New Year, New Stuff!

Wow, have I really not posted since June!?!?!? I am so sorry, I am going to try really hard to be more consistent with the new year.

Let me catch everyone up!

The summer was filled with trying to heal and recover from the first step of reconstruction. It took 5 months, but by November all of the openings had finally healed, after 2 infections and one new hole opening up from the skin breaking down under the tape that was holding the packing and bandages in place.

September brought some changes for me at work, I went from working from home to being in the office due to some unexpected staffing changes. The move was temporary, but ended up lasting through the end of the year. We had one of our busiest holiday season ever this past year, a good problem to have..but it sure did kick my butt! MY body just does not sustain like it used to.

October I tried to do the breast cancer walk again, much different from last year..it was very cold that day, I only made it a few blocks before the back spasms tarted and I had to walk back. Next year...I am doing it! I also went to a couple of survivor events this year...a lunch with my Dad by the ACS, a lunch and learn and the Link to Pink event at Florida Volleyball. I will be attending more of these as the opportunity arises as I have realized they are an important part of the healing process. I am also going to try and be better about attending my support group meetings.

November and December were filled with lots of thing for work, weddings and holiday parties...and LOTS of paperwork.

Another change in my life came in the fall when I decided to become a foster home for Pug Rescue of Florida. My first little guy was Mooshoo Dumpling, a very active 1 year old...he only stayed a week as he kept running across my chest and I was still healing so he had to go to another foster home. The weekend after Thanksgiving Jeffie joined our home, he will be 3 in April and we began the new year by sending him to his new furever home in Philly of all places! His new Mom has had a rescued pug prior and after losing him in the fall she knew life with out a pug was just too quiet. As I type they are road tripping back to the snow filled state!

His Mom is a blogger (professional unlike me) and after visiting with her on Sunday I was motivated to return to my blog and be better about updating. I do believe I also made a new friend!

So, with that being said... here is the new stuff. Began the year by buying a treadmill and elliptical from a friend and have started using the with the new year. The goal is to get rid of some weight as well as this damn fluid that my body now retains on the right side due to having no lymph nodes. I think being back at home will help me do this.

Bella and Ralfie and I have done a little bit of improvements on the house, a new roof was installed by my wonderful neighbor (metal..so nice when it rains), new tile floor in the main bathroom (thanks to Lydia) and the stuff purchased to do the master bath as well, starting in the next couple of weeks. Also, have taken up the carpet in the bedroom and am painting that floor for now and the walls too, fabric has been purchased back in August to recover the headboard too.

Next will be the replacement of the living room flooring, thanks to Home Depot gift cards received as Christmas gifts..thanks family! Working on reorganizing my home office so I can be more efficient now that I am back home.

Been purging a bunch of stuff and taking the clothes that are now too big or I am unable to wear due to the lopsided chest to the consignment store and getting this place in order.

Whew..it sounds like it has been busy, but  I do pace myself.

I promise I will be better about updating and thanks for keeping up with me. While on the outside I do appear to be doing well, most days are still a struggle of some sort, but as always..I am thankful to still be here and be vertical..so I won't start complaining now!

xoxoxo,
Me