Almost There

Well...as the title says...I'm almost there. Where...totally healed. Praise God for her undying love and his miracles!


I had reconstruction surgery in September. It went very well. I am in a study group with my implants. They have been used in Europe for about 20 years, but are not approved in the US yet. primary difference, they are actually shaped like a breast. It was not possible to create the pre-surgery size because mu skin would not stretch. That's ok, I just wanted something there so my clothes would actually fit.

I had the first phase of nipple reconstruction November 24, 2008 and the secon January 14, 2009. The surgeon could make the left one with my own skin because that breast was created with a "flap" but the right one was more difficult and there was nothing to form it from. Believe it or not, they cut a pie shape out of one ear and did a skin graph for the base of the nipple and the second surgery was to take from the other ear for the top of the nipple. It worked really good. Now I'm applying lotions to get rid of the scars.

I am taking Arimidex for 5 years, minimum. It will kill all the estrogen in my body to the point where my body makes none. I sure hope I don't end up having to shave as I am unable to take hormone replacements either. I also taken another drug that eases the bone pain and hot flashes the arimidex causes.

The oncologist will begin a new treatment soon. I will be getting Zometa by IV every 6 months for three years. This drug basically wraps my bone to help prevent cancer from going to my bones. They say I am in the highest braket for reoccurrence and are not willing to say I am cancer free so I guess I will do what ever treatments they believe I need to in order to help prevent cancer coming back somewhereelse.

I often think of my friend, Marsha Liddick, who battled breast cancer and finally went to be with the Lord several years later. What an amazing woman. She was a marvel to witness and I am so honored to have known her. Her battle was so intense and she remained ever-so-devoted to her husband, sons and God. I do not know how she ever managed or where she got her strength except from God to be the examples to those of us years later battling the same disease. When I look at what she went thru, it gives me strength and courage too.

Thank you for your continued prayers and good wishes.

Cathy