Time flies when you are going to doctor’s appointments every other day (ok, that’s definitely a major exaggeration…but seriously, I’ve had more doc visits in the past few months than I’ve had pretty much ever). Oh and you know, trying to run a business at the same time and trying NOT to stress about all those said doc appointments. I’ve met with surgeons now and have decided on the team for my first procedure. And as I mentioned, time flies, and now I find myself just a couple weeks away from that procedure. Going on the advice of several of my trusted doctors, I’m doing the mastectomy first. Due to my age, they are trying to hold off on taking the ovaries out for a little while longer {even if that may just mean next year}….plus the hormone supplements I may need after that can’t be given to someone with the brca1 gene while they still have their breast tissue. So, first up for me is the double mastectomy with reconstruction. I’ve got this scheduled for the first week of May, and that sure is just right around the corner. All of my tests have come back great, so I’m not rushing into this for any other reason other than to just get it over with and be able to move on. And to be totally honest, I want to get it over with before we get too far into summer so that my incisions can be healed and don’t have to be worried about missing those awesome days spent at the pool with family and friends. But more on that in a minute.

I mentioned in my last post that I feel compelled to take action regarding this gene and have the necessary procedures done for maximum prevention. There are plenty of other options for just monitoring everything alot more closely, especially given my age, but I feel like I’ve been given this knowledge so I can act on it now and not have to worry about it in the future. We’ve all heard the phrase “timing is everything” and in some ways I agree, but ultimately I’d rephrase it to “God’s timing is everything.” He knows what we need to do, when we need to do it, and He is there guiding us according to His plans. My mom learned she has the brca1 gene about a month before I found out that I do. She went through the same routine of tests and doctors appointments and such. Due to her age bracket, it was decided that it would be best for her to get a hysterectomy done first before any breast procedures. She knew there was more urgency on her for getting the procedures done in general, compared to someone my age, and she faced a few frustrations along the way with appointments and surgeon consultations not happening as quickly as she would’ve liked. It’s been about a month now since she had her hysterectomy done, so all things considered, her surgery timeline was still pretty quick. With this gene, they typically test the tissue/cells that are removed as a precaution to ensure that nothing was “brewing” that couldn’t be detected during testing. That’s where God’s timing comes in. She got a call that they had indeed found cancer cells floating around….but get this, they had not yet attached or implanted in any way. Praise God. What incredible timing for her to find out about this gene and take action right when she needed to. The nurse that called her with the results said this was a “textbook case” of exactly why doctors urge people with this gene to have the preventative procedures done. She’s doing well and we are all incredibly grateful for the timing.  God is good.

*resting in His provision*

So back to me and my upcoming procedure. You can see why I’d like to just get the procedures done and be able to move forward knowing that I’ve taken all prevention measures possible right?! I’m not looking forward to the surgery, just knowing that I’ll definitely have pain/discomfort afterwards and the recovery and healing probably won’t be super fun. But I’m not really dreading it or anything, just ready to get it out of the way. I’m actually in a position where I could have it a bit easier than alot of people undergoing this same procedure. I actually already have breast implants….I got them done about six years ago, as a completely elective procedure. {And if you’ve ever wondered about implants…a *gasp* boob job….yes, they’re amazing…LOL. I’m happy to answer any and all questions} I guess I should specify ‘appropriate’ questions. Ha.         So, the downside is that I’m a little jaded in my expectations. I’m really hoping for the reconstruction results to be the same as the augmentation results. But we’ll see. That may be a little bit of wishful thinking. The good news is that my muscles are already stretched and my body/skin has “room” for the new implants to go in right away. Also, the procedure is NOT the same, but I do at least have some small idea of what the healing process will feel like. So, for all of you thinking that I’m being really “brave” about all of this…I’m just telling myself that it can’t possibly be all that different from the recovery after my boob job. There’s a good chance that line of thinking is super naive and I will be laying in bed asking all of you to bring me ice cream for three weeks straight. Stay tuned!

My mom and I have decided that a tropical vaca is in order for all of us once we get these procedures behind us….so I’m ready to get this done and have toes in the sand and a view like this! {Photo: one of our fave beaches – Trunk Bay, St. John}

xo,

Monica