Major Impact
I still was smarting
over the advice I got about the choice between mastectomy and the
re-excision. I do not know why it bothered me so much.
It seemed that folks
took it personal when I was weighing about cutting my breast off. Like it was
their TATA that was being poked and cut. Not mine.
Now what about my new gig.
Remember I got a new gig, but I did not expect to have more surgeries.
So I had to tell them
what was going on. I had to let them in on the Big BC. My new supervisor was
kind about it. But she could not move my start date. So the deal was if I
wanted to start I had to show up. There was also the small little thing: FML A .
The FMLA is
the Family Medical Leave ACT which provides the following: The Family and
Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides an entitlement of up to 12 weeks of
job-protected, unpaid leave during any 12-month period to eligible, covered
employees for the following reasons: 1) birth and care of the eligible
employee's child, or placement for adoption or foster care of a child with the
employee; 2) care of an immediate family member (spouse, child, parent) who has
a serious health condition; or 3) care of the employee's own serious health
condition. It also requires that employee's group health benefits be maintained
during the leave. The FMLA is administered by the Employment
Standards Administration's Wage and Hour Division within the U.S. Department of
Labor.
Now the issue here with
the new job was as follows. As an at will employee, I would have to have been
there 12 months consecutively to be covered under FMLA and
also I would be an at will employee. Which means they could let me go at will.
Not really very fun, when you are managing a chronic illness.
So right there, I got
pissed again. Not at her but my luck. The luck of the draw. You see, I am the
major bread winner in the family. We need my salary. I need my insurance, I
cannot handle the stress of an at will gig with cancer. I am strong but I need
to pull up. Re assess and reflect on how I plan to handle this.
So I sent the paperwork
in and I waited to see how my recovery after this next surgery would go!
Thursdays with Dr. B
Instead of Thursdays with Maury, I get Thursdays with Dr. B. You
see every surgery that Dr. B has at the hospital is on a Thursday. Mind you
this is my 3rd surgery with Dr. B....we have become buddies! :)
Now we got a new Dr. in the mix. Dr. Lewis.
Dr. Lewis is a young plastic surgeon who does not have the
certifications that I initially wanted him to have.
I asked Dr. B about him. T asked him so questions , would you have
him operate on you. He said that doesn't matter, I would have him operate on my
children.
Ok, now it is time to re
interview Dr. Lewis. I ask him
questions about his certification. Has he taken the courses. What is taking him
so long? He answered sufficiently and I decided to let him do the
surgery as Dr. B would be with him.
The bad TATA must go
Well ladies and gents,
it is time to give up the TATA. We tried and tried, however it was not to
be. The TATA must go. Now I have decisions to make. I really cannot
take that gig, just too many variables. T really cannot work full time and he
is not covered under FMLA because we are not married. We got to be on
the same page. I need him to take care of me and he wants to take care of me.
So my brother Jeff,
comes back. Cause this is a serious surgery. I get to stay in the hospital for
a couple of days and I get rid of the bad TATA and I start reconstruction on the empty space. Breast reconstruction is
serious business. I must digress, T and I spoke to the plastic surgeon Dr.
Lewis regarding the many options available. We chose the implant as it was less invasive and less complicated. There are many
other options-choose carefully and research extensively. Having beautiful tatas is
not worth your life...you make that choice.
The surgery went well. Dr. Bashkoff and
Dr. Lewis worked in concert to remove my breast and then add the implant. There
were no complications. They also added a drain to help drain the fluid that builds
up over time.
I got out on that Sat
morning I think. I was on a lot of drugs. I was unable to drive for quite a
while couple of weeks and it was due to the surgery for about 4 weeks.
Dr. Bashkoff called
me that Monday, I think and said it is your friendly neighborhood plumber. I
was like what is up Dr. B. He said we got clear margins. Everything is a go!
Now this was important, because even though they had started the
reconstruction, it was a very small implant. If the margins were not clear, we would
have had to have another surgery and radiation and perhaps I may not have been
able to have this type of reconstruction.
During my recovery, I
received fabulous gift and support. I received a gift basket from my job, with
books, treats and money! I received gift cards from my brother Mike and his
wife Sherrie....Trader Joes, baby is wonderful. Gift cards from
my ACR association members, my Sorors, my Sistah girls
brought foods, gift cards everything your could imagine. My brother Kenny
cleaned my house ( I am a terrible house keeper). My brother Jeff took the
family out for dinner while he was here. I have to admit I had wonderful
support...from everyone. The calls , visits...cards...!
But for someone like me
....who moves and grooves. I had to sit and stay put. I made the time work by
looking for wigs...trying to read. Watched a lot of Lifetime. Talked on the
phone....just stuff. I was pretty bored. The excitement will soon
start...sooon start !
