If you have been following my blog, you will know that I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2013 and 'sugar coated my cancer experience' by awareness raising, fundraising and blogging my way all though the treatment and recovery….
Now it's time for the next phase of my story and so, I shall be blogging and sharing with you my metamorphosis through breast reconstruction surgery.
So, a quick recap……. I had a mastectomy in November 2013 and at the same time I was given a temporary implant in my left breast. This later became infected and the implant was removed in March 2014. I have been wearing a silicone prothesis ever since.
I have opted to have a Diep Flap reconstruction and after initially seeing surgeon, Mr Varma in December 2014, I gained a second opinion from surgeon Mike Tyler in May this year, and after what seems such a loooooong wait, my date for surgery has been confirmed as the 8th December.!!!!
Yes….this means a new boob for Christmas, what more can a girl want….right??!!…..Gosh...I have missed my cleavage ! ….
My humour remains and it shall not disapate , although the reality is that this is NOT a 'boob job' and the magnitude of such an event does not escape me.
The word 'reconstruction' is defined as 'A thing that has been rebuilt after being damaged or destroyed'…. I don't want to rain on my excitement about the procedure, I feel lucky and grateful, but to call it a 'boob job' in it's traditional sense, seems to undermine the emotional and physical ravages of breast cancer !
Never the less, what is about to happen in my life is truly remarkable and I am beyond excited at the prospect of having some symmetry back in my life!
Life without a boob , has been wholly doable and besides some inconveniences and clothing practicalities there have been few limitations for me. Acceptance of my wonky boobs had set in very early on in my cancer story, and the personal growth spurt I have been experiencing, has eased any laments about my physical appearance. as I have been waiting for my reconstruction.
What happens next?; ….well… On the 1st December I will be going to Stoke Mandevile Hospital for my pre op appointment and to see Mike Tyler to prepare for my surgery on the 8th which will happen at Wycombe Hospital !
I hope to learn more about what to expect , although I already know that the procedure involves an 8 hour operation to remove flesh and fat from my tummy and create a new left boob!! I'm yet to learn whether my boob will be the same size and where my unicorn tattoo on my knicker line will end up!
I will be in hospital for up to 5 day's and by all accounts I will be out of action for sometime and I will be reliant on my lovely family and friends. Lucky friends and Family I say !!!!! ha ha!
As If a new boob wasn't enough for Christmas, I have also been blessed with the honour of being one of six women shortlisted out of 1000's of nominations for an Inspiration Award for Women…….. in the Inspirational Fundraiser category.
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| Suzanne Wright |
I am absolutely devastated that I won't be able to attend the Gala event on the 12th December at the Landmark Hotel in London, because I will be recovering from the surgery…….I am however keen to raise awareness of this event, as I did last year, which seeks to raise money for 'breast cancer NOW', and so please do look at their website and feel free to vote for this years nominees' by 5th December!!!!!. It is free to vote and takes only two minutes using this link.
