Get Well soon Dear K. @kmakm

@Sister I'll get my shotgun. There's been an infestation in my hospital room but I cleared 'em out. Sorry if they've scampered over the border  <3

There's been definite sighting of bandicoots around this way.

@Sister Having spent most of the week with my head under the water I am in total admiration of anyone keeping their hair dry. I am serious. You are to be highly admired in my book.

@Allyjay I cannot imagine what you went through, it's just unfathomable and then to go through this?? how could you not feel that way. I absolutely agree, that pressure valve has to blow! it's the best thing to release because we don't realise what builds up over the years. xx

@sister not 1 person diagnosed is a wuss! everything is completely relative to each person, I too at your stage was exactly the same just getting through step by step, don't ever discount what you are going through or have been through. It really is so relevant to us as individuals. We have no control over the path we will travel, but I guess we have a say in how we try to deal with it...and that's very quietly and specifically what is best for each for us. The one thing to know is...that's it's not that you 'may' make it through treatment of any kind, there's a certainty that you will and surgeries etc., and you will get down the track and wonder how? I know I did. Im still amazed at where I am now and I would never have thought. I am back full time, yes it took me a few years to do as I had to learn to walk again. But one foot in front of the other and it doesnt matter how long it takes but things improve over time. xx

@Sister please, your path is just as traumatic as anyone else!  You are not a wuss - we all roll differently and you are dealing with each day in your own way.  
When we read other posts some are more traumatic than mine or perhaps yours but it is still traumatic!
I am 3 years since diagnosis, suffer side effects, high risk of uterine cancer according to Med Onc and I haven't shed a tear! The only tear was whilst I was in the holding bay waiting to go in for Mastectomy and the nurse offered a tissue but I closed my eyes and they didn't hit my face.  We are all different but it still affects us and acceptance is a huge part

Excellent words from @melclarity "Acceptance of the path" 
Take care

@Primek Thanks Kath xox

"Acceptance of the path" - I really like that concept @melclarity. Making a note.

@Sister Your words often strike me as full of the unspoken, and I am always impressed by you. Please don't be hard on yourself. K

I think that I'm just getting along from one day to the next and congratulating myself (most days) on keeping my head just above water.  Then I read what many of you have gone through to get to this point and I feel like a complete wuss.  I know that we all do what we have to but I am in awe.

@Eastmum it is strange isn't it, I didn't think about the navel either with the Diep flap reconstruction. I got a new navel lol, because the surgery involves taking away the lower abdominal skin/flap if they didn't create a new navel generally with the tummy tuck the navel would be too low,so it depends. Mine is higher up than it was normally, its odd and strange how they do it, but Im happy. My first diagnosis I don't recall crying really, it was possibly once I got through radiation that I fell apart due to exhaustion of working full time and rearing 2 kids alone. 2nd diagnosis 4yrs later was beyond shocking, but kept it together through surgeries and treatment...fell apart and struggled through chemo. 1yr post as recommended I decided after genetic counselling that was negative that I'll do a single mastectomy and could only do a diep flap recon due to having radiation as my skin was too fragile and thin which is normal. My PS wouldnt do an implant, something i didnt know, but was happy about. Mentally and emotionally it was the lead in to this surgery where the previous 5/6 years came crashing down all at once. I'd always been an incredibly strong woman and I didn't get why then. The beauty of that was, post surgery I cried once and haven't since. Im now 1yr post surgery and complete and 3yrs clear 2nd time and come to a new place of acceptance of my path...I don't believe that we ever find acceptance of getting BC but rather the path we travel as we get through. Everyone is so different, my PS always said it will hit before this surgery or after, mine was before and Kate has experienced it after. Either way its so incredibly normal and complex..reconstruction is NO walk in the park and takes much courage. You will get there step by step and sound like you are doing a fantastic job already. xx

Kate you are doing better than you could ever think, even when it feels like 2 steps forward 10 steps back...hugs xo

All caught up now Kate. So glad you are on the improve on such a difficult part of your treatment. X