"Just a Stuffy Bra!"

Ever since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, HER2 positive, I have proclaimed that if all possible, both of my breast would eventually be history.  With the first one being removed as a "given," I then sat out on a mission to have the "other one" eradicated.  With instructions from my doctor on what I would have to do, I began.  First, I was to pray really hard about my decision.  Done.  Secondly, I would need clearance from my insurance company.  Done.  Next I was to have a mammogram and be cleared of all monkey business that may be going on in it.  Done.  Finally, I was given the go ahead.  Tuesday, August 5th, was the long awaited date which came very quickly I must say.  An early surgery was scheduled.  Lying in the room awaiting my doctor to come by, I could hear next door, the voice of a familiar local sportscaster, awaiting his knee surgery.  This gave me a little excitement and took my mind off me and focused on his dilemma until I was rolled away.  The surgery was easy and everything went as routine.  A stay overnight and then I was homebound.  Six days prior to my surgery, my husband came down with a case of appendicitis, warranting a stay in the hospital for him and several weeks of recovery.  I can't say which one of us has been the patient and which one the nurse.  I am just thankful for all being as uneventful as it has been so far.  I told my husband that I needed to type a short blog on my mastectomy, and he replied that hopefully this would be my last.  I truly hope this is true.  We have been so blessed this past year, with the hand of God permanently planted in our goings and comings.  I sometimes wonder, who I would be today, had it not been for breast cancer.  I only know that I would never have prayed as much, thanked as much, loved as much and yes, laughed as much as I would have, if  "life" had not happened.  As I have stated before, cancer has changed me forever.  There is no pity here, only a feeling of being blessed.  I have traded a stuffy bra, for a better chance of life.  If I was to have a reoccurrence in the future, I would still be thankful for all that I've been through and know that I made the right decisions.  God bless each of you and those who continue to fight the fight!

"Breast Friends Forever"

Dear "Breast" Friend,
It is with great thought and sadness, that I write this letter to you.  I can't imagine my life without you, but I know that I must heed all precautions and sever our relationship.  We have been inseparable, as long as I can remember; growing up together. My children think of you as a second mom, nicknaming you "Ne Ne" and crying after you when they were young.  My husband became "tickled pink" at the mere thought of seeing you.  This was a hard decision for me, but after finding out a year ago last month, the unthinkable; that you had unsuccessfully tried to take my life. This past year has been hard on me, I've been in and out of doctor's offices, trying to recover from your actions.  I truly wish that things could have been different, but the reality of it is that if you stay, you may try to kill me again, and I really want to live long enough to watch my grandchildren grow up.  With God's help, I can make it through our separation.  I know that I will never be the same without you in my life, but it has to be this way. "Breast friends forever....NOT"!

Jean