The NEW ME!!!

(This is me excited about going to my appointment... in the van)

I went for my 1 week post opp. appointment today and got the super TIGHT bandage cut off and man, did that ever make a word of a difference!!! I can BREATH again!

Breath with me...IN...........

hold a second or two

and slowly let it out......

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! :)

That felt good didn't it? Well it did for me :) Did I mention that the bandage I had wore a week was SOOO TIGHT?!!?? LOL

I was so relieved when he cut that down my back and off! After he cut that bandage off today and after I came home and even tonight, I feel like a WHOLE NEW WOMAN! :)

Dr. Beckert confirmed that he removed just at 6 POUNDS! And that all tissue came back normal from the lab. He also fitted me in my new sports bra which he wants me to wear another 5 weeks… and guess what – it was a size Medium! I haven’t worn a medium since I’ve been old enough to buy my own clothes. So yes, you can imagine how great I feel now. :)

His orders were to not shower for another 2 weeks... I can take a bath though but keep the breasts dry - and after 5 weeks go BRA shopping! :) whoo hoo!!! He even was quite knowledgeable about which stores were the best to go to - He had great things to say about JC Penny's and Dillard's ;)

Taken after coming out of my appointment. See the new me! :)

Thanks everyone for your prayers! I actually received lots of prayers and emails too from the St Francis ACTS group off list and it gave me a lot of peace knowing that a lot of them had gone through or knew someone who did and knew what I was getting ready to go through.

My dad and step mom have been here just over a week – and are leaving tomorrow morning (Fri) to go back to KY. They are very anxious to return home, as this is the longest they’ve ever been gone. I’d love for them to stay through the weekend and enjoy our Mardi Gras festivities…

but they want to get back to KY. Thankfully Nora is off school tomorrow so I’ll have no need to leave the house or “LIFT” babies into car seats.... and then David will be with me during the weekend and he’s off work Monday, so that should be helpful to give me some more healing time.


Also prayers for my parents driving back to KY would be appreciated…I’m a little nervous about them driving on Friday the 13th Last year when they drove back tornado followed them through each town it seamed… thankfully they were able to stay ahead of the storm the whole way and made it back safe.


… and I’m still not ready for *Hugs* or lifting or holding my twins during mass… but I am doing great.


Love from Texas!

My posting has helped Emma

Hi Bonnie,
I just wanted to thank you for being so frank about your recent Breast Reduction surgery. I have been wanting the surgery for a number of years and have just recently started looking into it. My family doctor tells me that everyone she knows who has had it has been happy that they did it. But, not being a plastic surgeon, she couldn't really tell me much more than that. (She referred me to a couple of surgeons.) Reading your blog post and seeing the post surgery pictures was a much better idea of what it's like. I applaud your honesty, both with your words and your pictures, and want you to know that your posting has helped me.I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery. Knowing that you are a spiritual person, I'll say a few prayers for you too. I always enjoy reading your posts. You have a lovely family, and a bright outlook.

Sincerely, Emma


Wasn't that a nice email that I read this morning??? I have received so many emails both from my church family and so any from my online community friends!!! - and honestly, I have not the time to reply to each and everyone b/c while Dad and Clara were here I took FULL ADVANTAGE of my resting time ;) and didn't even turn the laptop on some days at all. ;) But I'll get them replied. Most onlineers will visit here and be able to read this so please know that your kind words and Thoughts and Prayers really meant the world to me!!! Thank you all!

So if you don't mind, I want to do a cut and past here of this email and also my reply as my entry for today's blog post. ;) Some may call it lazy, I call it smart for not having to retype what it was I had planned to tell my readers about anyway! ;)



Dear Emma,

Thank you for your kind message. I'm surprised at how many people have taken the time to write to me since I announced about my surgery. Either they'd had it done or knew someone who did.

I went yesterday and got my bandage removed!!! and I'll post about that later on today or tonight on my blog But let me tell ya - after it came off I've not FELT MY BACK HURT ANYMORE! NONE! David and I went to a few stores in and out of the van each time before we returned to the town we live in, and each time I got in the van, I said, "My back doesn't hurt!"

