Fill 'Er Up... And Round #2

Today, I had my first expansion appointment.  Yay for more natural looking boobs!  While I was nervous, I've got to say the expansion was a cake walk, so far.  I was told that I may experience some tightness and soreness this evening and tomorrow, but I'm feeling like a badass today, so I'm not too worried about it.  I just hope that soreness moves on before the chemo symptoms are in full swing.

DCP, my plastic surgeon, walked in made some small talk and got to business.  He took a stud finder type tool to identify where the ports on my expanders are located.  Then, he numbed me up and I could barely feel the needle in my right breast, but felt a bit more of a pinch in my left breast.  Then, he took a syringe and filled each breast with 60cc's.  It was a piece of cake.  And I could immediately see a difference.  Yay!  My breast expansion has been pretty much been put on the back burner, my choice.  It just doesn't seem as important to me and since my chemo will slow down my exchange surgery, I am taking my sweet time.  But, I must admit, seeing a bit more of a breast mound made me feel good, closer to my normal.  

He couldn't nail down the plan exactly, as I get to pick how big I want to go, but he anticipated that I will need 4-5 more fill appointments and then will be able to do my exchange 6-8 weeks after my last chemo infusion.  I will still continue with the Herceptin infusions for a year, but he will do the exchange once my 6 chemo treatments are complete.  Looks like by May I will be swim suit shopping... And I'm hopeful that my swim suit options will be a little more generous since I can be a little less worried about the support factor.  

Next, we headed over to the Hulston Cancer Center for my chemo infusion.  While I dread chemo's side effects that will hit Saturday afternoon and last for 3-5 days, I found myself looking forward to some alone time with Richard.  Again, chemo infusion day is almost relaxing.  Not horrible.  And, I don't feel nearly as self conscious with my hair issues if I'm in a doctors office.  Another win.  Always a silver lining.  Feeling much more normal today than I did yesterday...  God bless everyone!