Friday, June 18, 2010

Another surgery

Unfortunately I had to have another surgery yesterday. My scar broke open again and this time my Dr. decided to try another procedure to close it up. He went in and removed the implant and revised the capsule that the implant sits in. The plan was to relieve the pressure on the skin. Apparently the radiation treatment has left the skin on my chest paper thin. Any pulling tends to open the scar back up. We are hopeful that this works and allows the skin to heal properly. If not the next step will be to remove skin from my back and move it around to my chest. Hopefully this works and we can avoid another surgery. I am a little more sore from this surgery as I think he was a little more aggressive with the chest muscle. The kids are just as ticked off about this as I am. Alex commented "can't they figure this out and get it right!" We are going on vacation next week and we are not rescheduling! Now I am on two different antibiotics along with all my other medication. It is ridiculous the amount of pills I take daily. Oh well not much I can do to change it right now. The kids are enjoying summer. Alex is lifeguarding a few days per week. Regan works at Haynes 4 days a week and Noah plays basketball in a summer league. We still aren't done with the kitchen renovation. My surgery may push it back a few more weeks. We have the tile done for the backsplash on two walls. It is looking good! Have a wonderful Father's Day everyone!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Summer is finally here!!!

We made it through another school year and are all thankful it is over!!! Summertime is our favorite time of year, except James who prefers hunting season! We have been enjoying James' new toy in fact even Noah has now managed to ski on his own! Way to go Noah. As usual we went camping for Memorial Day and had a great time. The weather was beautiful for most of the weekend which is unusual for western Kansas in May. We have also been remodeling the kitchen with the help of James' brother and nephew, Peter & Stephen. All that is left to do is a light fixture and the backsplash. I will post pictures when it is done. It looks fabulous. My doctors visits have dwindled significantly in recent months now that my treatment has ended. Although I have had a small set back my mother reminded me today it really is no big deal. Before Memorial Day my scar began to open up and the implant was pushing out of the skin. They re-stitched my incision and I have been waiting for my plastic surgeon to give me the go ahead for the final stage of reconstruction. At my appointment today he made it clear that my final surgery will not happen. The skin is too damaged from radiation to cut into it again so I guess that is that. I was upset for a while because I feel like I will never get to close the book on this chapter of my life. But it is what it is so I just have to move on. It just seems like adding insult to injury. I have a check up with my surgeon tomorrow and my first follow up with my oncologist next week. Hopefully they will go as planned. I am so tired of all of it!!! On a more positive note....the kids have been very busy so far this summer, cheer camp, basketball, soccer camp...just like every other family with kids! I received the school newsletter today and it contained a lot of information for senior parents! Yikes...how did Alex get so old? Regan is working for James this summer and has her restricted driving permit. She and Alex have to share the car. Priority goes to whoever is working that day. Not sure what we will do when they both have to work. I have a feeling Noah and I will be riding bikes!