Big News! Big Changes!
Enjoying the view at Long Beach, NY
So much going on. Where do I even begin??
Let’s start with the good news… Hubby got a new job! And it’s in Connecticut! After 2 years in Ohio we’re finally moving back East!! Back to the ocean… Back to the family… Back to the hustle & bustle of the northeast… We’ll be settling down half way between the families in NY and MA. It’s perfect. Close, but not too close. And it’s happening right now! Hubby starts his new job on July 1st!
So we’re in the midst of move prep. Always fun. (Not!) Trying to figure out what town to move to, whether to rent or buy, cancelling services, organizing our lives… We should be old pros at this by now. In the 11 years hubby and I have been together we’ve moved 8 times. This will make sweet number 9! And hopefully the last move for a very, VERY LONG time. At least this time we’re lucky enough to have a moving company come & do everything for us. What a luxury.
The three of us plan to leave tomorrow to start our 2 day road trip to CT to find a place to live and get hubby settled. We also have a family wedding on the Cape next weekend that I’m thrilled we’re going to be able to attend. And the fabulous Antie ‘Cole is going to be in NYC at the end of June too, so Miss M & I have a little trip to the Big Apple on the calendar as well.
Lots of stuff going on!
Including the not so fun stuff… Like the fact that I got another blood clot! This time in my left arm. Luckily not high enough up on my arm that they had to check me into the hospital with IV blood thinners. Instead, I had a brief stint in the ER, an ultrasound, a few visits to my oncologist, and some prescription meds. I’m back on the blood thinners. 🙁 Because we’re traveling for the next week or two I have to give myself the damn heparin needles again until I’m back in Ohio and we can regulate my coumadin dose. Not thrilled at all about doing the shots in my belly for the next 2 weeks (especially when hubby’s not around & I’ll actually have to administer the shot myself for the first time!). But I am thrilled that we caught it early.
I actually noticed a small bump on my arm last weekend. We were camping & I just figured it was a bug bite. But then I saw the bumps again a few days later. When I showed hubby he told me to go in & get checked for a blood clot. My arm, wrist, and hand had been slightly swollen for days (which I attributed to my PMS) and the top of my arm was also an odd purple red color (which I attributed to too much sun). Thank god we got it checked.
So the million dollar question is why did the clot happen?
It’s been 10 weeks since my surgery. They generally say that blood clot risk peaks 3 weeks after surgery & then progressively drops from there (the blood clot I got in my lung after my mastectomy occurred 3 weeks post surgery). But researchers in England now say that blood clots can occur up to a whole year after surgery. So who knows!??!
With many of the risk factors gone (no more cancer, no more chemo port) I began to ask, “What is my body trying to tell me? What’s the lesson?”
Ever since my surgery I’ve been stressing and living in fear of getting another blood clot. Obsessing about it. Paranoid about every little ache or pain. A part of me thinks my body got tired of living in a state of perpetual fear and just said, “Fine, you want something to be scared about? Here have the damn blood clot and let’s be done with it!”
Then I went to my trusted version of Louise L. Hay’s book Heal Your Body (which is an amazing little book that lists every ailment you can imagine and the related psychological/spiritual/emotional roots of the ailment). When I looked up blood clots this is what was written:
Closing down the flow of joy… Lack of joy… Lack of circulation of ideas.
Reading those words hit me at my core. This is exactly what I’ve been feeling lately. Actually, more than just lately. For the longest time I’ve put my dreams on hold for other people… Hubby, my parents, Miss M… I don’t regret the choices I made. And I recognize they were my choices to make. But I believe my body is trying to tell me that it’s finally my turn. And I better get crackin’. I believe my body will keep sending me messages until I start honoring my dreams, tapping into my creativity and passions, and using my brain and talents again.
As a side note, this is what Louise Hay writes about the underlying causes of breast problems:
A refusal to nourish the self. Putting everyone else first.
So me!! Pretty wild, huh? Curious to know how many other breast cancer ladies fit that description too?
My doctor did order a test to see if I have the clotting disorder Lupus Anticoagulant. But I’m guessing that’ll come back negative. I really think this blood clot is just a reminder of more lessons I need to learn. A push in the right direction. A manifestation of my own lack of joy and my over-thinking and worrying about getting another blood clot.
I need to just let the fear go. Recognize the lessons. Move forward. And stop looking behind me.
Which brings me to my next, and final, piece of news… My plans for a revamped website! In the coming months I plan to play around a bit, change the look of the site, and add some new stuff. I keep getting requests for more information about the products I use, my favorite recipes, my supplement regime, and diet specifics. So I want to add separate sections for all that. And who knows what else?!
It is definitely a time of change. I feel the next chapter is gonna be a good one. A really good one.
Fingers crossed. 😉
Peace. -T
PS – As promised, below, are a few shots of the new ta-tas! No need to wear a bra anymore! Amazing!
No more bras!!!
Turns out they’re more like 34D’s than little B cups.
I even got some natural looking cleavage!
