Marejo's day is a com'n up!
 

Everyone keep Marejo in your hearts and prayers that everything goes picture perfect and her recovery is right on. She should be having her DIEP flap reconstruction coming up soon.
Marejo, keep us all posted, ok? And know we are all pulling for you.
Call me or email me if you want to talk, ok? You know I am always there for you.
Hariecanarie

Thanks so much "harrie!" Yes, it is coming up. Less than 2 weeks away as of today. June 17th to be exact. I am begining to get more and more excited and less and less nervous.

You know what? Not once did I cry over losing either of my breasts. It's just what had to be for me. I only wanted the "cancer gone" and life moves on. I am not the kind of person to dwell on what "is" but feels moving foward, finding what's positive and making the most of each day and every opportunity is how life should be lived...so that's what I did.

But now, thinking of my "breasts" returning and using my own fat and skin to "make" them is almost unbelievable to me. I feel as if I'm being "put back together" in a sense and it brings tears to my eyes. A few times in the last couple months I've read articles from women who have had DIEP and when they describe their new "breasts" I found myself with tears streaming down my face. That tells me I've had feelings stuffed way down deep over losing mine but something I've never really "went with." As I said before just kind of "stuffed those feelings and moved on."

Well, enough rambling.....again thanks harrie for asking others for prayer for my day. That was sweet of you. I truly would appreciate my "friends" here asking our Lord (on the morning of June 17th) to have His angels surrounding my bed and the surgical team.

Thanks all.........you're the best.

Mary Jo

hello,
prepare mentally for the recovery to be longer than expected - and maybe you'll recover quickly. Hope you can stay in the hospital as long as you need to. I needed 6 days and honestly I found the stomach pain difficult.
take books on tape and music into the hospital because you may not have the strength to watch movies or tv and make sure they put the massaging leg things on you and cooled to avoid thrombosis and also do the breath thing to avoid pneumonia - they probably will. remember when you wake up there will be a morphine drop thing and you press it to start it flowing - it's very limited so you can't overdo it - it wasn't enough for me but maybe I wasn't tough enough.
the breast result will be amazing - like your old breat in texture - you'll love it.
Hope it all goes well and the pain is bearable.
hugs and love
sarah

Mary Jo,

I will be praying for you. Your posts are always full of wisdom.

Amelia

Mary Jo,

You can count on my prayers too. I'll be praying for you and for everyone who will have their hands on you. Also, I pray that the surgery, recovery and the results are better than your expectations. You're in God's hands.

Tonya.

Dear Mary Jo,

I would also be very excited about the operation. Think very positive. I know everything will be fine. I for sure will keep you in my prayers that everything will be just fine. Everytime you feel a little bit of pain, just think how wonderful you will feel with your new breast. Love always,

Paty

Marejo
 

Thank you guys.....your prayers and love mean a lot.

Yes, much "consideration" went into this decision. More than any of you will ever know. I prayed about it fervantly (still do), did my research, asked question after question after question after question and I read and read and read and read. On top of that I've talked to 2 of Dr. Hijjawi's patients and other women on message boards who have had the DIEP. I feel in my heart that it is right. For me!!

Yes, Sarah, it sounds as if it will be "tough" BUT I'm TOUGHER! LOL! Negativity, isn't usually the road I go down and I go with what's given to me. I never seem to have much pain or any issues recovering. I usually breeze through whatever it is. BUT, I have prepared myself "mentally" as you said and am setting myself up for the most OUCHEY recovery HENCE it probably will not be too bad. (that's why I think most things thrown at me aren't too bad - I anticipate the worst and it's never as bad as I anticipate it to be)

"Leslie's sister Lisa" from her2 support has been saying prayers like this for me in my decision making process and approaching the surgery......"Lord please close all doors if the surgery shouldn't take place but leave them all wide open if Mary Jo should go ahead with it." I say AMEN to that.

So far the doors are all wide open and things are falling into place...........so I guess it's all systems go UNLESS of course, the Lord starts slamming the doors. http://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon7.gif

Again, thank you everyone.....you are kind and good.

