Celebrating One Year Cancer Free

One of my favorite photos from my post-mastectomy recovery.   Lark was so sweet and  helped me walk down the hallway.  Alice just buried her face in the pillow on my chest and was overjoyed to just lay there with me.  Of course, Tom was there the entire time making sure everything was taken care of. 

What a difference a year makes!  It's hard to believe that a year ago I was in the hospital recovering from my bilateral mastectomy to remove an invasive ductal carcinoma tumor.  Fortunately, it had not spread beyond my breast tissue.  I was also spared going through chemo thanks to my Oncotype DX test results.  The rest of the year was spent rebuilding my breasts and adjusting to my cancer prevention regime of hormone therapy (i.e., Tamoxifen).

I'm still heading to the Oncologist every three months.  I have blood panel done each time to see if there are any changes.  Once a year I have a bone scan and chest X-ray to detect if cancer has returned.  The first couple visits were a little freaky, but they don't bother me at all anymore. In fact, I love my oncologist and learning about cancer.  As many of you know, I'm a biology major and at one time wanted to go to med school, so all of this medical stuff is right up my alley.

Emotionally there have been some downs, but honestly, I think I'm feeling more joy now then I ever have in my life.  There's not a day that goes by where I don't feel overwhelming gratitude for the present and life.  It's been an incredible journey and I'm so very grateful for all of the love and support given to me, Tom and the girls.  Thank you!

Here's a look back in pictures:

January 2013: Seflie before I went into the needle biopsy that diagnosed the cancer.  

February 2013: That's what I looked like pre-mastecomy. 

February 2013: Tom and I having a pre-mastecomy overnight date to say goodbye to the body we knew and get ready for Lisa 2.0.

February 6, 2013: What a frown!  This was right before I went in for surgery.  Yes, I was scared.

February 2013: Post-surgery: No chest and lots of drains.  

End of February: Check out that look of determination.  I was getting ready for on of my first outings.  This was  a picture of me with drains before I put on my "holsters."

End of February: Triumph!  My holsters hid the drains nicely and helped me look normal!

December 2013: Bruises post fat grafting surgery.

January 2014: Bruises mostly gone.

There was A LOT of life happening in between these photos, too. BUT, I'm a little tired and bored with writing about myself.  Thanks again for sticking with me through this journey.  Here's to continued health and happiness!