August Updates - the new me!

I had my annual medical with my GP, then mammogram and semi-annual checkup with my oncologist. Both were very happy with results of all tests and my return to healthy status. In the meantime, I have met a skilled plastic surgeon in Calgary, Dr. William DeHaas, who has pronounced me a good candidate for post cancer breast reconstruction. This will also rid my body of the restrictive scar tissue from mastectomy surgery and chemo and radiation treatment. I will get full use of my right arm back. Gone are the days when women were expected to suck it up and put up with pain and discomfort for the rest of their lives. Or to carry around awkward, uncomfortable prostheses too. Having been told I could expect a surgery date by March 2010, I then got a date of Sep 22. After pre-surgery appointments with Dr. DeHaas and Foothills Hospital Admitting, I had all the tests and appear to be in good shape for the big chop. I will have DIEP surgery, a newer form of TRAM flap surgery, with better outcomes and less downtime. (See link) The surgery will be about 6 hours, I will be in hospital for a week, home mostly resting for a week, and 2-3 months recovering.