I love you guys....I really do!!!!

Mary Jo

Hi MareJo!

I am excited for you as your day approaches. Prayers will be said for a smooth surgery and recovery.

Hugs,
Lexi

Marejo,
Prayers will be with you on the 17th for sure. You are tough, and with your great spirit it should be a swift recovery for you. We leave for Petersburg, Alaska on the 19th to see grandbabies and do some fishing, but I will be checking my e-mail often. Please keep us posted. It was so nice talking to you the other day. All my best, Nana Karen

My prayers are with you as well! You are such a joy and inspiration to many of us on here. And then there's your words of wisdom, your positive attitude, etc......

Surgery
 

Oh sister, I knew this day was coming (Leslie had given me the head's up), now I know the definite day. Lots and lots of prayers for you, especially on the day of surgery.

We are going to NEED to know asap that all went well with the surgery. Maybe your husband could post or send me an email.......

I know that you will come through without problems. Honestly, as I foresee it, the biggest problem is that the doctors and nurses are going to fall in love with you as we have and not release you from the hospital!


Love,

Lisa

Hi Marejo - I'm still praying for you and know with your positive outlook you'll be fine!

I like the prayer about closing doors to surgery if that's God's will - the trick is to be able to "see" if the doors are opening or closing, something I wasn't able to do properly before my own surgery, due to my own vanity, fear, ignorance and impatience. You have shown so much patience and courage Marejo - and I just know you'll be the light to my darkness when your surgery is over!

Marejo, you're always in my thoughts and prayers. I know this will go well for you.

Hey...
 

You'll do just fine. Stay focused. Everyday post surgery is a healing day. Breathe through whatever is happening. The time will pass. The miracle of our bodies will amaze you as you heal up and start to feel "whole" again. Even in the newly cut and pasted version you will feel like your old self - able to throw on some clothes without that moment of catching your breath as you are reminded of what was. I think the reconstruction is a nice feeling. Nothing can ever replace our original breasts but the amazing reconstruction can come close. I am a crazy patchwork of a girl but still sexy so there you have it!

Those angels are standing by. They seem to hover around the HER2 site - seeking those in need.
xxoo
--Flori

Marejo, it is going to be tough, BUT the good part is that I think you will be amazed on how much improvement you will see everyday!! Honestly!!
And...the end result will be awesome. To me it is like a miracle. I was never blessed with physically beautiful breasts to be quite honest and my reconstruction is 100 times better from what I originally had and I am not exaggerating! PLUS....you get a nice tummy tuck thrown in for good measure, so hows that for something to look forward to???!!!

Marejo,

I bet you are full of nervous anticipation!!

I threw a big ladies brunch with my friends the weekend before my DIEP. It was a fun way to get my mind off the surgery :)

And I may have said this before.... when I "woke up" from surgery the first thing I did was peak under my gown at my "frankenboobs"- they had glue, tubes, wires, but man they were beautiful ! I told my surgeon I wanted to hug him and high five him and cartwheel down the hall. Of course I couldn't do any ~

I am so happy you are ready for this next step. My doc warned me it can be a very emotional time- and he was right. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at myself.


Will be thinking of you these next few weeks and best of luck. Sounds like you are in good hands.

Marejo,

You will be in my prayers.

Marejo..

I'll be following your story with great interest as I am having Diep reconstruction in early November. I understand your feelings - they mirror mine. I too am excited and overwhelmed at the thought of feeling "whole" again. I gave it a lot of thought, did a lot of research and consulted two surgeons before finally deciding.

I have total confidence in the surgeon who will be doing my operation and that confidence hasn't wavered since I first met him in January. My husband does as well and it was important that he felt the same way as he's the guy who's going to have to look after me for a while.

So I wish you well and I'll be looking forward to your posts.

MareJo
 

MareJo, i certainly will be praying for you. could I be so bold as to ask for some Prayers for myself. I have my 2nd mastectomy the day after your surgery. Hugs and Blessings, Jeanette