I was operated on at Moffitt Cancer Center on August 24, 2016. I had a double or (bilateral) mastectomy (both breasts removed). My plastic surgeon, at the time of the mastectomy, inserted expanders to start the reconstruction process.
A sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed and all breast tissue was examined for any further evidence of cancer. (Previous lymph node biopsy of the axilla came back negative). Genetic testing (performed in early July) came back negative for presence of BRCA genes. The reconstruction process also began at the time of surgery. Surgery lasted around 4 hours. The team of doctors expected I would be discharged 1-2 days after surgery.
After the surgery, it was found that I had a more advanced stage of breast cancer - Stage 2B cancer that had spread to my lymph nodes.
Here's me in the hospital bed after the double mastectomy.
I have to tell it you it was the most painful thing I have experienced (note: I have not given birth to a child). It was excruciating to get in and out of bed and using the bathroom was a serious chore. I was in the hospital for 3 days. The nurses were great, the food was not...
You can see I have a nice fuzzy blanket from home with me. (Here's a great link products you should invest in for surgery preparation) The nurses had me get out of bed and walk around the front desk each day to get me moving. It was tough, but each day it got a little bit easier.
Here I am eating a burger and preparing for the drive from Tampa to Naples. I don't look very happy to be having my picture taken at that moment.
Here I am recovering with my parents french bulldog, Tank. I was lucky to have a reclining chair to move up and down and a warm cuddly puppy to rest with. At this point I was still very uncomfortable.
