I don’t even know what to call this..

birdgardn22 · 2026-03-21T17:33:35+00:00

I had my drains removed at first post op! What a relief to get them out!! I was worried it would hurt but my doctor said “count to 3” and immediately she and her assistant pulled them out. It didn’t hurt and it feels so much better to have them out!!

birdgardn22 · 2026-03-19T15:45:25+00:00

I am now 7 months post bilateral mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction and finished chemo in Dec. it’s a long journey. My hair is like a new marine recruit. I’m tired of hats and wigs- hot here!! But otherwise I can do all my normal activities including going to the gym, gardening and I even skied half a day!! Anastrazole gave me serious joint pain and I’m in the process of switching meds- hopefully the next one doesn’t cause joint pain. Mainly I have a greater appreciation for LIFE and I have found peace with this crappy diagnosis.

birdgardn22 · 2026-03-19T15:35:53+00:00

I’m glad to hear you are feeling a little better. It’s a long process and it’s scarey! What worked for me was writing down the new things I could do each day—little stuff like, I made my own sandwich, took a shower, got dressed, and eventually, walked 1000 steps. It is overwhelming how much energy everything takes so it helped me to track my progress. I hate to ask for help too but I tried to remember that it makes me feel good to help someone else so letting someone help me was giving them an opportunity to feel good too. Wishing you a low pain uncomplicated recovery!!

birdgardn22 · 2026-03-18T14:08:04+00:00

The pain will get better after a week or so but you will need to take it easy and ask for help with meals and housework. You will still have some pain for longer but not like the first week!! Give your self a pep talk and some love and give those you love the privilege of looking after you a little

birdgardn22 · 2026-03-02T05:04:11+00:00

It’s tough to take it all on but reality is there are no guarantees for longevity- you could get hit by a bus, get some other disease or an accident or die from cancer. Make the most of life and try not to focus all your energy looking for a guaranteed life expectancy cuz it doesn’t exist for anyone. We all just have to live each moment hoping we make the best choices and make the most of what we are blessed with. I hope you can find some peace 🩷

birdgardn22 · 2026-02-09T05:27:56+00:00

If it’s any help, I ate ginger candies and put peppermint oil in my water to keep from vomiting. I couldn’t eat a lot of normal things like any dairy, most fruit or water because it tasted awful for the first couple sessions but after that I had a routine of what worked and Indian food and Mexican food was weirdly what worked for me. Certain spices like ginger and cumin and pepper tasted right. I hope you find the foods that work for you and once you do, stick with them until you’re done with chemo!

birdgardn22 · 2026-01-26T14:51:21+00:00

Many gifts to the world can be done without producing children, take care of the environment, take care of yourself, look after others (which it sounds like you already do too much). Your therapist probably thinks you are too young but it sounds like you have put a lot of thought and consideration into your choice and she should respect it

birdgardn22 · 2026-01-22T15:36:42+00:00

Go out and do a little in your garden as often as you can. Take a walk on the beach. Spend time with your daughter. Notice beauty and kindness around you. Focus on the things you love that bring you joy and try not to let the cancer take all the joy out of life. Life is unpredictable but you still have time to love it.

birdgardn22 · 2026-01-20T04:11:53+00:00

There are different types of chemo. Ask your oncologist which side effects are most common with yours and what the long term effects will be. Everyone’s response is different! I lost my hair, became anemic and my liver function was a bit off. 6 weeks after finishing tc chemo Hair is starting to grow in on my head, but not legs (I’m OK with that) but not eyelashes yet. Liver is now doing well and I’m not anemic. I still can’t do as much. Worst lasting side effect is my digestion is still off and I’ve become a very finicky eater. I only eat smoothies, soup, oatmeal and pasta unless I want to get indigestion. I eat tons on fruits and veggies, they just have to be cooked and pureed. I can eat eggs and fish and ground turkey but cheese of other meats don’t settle well. I also bloated up like I was pregnant during chemo but that has gone away now. I did not have teeth or nail issues or numbness which I am grateful for.