Last night I went to bed with a smile on my face and kept thinking of all the "never agains"

• never gonna have the constant back ache!
• never gonna have to have bulging buttons on my shirts!
• never gonna have to hang ALL my shirts up to dry to prevent shrinking!
• never gonna walk by a perverted man and turn his head b/c of my FFF sized boobs!
• never gonna have to wear deodorant under my boobs to prevent sweating!
• never gonna have to wear lots of powder under my boobs to cover the stink!
• never gonna have rashes from skin on skin touching!
• never gonna have my boobs resting on my belly fat!
• never gonna have to be hanging out the sides, under the wire, and over the top of my bras!
• never gonna have to hid behid a babby I'm holding when getting my photo taken.
• never gonna have to avoid posting photos of myslef b/c of my big boobs.
• never gonna regret having this surgery done!

It was the best rest I'd had in so long.. other than a little tenderness (not bad though) on the lower sides of my breasts I laid there in my bed with JUST ONE pillow and slept the whole night! (all week with the tight bandage I had to sleep propped up with lots of pillows.

I even r-e-a-c-h-e-d for the remote on the nightstand just past my alarm clock to turn on the TV for Nora. (She's out of school today and I got to sleep in a little.) and that didn't even hurt!!! Use to my back hurt badly doing that!

and for the first time in my life - I've had this sports bra on that he fitted me for yesterday at my appointment (sized MEDIUM!!!) and I've not had to pull or pick at the band ONCE since I adjusted each of the arm straps!!! and I slept in it!!! and it has stayed put!!! Now that is a miracle! I can't count the number of bras that I pulled at over and over so many times, that I wore holes in the bands under the arms...!

So yes, it something I highly recommend!!! It's the most difficult the day of, and still sore the day after but you can tell a huge difference in each and every day - it just keeps on getting better... and once that dressing is removed (and trust me you'll be begging for someone to cut it in the back and give you some breathing room) but at least you will have a date to count down knowing that it is only temporary... and after the Dr takes it off.... well... it is so liberating!

I had my surgery Thurs. came home Fri. took my last prescription pain medication on Saturday - and from Sun until Thursday only took 2 extra strength Tylenol three times....

uncomfortable? YES

painful? NO

....and I was a little afraid about the bra...if it would hurt the stitches... but it feels like tight rubber band you'd have around your wrist...and it tingle if it rolled over your arm hair? Only this feels like the rubber band is around your middle...and it tingles only when I move to bend over... I got a few things out of the dryer and noticed that... but not in PAIN.. just a little ouch.

well enough for now.. I may very well cut and past this into my blog update so I don't have to retype LOL

Thanks again EVERYONE for your comments, thoughts and prayers, emails, PM's and for sharing your experiences and encouragements with me!!!


Happy Weekend and Love from Texas!

Do NOT hug me...and I am NOT gonna hug you either

Last Thursday was my surgery. I didn't share a lot about it on here but most all of my online friends knew I was having a breast reduction. (How come it's easier to open up to online friends anyway??)



Here I am dressed, on my feet (feeling very LOOPY headed) and ready to go home on Friday. Praise the Lord they let me stay the night... I soooo needed that! Reckon they let me stay b/c I mentioned at least 83 times I have three kids FOUR and UNDER at home!??! ;)

Edited to add - this photo I was not in pain... very dizzy feeling from the meds.

and excuse the messed up hair - I wasn't thinking the night before surgery when I took my shower and used the special gel to reduce staff infection... I *Should* have dried and styled my hair that night.. but instead I put it up in a ponytail WET!?%$@# oh well.



Saturday my step mom and I went to the beauty shop and got our hair washed and styled.. ouch $15.00 for something I should have done the night before surgery?? OH well, I'm glad I did pay to have it washed and styled (no way I could have held my arms up to style it) b/c we went to Mass (Catholic Church Service) on Saturday night so I looked decent. ;)



For church, Clara stayed home with the babies so we could go with just Nora and my Dad to church. For the first time in almost 2 years I got to hear all the readings and the homily! ...and of course as soon as Nora noticed the babies were with us in the van on the way, she begged us to let her choose the seat we sit in...



We're always in the back with the babies....but Saturday night...in her 4 year old mind, the best place to be was in the front row in the 1st seat by the isle ;) Maybe that's why I hear the whole homily b/c I *Had* to pay attention!!! Father Tom would know if I dozed off or not!!! and with the meds it was hard not to sleep!



Some other things that happened on Saturday - sorry for jumping around...



