Today I will be seeing my plastic surgeon for the pre-op appointment for phase 2 of my breast reconstruction. People remember and celebrate dates for various reasons. I don’t know how this happened but I have had a strange collision of dates today. Cancer patients tend to remember significant dates and anniversaries in their minds for various reasons. It might be the day of diagnosis. Perhaps it was the final day of treatment. Today for me, it’s a combination of a couple of significant events and a day to celebrate as well.

Memories Evoked

I will admit that the final day of radiation and all treatments, October 15, 2002, sans five years of Tamoxifen, from my first diagnosis was very significant to me. I was raised a Catholic and October 15 was the feast day of my patron saint, St. Teresa. That was significant to me that those two dates coincided with each other. When my centenarian, Irish grandmother passed there were items in her home that we all cherished. I noticed a small item sitting on her shelf that caught my eye. It was a very small statue of St. Teresa. I asked my Mother, the oldest of my Grandmother’s six children, if I could have that one item. She smiled and looked at me and said, “Of course you can.” My mother gave me my name after all. I have carried that small relic with me in my purse wherever I go now. You can see how tiny it is from the picture. I put a quarter beside it so you understand the size of the relic.

Team Members and Friends

The significance of today’s appointment is every bit as meaningful to me. I sit in a physician’s office to discuss the final phase of my breast reconstruction. I will be with Denise, a kind nurse, who has so patiently answered and guided me through questions and concerns that I have had in this entire process. Of course, Dr. Chrysopoulo, will be there to tell me exactly how he will complete the fat grafting, contouring and symmetry phase of my reconstruction. What he has done for me in rebuilding my life with his talent, skill and compassionate demeanor is difficult to put into words. I feel as if I have made new friends at PRMA and it will be bittersweet to say good-bye and I know it will be mixed with moments of laughter and celebration as well.

A Strange Coincidence of Dates

I am so happy to be at this point and this part of my journey. But, as I stated earlier, it is a collision of dates. It will be exactly a year ago on this date almost to the hour of my appointment today that I was sitting in my radiologist office receiving news of my second diagnosis. Today is also Holy Thursday in the Christian calendar and it was on that day one year ago that I was also told I was stage IV metastatic. As I have stated in other posts, after further testing the stage IV diagnosis has since been retracted and “on watch” so to speak.

Reflecting on the Positive

So in reflection, it is a day to celebrate and be thankful. Today is a day of promise and hope for the future. I will celebrate with this incredible team of breast reconstruction health professionals as I move forward with a life reconstructed.   I am blessed!!

Disclaimer

References made to my surgical group, surgeon and healthcare team are made because they are aligned with my values and met my criterion after I did research of their practices and success rates. Any other healthcare provider that displays the same skill, compassion education and outreach to patients will be given consideration and recognition on this website.  The information contained on this website is not a substitute for or should be construed as medical advice. Please consult a licensed physician for medical advice.