This past week has really been tough for a few people around me.  One in particular warmed my heart when she reached out to me for my words of encouragement and for me to share my coping skills to help her deal with a most tragic event.  Life can be cruel at times no doubt and then today, we received news of the passing of a long time friend to cancer.  Someone I met through Bruce from literally week one of a our relationship…and a good friend to Bruce for years before that.  This made my top coping skill really come through strong – force a smile, always. Remember the good times, all the life was and cherish the memories…anything that warms your heart, memories never leave.

Forcing a smile in the worst bout of tears does something inside…tear generation activity and the muscles that smile never get to meet.  For me, I realized the more I kept smiling through it all, the more everyone smiles back.  I cannot say it takes the pain, fear, sorrow and grieving away, but it helped me…and I’m pleased it came to my mind to share with another…and now you all.

I’m really happy to share that last week’s surgery had the shortest recovery time I could have imagined! I went in and came out of the hospital same day on Wednesday … Rested Thurs and Fri..and by Saturday felt A-OK.

Part of me feels that after the much more extension surgery in April, this just was “nothing”. But important to share that this procedure is really an easy one. I got myself more worked up for it than needed. Good to be getting back to normal. I’ll see the surgeon again on Thursday for a check up, but thing feel good…a wonderful thing.

This morning we went to Yale’s Breast Center and met with the head of their breast cancer unit. First off, she was such a wonderfully soothing woman to meet. All and all, I have been so very lucky to have met some of the finest breast specialists along the way. Today rounded my last 6 months out nicely.

Our main reason for having the meeting was to ensure that such great results, as I’ve been so blessed to receive, were how another cancer team might approach treatment. She reviewed my case with us and delivered such a positive outlook for the future. Not only did she agree that no radiation and chemotherapy would be needed, but she even felt that the hormone therapy was quite optional. She asked me to periodically review my choice to stay with it. So, I’m going to research the long term risks and decide if I stop the treatment. At two and a half months into the 5 years recommended, I have been side effect free. I’ll keep everyone updated on what I decide as I go.

I pleased to share that yesterday’s surgery was really a smooth and quite simple procedure. There is some pain, but nothing compared to after mast of the double mastectomy.

Farewell saline implants and the awfully uncomfortable tissue expanders and side ports..I do not miss you at all! But thanks for getting my body in better shape. The new silicon pair already feel better … I know they will never feel real to me again, but this set is comfortable …thank the heavens!

Tough moment to endure — saying good bye to our daughters on days like today. Never easy to explain to a 3 and 4 year old why Mom has tears. Off to grandma and grandpa’s they go again for a bit while I recover. Luckily this round of recovery is much shorter. Fingers crossed we’ll have them back home for the weekend.

I need to be at the hospital at 10:30 today for surgery scheduled at noon, so that gives me another hour or so at home. Needless to say, I’ve not eaten anything since last night and I’m starving just knowing I can’t eat and won’t most likely at all today. So, I stayed upstairs while Bruce had breakfast with the girls … And I think best for me to just stay upstairs away from the kitchen! (Rest assured there are no rice cakes under this roof)

I’m going to run the tub and soak for a bit…in case it’s while before I can do it again. I’m working on being as relaxed as possible and rested before going to the hospital. So, I’m just looking forward to the end of today, back home, with another step of this behind us.