What do I eat when I am whipping up breakfast like a short order cook for my guys?  The fact is not everyone in my household is down with clean eating. They eat a typical breakfast -- eggs, sausage, toast on most days, but I've made small changes that make the old breakfast standards a wee bit healthier.  I cook with coconut oil vs. butter.  I switched from white bread to Ezekiel bread for toast, turkey vs. pork, and when they have pancakes I make buckwheat ones vs. using prepackaged ones.   These are small, healthy changes for them and they don't feel like "dieting" is rammed down their throats. However, my breakfast staples are quite different. They are 1) steel cut oats and scrambled eggs and 2) nutritionally packed smoothie that is veggie-based vs sugary fruit.  I typically eat/drink my breakfast while getting them out the door. 

Mine are still under wraps, but I hope they look this good! No need to whisper, wonder or question "whether I did have a boob job or not" -- it is evident and I am not hiding what I feel I have earned for ME.  No more pads, no more drooping, not more bra gap, no more lifting and tucking them in... You'll know me when you see me, I'll be the one with the cleavage and walking with an arched back to show off my new assets. :-)

However, I was not prepared for how anxious I felt about my breast augmentation.  As the day approached I got more and more nervous.  The night before I didn't sleep a wink. I've done "this" [other surgeries] 10 other times. What gives?  You see, for me, the name of the game for my past surgeries has been about life preservation.  I am a veteran when it comes to preparing for, executing and healing from surgery.  This was different -- it was my FIRST surgery I didn't NEED.  Why put myself through this unnecessarily? Why put something in my body that theoretically does not belong when I have fought long and hard over the years to remove foreign items  [cancer] from my body?  Hmmmmm.... good questions, Libby... 

The answer became crystal clear. My body has been beholden to cancer and its treatments [surgeries, scans, chemo] for almost 10 years when I would never know when or if I would need another resection [to remove cancerous masses] so elective surgeries were out of the question if I needed a surgery to save my life. In September 2013, I received my 5-year cancer remission news and  I finally felt my body was really MY body and not that of a cancer patient. I now could make my own decision about a surgery and a surgery that was for ME and it came in the form of a breast augmentation.

I'm not advocating augmentations since it is a very personal decision and controversial for some, but I don't think it is something to be ashamed of.  The fact is 1 out 4 women have been augmented.  I've never had low self-esteem or suffered from poor body image, but I am super excited to have a BALANCED, symmetrical body as a result of a lot of gym time and now this augmentation. I am thankful the procedure is behind me.  Still young in recovery, but so far I am happy [I think my hubby is even happier] with the new ENHANCED me. 

I am boobilious! :-)

 

Over the years, I've been asked often about recommendations for local wig stores as friends and/or their family members go through chemo.  Who knew that I'd be a "resource" in this capacity?  Today, I got that request again and it brings to the forefront how prevalent cancer is in today's society and sadly amongst many I know. I have gladly shared my whole experience and think it is worth sharing the high points with you.



1. Give thought to whom will see you bald.  Your husband, your children, your family members, your friends... It is a VERY personal decision, but thought should be given. I debated whether my young son would see me bald or not thinking it would "affect" him or he'd be fearful of me without hair. My sister pointed out that our thoughts of our very own mother had not changed when we saw her bald from her chemo which was the truth.  She was my mother and hair or not, she was STILL my mother and I STILL loved her.  When my son saw me the first time without hair he didn't even react because I was still MOMMY.
2. Cut your hair before it starts to fall out.  Having hair short will minimize the physical and emotional mess. Within two days of my cutting my hair short, I was completely bald.  I remember being in the bathroom combing out clumps of my hair and my husband appeared out of nowhere wondering where I was.  There I sat sobbing about my hair coming out.  He said lovingly, "It's just hair.  It'll grow back.  You are still pretty."  Your wedding day doesn't prepare one for this moment, but he said exactly what I needed to hear.
3. Buy your wig before hair starts to fall out. A seamless transition between your hair and a wig helps your psyche.
4. Buy a couple of wigs so you don't look out of place in the grocery store if your wig is too dolled up for your gym clothes or your hair is to casual for a night out on the town.  I had 3 wigs -- everyday wig, casual going out wig and a fancy wig.
5.  Buy a wig with the re-growth of hair in mind.  You will have to transition from bald to new hair growth so a short wig helps with this transition were your appearance isn't a sharp contrast.
6.  Do NOT shop for a wig alone.  I did and I regretted it. It was so emotional as I watched other women buying wigs for "special" occasions like weddings or birthday parties and I was wondering if I was going to live. 
7. Be bold with the wig.  Use it as an opportunity to change your hair style from straight to curly or vice verse or go blonde or brunette as a complete change.
8.  Enjoy wearing the wig knowing that one day (soon) you'll be washing, blow drying, curling, flat ironing, dying your own hair.  Wigs make getting ready EASY.
9. Using insurance is not a must.  Personally, I thought it was ridiculous to spend hundreds of dollars on a wig that I viewed to be temporary.  Getting wigs via insurance leaves you with few choices. I bought 3 wigs out of pocket for the price of one insurance funded wig and I was happy with my choices.
10.  Transitioning from the wig can be hard has you reveal new growth.  I did it when I had "peach" fuzz and it was my personal badge of surviving chemo.  Sure I got some stares, but I didn't care. 
My hair doesn't define me, my LIFE does!