R.I.P. Baby Maker (aka: Hormonal Heathen) & good riddance to the cancer too.

SO Monday July 29th was the big day, surgery.

We had to be at the hospital at 6am and we were there about 12 hours total. Those that know me well are aware of my ability jump in the deep end and take on a lot at once. This was no different. I had a lumpectomy, lymph node removal for testing, my port removed and a full hysterectomy. Two surgeries, back to back. It took lots of coordination from the doctors and my ability to tell each medical professional what they were going to be doing at each point of surgical process. (It is procedure.)

It was a lot.

I didn't take my phone. No pictures, just memories of the moment remain. Wait...there are pictures but that is another part of the story.

Steffen was with me all day and was really the only one I wanted there at that moment 

Thanks to everyone for their love and support. All is well and I am on the mend. Trying to resist lifting heavy objects and over doing it. The worst is over. 

R.I.P to the Baby Maker (aka: Hormonal Heathen)

Before the cancer was found I wasn't feeling well. I would power through and have things checked out. It started after I my daughter was born. Something felt off even back then. But life and being a Mom and a wife and all the things, I kept moving through it. I was told it was normal. I was told it was in my head. I was dismissed. 

Eighteen years of this. I would get frustrated with feeling crappy try to get answers. Then would be frustrated by not getting anywhere or busy with life and power on. Round and round it went. Towards the 17th year it was bad. It is TMI kind of detail so will spare you all here. Then CANCER. 

So the Baby Maker! I am grateful for it because I got two beautiful babies. They are still my babies even though they are adulting with training wheels now. It did it's part. Then it created my roller coaster hormonal craziness. Random and weird, totally annoying. At least that is my professional opinion as the 48 year owner/operator of this body. I may never find out what was really happening to me or get doctors to say "You know Jen, you were right. Sorry we couldn't help you sooner". That isn't going to happen so I need to let it go now and refocus on what my body will do without the Baby Maker on board. Hopefully, gleeful dances of joy or simple relief of the grumpy neighbor finally moving away forever.

I have a life to live without that kind of craziness and there were too many boxes checked off the list of future issues potentially with the cancer treatment. It was time to say goodbye, With robotic assistance my Surgeon #2 was able to remove the Hormonal Heathen (formally the Baby Maker), taking a few pictures for me in the process. 

The pictures had hand written notes saying everything looked normal. Ugh!

Riddance of the Cancer

The cancer was orginally 2cm. After 20 weeks of chemotherapy later, residual cells. Yay!

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MRI Playlists- confirmed it is an 8 song procedure. 
The white part is the clip they put in to tag the cancer during the biopsy..

January 8, 2019 (2cm Cancer)

1. Baby I'm a want you Bread
2. My Sweet Lord George Harrison
3. Yesterday The Beatles
4. Imagine John Lennon
5. Learning To Fly Tom Petty
6. Mama Said Shirelles
7. Piano Man Billy Joel
8. Night Moves Bob Seger

June 18, 2019 (Residual Cancer)

1. Brandy Looking Glass
2. Imagine John Lennon
3. Make This Place Your Home Phillip Phillips
4. All For You Sister Hazel
5. Mary Jane's Last Dance Tom Petty
6. Days Like This Van Morrison
7. Tennesee Whiskey Chris Stapleton
8. Horse With No Name Neil Young

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The chemo was very effective. The morning of surgery was running through the check list and all the people that needed to see me before the actual surgery, Radiology for a  mammagram and a guide wire and next a little radioactive dye to track during the procedure. Surgeon #1 went first. Everything took less time then anticipated. I had a lumpectomy but understand there were very few cancer cells to remove. A couple lymph nodes were removed and were found cancer free. Confirmation from the main lab. Definitely cancer free!

​The port was removed. I hated that thing.