BC walk Oct. 30, 2011

Hello Family & Friends,

I know you're busy so I'll keep this quick. I just signed up to for an event that's really important to me on October 30, 2011 – the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk – and I wanted to ask if you would …

Please support me with a donation!

(Just choose from one of the links at the bottom of this email)

OK, that really was the quick (and to-the-point) version, but if you have another minute, I'll tell you a little more. There are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors who celebrated another birthday last year because people like you made a donation in support of people like me. There are a lot of breast cancer events out there, but I'm fundraising for the American Cancer Society because I like that the money helps people in every community stay well and get well from breast cancer with around-the-clock info and amazing support programs. It also helps find cures through research and empowers people to fight back for legislation that help save lives from breast cancer.

Thanks so much!, This is for a great cause not only for myself but for all individuals fighting breast cancer.

Take Care,

Monica

Click here to visit my PERSONAL page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=11611219&pg=personal&fr_id=36127&fl=en_US&et=XbQfHDPwamcBv1x1LUbaaA&s_tafId=802811

Click here to visit our TEAM's page
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?team_id=1006632&pg=team&fr_id=36127&fl=en_US&et=8qlQW1FHY-DwTZkpduVD3g&s_tafId=802811

Plastic Surgeon

Hello Family &  Friends! I hope your enjoying your summer. Wow it started out slow and now its almost over! I just realized that the post never went through so now I am updating the information.

On July 28, 2011 I had an appointment with my plastic surgeon to follow up with her since my surgery from December 2010. She was very happy when she saw my breasts. She was excited that my breast healed well.They look so natural and not fake.The last time I saw her there was still some swelling so now this was the real look.She examined me and said "I am perfect". She took a few pictures of my breasts for her records. She remembered that I  had a dark brown look at the top of the right breast  which was the side I had trouble with and was pleased it was gone. She wanted to know how I liked them compared to my old saline implants. I think there is a big difference and I am much  happier with the silicone implants. The feeling is softer and the look is real close to an actual boob. These implants also have a fuller look which gives them a better shape. The only problem is now I need to go buy some new bras because because of the fullness they don't fit the same. I really don't enjoy bra shopping! Not sure who does.

She said "as long as I don't have any problems that I  have graduated and  to come see her in a year". Lets hope there is no problems!!! Since I just saw her, she said I can see my cancer doctor in the fall for my next check-up. For some reason, I still have the feeling when I am waiting in the waiting room, people who come in look at me and wonder why am I there. I am turning 40 soon so I am not that young any more.  Know your body and if there's a problem look into it don't ignore it!

I am feeling great, taking my medication, and enjoying life. The American Cancer Breast Cancer walk is on October 30 so I will be registering our team on the website soon. I will update my blog with the information as well. This will be our third year to participate in the walk.

Go to my website to see the updated photos I posted. Take care :>

results from blood work

Great News!!! My blood numbers were low and no problems. YEA! I communicated with my Oncologist via text. He text-ed me the following:" Labs were great Ca-127,CA-129 (breast cancer markers) was 16, CA-125 (ovarian cancer marker) was 15. All others also normal. LDL 103 HDL 55 Total chol 182 NF " I text-ed him back and waiting for an answer to confirm that NF means no findings. I was also wondering why I still have numbers for ovarian marker since I had all my organs removed. I assume there are some hormones left  in my body. I don't have my calcium, vitamin D, red and white blood count numbers. I will get a copy of the blood work faxed to me. My cholesterol was 174 last time so its up a little. I need to eat better and exercise more.
I will confirm with him if I still need to see him in the office.

I will chat with all of you soon. Enjoy your week and relax as much as you can, for a healthy body

Blood work

Wow! I knew its been awhile since I wrote in my blog but I didn't realize this long. I hope everybody is having a wonderful summer!
Today I had my blood drawn for my six month check-up. I had to fast since I was getting my cholesterol checked. It was the first time, I walked into the lab and didn't have to wait. That was great!!! They took four vials of blood.

I am feeling good, not too much new with my health. I am still taking Tamoxifen. I am starting to get night sweats in the middle of the night again. I  think when Summer is here it makes a big difference since I didn't have too many night sweats in the Winter. Lucky we do have a/c.

