Last Thursday I had my one year follow up with my high-risk cancer doctor at MD Anderson. It was such a stress free visit with many worries now laid to rest since my surgeries. It was an interesting appointment in that while I was sitting and waiting to be seen I was able to reflect upon the last year and the last time that I visited with her. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN A YEAR!
I am one of those personalities where once an event has passed (especially a major event) I have trouble remembering what life was like before the event. For instance, I really have a hard time remembering life before my kids. To be honest I have a hard time remembering parts of last week so maybe I just have a bad memory :) But I know moms will relate that have had friends that said, "Just give it 6 months and you will forget the pain of child birth and want to have another one..." And it is true-- time goes by and you forget. So, I have a hard time remembering what life was like before I was physically "altered"! Work with me here on the cryptic speak because I am trying to make everyone comfortable as they read this :) I am mean you would think having lived a certain way for 28 years that I would remember vividly and almost lament about life before surgery. It is such a God thing in my opinion! I thank God everyday that He has erased those memories and made me very content with the way everything has turned out. Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!
The appointment was very positive and very quick! She still did a "breast exam" and encouraged me to do the same thing as if I was natural because remember I still have that tiny little 1% floating around out there. But generally our conversation was very short and sweet and she was so happy that I was doing so well.
After my appointment I reported for one of the research studies that I am a part of at MD Anderson. That is one of the coolest parts of being treated at MD Anderson is that it is a research hospital. I believe I am enrolled in 4 or 5 research studies currently. Some are simple surveys taken online and some are blood draws, but this one was pictures. I am in a study for the plastic surgery side of things to develop a program where patients undergoing mastectomies and reconstruction can view their bodies at the different stages of the reconstructive journey. The doctors want to be able to upload the patient's photo and walk them through what changes their body will go through and how they might look post-surgery. I was so excited to be a part of this program and I can see the real value that it can have especially as more women are electing to have this surgery done after genetic testing reveals the BRCA gene. Snap away I told them :)
Of course, I can't reflect on a year post-surgery without saying THANK YOU once again to the many friends and family that helped along this journey. Thank you for the meals, childcare help, emails, facebook posts, smiles, hugs, and visits! It was all so helpful and my family felt very blessed by your love. I have the best friends and family in the whole world :)
