Moles and Panties

To make sense out of this post you need to know what exactly my surgery entailed. Most of you probably already know, but I’m going to explain it one more time, just in case.

In May of 2005 I had a left modified radical mastectomy which left me with an 8-inch scar running from the center of my chest to half way under my arm. Because of my fairly young age at diagnosis and the further risk factors, I elected to have a prophylactic right mastectomy along with what they call DEIP reconstruction.

Last Friday a surgical oncologist removed my right breast by simple, skin sparing mastectomy. When she was finished the plastic/vascular surgeon removed the tissue from my belly, including an artery from each side, and did a transfer.

First, he basically “stuffed” the right breast with belly tissue and connected an artery so it will have an actual blood supply. But for the left breast he used not only the fat, but some of the skin from the belly to create a breast.

So with that little bit of explaination I’ll continue…

I didn’t actually get to see the “girls” for a few days, but when I did I had to laugh. My left breast now has a mole that used to be on my belly. Kind of weird, that.

And how’s this for humiliation? I was told I should have underwear that wouldn’t hit the incision or be too tight. So when we got home from the hospital my Father-in-Law ran to the store to buy me some “double wide, extra saggy, granny panties”. My Father-in-Law!! How embarrassing! Todd was going to pin a pair to the bulletin board and take a picture so I could post it with the phrase, “Who’s panties are on the bulletin board?” (You know, like on Gray’s Anatomy) But I decided against it. Tell you about my humongous panties and showing you are two different things.

7 Comments

  1. Barb on January 6, 2007 at 12:45 pm

    Oh my word–I would go without before I’d let my father-in-law buy me undies! You’re learning courage in all kindsuh ways….

  2. Tara Marie on January 6, 2007 at 2:28 pm

    Good Lord, Jen the whole thing seem so complicated.I want to be part of your family–LOL. Like Barb, I’d probably gladly gone without.

  3. Jenster on January 6, 2007 at 10:55 pm

    Barb & Tara – I think Percocet played a large part in my reasoning skills. lol

  4. Bookwormom on January 7, 2007 at 12:27 am

    Um. NO FIL panty shopping for me thanks. No matter what. Hope you & the girls are better soon.

  5. Devonna on January 7, 2007 at 1:24 pm

    Jen ~ FIL probably thought nothing of it. I’m sure the Percocet did help in that decision :-)Glad you’re on the mend.

  6. terrillr on January 8, 2007 at 11:56 am

    Hey, hey….. what’s wrong with those double wide, extra saggy, granny panties?? I find them quite comfortable! lol And, if your fil bought them, I’m sure you got some nice ones. Did mil go with him? If so, I know you got some nice ones! And, I kinda like Todd’s “Gray’s Anatomy” spoof. Maybe more drugs would help you see the fun with that! (You know I love you, right!)

  7. slackermommy on January 11, 2007 at 6:32 pm

    Wow, you’ve been through a lot. Reading about what you’ve gone through has definitely knocked me off my pity pot. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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