Chat soon, I will update my information in a few days when I get my blood results.

3rd visit with plastic surgeon

On February 10, 2011 I had my final follow up visit with my plastic surgeon from my December surgery. The visit went well. I was in/out with in ten minutes, I was the first appointment for the day. She said everything looked great. She removed the two stitches that were sticking out. One of them was difficult to trim and it hurt a little bit to remove. She took four pictures of my breast for my records. She mentioned that she received an e-mail today to speak at a conference in Belgium. Wow, she is well known! The presentation would be on  fat transfer breast augmentation/repair via fat grafting. We briefly spoke about our children and I was done. Since I just saw her and I had the recent surgery, we discussed that I didn't need to see my cancer doctor for awhile since she is her partner in the office. I will need to make an appointment to see my plastic surgeon in six months.


I will continue to blog once in awhile letting everybody know how I am feeling so check back every so often.
Hope to speak with all of  you soon! I have attached photos from all of our snow this winter!! The last photo shows how cold it was getting at night and all the snow on our roof created icicles. You will have to go to my blog site to view the photos.                    

plastic surgeon update

Hello,
Wow its been awhile since I blogged. I guess no new is good news! I am feeling great! On January 7, 2010  it was my two year anniversary of being CANCER FREE!!! Yea and many more years to continue.

I am seeing my plastic surgeon tomorrow 2/10/11 for I think my last follow up since my surgery in December 2010. I had to cancel two other appointments because of the horrible snow we had here. Tomorrow will be cold but no snow!

On my right breast, I have two areas where the stitches are sticking out. I will  have her trim them up. I believe my swelling went gone down but I will let her decide. I am very satisfied with my new implants and I feel I made the best decision to switch to silicone. They feel and look like real breasts. It's amazing they don't look like fake breasts. I am glad I had the opportunity to change them because the saline implants were good but not as comfortable as my new ones!! The old saying goes: everything happens for a reason.  I guess the tissue damage from the radiation was a sign for me to look into the other options for implants.

I hope everybody is doing well in the new year. I will update my blog in a few days. Take Care and smile :>

2nd visit with my plastic surgeon

December 16, 2010  - I saw my plastic surgeon for my 2nd follow up since surgery. I had to wait about 25 minutes for a 5 minute appointment but I wouldn't change my doctor for anything. She was happy to see how much the swelling has gone down. Both breasts are still swollen and my right one is  swollen larger because of the traumatic surgery that was done. It will take about 4-6 weeks for the complete swelling to go away from surgery. She felt around the breast to make sure everything was okay.
She asked me how I like them so far. She mentioned silicone is suppose to be softer than my last implants and look more realistic like breasts. At this time,  I do like these implants better. Yes, they have a softer feeling. She took a few pictures of each breast for her records.

I am still sore in my arm pit area so she said just be careful. I am cleared from my surgery but said I should wait until January before I start exercising again. Once in awhile, I get a shooting sharp pain in my breast that only last for a few seconds but enough for me to stop what I am doing. She said it's the fat settling and getting adjusted. The nerves will also start to grow back as time goes forward.
My stomach is still swollen as well and I only have two faded bruise marks which is great! There were no muscles in my stomach that were cut during surgery. I should continue to wear my compression shorts or my girdle until all the fluid is gone.

I was able to meet my wonderful friend, she's like a sister to me for lunch that I had to reschedule from the previous week. It was great to see her even for a short period of time. Life is too short not to take time out to take a breather once in awhile.

I feel great and it's still hard to think back and imagine everything I have been through. I look forward to no more surgeries but following up with my cancer doctors will be a part of my life and I have accepted that. I have great family and friends who helped  me get through these difficult times. I keep strong, have a positive attitude,and have a mission to be here for my family now and for the future. This helped me stay focus and fight  my breast cancer. I feel I made one of the best decision in my life; to remove my breasts. I wouldn't change my decision.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year filled with  peace, great health and happiness to everybody.
I will make an appointment to see her again mid January. I will be updating my blog and talk with all of you next year! Wow 2011