Some Thoughts from San Francisco

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:30 pm

My wife is in our hotel room resting, after having the 3rd and final stage of her breast reconstruction and I am sitting in an atrium of the hotel where wi fi is availalble for my laptop. It seems impossible that it was only last July that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, that we have made two trips to South Carolina for her mastectomy and start of breast reconstruction, have been to New Zealand for four months, and to Mexico two weeks ago. All since last July. The good news is that she is considered a cure and the breast reconstruction was truly amazing. It involved taking blood vessels and flesh from the abdomen to reconstruct her right breast complete with nipple and areola. Todays procedure involved tatooing of the areola and smoothing out the scaring. The finished product will be two matching breasts. She thought a tummy tuck thrown in was a pretty good deal.

I am thinking how truly fortunate we both are. It's been 12 years since I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and seven since I was considered a genuine cure. I can't begin to tell you how important a positive attitude can be when you are diagnosed with cancer, and then during the recovery process, something that is difficult to do.

We are both looking forward to scuba diving when we go back to New Zealand this November. I know that we have some on the Forum that have or have had cancer, and I wish for them the most positive of outcomes. If any females that happen to read this post and are interested in this new procedure of breast reconstruction, PM me and I will email the link. It may be of interest to you, a friend or family member.

Life is pretty damn good!!!!

dubs · Post by **dubs** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:35 pm

That's a fine attitude Lon. My best wishes to both you and your wife.

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:37 pm

I am so glad that your wife is doing well Lon, best wishes to the pair of you. :-4

pinkchick · Post by **pinkchick** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:40 pm

Lon;695861 wrote: My wife is in our hotel room resting, after having the 3rd and final stage of her breast reconstruction and I am sitting in an atrium of the hotel where wi fi is availalble for my laptop. It seems impossible that it was only last July that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, that we have made two trips to South Carolina for her mastectomy and start of breast reconstruction, have been to New Zealand for four months, and to Mexico two weeks ago. All since last July. The good news is that she is considered a cure and the breast reconstruction was truly amazing. It involved taking blood vessels and flesh from the abdomen to reconstruct her right breast complete with nipple and areola. Todays procedure involved tatooing of the areola and smoothing out the scaring. The finished product will be two matching breasts. She thought a tummy tuck thrown in was a pretty good deal.

I am thinking how truly fortunate we both are. It's been 12 years since I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and seven since I was considered a genuine cure. I can't begin to tell you how important a positive attitude can be when you are diagnosed with cancer, and then during the recovery process, something that is difficult to do.

We are both looking forward to scuba diving when we go back to New Zealand this November. I know that we have some on the Forum that have or have had cancer, and I wish for them the most positive of outcomes. If any females that happen to read this post and are interested in this new procedure of breast reconstruction, PM me and I will email the link. It may be of interest to you, a friend or family member.

Life is pretty damn good!!!!

You have such a great attitude Lon:-6

The best of wishes to you and your wife;)

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:50 pm

My very best to you both as always Lon. :-4

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:00 pm

Ahhhh Lon,:-6

I'm very happy for you and your wife. Good luck to both of you. You are both very brave people and all our good wishes are with you.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:37 pm

It always makes me feel so happy to hear of another woman who beats breast cancer. Such great examples and testements for recovery for the many women who are diagnosed. Best wishes to you both, very good news.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:42 pm

Good wishes for your wife, and you, Lon.

Mystery · Post by **Mystery** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:21 pm

You know, it doesn't help much to look back and wish things different, but I always did wish that my mother would have elected to have the reconstructive surgery. Back then , it wasn't anywhere near as advanced as it is now, but it provided a more "normal" appearance. After her mastectomy, she went into a terrible depression that only worsened throughout the treatments. It's hard not to wonder if even that small difference would have helped her own outlook. I suppose wondering does no good.

In any case, I'm very glad to hear that your wife is a survivor, as well as yourself. Cancer doesn't have to mean the end, and you and she are a testament to that. I wish you the very best of luck with the rest of the recovery process!

watermark · Post by **watermark** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:47 pm

Hello Lon and wife,

Are you by chance a replica of my own parents or something??? My dad had prostrate cancer my mom breast cancer and both live to tell the tale and are pretty damn positive about their lives. Breast cancer must be the worst right in front of prostrate cancer. My mom had saline filled breast implants. I haven't heard her complain once. My dad had these little beads placed in his you know where that was on continuous lambast mode. He hasn't complained either, though my mom has. Cancer is mysterious. I'm sorry it strikes so many of us. Give your wife and yourself a squeeze from me.

ps, sorry all fgarden members who are sick and I haven't said anything it's just that if I did this on a regular basis I'd probably have little left for anything else---meaning our physical bodies, well, you know, we are not indestructible and we get....sick!

Take care everyone,

:-4:-4:-4

Erin

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:54 pm

Those are some great thoughts from San Francisco :-6

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:09 pm

In all my years at FG, that has to be the best, most inspirational posts I have ever read. Thank you Lon. All my best to you and your wife.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:09 pm

I'm happy any time I hear someone has passed the cure mark. May you both keep that up. Congratulations to both of you, Lon.

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:24 am

great news, Lon!

my very best wishes to both of you!! :-6