artwork by Rachel Allene
Wow, what a few month it’s been, and I’m happy to report I am officially breast cancer free. Such a huge relief. As most of you know, I underwent a double mastectomy on October 22 and my new breasts are currently under construction. It’s not the most fun process, but as long as I keep the finish line in focus, I manage through with my sense of humor intact.
It’s a Pangolin
(thank you Sarah Thomas @sariditty for the hardest laugh of the year when this pic showed up in my phone)
For those of you who aren’t familiar with breast reconstruction after mastectomy, it is not the same as “just” getting implants like many people think. Because all the breast tissue has been removed, tissue expanders are surgically placed under the pectoral muscles and are slowly filled with fluid over time, helping to expand the muscles and create a pocket for the eventual implant.
The process is several months and a few surgeries long and fluctuates between plain ole irritating to outright painful. The first few days after a “fill,” the muscles spasm and shoot nerve pain in rebellion to being stretched in a way they weren’t meant to go. Otherwise, the discomfort is minimal, but the irritation never goes away. These expanders squeak (no joke) and aren’t like nice squishy breasts or soft implants. They are hard as a rock and feel like cement. I’m wearing my scars and cinder block boobs with a grateful heart, and will just play this waiting game that the body requires until my next surgery, which will be scheduled after QuiltCon because there is no way I’m missing QC this year.
So why have I been missing for so long? Besides the obvious recovering from surgery (and I have recovered very well, very quickly, and with minimal pain), all the muscles that have been disturbed by this process don’t work too well and get painful if over used. Guess which activity has been the hardest for me to do? You got it…cutting fabric with a rotary cutter. You can only imagine the frustration of owning a fabric shop and not being able to cut fabric. Here’s the good news though, my arms and chest muscles are ready to cut and I’m ready to celebrate with a sale. Now through Sunday, all orders are 25% off using discount code CONSTRUCTION.
*disclaimer…packing and shipping orders may take longer than usual. If you need your order ASAP, please make note in the comment part of your order.
So glad you are progressing this well. And love the way you have managed to keep your sense of humor.
Ya gotta laugh because the alternative is no fun.
Thank you for letting us know about your progress. You really are strong and brave. I wish you a speedy recovery. A big hug.
Thank you! Recovery is as speedy as it can be and has gone as well as I could have hoped. Can’t wait to be on the other side when it’s all a distant memory 😉
God Bless you, Carrie. Your brave spirit will continue to help you travel through this difficult time of your life. Sunny and quilting days are ahead for you. Enjoy the holidays..Merry Christmas!
Thank you Dorothy! Yes it’s been difficult but there have been a boat load of blessings that have come from it as well. I’m going to blog about those coming up too. And Merry Christmas to you too.
I just LOVE that you posted the pangolin picture! Waaayyy too funny! Cinder block boobs? I am seriously dying here! Love you, girl!
I seriously can’t remember a time that I laughed as hard as I did with that pangolin picture. You need to feel these things…cinder blocks, trust me! I suppose feeling these at Simply Bundt Cakes might raise a few eyebrows…haha! Love you too!
HAHAHA! I have an idea: I can compare the feel of Bundtlets to your cinder blocks! I’m sure that would raise a few eyebrows!
I now think we shouldn’t meet at Simply Bundt cakes…hahaha!
I’m so glad to hear you are cancer-free! Your strength is quite inspiring. Thanks for sharing your journey and continue to hang in there…
Hearing “cancer free” are 2 of the sweetest words. Thank you for following along the journey. The support from the quilting community has been amazing…truly amazing!
I’m so glad to hear you are cancer free! Your blog posts are so personal and funny, I feel like we are old friends 😊 hugs to you!
Thank you for your kind words! You’re very sweet! Hugs back to you too!
What wonderful news! Thank you so much for sharing your journey and for being so incredibly strong and positive. You are an inspiration to not only those who have shared your diagnosis, but to all women. Bravo and best wishes for a complete recovery, a wonderful holiday season and a joyous and healthy new year!
Thank you!!! I hope I can offer hope and inspiration to others going through this in the way that others before me have done for me. WE all have to stick together because it seems that all women are affected by breast cancer in some way…in themselves, their family members, their friend, co-workers, etc. I hate this disease with a passion, but love the women who fight it.
I am so happy you are in recovery! You are a very brave woman and your upbeat attitude towards all that lies ahead is remarkable. That positivity will be huge in your healing! I love your shop and am glad for you that you can return to a job you love. I will be thinking of you… Hugs…..
Jackie
Thank you Jackie! The smart ass in me keep me upbeat (mostly), and I stay quiet during the dark times (or cry to my friends or mom). In the whole scheme of things, I’ve had it really easy and I never lose site of that. And thank you for loving my shop. I’m happy to be able to return to regular hands on bolts of fabric. Really, who doesn’t love that?! 😉
So glad to hear of your forward progress! Keep up the bravery – it’ll all be over before you know it. God’s blessings to you for help with all the pain and discomfort. Wishing you and your family a very Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much! Merry Christmas to you as well!
Good luck, Carrie – just over 10 years for me and the best part of my new ‘girls’ is I now have cleavage!!! Have to get something for all of that, right?!
I love to hear from women who have years behind them, although I wish there weren’t so many who have walked this path to begin with. It only makes sense to get something for all this trouble, right?
So glad to hear of your cancer-free status. I am nearly 3 yrs past my bc/mastectomy/reconstruction. The whole,tissue expander thing was easy, but the implant on the other side never descended properly and had to be redone, not painful,but an additional surgery. Keep up your energy and keep,going forward with life!