4.23.25

 Exchange Day!

Most of you probably have no idea what exchange day is, so let me fill you in.

I had a few surgery choices- lumpectomy + radiation, double mastectomy + reconstruction (maybe radiation) or just a double mastectomy (maybe radiation). 

Honestly, this was one of the harder decisions I had to make in my journey. I asked the plastic surgeon sooo many questions! To be honest with you guys, I NEVER planned on visiting a plastic surgeon. So, you can imagine my initial gut response to considering this option. 

Long story short, I ended up doing a double mastectomy + reconstruction with NO radiation! (I felt God's presence and wisdom in making this choice).

They can't just give you implants as you have nothing to hold the implant after a double mastectomy. After surgery you get expanders that are slowly filled up over time. After nearly 5 months of healing, it was time to get swap the expanders for implants.

When I heard the date of 4.23.25 I immediately said yes. I was so eager to get this surgery done and start to move on with my life. TBH expanders are terrible and so uncomfortable, I wanted to feel better in my body. After I hung up the phone, I realized that Dustin would be in New Zealand hunting. 

Ultimately, God's goodness continued to overflow. Childcare, the drive to surgery, even pain- everything was taken care of. Huge shoutout to my mother-in-law for not only tending to me before and after my surgery but taking care of Hayden so that I could focus on healing. It truly takes a village to get through cancer.

4.25.25 I finally took off the bandages. There is always a huge pit in my stomach, as you anticipate the reveal. This time around, no additional swelling or redness, or blood (thank goodness). After 6 weeks of healing, I will be able to resume normal life aka the GYM!

As long as healing goes well, I will be down to 1 last surgery in this cancer journey! I have immense gratitude for my body's ability to heal and preserve despite everything, and God's continued wisdom in this journey.

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases- Psalms 103:2-3