After the beauty shop, Clara had a grocery list so we went. I AM SOOOOO Glad I called David and had him bring me a pain pill while waiting to get hair done, however at the grocery it really took effect! and I started feeling major craps in addition to the dizziness...



When I got around to the pharmacy - I sat down at the blood pressure machine and it was 113 over 60 with a pulse rate of 98 beats per minute.


I'm sure it's been close to the same since then.... I feel so out of breath and WEAK... all b/c of my "dressing" as they call it. (bandages)



I don't know how my Dr. put this gauze around me so tight while I was unconscious... (I wasn't able to hold my breath & suck in for him)... he probably had two people hold up my arms and then took a saran wrap like gauze roll and ran circles around my body pulling and pulling until he heard ribs cracking!

Edited to add - this photo I was not in pain... just being silly fae in the mirror. Trying to express the TIGHTness of the bandage. LOL

I really thought it would loosen up in a few days but dang it feels tighter by the hour! (swelling has set in probably)I wish I could talk someone into cutting down thru it in the back between my shoulder blades to let my ribs expand then tape me back up. I so need another 2-4 inches of breathing space!


I can NOT breath hardly. Is it 1:00 Thursday yet??? and SORRY, NO I am not sucking in for the self pic. for ya... I'm too afraid I FLOP OVER ONTO THE FLOOR if I held my breath! LOL

and imagine I was SO considering a tummy tuck at the same time... what an OUCH that would have been... so glad I didn't do it at the same time, but I DO still want one of those! maybe for my 40th Birthday!? ;)

......and tonight while taking these pics..I came so close to cutting on it some tonight = the excess that does pull out easily in the cleavage area.., but then thought OMG NO b/c once I do it will tear into pieces and pieces, crumbs and crumbs, and that would be MUCH worse if they all fell down into the bandage. talk about itchy!!! thank goodness I had that thought before I cut! talk about measure twice cut once rule... LOLOL


and for the 4 or 5 that are still reading and not totally grossed out.... I have one more Bonus tid bid of information especailly for you LOL ;)

The Dr. removed SIX POUNDS!!! 6! He told David I went from a FFF cup to probably a C cup!



I can't tell any difference yet on feeling lighter, I do NOT feel better but worse... back pain, bruised and sore..but I do like the way I look much better already :) and I know once he cuts this "dressing" they call it off on Thursday THEN I will be able to start to feel lighter and better. ;)


Is it THURSDAY YET????

and agian, Please DO NOT hug me! LOL

Love from Texas!

the first 12 blocks for my CYOC swap

Last week, I started CYOC string blocks for 3 of the swappers. (My first blocks I've made for this swap) and after working on them a little here and a little there all week...on Saturday I finished up and gave "hair cuts" to 12 of those blocks.

4 for zizzybob, 4 for knotme and 4 for TX~Wildlower

Above: Knotme requested a WOW center with half the block in Brights and half in pastels.

Above: TX~Wildflower requested a WOW center with red on one half and a mixture of tan, beige, white or neutral on the other half.

Above: zizzybob requested WOW center and florals strings. These were my favorite to make as I revisited so many of my floral fabrics. :)

I hope these swappers like what I made for them. I haven't mailed them yet but will post on the HGTV board CYOC thread when I do.

12 blocks done - UPTEEN more to make. *sigh*

I had hoped to do more sewing during the Superbowl... but somehow Dear Husband SNUCK upstairs to watch the game so he wouldn't be interrupted :/ leaving me to attend to the kids.. so I didn't get back to sewing any strings. Instead I played and rolled around in the floor with the babies... playing fort under quilts and even a few superman flying stunts. :) it was FUN! I'm gonna miss this after the surgery a week or so while I heal so I'm glad I took the time today to do that with them. :)

Love from Texas!

Sew Much Sewing

I've had so many compliments on my "Quilter's Blessings" BOM that I've started recently.... both here and over on the show-n-tell thread at the HGTV boad. Thanks everyone. :)

Today I was revisiting Bea's blog and read today's post about how she's received so many requests for the now retired BOM pattern... and for those of you who missed downloading it each month alst year - you get a 2nd chance to receive the patterns! Click here to read about Bea's offer.

Above is a photo of where I am on block 2 "Sew Much Sewing" aren't Olivia's shoes so cute there holding up my hoop? ;)

Love from Texas!