October 3, 2008 - FINALLY!!!  After so much time has passed, I realized that the original tentative timeframe of September/October wasn’t going to be a reality, so my intent has been to schedule the surgery close to the end of the year so that I can spend the remainder of this year hopefully just BE-ING.  The tentative date for my reconstructive surgery is Monday, December 8, 2008.  Yes, I’m very excited and admitedly maybe even a little nervous.

Before confirming a date, I had to have a right breast mammogram and bilateral MRI.  I had these procedures done at different facilities and oddly enough, my mammogram films have been misplaced/lost, so I’m waiting to find out IF (or more likely WHEN) I’ll need to redo the mammogram.  (Ah yea….pure patience….gotta have it!)  Once the mammogram film is located, it has to be compared with my MRI film and ultimately the results will be sent to my plastic surgeon who will review the results and “officially” schedule me. I’m scheduled to see the plastic surgeon at the end of this month, to confirm what I hope to have done and then I think it’s a go.  I’m still expecting to do the DIEP or SIEA flap on the 8^th.  My hospital stay may be 4-5 days and I expect to be home recovering after that.  So, if everything goes as planned, December 8 is the date.  I will certainly keep you posted.   (If that happens to be your birthday, I’ll call you on my way to the hospital. )

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Oh yea.  There’s a new clinical trial now that allows a person to receive donations of fat when breast reconstructions are done.  I think they use the same premise as that of liposuction.  I’m certainly one who supports clinical research and trials on most levels and because this is something that I could potentially benefit from, to those of you who love me so much that you told me that you’d be willing to donate, well, don’t think that I forgot about you!  Uhm….if you’re still willing, let me know and I’ll give you the details.  I don’t like making promises that I can’t keep, but I PROMISE that if you are generous enough to share your excess fat with me, that I’ll remember you forever!  OK….I only WISH this were so….just my untrained medical mind thinking of ways this could be done.  (If only it was just as simple as coming up with an idea and going with it!!!)

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In other news, I recently visited my oncologist and my gynecologist and all is well.  My oncologist told me that I could get my port removed, (YEA! It doesn’t take much to please me), so I will schedule that soon.  I’m trying to have all procedures done before the end of the year. (Gotta use my healthcare spending account, ya know?)

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Breast Cancer Awareness - October is recognized as breast cancer awareness month, so I’m sure you’ll hear and see lots of information regarding breast cancer.  For me, though, awareness is pretty much a daily thing and although I don’t generally “tell” people what to do, if I could offer a few suggestions, it would be to say that if you haven’t been consistent (because I know you’re doing your monthly self breast exams), please take a few moments to examine your breasts (or get some information on how to do it or have someone do it for you…doesn’t matter), have a mammogram done if you haven’t already (and you're "of age" or meet certain "requirements" otherwise), pay attention to your body and encourage someone else to do the same.

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I saw the musical play “Unbeatable” recently and it was very nice. The play deals with the journey of an extremely busy (do everything for everybody else type) woman who was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer.  It was well presented in my opinion and certainly something that I could relate to.  I’m not sure if others who are not familiar with the intimacies of a cancer diagnosis, treatment options, side effects, emotions, etc. would find it entertaining, but I would certainly recommend it.   If you’re in Houston and you want to see it, it will be here until October 12, at Stages Repertory Theatre.

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Also, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is tomorrow (here in Houston).  I’ve participated for several years and did not do so last year because I was an emotional mess and from the very first year that I walked, I was overwhelmed by the number of people who were there and who supported the cause.  It’s an awesome experience - to see the numerous breast cancer survivors who have their respective families, teams and supporters.  It’s very heartfelt for me.  So, if you don’t have a cause that you’re currently supporting, consider giving your time and/or resources to help breast cancer education and research.  There are plenty of organizations that would benefit from your consideration.  OK.  I’m not a beat you over the head type of girl, so that’s all I got.

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All is well.  Thank you again for consistently truly loving me.

Recently, I agreed to coach soccer for Jayme's team.  Now, soccer, for me, was one of the most unexciting sports and one that I would have never imagined watching, let alone coaching.  My mama was always involved in everything that I did as a child and throughout my high school years and it's one of the things about her that I wanted to emulate when I had children.  So, I decided to stop procrastinating and just do something before my girls grow up and I'd be out of time, although I didn't realize I would start by being a soccer coach.  I've actually been having a lot of fun coaching, watching the games and even getting a little exercise with it all.  As I've been running up and down the soccer field with the children, it does'nt necessarily feel like I'm using a lot of energy, but after each game, I've been extremely exhausted.  (What have I gotten myself into?  Golly gee!)  But, nevertheless, I agreed to coach and I had previously scheduled my reconstructive surgery tentatively for December 8.  Well, my last soccer game is December 13 and I was aware of this when I agreed to coach, so I had a potential dilema.  I didn't want to not commit because the surgery date was pending my MRI results and dates are subject to change for any reason, so I stuck with it and decided that I'd either reschedule my surgery or find another coach to take my place on that date.  So, I called the plastic surgeon's office to check her availability and it just happens that her office was going to call me to reschedule to December 15 because the plastic surgeon has something that she needs to do on December 8.  So, it looks as if it'll work out beautifully.  (My only concern was that the surgery be scheduled before the end of the year).  Other than a few routine medical tests to be performed before the surgery, everything is set for December 15.  My  mammogram, MRI and breast ultrasound results were all normal.  I had gotten kinda ancy because I had to redo the mammogram after the film was lost and then I had to do an ultrasound, but everything ultimately fell into place.

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I have been feeling very well lately and I'm very excited about my reconstructive surgery.  If there are any happenings  in the meantime, I'll keep you updated.