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I remembered that I didn't blog about doing my last will and testament before my surgery. I highly recommend doing a living will, durable power of attorney, guardianship and will before any major surgery. We don't like to think about it, but if the "what if" happens, your family and loved ones will be grateful that you set up your wishes in a easily accessible way. I gave copies of my documents to my surgeons, and my husband had copies in the waiting room.
On a more positive note, I ran for the first time last night! I waited 6 weeks post op to try more rigorous exercises. I feel that you will know when you are ready and the guidelines the surgeon gives you are "suggestions". Now, "I" wouldn't workout before they recommend, but I also didn't feel like a failure by waiting longer. Slow and steady, but I had no pain. I am excited to start working out again. I plan to join the community center by my house and get back into the swing with my workout buddy!
I have been a tummy sleeper for as long as I can remember. I LOVE it! I know it is bad for your back and is a sign of insecurity, but I love it and a rested me is a better me. However after each surgery, ever in my life, I am unable to sleep on my tummy for an extended period of time. As if romping kittens and two toddlers doesn't mess up your rest enough, now I am tossing and turning trying to get comfortable. I am "cleared" to stomach sleep, but it feels like I am sleeping with two rocks under my chest. And I have an incredible fear of messing something up or worse, popping an implant. So for now, I am trying to be a side sleeper. It's not going well.
I think a lot of thoughts that factor into my positions on a lot of issues. For example, I think a person's political and personal belief can be different. I think words have power and can mislead or misconstrue more easily that people give credit. I also believe that regardless of your political affiliation, this country will not continue to thrive if we can't see the trees through the forest so to speak. You must be able to see right from wrong even if it disappoints you that "wrong" might be coming from your "side".
I am conflicted over this Susan G. Komen (SGK) controversy. I know what I have experienced and I feel that people attacking SGK is rather ironic. If they are succumbing to political pressure as everyone is shouting, then why not attack the pressure? Because you expect that behavior from conservative pro life groups? So do you then ignore the bully and blame the victim because you expect such behavior from the bully? Seems pretty silly when you put it in another context.
Further, it makes sense, like it or not, that organizations not grant funds to other organizations under FEDERAL investigation. I do however feel SGK was correct in re-evaluating their stance and specifying that they will only disqualify those who are convicted of CRIMINAL investigations. I was proud that they had the gull and ethics to see they were being unfair and fix the issue.
In talking with people about this issue, I have had more than one person mention that abortion increases a women's risk of breast cancer later in life and thus it seems counter productive for SGK to fund Planned Parenthood (PP) to begin with since PP performs abortions in some clinics. Well, let's set the record straight. Abortion does NOT increase a woman's risk of breast cancer. Period. (source)
The only way this could even remotely be construed is by saying that if you abort a fetus, child, tissue, whatever you deem it to be, then you obviously aren't breastfeeding it. Breastfeeding decreases a woman's risk of breast cancer later in life. BUT, this is a huge but, NOT breastfeeding doesn't increase a woman's risk. It doesn't work that way. Something decreasing a risk doesn't mean that if you don't do that you will have a higher risk than you would otherwise. The word increase indicates that you have raised your probability beyond a baseline. Whereas decrease means you have lowered your probability below your baseline. They are not mutually exclusive. So while having an abortion takes away a woman's ability to decrease her risk of breast cancer by breastfeeding, in no way does it increase her risk. Further, it is incredibly insensitive to allude that woman who suffer miscarriage or still birth are in anyway more at risk. In fact, they are not.
Women are women's worst enemies; as history has repeatedly proven true. Sad, truly.
I watched the movie 50/50 tonight with Ray and my dad. It was funny, heartbreaking and offensive all in a compact 90 minute low budget film. I liked it because I felt that it focused on the patient's perspective of everyone around them. It highlighted annoyances like people constantly saying "It's going to be okay." Or saying "I am sure you are feeling shocked and numb." in response to a patient saying, "I feel fine." If anything, I hope people watch this movie and learn to better validate their patient's feelings instead of projecting their own.
I don't want this to come off "judgy". I made mistakes as a caregiver. I had moments of insensitivity. I remember feeling frustrated at my mom's lack of energy level, or her reluctance to go to my last sonogram. I know she was feeling bad and tired, but I wanted her to be there. I tried to hide my disappointment, but she knew and I regret my feelings to this day.
The movie is very heavy in language. Even the "C" word that I detest. But for what it accomplishes in terms of advocacy, I rather enjoyed it.
The one line I distinctly remember, "The more syllables in the cancer, the more serious it is." Breast has 1 syllable. Ovarian has 4.... I am in no way down playing breast cancer. I just found that ironic.
Check out my Relay for Life tab and view the new slide show on what Relay is, what you will find there and how to register! I am honored to chair the event this year and I am so excited to see our numbers grow DAILY! Yes, daily we are registering more teams and participants.
Here is my personal fundraising page if you feel incline to give. I would really be grateful for anything spared.
My next follow up is February 20th. I will see all three surgeons! It'll be a long day. I will update afterwards for sure, but keep checking for updates between now and then :-)
I know many, even most, people have issues with their insurance companies. I am just so thankful that to date our health insurance has been very accommodating and helpful. They covered Jackson's prescription formula which made our $700/mo. tab only $350. That is huge! Anyway, I just found out today that they will cover 5 sessions of laser hair removal for me!
Allow me to explain. When I had my DEIP flap reconstruction, abdominal skin was used to fill the space where my nipples were. My stomach skin (as any Greek woman can tell you) is liken to my arm, its HAIRY! All was well and good for a while after surgery, but it became clear relatively soon that even with tattooing, there would always be this hair on what was to become my nipples, and it was very visible.
I asked my surgeon and the Mercy Hospital MediSpa to apply to my insurance for laser hair removal. They were a bit reluctant as I guess previously it was denied. Well, I found out today that I qualify for 5 sessions, which is the amount recommended to adequately remove the hair permanently. That is about $500 of coverage! I am thrilled and feel very thankful to have such great insurance. I fully understand how lucky I am and I am very grateful.
Susan G. Komen Foundation has Announced an End to Planned Parenthood Fundraising
In my experience walking in the 3 Day Walk for three consecutive years and fundraising over $10,000 for Komen, I personally met people that were unwilling to give to the 3 Day because Susan G. Komen granted money to Planned Parenthood. People have various beliefs about Planned Parenthood, specifically around the issue of abortion. These particular people felt that they were not willing to donate money that could then be granted to Planned Parenthood which could then be used to fund an abortion which in turn compromised their morals and/or religion.
The issue of greater good, or what we history teachers call "common good" comes into play here. Was Susan G. Komen losing fundraising dollars to the extent that dropping Planned Parenthood benefits their income thus research and awareness? I don't know the answer to this question, I am merely posting a perspective. Is the greater good worth the sacrifice of women and men that use Planned Parenthood? Its not nice to exclude anyone, but in reality, this may be a necessity to continue for the majority.
While I am VERY pro-choice, and I don't like the loaded words in the first part of this quote (found in the above linked article), I do see the last part as relevant to the discussion:
Bradley Mattes, executive director of the Life Issues Institute wrote: "The continued, collective efforts of the pro-life movement have paid off. Our work to educate Komen donors to the reality that the organization has financially supported the nation's largest chain of abortion mills has caused Komen to halt the financial hemorrhaging. Evidently, Komen had to choose between political ideology and financial viability. They made a good choice."
I don't like it. But I can't say at this point that I don't support their decision. What are your thoughts?
