Post Surgery

No those are not my new nipples! My new nips are safe and sound under the "nipple protector"! That is what you can see here in this picture, but I wanted to clear that right up front because I don't want to run into any of you and have you think that they are that big, it is distracting and I apologize. The protectors are only temporary to ensure the nipples get a safe, healing environment. Most of you that know me also know that I do occcassionally run into things and fall down for no reason at all, maybe I should have a full body protector?

Anyways, the procedure was about an hour and a half. I was sedated by IV sedation and could hear most of the surgery talk, but felt nothing, it was kinda weird. I was worried I would say something inappropriate under sedation and even though the Docs told me, "what happens in the OR stays in the OR", I decided to not chance it and kept quiet, atleast from what I remember! I came out of procedure well and was home by 2pm. I did manage to take a nice long nap when I got home despite the fact that my family and friends were "de-cluttering" and cleaning my house for the photo shoot.

So yesterday was the first day of the shoot, you didn't really think they could do it all in one day, did you? I have seen Andy & Jim (the photographer) work before and they are meticulous, but the price is the best pictures you'll ever see. So they were shooting until 7pm and are finishing up next week. I was able to re-clutter all the rooms they finished today! In a slow and leaisurely manner of course, per MD orders!

Speaking of MD, I went back and saw Dr. Gil yesterday. He had to change my dressing because it was bleeding (which he said is a good sign because it shows the tissue is healthy) and because I was having an allergic reaction to the tape they used. Along th edges of the tape I got a whole bunch of blistering sores that itched and hurt. He had to put on paper tape for my sensitive skin. I remember now that I had the same reaction to the tape last time, but darned if I could remember when they asked me if I was allergic to anything.

Here's me yesterday in his office. Got a little botox and fillers while I was there. this is the

numbing gel all over my face . Not pretty durning, not so pretty now as I had some bruising at the injection sites, but it is going to look fabulous in a few more days.

So now I rest as I find my eyes slowing closing as I try to come up with soemthing else that is witty.

no more wit, just well wishes that you are all enjoying the rain!

Sherie

Surgery Tomorrow, again!

So tomorrow is the second to last reconstruction procedure. The boobies will have nipples tomorrow by this time. I must say as creepy as that once sounded, I have come to love my nipple-less boobies. Yesterday when there was a breeze at SeaBreeze Park, I didn't have to worry about anything down there. When I wear those low cut shirts I often wear, no worry here about any Janet Jackson slippage. Am I just asking for trouble going through with this surgery tomorow?

If that is the case, you all know I love trouble and here I am in my post surgery wear above! That's right, no pressure is to be placed on the new nipples. That is why these bras actually exist. It wasn't some new fashion trend started by Madonna, it was a necessisty for us breast cancer thrivors going through reconstruction! When Dr. Gil said "no bras or clothing that put pressure on "the surgical area" I said, "am I to go topless, cause I think that is against the zoning regulations (architects wife) or something" and then I said, ahhhh, I gotta get me one of those Madonna bras" When I mentioned my concern to the yoga girls Monday morning, Shell reminded me I could probably wear one of those bras that doesn't have material over the nipple area and I remembered Andy had gotten me one of those years ago and I didn't understand then what it was all about, I thought bras were to hide the nipples, but I guess he figured I might need it in the future, so when I need a change from the cone, I have the purple "no nipple" bra too! Thanks Andy for thinking ahead!

So I was a crazed woman today trying to get everything ready at home so I could chill after the procdure tomorrow. Of course, my lovely husband husband waited until today to do the monthly invoicing for the business which took up all last night and all this morning, but it is done. So all you customers reading this, your bill is on the way! Laundry, groceries, cleaning, & weeding filled the rest of the day. Rex had his playoff game tonight and while he and his team did awesome, they lost by a few (10 pts). His regular baseball season is over, but he made the all-star team, so we will be there Saturday in hopes for a big win! Once I got home I found my house is chaos. Chris the painter was there painting away, Andy was up in the bedroom pretending to be a mason and "laying rock" on the fireplace in our bedroom fireplace. It's as good a time as any to get the house ready for a photo shoot on Friday, dont'cha y'all think? Yup, surgery tomorrow for me, and my husband decided we need to do a photo shoot on Friday. Now remember, I am married to Andy Ramsgard and a photo shoot to you and me is not what Andy Ramsgard thinks of! He needs to complete ever project in the house that isn't done and it needs to be finished before the first photo is shot! I guess if it means my house finally gets finished, I will just roll with it. CNY Magazine is doing a "spread" on Andy in the August edition. The reporter has been here and gotten what she needs, so now it time for the pictures. I OK'd the house pictures, but when he said he wanted one of the family, I had to say, "what?, a day after surgery, no showers for 3 days, cones covering the surgical area? I don't think so Andy Ramsgard" (Momma won, no family picture until next week!)

So, as I sit down to write this blog I get this email from my Father in law:

I have always believed people find people who are like them and need them in their lives and as you can see from this, my father in law needed me to share his irreverent sense of humor! Thanks Bill, wouldn't want any of that gushy, "you'll be fine, it's not a big surgery" type thing the night before I go in for this!

