No longer filled to the brim :)

I had a 4 hour appointment today at Abbott's radiation department.
My new doctor is fabulous and I loved all the techs. I feel like I am in good hands there.

I had a CT scan and it was determined that it would be impossible to do the radiation without deflating the right expander. To get the 2 cm out that they needed, they ended up having to take 155 ccs. You know those gigantic needles from prior posted pictures? That's 2 1/2 syringes full.

They also determined that I am a great candidate for the gating radiation like we had hoped. It will be much safer for my lung and heart.

A 2nd CT scan today confirmed that after the deflate, I'm in the safety zone and can proceed.

Once radiation is finished in March, I will immediately have the right side refilled. The expanders will stay in 6 months after radiation ends and then I will have the exchange for my new silicon ones. :) They will go in through my current scars.

By October 2012, I should have softer boobs, chest port-a-cath out, be done with the Herceptin infusions and be all done with radiation treatments.

Besides a daily pill for 5 years, we will hopefully be able to go back to living like we were pre-cancer. October seems so far away, but we're so excited.

Here's a mold they made of my left side.

We are set to start radiation next Tuesday. My tentative end date is March 22. If you need me in the next 6.5 weeks, you know where to find me!

This is page 1 of 2.

Check out the awesome shirt my friend Sheri got me. Also note the fabulous sign that Dawn sent. Love them!

I hope your week is wonderful!