The Beginning

It was this week last year when we discovered the lump which quickly turned into the downward spiral that ended with a cancer diagnosis.

Sometimes I still can't believe this has happened. It's almost as if I've been watching a movie of my life for the past year. I guess it was easier than dealing with the reality of the situation.

I'm not considered cancer free until its been five years from the end of treatment. But I feel cancer free and I guess that's what matters. I kicked cancer's ass!

Almost Normal

Tomorrow will be two weeks since the implant surgery and I'm slowly getting back to normal.

Surgery went well, but I was surprised at how painful my right side was. The left is still pretty numb from the mastectomy and has not caused me any pain at all. I was on painkillers and muscle relaxers through the weekend after surgery and slept most of the time.

I got the drain out on Wednesday (such a relief!) and am now limited in my activities for the next six weeks.

I'm pretty pleased with the results and feel more like a normal person again. I see the doctor again on Monday to check my progress and to talk about the last step.

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and well wishes--I am eternally grateful for such loving people in my life.

Out of Surgery

Sue got out of surgery around 4:15pm - about 20 minutes quicker than Dr. Nathan originally thought. He said everything went great - both implants were put in and the port taken out. We got to see her in recovery around 5pm. She was awake, NOT throwing up and in a lot of pain. The pain was isolated on the right side just as Dr. Nathan said. The nurse in recovery - Wendy - gave her some pain meds and she seemed to feel better. She made it up to her room around 6pm and got something to eat. Currently she's laying in bed on the edge of sleep with a half-eaten chicken salad sandwich on her plate. The meds are kicking in!!

More later ... Scott.

New Boobs, New Date

Well I don't have to wait quite as long for surgery. After a call from the doctor's office on Thursday, my procedure was changed from Thursday to Wednesday afternoon. Trying to get a lot done this weekend in anticipation of being down for a few days.

I'll have Scott send an update after surgery.

Counting Down!

In a little more than a week, I'll have new boobs!

I've visited the plastic surgeon and oncologist and have a clean bill from both of them. Paperwork is filled out and I'm pre-registered at the surgery center. Now I just wait...I've been patient for so long and I'm looking forward to being normal again.

David R. Sassmann

Yesterday was a very sad day. I had to say good-bye to one of my greatest supporters--my father-in-law, David.

The loss was unexpected and my heart is aching.

David and I met over 17 years ago. I don't recall our exact first meeting, but it may have been at the furniture store in Belle during one of my visits from school in Springfield. What I do recall is being welcomed with open arms from the very beginning.

Though he may not have liked every decision Scott and I made, he let us live our lives. Did we mess up sometimes, sure. But he was always there with suggestions, ready to lend a hand if we needed it. He was proud of us and never failed to let us know that.

He had so much left to do and see and I'm sad, mostly for the girls. There's so much he'll miss and it's so unfair.

But I know he'd expect me to be strong. We'll reminisce over photos and I'll remind the girls often of his love and generosity.

Pop, you will be greatly missed. I love you.

Happy New Year

The new year is in full swing and I'm extremely happy to say good-bye to 2008.

With all of the pain it caused, I can say that having cancer brought me closer to my family and put me back in touch many of those I have missed--for that I am grateful!

Happy 2009! I look forward to a much better year!