I thought Christmas was to be a holiday celebrated with Jimmy Stewart scenes of snow and blowing wind. Someone needs to clue in the great Northwest. Nine rivers are on flood watch and I awoke this morning to a thunder and lightening show that resembled one of Nick"s concerts over in the Gorge. Geez....get those Arks ready. I think God had his fingers crossed behind his back the last time!
I am officially done! Today was my appointment with Dr. Morris, the radiology oncologist. She checked my recovering skin and told me it look great (well by Stage 3 standards!). She released me to swim full time and to remember that it took 9 months to get into this shape, so recovery isn't over night. Since my lights are out normally by 8 these days, that didn't come as a big shock.
Last week I met with Dr. Paige, the plastic surgeon. He was happy about my weight loss. I didn't have the heart to remind him that 20 weeks of a chemo diet, coupled with the little floatation removal and tanning bed made for a decreased appetite! I guess I will reluctantly be forced to continue working on shoring up this body for the Melissa/Jill face off. I can't have the reconstruction surgery until after November 2016, so I will probably skip it until January 2017 when Nick and Emily are back at college. Wow......that sounds scarey! Dr. Paige was happy to see that I still had enough material to work with....in my mind, half of Seattle could use some of my "material". I told him I wasn't interested in replacing the old girls with the same size model...I was ready to downsize. He told me that the second surgery (you have about 3) would focus on refining and reducing if necessary. Now I ask you...do you think my husband is going to want me to reduce what gets loaded on first? Its like having a twice baked potato and someone comes and scrapes the top off. Ugh.
Dr. K will now be my only doctor that I see every 3 months for blood work and check ups. I had my first one last week as well. It is an adjustment not going to see him weekly or being so involved in getting well. It was nerve wracking to let go. Allison, my sister, used to have a blanket that she called night night. I think she gave it up when she married. I will have to figure out what will be a daily replacement for Hank Kaplan!
So, like the poem says, I am settling down and putting Jots from Jill to bed for a long winter's nap. My hair even looks like a kerchief so I am all set. We will be back. I will update in May or June the results of my mapping for replacement surgery and then busy my self with getting two off to college. Hopefully a European trip lingers out there for us and after the holidays, it is back to penning about drains, bosoms and the joys of being rebuilt.
Thank you for following me, being with me, praying for me, writing to me, cooking for me, hugging me, running errands for me, buying me gifts and always holding me safe. I could not have done this journey without you. I reconnected with old friends, made some new ones and discovered how lucky and blessed I am.
Whatever you celebrate, may it be happy. I am a Christmas girl and love the joy of the season. Just like the hope in that manger, I found it in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you friends.
Much love,
Jill
I am officially done! Today was my appointment with Dr. Morris, the radiology oncologist. She checked my recovering skin and told me it look great (well by Stage 3 standards!). She released me to swim full time and to remember that it took 9 months to get into this shape, so recovery isn't over night. Since my lights are out normally by 8 these days, that didn't come as a big shock.
Last week I met with Dr. Paige, the plastic surgeon. He was happy about my weight loss. I didn't have the heart to remind him that 20 weeks of a chemo diet, coupled with the little floatation removal and tanning bed made for a decreased appetite! I guess I will reluctantly be forced to continue working on shoring up this body for the Melissa/Jill face off. I can't have the reconstruction surgery until after November 2016, so I will probably skip it until January 2017 when Nick and Emily are back at college. Wow......that sounds scarey! Dr. Paige was happy to see that I still had enough material to work with....in my mind, half of Seattle could use some of my "material". I told him I wasn't interested in replacing the old girls with the same size model...I was ready to downsize. He told me that the second surgery (you have about 3) would focus on refining and reducing if necessary. Now I ask you...do you think my husband is going to want me to reduce what gets loaded on first? Its like having a twice baked potato and someone comes and scrapes the top off. Ugh.
Dr. K will now be my only doctor that I see every 3 months for blood work and check ups. I had my first one last week as well. It is an adjustment not going to see him weekly or being so involved in getting well. It was nerve wracking to let go. Allison, my sister, used to have a blanket that she called night night. I think she gave it up when she married. I will have to figure out what will be a daily replacement for Hank Kaplan!
So, like the poem says, I am settling down and putting Jots from Jill to bed for a long winter's nap. My hair even looks like a kerchief so I am all set. We will be back. I will update in May or June the results of my mapping for replacement surgery and then busy my self with getting two off to college. Hopefully a European trip lingers out there for us and after the holidays, it is back to penning about drains, bosoms and the joys of being rebuilt.
Thank you for following me, being with me, praying for me, writing to me, cooking for me, hugging me, running errands for me, buying me gifts and always holding me safe. I could not have done this journey without you. I reconnected with old friends, made some new ones and discovered how lucky and blessed I am.
Whatever you celebrate, may it be happy. I am a Christmas girl and love the joy of the season. Just like the hope in that manger, I found it in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you friends.
Much love,
Jill
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