Hello Rock, Meet Hard Place

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?

We are CURRENT!

Okay, that is my surgery journal!  It is in reverse chronological order.  If you are just starting your journey, go to the beginning of the blog.  I know it says January 2012, but I re-typed my personal journal from February 2011 through January 2012 regarding my one step bilateral mastectomy, bilateral oophorectomy and DEIP flap reconstruction, a revision surgery and follow ups.  I will keep updating this blog on life, love and BRCA2 appointments.  Thank you for being patient and I hope this can inspire everyone to take control of their lives with regard to their cancer risks.

Four Week Follow Up (January 27, 2012)

I had my four week follow up Friday.  It went very well again.  Everything is healing very nicely.  The only issue is my hips.  They are scaring and poofing again.  In fact, so badly, that I have to have a procedure to remove what they call "dog ears" again.  They are going to try to laparoscopically lipo the scar tissue, but he said they may have to re-open the incision and cut it out.  It will be in office under local anesthesia and should take less than an hour.  I scheduled it for May 8th.

I also had a follow up with the gynecologist.  We talked a lot about the hormones and my issues as well as how I resolved it.  I explained what happened on the Nuva Ring and told him I saw my local midwife to try something else.  I started the large Combi patch this week and so far it is great.  When I first went in they put me on the small patch, but after a couple months they bumped it up so that when the time is right I can step down before going off of it completely.  That will be in 30 years or so.  I have to change this patch every 3 days.  I am not going to lie, it gets annoying.  And it leaves sticky residue.  But I am not crazy so I have a lot to be thankful for.

Follow Up (December 27, 2011)

I went for my follow up today.  Joyce drove me since I still have a hard time driving.  My breasts are very sore and like last time, under my arm hurts the worst.  I can't pull or push or lift much and won't be able to for weeks.

My follow up was great.  I am so happy with the results.  I am still very swollen around my hips so I can't even attempt to button pants.  But since I am not supposed to be wearing pants, that shouldn't be an issue.  I could be swollen for up to 6 weeks after surgery.  This makes going to work in a week a bit challenging.  I mean I can't wear pants or a bra to teach high school kids...I see this going very wrong.

After my appointment we had a great lunch and did a little shopping.  We had to wait out the kids nap at pre-school.  It was a great day!

Revision Surgery (December 21, 2011)

I am out of surgery and very sore.  We are home now after almost an entire day at the hospital.  The surgery was two hours almost to the minute.  It went very well.  I woke up fine without vomiting this time.  I didn't have any type pf morphine, instead I had codeine and very high strength Tylenol.  I am still very tired, but I feel good. 

I have incisions under each breast, around each areola and on my hips.  The surgeons made the shape of the areola, it just doesn't have color.  They did a fantastic job.  I also got a small 100cc implant under each DEIP flap.  My lopsided boobs now look perfect.  I LOVE them!  They cut out some scare tissue on my hips and inside my breast (some of what was causing the lopsidedness).  He also did a bit of lipo to make sure my back hips were smooth, no more saddlebags!

I go back the 27th, after Christmas for a follow up.  No pants with a waist or bras for a month.  Back to sleeping miserably on my back.  I'll write more in a few days.

Pre Op Flub (December 2011)

I am trying to get my preoperative testing completed before my revisions surgery next week, December 21, 2011.  The only issue is that when they did my blood work, they forgot to do a pregnancy test.....

Have you figured out the irony in that statement yet.....

I don't have OVARIES.  If I was pregnant, it was surely an immaculate conception!  Once we got that issue taken care of, I was cleared for surgery.  We are doing the same routine this time.  We will be leaving Wednesday after work to stay in the hotel the night before.  I have to report for surgery at 6:00am.  I am very excited! 

This is an outpatient surgery under general anesthesia.  I shouldn't have a trach, and it should be about 2 hours long.

Birthdays, Thankgiving and Great Wolf Lodge..Again. (November 2011)

As I do less and less with my recovery, I have less and less to write about.  But we are also quite busy this time of year.  Andrea had a birthday early in November.  She had a bounce house party with her friends, then we had the family to our house to celebrate in a monster themed bash.  She is so excited to be four!  We are so proud of how far she has come.  She loves school and learning and is just soaking it all in.  We love seeing all the new skills she picks up on and shares with us.

This year, we had Thanksgiving with Ray's family.  Afterwards Jessica and I did some black Friday magic at Toys R Us.  It was AWESOME!  Afterwards I came home to catch a few hours of rest before returning to Great Wolf Lodge with Ray, the kids and my dad.  Andrea and Jackson wanted Grandad to come and he was so happy to play with them. 

Here are some pics: Wearing a bathing suit was somewhat difficult.  My breast were misshaped, so I needed a shaping bra and I was constantly readjusting.  I chose to wait on my second phase to miss less work, but in reality, there is a reason they want to do the revisions ASAP.  It is frustrating to have funky shaped breast for clothing and bathing suits.