Bzzz … Badge of Honour

I apologise for the quality of the photo. Poor lighting, hand tremors, and a mobile camera do not make an ideal combination.

I’ve joined the ranks of many breast cancer survivors and officially gotten my permanent badge of honour. Well, my version of it anyway.

Today, I got my first tattoo! Originally it was going to be a small cherry blossom on my right hand but after some consideration, I decided to have it on my left ankle/leg. I know the usual tatt to get would be the ribbon… but eh, I’ve never been much of a fan of the symbol. I mean no offense to anyone in anyway when I say this, btw. I just feel the ribbon’s just been exploited and overused commercially, etc. But that’s a whole other rant for another day.

The whole process was a lot less painful than I thought it would be. I actually almost fell asleep during the tattooing. Only the parts where the design hit my ankle did it really hurt. I’m delighted with the turn out.

Things to catch up on:

• Mike and I eloped!
  
  April 1st, 2010: Mike and I had a quiet Justice of the Peace ceremony with my two lovely gal pals and our guy friend. It was short, sweet, and all I could ever wish for. Afterwards was lunch at an Irish pub, mmm. I’ve never been much of a fairy tale wedding woman. I spent time dreaming of other things whilst I disfigured my Barbie and Ken toys, making monsters.

  My day was perfect.

• Depression
  This one’s a bit harder to admit. I’ve been dealing with severe depression, some dealing with cancer, some of it not. It’s been a large part of the reason why I ceased posting about anything. I hope to touch on some of it later.

• Change is in the wind and it feels good.
  I’m in Seattle for a month while Mike works a job! I haven’t been here in over 9 years. It’s good to be back and see a few friends.Oh, and the biggest news of all － Mike and I are moving back west!

• Surgery: More reconstruction
  I’ve recently had nipple reconstruction. I had been wavering on whether or not it was a wise idea but after talking to many ladies, I finally decided it was for me. Anything to help make me feel whole again. The downside? I needed to start wearing bras again, boo!

  It takes about two months to heal from the surgery. For me, a bit longer since I’m a constant picker and can’t leave the surgery sites alone. I am, however, scheduled for the nipple tattooing when I get back to home in June. I can’t wait to be done with the reconstruction process.

• Skin cancer?
  My two biopsies have returned cancer free! Huzzah!

Mike: Would you like to be engaged before or after getting blue soda?
Cat: Before!!!

Happy holidays!

Happy Holidays Everyone! Stay warm and cheers to you and yours.

I’ve been trying to take it easy over the holidays. I’m still going through some of the breast reconstruction process. Once every three weeks I visit the surgeon to get the good ol’ tissue expanders filled. Kind of like visiting the boob gas station to air up my tires, heh.

But anyways. there’s a snow apocalypse outside! How exciting. Who knew snow could be so healing for the soul?

Well, I’ve done it.

Yes, that’s right out of my bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using tissue expanders surgery! ＜gasps for air＞.

I’m not sure if I’m wincing or smiling in this picture. I’m hoping for the latter considering I’m throwing up a peace or victory sign (representing my asian self, of course). Or, perhaps, V is for “More Vicodin, please.”

But yeah, I finished chemo, spent a month hibernating, and went and had surgery on Nov 3rd.

I’m not quite sure I can blog about the experience. I do remember them not giving me enough pain killers afterwards. I was pressing that nurse’s call button like my life depended on it.

Eventually someone came and saw I was in dire pain. They immediately brandished a HUGE NEEDLE (well, it was Demerol) and STABBED me to knock me out for a few hours “supposedly”. Of course, I woke up within two minutes. I don’t know what it is but I have some strange immunity to drugs.

If you’re going in for surgery as well, let’s hope your surgery aftercare fairs far better than mine did. Now, I think I’ll sleep until Thanksgiving.