I found the old whiteboard I used at the beginning of my diagnosis. By showing this list I am not complaining. I was so happy I had a choice. I know for a fact, this is nothing compared to what my calendar would have been like if I had to have chemotherapy and radiation, I was so fortunate.  And to anyone who goes that route, and follows months of grueling drug treatments with reconstruction, you will forever be a hero in my eyes; that takes serious balls!

This last year has been an amazing learning experience, I read up on my options, and I made the best decisions I could at the time with the information available. In this last year I have never felt sorry for myself, I think I thought I would at some point.  I’ve been pissed off a few times by a few situations, but in a parallel universe I probably would have been just as pissed off about something else.  The Cracker lyric sums it up, “Dying is easy, it’s living that’s hard.”

• January, 5 15 – Laid off from work
• Unsuccessfully looked for a job
• April 22, 2015 – Made mammogram appointment
• April 28, 2015 – Had digital mammogram
• May 8, 2015 – Request for further evaluation (via mail)
• May 15,  2015 – Second mammogram and ultrasound
• May 28, 2015 – Stereotactic Biopsy
• May 29, 2015 – DCIS diagnosis (Friday by phone)
• June 1, 2015 – Previously scheduled dental cleaning, then went to see my primary care doctor (Monday)
• June 2, 2015 – MRI
• June 8, 2015 – Surgical consult with breast surgeon – I requested a double mastectomy (no lumpectomy)
• June 10, 2015 – Consult with plastic surgeon
• June 11, 2015 – Mastectomy prehab consult with physical therapist
• June 12, 2015 – Consult with Oncologist
• June 26, 2015 – Surgical consent forms, breast surgeon
• June 29, 2015 – Plastic surgeon consent forms,  EKG and pre-surgery bloodletting.
• July 6, 2015 – Colorful mark-up for surgery, plastic surgeon
• July 7, 2015 – Radioactive dye infusion
• July 7, 2015 – Chest Xray and pregnancy test!
• July 7, 2015 – Surgery, both surgeons (2hrs each) – mastectomy and reconstruction, tissue expanders added
• July 8, 2015 – Discharged from hospital
• July 13, 2015 – Post op follow-up with plastic surgeon
• July 20, 2015 – Post op follow-up with breast surgeon and a  separate follow-up with plastic surgeon, one drain removed
• July 24, 2015 – Plastic surgeon, final drain removed
• July 30, 2015 – Plastic surgeon, first 100ml tissue expander fill
• August 7, 2015 – Oncologist Discharge- high five!
• August 13, 2015 – Plastic surgeon, second 100ml tissue expander fill
• August 27, 2015 – 3rd 100ml tissue expander fill
• October 8, 2015 – Plastic surgeon 3 month post op check up and planning for stage 2
• October 14, 2015 – Started a new job
• October 26, 2015 – Breast surgeon follow-up
• November 9, 2015 – eye doctor
• November 13, 2015 – Plastic surgeon consent forms
• November 13, 2015 – Pre-surgery blood work and EKG
• November 16, 2015 – Stage 2, implants added, tissue expanders removed by plastic surgeon, less than 90 min under general
• November 23, 2015 – Post op follow-up plastic surgeon
• December 2, 2015 – Post op follow-up plastic surgeon
• December 7, 2016 – dental appointment
• Jan 25, 2016 – Annual well woman with primary care doctor
• Feb 3, 2016 – Bone scan…cause I’m getting to “that age”
• Feb 10, 2016 – Skin check, I’m a red head and I’d never had it done before
• Feb 17, 2016 – Appointment with plastic surgeon to discuss next step
• March 11, 2016 – Sign consent forms for stage 3, at plastic surgeons office
• March 14, 2016 – Pre surgery check-up and blood draw, requested by plastic surgeon
• March 24, 2016 – Plastic surgeon pre surgery mark up
• March 25, 2016 – Nipple reconstruction, skin grafts and fat transplants (liposuction); 2 hours under general, plus gas
• March 30, 2016 – Nurse at plastic surgeons office, stitch removal
• April 7, 2016 – Plastic surgeon post surgery check-in
• April 11, 2016 – Unscheduled appointment with plastic surgeon, excess swelling, back on antibiotics
• April 14, 2016 – For 6 months my new employer has put up with all my appointments
• April 25, 2016 – Follow-up with plastic surgeon
• April 27 – 6 month check-up with breast surgeon

Phew!  It looks like things are calming down!  I’m ready to start to forget about my condition, and the changes to my body. 

It’s not a complete doctor-appointment vacation, I should probably schedule that overdue colonoscopy now that I have hit my annual deductible!

• Next check-in appointment with plastic surgeon, May 25, 2016
• Next check-in appointment with breast surgeon Nov 31, 2016

Lets get on with being normal, whatever that is.