May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!
~ Robert Frost

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog. This is my story of how I faced my risk of breast cancer, the decisions I made, the support I received and my week by week recovery from surgery. I chose to have a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston (March 2010). For more information on my 'Medical Team' please see tab above. I also have a wonderful circle of friends who have supported me throughout. They have provided us with lots of delicious meals and desserts. Many of those recipes are included above under "Feed the Flap" recipes. "Feed the Flap" is a term I coined when trying to increase my abdominal (fat) flap to ensure that I was a good candidate for the DIEP procedure. This was not something recommended by any medical professional, it was just something that made sense to me. I think it worked!! Feel free to join me on this journey and feel free to post comments.

Select the tabs on the left side marked Week 1, Week 2, Week 3..... to go immediately to the surgical/recovery part of this blog.


Thursday, April 1, 2010

Thursday morning

Joan's really determined. It's just 5:30 am and we've already been up for a walk. She's started her breathing exercises as well. She seemed to get a good nights sleep. I'm still adjusting to the cot. Today's schedule includes a shower for Joan. I know that she's excited about that. Oh, one more highlight of the morning, freshsocks! Joan thought that 3 days with the same pair was enough.

3 comments:

Kiana said...

Mike and Joan~
It sounds like things are going well even though "well" can be really painful. You have been in our daily prayers and I know you are working really hard to get home. We just got back yesterday so I will give Dot a call today to see if there is anything we can do to help. You are a very impressive woman, Joan, and an inspiration to all who know you. Hang in there. You'll be holding those sweet little girls of yours before you know it. And, Mike, you hang in there too. I'm sure having you by her side will help her to do what she needs to do for herself. You are two very special people and our thoughts and prayers are with you through all of this. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you need anything.
love
Shawn and Rita

April 1, 2010 at 7:55 AM
Unknown said...

Yeah! great news. We love you Joan! Patty, Dan, Erik and Allie

April 1, 2010 at 8:12 AM
Kiana said...

Joan and Mike You are both amazing people who serve as inspiration to those who are fortunate to call you friends. Let us know how we can help and please do not hesitate to call us anytime. We can do errands, watch kids, and most anything else. I am a bit squeemish when it comes to surgery stuff but Rita has experience with Megan's back surgery so I will volunteer her. You remain in all our prayers. Happy Easter! Shawn

April 4, 2010 at 10:44 AM

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