Going under!

... My post op brain being what it is, has seen a delay in posting any booby news!! ( that's my excuse anyway!)

So let's redeem this with some rather exciting news .....I am now the proud owner of a rather fabulous cleavage !!! YAY!!

On the 8th December 2015, I arrived at Wycome Hospital..... Late, due to traffic, never the less; ready for surgery and keen to get the show on the road...

There was lots of hustle and bustle at surgical admissions , though I had Danny and Becky to settle any nerves .... As I went through routine checks with Nurses, I noted days AFTER the op that they had occupied themselves with my camera phone!!!

So.... My post op brain being what it is has seen a delay in posting any booby news!! ( that's my excuse anyway!)

Being the perfect patient, I had arrived at the hospital with my bladder full, knowing that a urine sample was expected!!  So feeling  proud ....and  somewhat amazed that I had remembered, I returned from the toilet with an empty pot and  'an oooopsy' look on my face because I had enjoyed relieving my swollen bladder so much that, I forgot about the primary purpose !

No worries ....10 minutes and two attempts later ... We were in business!!

I met the surgeon ( forgot his name!!)that would be operating with Mike Tyler and the anaesthetist before Mr Tyler took me away into a side room to draw out his surgery markings!  All three being very efficient in their roles and composed in their manner, they Relaxed me into 'confidence' like a comfort blanket

Next thing I was whisked away to the anaesthetist room. There was never any time to think about what was ahead of me as the anaesthetist and his assistant kept me focused with Christmas chit chat and navigated with skilful dignity, the 'get your knickers off as we will he putting a 'catheter' in when your under', discussion !!

It was 8.45am when I last looked at the clock.

#IA- Inspiring the next generation of girls!

Around this time last year I was writing about the Inspiration Awards for Women in the capacity of 'blogger', after attending Cadogan Hall for the 2014 awards….

This year, somehow I have made it on to the short list for two awards in the 'Inspirational' and 'Inspirational fundraiser category'…Wowzer!

Imagine that…I have no idea who nominated me this year and was completely surprised when I received a tweet asking me to make contact with #IA.  I am completely made up by this honour and being associated with an event that celebrates the achievement of women and empowers and inspires our next generation of girls!

This year the format of the awards ceremony has been enhanced and involves a Gala event in the Grand Ballroom at the Landmark Hotel in London on the 12th December 2015.

Check out the website to find out how you can obtain tickets, to what promises to be a truly glamorous and uplifting evening.

The event will be attended by stars and women from every walk of life .The short list of names are on line and voting is open until Midnight on 5th December 2015.

#IA 2014

I have cast my votes already…..There is quite a  feel good feeling attached to the voting process,  with each nominee no more worthy than the other, but each inspiring in their own way….so be sure
to vote where you relate or are inspired the most!

I am only disappointed that I will not be able to go to the award ceremony, as I will be recovering from breast reconstruction surgery, but I am happy that my brothers Mark and Julian will be attending on my behalf to support the event and report back on the glamour of the evening.

Twitter  is bursting with excitement about the awards and most recently, the rather big Christmas tree from the Landmark Hotel was posted to tantalise our excitement.  Check out the twitter feed and follow @womensawards.

Whats more the whole affair will be raising money for 'breast cancer NOW'…. Having been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, like many thousands of women before me and those that will be diagnosed after me,  this is truly something that is worthy of attention and any donation now will seek to protect future generations.

'It’s our ambition that by 2050, no one will die from breast cancer'

In fact I am shamelessly going to take advantage within this post and launch my 'Breast Cancer NOW' £1000 challenge. I obtained my £1000 challenge pack sometime ago and I will be completing this fundraising challenge in memory of 'Booby Jo' who died age 44 on 12th April 2015.

I met 'Booby Jo' in hospital in November 2013 after our mastectomy operation and we became booby buddies and I became 'Suzy Breast'. She was delight to be around as we both progressed through our cancer treatment and I don't know what I would have done without her!

BoobyJo's death was a profound loss to everyone that knew her and in particular to her two children and unborn grandchild.

Booby Jo and Sister Pam

I will be undertaking various activities/events over the next 6 months and I am determined to raise £1000 in Booby Jo's memory!

My first activity is an appeal for donations in lieu of Christmas cards for 2015. Instead of sending Christmas cards this year I will start off with the first donation…. So if you can, please follow this link and donate your Christmas card money and set my challenge off to a good start!