Well, I better go chow down on some food before my midnight deadline, that is actually the thing I hate worst about surgery days, I get so darn hungry! I sit there the whole day crazing Mcdonlads and then when I finally am done and able to eat, I just want to go home and go to bed. So, leave me alone tomorrow afternoon, I am sleeping, but if anyone is near a MckeeDees on Friday, I love quater punders with cheese!

I will get something out tomorrow and let you know how it all goes!

Thanks for all your love and support!

Sherie

PS. When I was thinking of the cone bras, I then immediately went to ice cream cones. I love ice cream and I could protect the nipples and if I got hungry or faint, I could just bite alittle off the end.

I am here, I am here, I am here!

I hope you all have enjoyed your break from me & the family. We have been so busy the past month, I didn't have time to blog & I figured living life was better than writing about it, but I didn't want to keep you all hanging, so I stopped long enough to catch you up.
Andy & I both celebrated our birthdays and turned 43! Our friends threw us a nice party, we got a new umbrella!

Ruby made her first communion, she looked so pretty
Andy & I went on a 5 day trip to Las Vegas. It was our first trip alone since all the craziness began last fall. Ultimately, the trip was planned around seeing Jason Mraz @ The Palms and it was well worth going all that way, who knew how long it would be before he came close to us? As fate would have it, as soon as we got back, it was announced he is coming to Canadaigua Performing Arts Center in August! Isn't that funny. Hey I got a trip to Vegas out of it and I get to see the Mraz man twice in 3 months. I would suggest anyone who is within an hour of the performing arts center to get tickets, he is pretty awesome! Here I am before the concert in Vegas.

We also took a helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon, we were the co-pilots. We actually landed in the Grand Canyon and had a picnic lunch, it was 103 degrees! It was a great experience.

Here we are in the Canyon.

How about Dining in the Sky? Yup, we did that too. We were lifted 180 feet into the air by a crane, table, chef, servers, and all. This picture doesn't do it justice, so you should visit the dining in the sky website. they have them all over the world and one is coming to NYC soon, it was a blast.

We also went to some other great shows while we were there: Crazy Horse, La Reve, & Zumanity. Had some great meals: Red Square, Cat House, Shibuya. and relaxed at the Palms pool. Andy got to experience "Ditch Fridays" @ the pool which was like Spring Break, but only for pretty people. We got in because we were hotel guests and I know all those pretty people were looking at us saying, what are those old people doing here? Funny how you can feel great about yourself and then go to something like that and totally feel like an old foggie!

So because we left on my birthday (which is also Cinco De Mayo) and returned on Mother's Day, My children decided to throw me a party! Here is a picture of me, my parents and the kids @ 10pm when we returned.
The whole house was decorated, I had my favorite, vanilla cake with peanut butter frosting, it made me cry. My mom said Rex was crazed all day shopping for everything and decorating, she said I would have been proud & that he has my party planning gene!

Wow, I am tired just recounting this all. Next we headed to Toronto for a weekend to see the Red Sox play the Jays. We went up on a bus saturday morning and were back sunday evening. We got two games in, a hippo tour of the city, a visit to the Art Museum, and shopping on Queen Street. Here are the kids @ the game, so cute when they hang together without fighting, granted the fighting started after I took the picture, but I can dream!

So now we are in June and all the end of the school year stuff is hitting and we are busy, busy. Ruby is riding again and started guitar lessons. Rex is in the playoffs for baseball and just found out he made the all star team! yeah Rex, that probably means summer baseball is in our future. Our nephew Matt is visiting from Nebraska. He is 15 & thinking of becoming an architect, so he is staying with us for the month and working @ Andy's office. I realize having a teenager that isn't mine is much easier than if he was becuase so far it has been great having him here!

So all seems back to normal and then today I had to go for my preop visit with the Doctor and the hospital for next weeks surgery. yup, I have another one. Time to put the cherry on top so to say. It is an in and out procedure. I am sedated through the IV, so no intubation like the others. It takes about an hour and a half, so I will be home the same day. alot of stitiches, so I am on limited movement/no exercise for atleast 3 weeks, again(and I was just getting into yoga & tennis pretty regularly). and get this, no bra, bathing suit, or anything that will put pressure on the new nips. I guess I am suppose to move to a nudist colony the next month because I can't figure out what clothing won't put pressure on that area???? So, once this all heals up, I go back for an in office tattooing of my areola, I suspect that will be in about a month. When is all said and done, it should be time for my one year anniversary of being diagnosed. My how time flies!

All joking aside, my story is just one of many, and I hope in some way following me through this has encouraged you to get your mammogram, do your monthly self exams, and be better educated when you or a loved one hears those dreaded words about having breast cancer, but I also hope you can see that life goes on, treatments are getting better and better everyday, and you can thrive with the love and support of your family and friends and a positive attitude! Which leads me to my other point, open yourself up and let it out because the more you let out, the more that comes back to you! Thank you all for helping me/us through this, We couldn't have made it through this without each and everyone of you, and you know who you are!

oh I suppse you want to know how Andy is doing? Andy is doing great. His surgeon said he is healing very well! no bicylcle riding yet, but he is running and lifting weights again and feels like he is almost back to where he was last year.

Much love,

Sherie