda like getting your braces adjusted... but different. Anyway, slowly filling the expanders gets my muscles ready for the implants that will eventually replace them. The expanders, that is, not my muscles. They're staying just where they are, if only a lot more limber. So tissue expanders are kinda like really intense yoga for your pec muscles. 

I have no idea what's going on here, but tissue expanders look way less painful than this.

Happy Halloween!

It's official. I've become that crazy dog lady. 

Happy Halloween everyone!

What do a full week of pajamas + trash TV + naps on the couch equal? Too much of a good thing, that's what! So after the roads were cleared from hurricane Sandy (our neighbor had a tree go down, fortunately the only thing it took out was another neighbor's mailbox and the exit from our neighborhood)... I put on real clothes... and left. the. house!

That's right, an over-sized cable knit sweater can hide a multitude of figure flaws. Even tissue expanders and surgical drains.

Somehow I don't think these are the lovely lady lumps Fergie had in mind, but they'll have to do for now.

Happy, happy birthday...

...from all of us to you! I've never worked for TGIFridays or anywhere else that subjects its birthday celebrants to a ridiculous song. So for this post we'll just keep it simple and say...

Happy Birthday, Mom!

In addition to that milestone, there are a few others worth celebrating on this, my 6th day post-op. Taking my first unassisted shower, going up and down the stairs on my own, and wearing a pull-over shirt. I know, now I'm just showing off. Oh! And I bid adieu to my On-Q today. While I'm sure it was doing me a world of wonder in the pain management department, it's one accessory I'm more than happy to get rid of. And you know what Coco Chanel always said, always take off one accessory before leaving the house. Now if I could just get rid of this drain belt...

Hi everyone. Thank you so much for all of the texts, emails, calls and visits. Monday turned out to be a really long day - particularly for those of you in the lobby...

And I'm really sorry that I didn't get to see everyone after you'd been waiting all that time...

But all of your flowers and gifts were the perfect pick-me-up. Thank you...

After much insistence on my part, they finally released me at about 7:30 last night...

And now I'm home-sweet-home with some new accessories...

So feel free to stop by and pay a visit.

Yesterday went pretty much like this...

Photo credit: The Bloggess

So today we went here...

See more photos from our Skyline Drive adventure HERE

And tomorrow will be a lot like this...

Have a great night everyone!