Two Years Ago Today.....

Today marks the second anniversary of my bilateral mastectomy and DIEP surgery!!! How amazing!! It's hard not to think about on March 29th. As I was exercising this morning with Mike at 5am, I kept asking him if he remembered what we were doing two years ago at this time. Then five minutes later I asked him again, then again and again, until about 7:30 at which time I was taken to the OR with Dr. Tobias.

As my day wore on I didn't give it much thought, until now when I looked at the clock and saw 7:15pm. Two years ago I was still in surgery. It had been about 12 hours and I still had 4.5 to go. Of course I felt nothing until the wee hours of the morning. But my husband had to wait and worry all day long. Not that I remember this, but it was pouring rain. Mike tells me that he walked and walked and walked around Boston that day in the pouring rain. It rained so hard that week that there was record-breaking flooding in Rhode Island. I do remember seeing that on the news when I began to recover.

So anyway, on my second anniversary, I am proud of myself for deciding on the PBM + DIEP, am eternally grateful to Dr. Tobias, Maria and Dr. Curtis. I could never have found a more talented, more caring team in the world. I am also relieved to have all of this in my rearview mirror.

As time goes on the memories fade, but the appreciation for my family and friends grows. It was tough to hang in there with me as I researched and researched and researched for a year and a half. I am reminded of their love and support for me each time I have the opportunity to pay it forward.

From this blog I have found new DIEP sisters.....Sara, Kristine, Jen, Carol, Laurie and many others who have reached out as they have moved forward with their own DIEP journeys.

Just before my surgery, DIEP sister, Jen, told me, "You will go back to your normal when all this is over. It's still you and your life." She was so right!! Before surgery I thought that my whole life would change (I actually thought I might die). In the end, everything is the same, but better, SO MUCH BETTER.

Thanks for visiting,
Love,
Joanie

PS. Here's one last thought.....I found this quote on my blog and thought it would fitting for how I feel now when looking back.....

It's a quote by Joseph Campbell that speaks to how life sends us down unexpected pathways. It is from these pathways that we bring depth and color to our lives. 

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, 
so as to have the life that is waiting for us."