Keeping My Life

25/10/2023

Evening lovelies,

Apologies its been a while between updates!

Since phase 1 surgery in May I have been kicking goals recovery and fitness wise. My new found love for participating in Parkruns Saturday mornings (5km) has not only helped my mental state however physical as well. These events are great for community and social participation, as well as a bit of fun, and are volunteer run weekly all over Australia.

Since surgery I have lost 10kgs and I am feeling fantastic!!! Its been great to be so proactive with my healing process. I had a recent appointment with my plastic surgeon and he is very happy with my body and healing.

I am booked in for phase 2 surgery in November and here's hoping its the final surgery for a little while.

Yes I still have weird twinges in the areas of the mastectomies and on my abdominal wound but it all takes time to heal and return to a new normal. The phase 2 surgery is effectively the paint touch up and will help make everything look and hopefully feel nicer.

I'll let you know how it goes!!

Thanks so much for all your continued love and support. Xx

28/05/2023

Morning lovelies,

💟Tomorrow marks 4 weeks post surgery. I'm healing well and my plastic surgeon Hamish is happy with my progress. I'll see him this Thursday for my next follow up appointment.

💟I'm regaining range of motion in my arms, the right is tighter than the left however this will resolve. There is deep bruising in both abdominal and breast areas that is uncomfortable, this just takes time to heal.

💟This lovely binder has been my friend 24/7 since waking up from surgery and hopefully I get to remove it in 2 weeks time.

💟Everyday I have small wins, and some days I go backwards which is all part of the process. Overall I'm very happy with the result so blessed to have narrowly escaped breast cancer.

💟Eternally grateful for my mum and mother-in-laws help with washing, cleaning, meals and running the kids to and from school and kinder. I still very much need this assistance.

💟The next surgery which Hamish says is the 'paint touch up phase' will be in approximately 3 months.

🌸Just an update on my progress lovelies. Enjoy your Sunday. 😘

04/05/2023

🩷Thank you for your support lovelies, I'm sorry I haven't responded to all I'm wiped out.

😬Just wanted to share this surgery couldn't have come at the right time as the pathology report has come back with LCIS in my right breast (Lobular carcinoma in situ) which is basically pre cancerous abnormal cells in the milk ducts.

🩷Just puts into perspective my decision to do this!!!

🚿 Today I'm looking glamorous as always, but looking forward to my first shower for the week.

30/04/2023

Today is the big day! Thank you for all your support lovelies I couldn't do it without you. 🩷🩷

24/04/2023

The pathology from Friday's surgery has just come back, all clear! Onward to the big one Monday. 🩷

20/04/2023

Morning lovelies,

🩷I was a nervous wreck this morning coming into St Vincent's until the nursing staff put me at ease, they truly are fabulous here.

🩷Should be out by lunch time.

🩷Have a beautiful day lovelies. 😘

10/04/2023

Hello lovelies,

💕With under two weeks to go before my surgeries commence, and having officially completed all consent forms (there's no turning back now), I thought I'd give you a run down of where I'm at.

💙Many people have recently told me I am brave and so I thought this image was fitting.

💙Yes I am definitely feeling the fear!

💙To me, it is important that I take control of my future and continue to live my life and see my family grow. It is important that I continue to feel empowered by the knowledge I have to make a change.

💕My first surgery, 21st April, will be a Ni**le Delay as recommended by my breast surgeon Caroline Baker due to my high risk of ni**le necrosis during the main surgery.

💕This surgery has three objectives:
1. Cut off the blood supply to both ni**les so that they learn to find a new blood source to survive.

2. Change their position to allow for the best end result due to the diep reconstruction.

3. A tissue sample from behind each ni**le will be taken and tested for any pre-cancerous cells that otherwise do not show on an MRI. The pathology will determine whether the ni**les are spared during the main surgery or taken (if DCIS pre-cancer is found).

💕1st May is the main gig! The bilateral mastectomy and diep reconstruction with Caroline Baker and Hamish Farrow at St Vincent's East Melbourne. It is advised that I stay close by the hospital for an extra week after my initial week stay in hospital since I live 90 minutes away. I am pleased to say that I should, all going well, be home the day before Mother's Day.

💕It is important to me that this experience provides education and research for current and future genetic pre-disposition carriers. If you have a strong family history of breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers, please consider undergoing genetic testing to potentially change your fate!

💟I have also signed up to participate in research with KConFab at Peter Mac (Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium for research into Familial Breast Cancer). This will assist their research into understanding why cancer develops, cancer prevention and better treatments for those diagnosed. https://www.kconfab.org/

💙I have been preparing myself physically and mentally for this. I am READY!!!!!

06/03/2023

When the ladies in MRI remember you, you know you've been there too many times! 😅

25/02/2023

Interested in seeing how my DIEP breast reconstruction will be performed?

Check out this interesting animation to understand how my new TOOBS will be created. (TOOBS = Tummy B***s). 😉

The DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforators) breast reconstruction technique narrated by Cal Shipley, M.D.

17/02/2023

💕Hey lovelies💕

💟With the first of three surgeries in only eight weeks it's crunch time!

💟I'm on my way to the Elsternwick Hotel to meet with some lovely support group members who have undergone and about to undergo a double mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction. I am armed and dangerous with questions!

💕Have a great day. 💕

24/01/2023

Evening lovely support group!

💗With my first of three surgeries this year drawing near I am working on my to do list.

💗Just this week I have secured this amazing electronic lift and recliner chair to aid in my lengthy recovery. I'm so grateful to have been able to purchase it from a lovely local person who even dropped it off. 🙌 There really are some beautiful people in this world.

🤔Now onto the rest of my list!

👇The surgeries this year are as follows:

💗April (mid - 2 weeks prior to main surgery)
Ni**le delay which will reduce the risk of ni**le necrosis and is also used to test the tissue directly behind the breasts. This isn't offered to everyone, only certain candidates.

💗1st May double mastectomy and DIEP breast reconstruction.

💗August revision surgery to remove skin tags and a general tidy up.

All of which will be conducted at the wonderful St Vincent's East Melbourne.

💗It's going to be a big year!!! As always I am grateful for your support, I simply can not go through this alone and I honestly appreciate each and every one of you sharing this journey.

23/12/2022

The BIG surgery is officially locked in for 1st May 2023!!! Finally!! Nearly 4 years later but getting there!! xx