Blog

Rolling out of bed, I was proud of myself that I was up before the kids were leaving for school. My second-oldest, Michael, came up to me and boldly asked, “Mom, can I see your boob?” Now, that’s not something you hear every day. Maybe I should explain. My son is not usually that impertinent. Two […]

Instead of using tape (or Bandaids as pointed out by blog readers) to hide the fact that I only have one nipple left following my mastectomy and also not wearing a bra, I thought I’d be smart and actually wear my old bra. That was my first mistake. I had an appointment set for yesterday morning […]

It is definitely not a good idea to tape one’s remaining nipple—following a mastectomy—to hide the fact that one is not wearing a bra.  

Both the surgical oncologist and the naturopathic doctor yesterday gave me explicit instructions on the need for exercise; however, I don’t think they counted on the dog. I got up well before noon for once, put my sweats on which was a feat in itself, located my iPod, and walked out the door. I wasn’t counting […]

On Monday, President’s Day, my daughter’s friends came and weeded for several hours while I sat on the couch knitting. I felt extremely guilty. Also, the strange bruises beneath where my eyebrows used to be? I think those are my eyebrows trying to come back. They just seem to be lower than where they used […]

If knitting were an Olympic sport, I would win a gold medal. Third day on the couch (under doctor’s strict supervision) and I’m still knitting, focusing on knitting needles rather than long medical needles that surgeons use to… to… poke… prod… aspirate non-compliant patients that move a lot. If gaining weight from sitting on my behind […]

Lying on the examining table, I began to think furiously of all the activities that I would be able to do now that the surgeon, Dr. Williamson, had removed the drains from my body: tennis, hiking, volleyball… “You play piano, right?” he interrupted my thoughts.  I nodded. “Not for the next three days, you’re not,” he […]

On Monday, I had a consultation with the radiation doctor. He told me that the only real side-effect of radiation is a “sunburn” to the skin. I felt like saying, “Ha, that’s what they all say.” If I decide to go for it, I’m sure I’ll find some wacky way to react. I’m still eating Mentos/peppermint […]

I was lying in bed grunting and groaning this morning (because I quit the Vicodin and Ibuprofen cold turkey yesterday) when my daughter came into the bedroom asking me if “I needed help getting out of bed.” What she really wanted was to commandeer some of my scarves. Sure, I’ve been weaning myself off the […]