I would have thought I would be far more self-conscience given the situation
For those who may not have caught earlier posts, I had a double mastectomy 4 weeks ago. It went great, and today was my first day back in the classroom. I spent more time than normal deciding what I was going to wear to work, because I am only in the very beginning phase of the reconstruction process and I work with very young children who very innocently will ask very direct questions.
It was kind of weird. Everyone (teaching staff) knew why I was out and I chatted with most today. The ladies were normal in behavior without that awkward "Oh **** you have cancer and I have no idea what to say or do" thing happening. The men, on the other hand, seemed to actually be concentrating on making eye contact and not inadvertantly looking down. They were not entirely sure how to approach me.
If it had been before my Vsg I woud have been mortified. I was so self-conscious of my weight, and if I had to endure the double mastectomy on top of that I would have had a horribly painful day. Instead, I realized near the end how it didn't even phase me going in so physically different. I will continue to select clothing carefully for a bit, but only to try to keep things hopefully a little easier for my students.
It feels great to not dwell on my physical appearance anymore :) I love my sleeve!
Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!
1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost
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You inspire me, lady. Just needed to make sure you knew that.
VSG 7/1/13 with Dr. Jack Rutledge 28 y/o female - 5'10" - HW: 298 - GW: 174 - SW: 290 (-8) - M1: 262 (-28) - M2: 247 (-15) - M3: 235 (-12) - M4: 228 (-7 ~First Stall: almost 2 wks~) - M5: 218 (-10) - M6: 209 (-9) - M7: 199 (-10) Onederland on 1/31 - M8: 196 (-3) 100 lb total loss on 2/2 - M9: 192.6 (-3.4) - M10: 188.6 (-4) - M11: 182 (-6.6) - M12: 175.6 (-6.4) - M13: 173.8 (-1.8) CW (7/8/15): 167 - GOAL reached in 1 Year and 25 Days! - TOTAL WL - 131 lbs
Sometimes the way we work in our world actually works the way we would want it to! Well done, you!
goal!!! August 20, 2013 age: 59 High weight: 345 (June, 2011) Consult weight: 293 (June, 2012) Pre-Op: 253 (Nov., 2012) Surgery weight: 235 (Dec. 12, 2012) Current weight: 145
TOTAL POUNDS LOST- 200 (110 pounds lost before surgery, 90 pounds lost Post Op.diabetes in remission-blood pressure normal-cholesterol and triglyceride levels normal! BMI from 55.6 supermorbidly obese to 23.6 normal!!!!
I had a mastectomy in 1989 at the age of 36. That surgery was so painful. It felt as though I was on fire when I came out of surgery. Facing cancer is a very scary thing and my thoughts are with you. Can't imagine a double mastectomy. I was slightly overweight when i was diagnosed but gained a lot of weight the year I went through chemotherapy and radiation. Sort of weird---thought I would lose weight but I just blew up like a balloon. I was so ashamed of how i looked i would pretend I was invisible. People reacted really weirdly---some of my closest friends never talked about it but sometimes perfect strangers sent cards and called every week. Seriously, take care of yourself and my prayers and thoughts are with you. It really gets easier but cancer is something that really changes your life.
Lisa
