It's War!

It's war! I've officially started treatment and my journey of kicking ASSSSSSSSS!

I'm doing okay and apparently looking well! (I think that's more down to the tanning moisturiser I whacked on the night before my op but I'll roll with it😅). We're now on the 6th of July so 6 days after surgery and I thought I'd update you all on how my week has been and how the new boobs are doing.

I signed off last time stressing about the injection into/around the nip that was imminent - Well, I can confirm it wasn't bad at all. And I'm not just saying it. It was a Radiographer that did it too! - see not just button pushers, we're nipple stabbers too. Wonder why they don't put that on UCAS and the Uni website!? It was actually more on the areola border if we're getting technical about it and the needle was so teeny tiny (smaller than the needle would have been to have given any local anaesthetic) and it was done that quick that I was that busy jabbering away that I didn't really notice it was over. It stung a little bit after, but no biggie. All I am thinking about now is that song "Adeola when I roll with a geezer" now that I've thought of areolas. FFS.

Onto the main event - I had to be there at 7am as I was first on the list which was fab as it meant no waiting about. I was also starving and had that nervy sicky feeling so just wanted to get cracking with it. Ry dutifully walked me up to Gate 40 at Pinders and after a kiss goodbye it was all systems go! Blood taken, consent checked, preggo test done, sexy gown and stockings were on and then the surgeon was ready to mark up his masterpiece. It was at this point I felt like a massive tw*t for been really bronzed and brown with my hair in plaits (boobs included!) looking like I was off to Ibiza but I'd decided to put another layer of tanning moisturiser on the night before for something to do😎. I remember chit chatting to the Anaesthetist and ODP about what I'd been up to that weekend and then I woke up on the recovery ward. Like a bronzed Goddess but with massive white patches on my legs from the cuffs they'd put on ha.

I stayed in the hospital for 1 night and was discharged on Thursday, just 24 hours after my surgery - the marvels of modern medicine! I honestly thought the surgeon was mental when he said I'd be home the next day but I was actually fine to be going home, albeit with a good supply of codeine! and a new handbag (drain🤮). I can honestly say my treatment so far has been nothing but outstanding. For the whole time I was on the recovery ward I never had an empty cup of tea, water and was always topped up on painkillers and whatever I needed. The compassion I felt from the staff looking after me was heartwarming - from the HCA who took my blood pressure before my op who came to find me before she left at the end of her 13 hr shift to see if I liked my new boobs to my surgeon who came to see me and check my wounds twice in the space of 24 hrs. Maybe the oromorph made me all mushy but I felt looked after🥰.

I also met a lovely lady, K, on the ward who was in the bed opposite me who had the same surgeon and had a her mastectomy operation in the afternoon (soz for nicking the morning spot!😘) It was nice, well not sure nice is the right word, to have someone going through the same things there and someone to ask questions to who was a similar age to me. Everyone else on the ward was there for different things like broken legs etc and we all got chatting about why we were there. It was nice to have K there as well when people realised we were both young with breast cancer and children so I wasn't met with the awkward "ooh you're soo young etc" alone.

While sat on the ward waiting to be discharged I also got my EXAM RESULTS! Talk about timing ha! You know what though, I bloody smashed them and I am so so proud of myself!🤩😁 I took my exams during the week I was diagnosed with breast cancer and decided f*ck it, I might as well take them, I've worked my arse off this year to not give it a go would be a waste. On 2 out of 3 exams I achieved results in the high 90's which is just crazy🤓🤪. It's such a relief to have them done so no matter where I end up with my course, those modules are done.

So, I've been home 5 days now and I am getting better and more mobile everyday. I've not had a shower for a week now and are rather accustomed to the old baby wipe wash😷. I had to sadly (NAAAT) say goodbye to my new handbag a bit early and get it removed on Monday because it was hurting like a b*tch. I have no idea what my new boobs actually look like because they're swollen, taped up and quite frankly a bit strange looking from what I can see.

I've had lots of lovely visitors and well wishes which is a tad overwhelming to be honest! Not overwhelming in the coming to see me way, please don't stop that! I'll go bloody insaaaane. Another little pressie arrived this morning and it set me off blubbing. I'm finding myself questioning how I am so worthy (please don't tell me off Lauren Bradshaw! Sozzzzz ill stop questioning and journal it out!). The kindness and love we have received really is humbling. I am lucky we are surrounded by such love and support - it is what is making this whole spanner in the works bearable. I am so grateful for you all❤.

I'll pop a few extra piccy's below and leave you all to it for this week. Sorry its been quite a sweary one. And long.