As always, your blog is insightful, humorous and a welcome flash into what’s going on in your life. Add to that fabulous new news and fabulous new boobs and I’ll have to say this was my favorite blog to date!!!!! Love ya, and so happy you’ll be a car ride and not a plane ride away, very soon. Sending good vibes for the move and hugs and kisses to all..
xox
Dori
Terri, I’m a survivor, grew up in New Bedford and have been living live in North Haven, CT for over 25 years. Happy to help you relocate and answer any questions you may have. PS I went to high school with 2 of your aunties!
Awesome! Thanks Chris! Always good to know a fellow survivor in the area.
Great ta-tas! Great that you are moving east. Glad you caught the blood clot early. That bottom picture makes me think of your mother. Love and hugs….
Great news.
I can’t believe how much you remind me of Jeanne. Good luck to both of you on your move and the new job!
Thanks Steve. I know what you mean… I see my mom all the time when I walk past a mirror, see myself on video, or in a photo. I am my mother’s daughter, that’s for sure! 🙂
Terri, you look bloody incredible!! Glowing skin, fit, strong and what a pair of knockers!!!!))))))
Your journey is everyone’s journey to better our day, outlook, life in general.
You are brave and strong and very inspiring.
I am so glad I got to know you a little here on Bowen, come back soon so we can have a tea!!!
Kerry
Thanks so much Kerry! I still think fondly of all the amazing people on Bowen and always remember your story of coming to Ohio to adopt your little one & how friendly everyone was to you. Would love to have a tea next time I’m in town. We usually come for a visit in August. This year though we may push it to September. Will keep ya posted. Hugs.
Wonderful news Terri, minus the blood clot! I will be traveling North to New Bedford in July, it would great if our paths would cross. Good luck on your new adventures and safe traveling!
Would love to see you too! I’ll get the latest word on travel plans through the Aunties in Dartmouth. Fingers crossed the timing coincides. xoxo
Yippeee! I’m thrilled to hear about Hubby’s new job and that you will be closer to family soon. It sounds like the folks in Ohio have been absolutely wonderful, but you gotta go where your heart is and I just never saw you there long term. Sorry to hear about the blood clot, but I like the perspective you are taking with it. And I’m so glad you caught it when you did!! You look fabulous, love the ta tas! 🙂 Much love to you and the gang.
Looking GOOD my dear. Actually you’re look absolutely RADIANT! Nice ta-ta’s – sheesh you are a brave gal. I’m SO glad you caught that clot and are taking precautions til things settle back down. And a BIG move! That is really great news. Being close to family is so key.
And i gotta hand it to you – It is so refreshing to see someone openly talk about their spirituality and owning it. You inspire me.
And I concur that you really do look like your momma – the same radiance and love beaming from every angle. She is right there with ya.
Keep rocking this world. Love to you three <3
LM xo
Wowser! Loads of great news :-). Yes, you look great, all ’round. I’m surprised your ta-tas turned out bigger than planned, but you still look much more comfortable, and so natural. Even if you need a bra – planning any horseback or rollercoaster rides? 😉 – you might get away with an exersize band.
Blood clots… I think constant thought of something tends to call it to you. I find that with my arachnophobia. Perhaps when they occur, replacing those fears with images of blood coursing freely and healthily throughout your body?
Sail on smoothly through the moving experience and settle into your new heart-home happily. We probably shouldn’t expect very frequent updates in the near future!
Love the idea of replacing my yucky thoughts with healing guided imagery… Funny how in the moment it’s not so easy to do 🙂 Just the other day I was comparing my fear of blood clots to other phobias and trying to remember from my social work/therapy years how exactly to treat it. And I totally agree that whatever you think about is called to you.
Thanks as always for the support and smiles. Big hugs, – T
Fabulous news on the new job and move. And beautiful boobs, too!
I too am a survivor. Had lumpectomy and reduction in December 2009, then a blood clot in my upper right arm in August 2010. The quotations from the books also fit me.
So glad for the news, good and bad. It means that life is showing you it’s good side.
Blessings
Hello fellow survivor! Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m assuming you’ve had no more blood clots since 2010?? Hopefully, no more for more either. How interesting that the quotes from Louise Hay’s book describe you too! I’m sure we’re not the only ones 😉 There’s something to this. I swear.
Blessings and hugs back at ya… – T
I am so glad things are going well! I’ve been following your blog for a while now! Best of luck in your new endeavor!! We live in Shelton, CT in a wonderful brand new kid-filled subdivision that I think you guys would love!! Message me if you’d like to know more!!
Thanks for the offer to learn more about Shelton, CT. We’re actually moving further north up the coast. (Not sure exactly where yet. Still trying to sort out where the best schools are & find a home to move into). But I’m looking forward to exploring CT. And so excited to live close to the ocean again! Thanks for reaching out. All the best, – T
Your new breasts are gorgeous! 🙂 Congratulations!!
Congrats also on returning to The East — where you are clearly more comfortable, where your heart sings, where your family and friends are all nearby. I’m so glad this worked out for you (all)!
All in all, beautiful progress and congratulations to all y’all! — Dana