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Chemo's done! Now what? Hold on to your headscarf, honey... (original post: 08/19/17)

Pre-op appointment for free tram flap
















Colonoscopy Time! Haven't I been tortured enough?

























You may be thinking that now that chemo is done, everything is all sunshine and rainbows and butterflies.

How do I break this to you?

No. In every possible sense of the word.

If you are having post-chemo surgery like me, there is an insane amount of prep work to be done. Such as...

1. Pre-op visits.

 Since I am having a general surgeon perform the bilateral mastectomy and a plastic surgeon perform the free tram flap, this means two visits.

2. Port removal.

My surgeons will not take my port out during surgery, and since I am having radiation I would have to wait at least six months for it to be removed after surgery, which brings us into the Spring. I will be damned if I am going to have this hard plastic thing serving pretty much zero purpose continuing to occupy my body until the Spring. I opted not to have anesthetic, and yes, it did hurt, but five Fleetwood Mac songs later it was out and I had ''Rhiannon'' stuck in my head for the remainder of the day. 


3. Chest X-Ray, EKG, Lab work.

This ensures you're healthy enough for surgery.

4. Other doctors and procedures. I saw...

My dentist, where I had a cleaning a beautiful new temporary bridge fitted.

 My gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2003, modified my diet, and hadn't had a flare since! Until chemo ''jacked up'' (doc's words, not mine) my digestive system. He wanted to check things out before my surgery.

 My dermatologist, who biopsied a rash area and a mole area, both of which came back okay.

 My eye doctor, where I ordered new glasses. Unbeknownst to me, I now look like Lollie from Orange is the New Black. 

5. 18 Days of Awesomeness.

In the 18 days leading up to my surgery, I decided to do something fun each day. Sometimes it was thrift shopping with my friend and bringing home $7 coat hooks, other days it was playing in creeks and rivers with my family. You do you. 

 6. Household, school, and surgery things.

I stocked up on lots of things, like a million cans of beans and boxes of pasta and containers of formula. I cooked double batches and froze half, because I love my own cooking. Seriously, it's good stuff. 

 I informed the children's teachers of my surgery date and asked that all emails be sent to my husband. I also asked that they give our kids a little extra love and let me know if they seemed to be at all distressed. These people spend 8 hours a day with my kids, and I felt like if anyone will see if they are upset about Mommy being in the hospital or in bed for the 14th day in a row, it would be them. 

 Button down pajamas are your BEST FRIEND. Buy them. I bought two nightgowns and slippers, drain holders, fluffy socks. 

7. Pre-Mastectomy Photo Shoot and Paaaarty

Both of these are so epic, they deserve a separate entry, which they will get. But do something to memorialize your girls! If you love throwing parties, like me, then hrow a party! Celebrate! I wanted a jovial mood at our house leading up to my surgery. 

 It will be such a whirlwind of doctor's and errands and family time, you'll be like, ''Tomorrow is my mastectomy? Really? It goes fast. Enjoy it!















Bus stop selfie! Hair growth 1 week post-last chemo.

Twinning! Hair growth 2 weeks post-last chemo.

Freedom! My port after it was removed. Yes, I wanted to keep it. No, they wouldn't let me. And yes, my husband did think I was crazy. Well...crazIER.

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