Even better….why not  follow the link and take on the challenge yourself!!

Booby Pre Op!

On the1st December I went, accompanied by my friend Mary, to Stoke Mandeville Hospital for my pre op appointment!

So….on the way to collect Mary for the appointment, I probably should have been feeling more nervous than I was about the whole affair…. however the radio was saturated with Christmas tunes and so I was bopping away….la la la !!!  I was also really looking forward to spending time with Mary as I had not seen her in some time! 

There has been the temptation to become overwhelmed and over focused on the forthcoming operation because of the potential risks,  and so sharing my focus between the blessings and trials of my life, has helped me manage the feelings of trepidation that have been creeping in. 

We arrived in plenty of time for my appointment and throughout the 5 hour period we were at Stoke Mandeville, the service/treatment was outstanding !!  From the surgeons and the nurses to the many staff members that stopped at one point or another, with a smile on their face, and keen to offer  help when we looked lost along the corridors! 

Nurse, Pam was first to introduce herself in the pre op department and she took me thorough a set of questions to ensure that I was fit enough for the anaesthetic. 

I was relieved to learn that I passed with flying colours…. !!!! There are often, possibly irrational  anxieties that bound their way into my head, when ever there is a risk that the surgery may not go ahead!!  

Pam!

Then there was an E.C.G to check my heart activity.  Lots of sticky patches (electrodes) were placed around my heart area, arm and the bottom of my legs. Some wires that were connected to a machine , were then clipped on to the sticky patches and a measurement of my heart activity was taken. This didn't take long at all and I'm glad to say that there were no worries found!

It was photos' next at the medical photography studio….. A number of photos were taken of my chest and  tummy area . Josh Van Gelder -( #LGFB photographer) prepared me well for this photo shoot!!! I took direction well although no 'Smizeing' this time!! lol!

Whilst in the photo waiting area, I met Sam Bull, who I later learnt was having the same procedure as me, the day after mine!! It was somewhat reassuring to meet someone going through the same procedure. We have since exchanged details and I look forward to seeing a familiar face on the ward next week!  

So after some pretty routine blood and MRSA tests, It was time to meet the Surgeons…and initially I met with 'Theodore'?? ( memory blank!!), who took me through the consent form.  Mike Tyler later joined us and went through  his plans for my boob!

I now know that Mike Tyler is aiming to reconstruct my boob to its original size Yay!!! After a life threatening illness and treatment , the size of my boob may not seem important, and it really isn't, I would be grateful for anything , however, to hear that my original size is possible, is in complete defiance of what the cancer took away! So up yours cancer ! ha ha !

After reminding Mike Tyler about my unicorn tattoo, he took a look, a pinch and a sigh!!!!…. But confidently told me that unless  it compromises the shape of my boob, the tattoo will not be transferred there…Yay!!! Bye Bye Boobicorn!

It's seems the fat will still be used from that area but not the skin. There is a small chance there will be a small reminder of the tattoo left or  the incision/scar  may dip around that area. Never the less , I felt confident he would make the best of what is there ….So another Yay!!!

Thank you Mary for your most fabulous company!

Now then….I don't want to take away from the seriousness of the occasion …. but in the spirit of 'keeping it real'………… Oh My goodness …..to say Theodore and Mike Tyler were pleasing on the eye is a total understatement !!…

I had planned to request a picture/selfie with them for my blog, but couldn't bring myself to ask for fear it would belie my thoughts ! ha ha! I'm kicking myself now, so will be on the hunt for a picture next week and hopefully I will have regained my composure!

So…… after this meeting with Mike Tyler and Theodore, there were a couple of hours of waiting before the last pre op procedure with Mike Tyler.  This was an ultrasound of my tummy area and took no longer than 10/15 minutes. This was to identify the arteries (?) and I left the appointment with red and blue pen marks, showing their location and instructions to keep them dry with some waterproof dressings!

A work of art!

Having completed all pre op activities, I was given an injection of  'Fragmin'  to administer myself the day before my operation and a sharps box. This is to prevent DVT. We were sent on our way, all set for the operation on 8th December!!

In preparation for the operation, I have to stop taking the Tamoxifen for two weeks as I think this affects the blood clotting (?)….. I felt a little wobbly about this, as Tamoxifen prevents that 'pesky cell' from coming back, I have however accepted the assurance I have received as it's only for such a short  period of time. 

I'm now well on route for my 'two perfect boobs' !!