Final Revision Surgery: My "I made it" moment

Posted by rhongirl @rhongirl, Jul 11, 2022

I made it.

My breast cancer journey began December, 2019. Since then, it's been chemo, five surgeries, and lots (and lots) of healing. My second (and final) revision surgery was four days ago. When I came out of anesthesia, tears were running down my cheeks. I had made it this far.

Each of us has our "I-made-it" moments. Like a hike we are on that never ends, we look to the next hill and fix our eyes on getting up and over, continuing on the journey.

I'm posting today because I am grateful. No, grateful doesn't go far enough. God has carried me to this moment, and I am overwhelmed with life - the good kind of emotion, where you are thankful to be here.

There are plenty of days we all struggle, and we need help from others. But today, I wanted to post something of joy. Thank you, Lord, for your goodness. For carrying each of us this far in our life's journey. 🙂

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

And thank you to the woman who was smiling and laughing on Gonda 10.

Early on in my diagnosis, this beautiful woman stood there, having a conversation with two others. She was smiling, adding a small laugh intermittently. Her head wrapped in a cap, something I knew nothing about at the time. It was her last chemo day.

She'll never know how her moments impacted me. I wondered how she could smile and laugh. My world had been turned upside down, and obviously, hers had, too. But how did she get to that day? How do I get "there"?

She was an inspiration. And I remember her for those moments. I needed her example that day at Mayo. I needed to share in her hope.

So this post of mine. . . I pray it will be for HOPE.

REPLY

Thank you thank you for posting “I made it!”
Also knowing your timeframe!
I have hope to get to that moment.
Chemo, two surguries, radiation, lots of healing, chemo for 30 more weeks and reconstruction in between!
I got this! With the same gratefulness and unselfishness you shared “I made it!”
So proud of your journey and the people behind the scenes that make it a little better.
Healthy years to you!!

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@boathouse

Thank you thank you for posting “I made it!”
Also knowing your timeframe!
I have hope to get to that moment.
Chemo, two surguries, radiation, lots of healing, chemo for 30 more weeks and reconstruction in between!
I got this! With the same gratefulness and unselfishness you shared “I made it!”
So proud of your journey and the people behind the scenes that make it a little better.
Healthy years to you!!

Jump to this post

@rhongirl, I just had to augment the title of this discussion with your words "I made it". As you acknowledged, that may be at a different moment for each woman facing breast cancer - getting a definitive diagnosis to ringing the chemo bell to completing reconstruction. I think that phrase will ring differently for each member here. I hope you agree with the title expansion (pun intended).

@boathouse, what do you have your sights set on for your "I made it" moment?

REPLY

I want to know more about results of revisions? How satisfied are you with.
I had mastectomy w diep flap from belly. Have had 2 revisions and facing another.
What does find results look like?
You look young, I'm over 70.
My mid section looks fab. - My blob not so much.......

REPLY
@chickie

I want to know more about results of revisions? How satisfied are you with.
I had mastectomy w diep flap from belly. Have had 2 revisions and facing another.
What does find results look like?
You look young, I'm over 70.
My mid section looks fab. - My blob not so much.......

Jump to this post

Chickie, I'm going to tag @boathouse here to make sure that she sees your questions about reconstruction.

REPLY

Well, “I made it cancer clear” I made it through radiation, my re construction is going to take awhile of recovery as I had a surgery immediately after radiation to clear an infection.
My delayed reconstruction is giving my radiated skin time to heal from its incision.
Me and my plastic team will fat graft the recover and then implants. This will be another 3 months before any further reconstruction procedures.
Keep you posted.
Enjoying the couple weeks of summer!
Feeling positive and healthy through 7 rounds of 14 chemo.
T-DM1 - preventative treatments.

REPLY
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