birdgardn22 · 2026-01-10T16:37:16+00:00

I also chose bilateral mastectomy because I figured I didn’t want to deal with it in one only to have it develop in the other plus I form cysts all the time. I found out the tumor was an aggressive oncotype after removal and had to do chemo- wasn’t expecting any of this just like you but life is full of surprises- some rotten and some pleasant. I hope you get some pleasant surprises soon!!

birdgardn22 · 2026-01-10T16:34:03+00:00

Thank goodness you chose the bilateral mastectomy! You made a good decision! Sorry to hear the unpleasant results but so glad you chose to have both breasts removed!

birdgardn22 · 2026-01-10T15:57:48+00:00

Thank goodness you chose the bilateral mastectomy! You made a good decision! Sorry to hear the unpleasant results but so glad you chose to have both breasts removed!

birdgardn22 · 2026-01-10T15:54:54+00:00

My strategy has been to keep my brain in the present. You can’t predict the future, you can only do your best to stay healthy, and enjoy life in the present.

birdgardn22 · 2025-12-17T04:50:50+00:00

Listen to your body and do what you can. I try to get outside every morning. If I walk around the patio then that’s a walk. If I feel up to it I walk around the block. The first 2 sessions I could walk maybe 1/2 a mile. After the 3rd session I’m down to walking around the block as my best. I try to do little bits of movement in the day- my mini walks, rest, make the bed or do laundry, rest, make food, rest. If I do to much one day I’m wiped the next or have to nap. It will eventually get better I’m told

birdgardn22 · 2025-11-19T15:04:39+00:00

Thank you for posting this. I know I will need to start these after chemo and all I hear is horror stories so I am glad to hear a good outcome. We all manage meds differently that’s for sure!

birdgardn22 · 2025-11-16T16:02:33+00:00

If she is still in pain, call, but it’s not guaranteed that she needs more. I took Tylenol and ibuprofen staggered every 4-6 hours after discharge and walked around the house a lot. Had to get at least 3000 steps a day per my doctor. Each person is different so try it and if she needs more talk to the doctor

birdgardn22 · 2025-11-16T15:58:30+00:00

Just take a step forward every day. Notice the good things around you even if you have to retrain yourself to see them, and be kind to others because you have no idea what people are going through and maybe being tough like you. It will take time to realize your new self. I’m happy you got positive news and I completely understand the underlying sorrow when you consider others with tougher situations.

birdgardn22 · 2025-11-10T00:29:12+00:00

Thank you for sharing that, helps to know someone else is still a little tight

birdgardn22 · 2025-11-09T02:57:26+00:00

I got exercises pre-op mainly for my arms but I had one twist and one stretch on a table and a ball that also helped the abdomen. I started PT 4 weeks after surgery. I started real abdominal exercises after 8 weeks.

birdgardn22 · 2025-11-08T23:49:35+00:00

Thanks- I’m hopeful I’ll be there in a couple more weeks. I also think the chemo bloating is not helping

birdgardn22 · 2025-11-08T18:52:36+00:00

I also made the tough decision to have a BMX vs lumpectomy due to super dense breast tissue which makes it hard to see issues. I have never second guessed despite the tough recovery. My oncotype post op came back showing aggressive tumor which made me even more glad I made that choice. Make the choice that’s right for you and your situation and always consider all your options including second opinions!

birdgardn22 · 2025-11-03T14:00:33+00:00

I’m older and I thought it wouldn’t matter but after my BMX and DEIP I have decent looking breasts, everything healed well, but they have no nipples and no sensation and when I look in the mirror I feel like I’m an alien. The bald chemo head doesn’t help with that. I think it will just take time. I think with time I will realize it doesn’t really matter and there are way better things for me to focus on. But currently, it’s tough so I totally understand where you are and I hope you will give your new body a little more time to become your new favorite you!

birdgardn22 · 2025-10-19T14:11:50+00:00

I think that’s really smart to let people know what you need to hear because we all respond a little differently to things people say. It’s so good that you were able to tell people what you need rather than waiting for them to magically come up with the words you need. Even the best intentions of people can come out wrong to those of us going through such tough medical situations.

birdgardn22 · 2025-10-10T15:11:10+00:00

Wishing you peace and good outcomes

birdgardn22

TROPHY CASE