A review of my last two months of 2008 and my hopes for 2009

I did get to have my exchange surgery on November 7th! My actual surgery was at 7:30 am. I remember seeing my plastic surgeon and his medical team. My medical team said my illness was not a problem. The medical team then asked me if there was a type of music I enjoyed because they were going to put it on. I told them I'm a happy camper as long as they did not play "angry" music. I consider heavy metal to be angry because it makes me want to yell at people. They laughed and put some R&B for me. I woke up a few hours later and was home by 11:30 am. This exchange surgery was easy compared to all my previous surgeries. I slept most of the day and really pushed the fluids. I was still coughing and coughing hurts the entire chest/ab area. I was able to get out of the house for a few hours on Saturday though I tired easily. I was driving by Sunday though I felt sore. I took Monday off to heal and to get better from my viral infection. I was back at work on Tuesday. Amazing though I think I deserve an "easy" surgery or break now and then. ;) By the way, I was pretty impressed with my surgeon's work.

November 16th was the third anniversary of my diagnosis. Instead of looking at it as a horrible day, I look at it as a reason for me to do nice things for myself. I had coffee from Starbucks, ate brunch, took Sammy for a long walk and went shopping. Several friends amazingly remembered and gave me a call. I'm celebrating three years of survivorship!

November 22nd was my 32nd birthday. I remembered how I thought I would be afraid of 29 that 29 was going to be my 30. Well, cancer happened right before I turned 29 so every year really is a celebration even though this year was even more so. At 32, I started finding my new normal. I've completed my surgeries. I have my tattoo in February but that's supposed to be in and out. I feel wonderful! Feeling wonderful or having days without pain is an amazing feeling that too many people take for granted. My body was put through a great deal between the age of 29 and up to 32 with multiple surgeries, chemo, and continued onslaught of meds. I'm 32 and loving it!

I did have moments of hysteria that last week of November. My plastic surgeon created the nipple as well as placed my implants in. My right nipple was oozing. Of course my first thought was that it was infected. After all this work and it was finally going to wait until the end to become infected. I saw my surgeon right before Thanksgiving and was reassured that everything was normal. The stitches that was was holding my nipple in place is dissolving and my body is not used to this foreign object. They sent me away with a pat on my back and some antibiotic ointment. Sure enough, they were correct. Old habits die hard.

November 27th was Thanksgiving. Elisa and I decided not to do the Turkey Trot when we realized that it was 5 miles and not a 5K. There's a huge difference between the two, especially for those of us that just started jogging again. I had a late lunch at the Crumley's. They sent all morning cooking and the meal was fantastic. Good food and good company. It does not get better than that! I saw Twilight afterwards with Deborah. It was sort of a cheesy movie but all the same I need to find myself an Edward. :)

December 7th I attended a house concert with Ray Benson. I have never heard of him before but he was great. The concert was held in a home that was pretty amazing itself...several millions of dollars. People always took their time in the restroom near the entrance. I found out that that toilet had a cleaner and dryer. I did not partake it in but apparently many did!

December 11 to the 14th I was at Miraval. I was there for the Living Beyond Cancer Conference. Miraval is just outside of Tucson in Catalina. Oprah has raved about this place. She did not disappoint! The guy that picked me up from the airport took my luggage and told me that I must be thirsty. He handed me a cold Miraval bottled water. The food there was amazing. It was buffet style and all the food was fresh and nutritious. Most of them had fat and calories labeled. They had the best berries and I always saved room for them. They had a cafe that served juice, smoothies, coffee and healthy snacks. The juices and smoothies were healthy like wheat grass, cucumbers, etc. The bed was heaven! Everything was down feather and I literally sank into my bed. We were very close to the foothills of the Catalina Mts. The view was magnificent and the air was crisp. We enjoyed beautiful dessert temperature where it was gorgeous during the day but cooled down in the evenings. I got a pedicure and a mud wrap. Oprah was correct! The conference had some great speakers and I was able to meet some wonderful people there.


My last few weeks was spent in NM with my friends and family. My nephews are sweet. I love them so much. I gave Ryan a true taste of Starbucks. I think he went there three times with me to get hot cocoa. We had a nice bonding moment my last day in NM. We had our Starbucks and did several pages in the Spiderman activity book I bought for him. Ben is growing up so fast. He's at such a fun and adorable stage.

My friends are wonderful. They go to my favorite cafe, The Flying Star, each time I am in town. They only go there when I'm in town. I saw the whole crew minus Maria and Erin. I even saw Carlos for the first time since his wedding! I thought the Earth would open up that day. Paul and I made it out to Flying Star too so that was an extra treat! They make time out of their busy lives to see me. I adore them! (The picture above is actually at Weck's that may now be my favorite brunch place.)

It's now 2009. I spent new year's eve at the Crystal Ball working and it was the best thing for me to do. I was able to ring it in with some coworkers and friends. This is the first year that I did not make resolutions. I think I'm finally at a good place in my life. By the way, my routine MRI on January 5th was all clear! What a fantastic way to start the new year! Happy new year!