I've got my wings, now what?

Today marks my last day at physical therapy and a closing of a chapter.  It is kind of bittersweet because I have not liked having to go to PT yet as I said, goodbye to everyone, my eyes began to tear up.  This summer has been full of ups and downs from my surgery.  I have had the strangest of side effects including developing a cord on the left side of my body.  This cord known as Mondor’s Cord or Auxiliary Web Syndrome developed because my lymphatic system basically “froze” up and shut down in certain areas.  It was very painful and not pretty to look at and the only relief for it was going to a PT.  I have worked my butt off trying to get back to “normal” and now normal is knocking at the door.

I have learned to fully depend on my healthcare providers and without fail they have all been here for me.  But I suppose with every caterpillar, a butterfly will form and in time fly away.  I have my wings, I know what to do, and I feel confident, but I am nervous.  This chapter, the biggest hurdle of them all is coming to a close.  At points it feels like just yesterday I was going in to pre-op for my mastectomy and the nurse was giving me some hella good “goofy” juice to take the edge off.  And, at points, it seems like a distant memory of the challenges I have had to overcome.

My reconstruction is not over but I am done having my expanders filled.  My breasts are a good size for me and they are even (praise Jesus they are even, I felt like a deflated helium balloon for the longest time).  I have my second surgery scheduled for December 11, 2013 to remove my expanders and exchange them with my actual implants.  I am so looking forward to that because what I have now feels and looks like I have bricks on my chest.  Until then, I am done.  My normal will start when I go back to school next week and I am looking forward to that.  Again, as bittersweet as it is to say goodbye to one thing, I am looking forward to saying hello to another.