It is hard to believe that 3 years have passed since I went through my double mastectomy. In that time, I have had 9 additional surgeries (some for infection and a lot for reconstruction), gotten my MBA (top 4% in my class, done in 6 months), my ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (hardest test…
Category: Breast Cancer
08/29/2013 – Where Overachiever is not all that
I will stop going by days now. Time moves on, either very quick or very slow depending on where I am standing. That would be a good definition of relativity. I am 6 days out now from surgery. 6 days, it still seems like forever. But, I notice that my body has a different opinion. …
Day 31 – 08/18/2013 Thursday, August 29, 2013
It is hard to believe it has almost been a month since I was diagnosed with cancer. It feels like a year. So much has happened and yet I feel like I am just not accomplishing anything at all. I just want the surgery here and done with. Then move on to the next part…
Day 22 – 08/09/2013
My new reality. I met with the plastic surgeon and oncology surgeon. Both were running an hour late which was definitely no fun and highly stressful. You sit in the waiting areas and look around at the people. One of the other people in the room had been through surgery and you could tell was…
Day 21 – 08/08/2013
Dear Friends: I wanted to let you all know that I have been diagnosed with a rare form of Breast Cancer called Paget’s Disease of the breast. The good news is that I have excellent medical care and we found it very early on and everything is looking positive about it not being invasive. I…
Day 16 – 08/03/2013
Been out in the RV for the weekend. Gail suggested it and it has been a wonderful distraction. Climbing hills, collecting rocks, hitting my hammer against stones hoping to break them open and find treasure. We have adventured further afield. Down into West Central, NM. We just finished up a half hour in the hot…
Day 14 – 08/01/2013
I started on my MBA today. I also got the call from Mayo to schedule my Oncology surgeon and Plastic surgeon appointments. The more I talk about solving the problem and the next steps, the less anxious I become. I think it has to do with being in control of my destiny instead of flotsam…
Day 13 – 07/31/2013
Being nice, follow up and persistence pays off. I think the most important thing is being nice. I followed up and tried to pre-schedule my MRI and plastic surgeon appointments. I know I am having surgery and I have come to terms with a double mastectomy. I just need to move forward, have the appointments…
Day 10 – 07/28/2013
Whatever you do, don’t… Read the forums and blogs. Seriously, if you want to drive yourself crazy, get frustrated and get angry that is the place to go. I read one woman’s saga and came out the other side thankful for the Mayo Clinic followed up by a theory that if you are a person…
Day 7 – 07/25/2013
Today was unfocused. I didn’t have any meeting deadlines or travel that was focusing me NOT to dwell. So instead I find myself reading the pathology report or researching or staring into the inside of my head. I have researched wigs and breast reconstruction all trying to give me the feeling that whatever is thrown…