Cancer – SueAnn Porter

Planning Ahead: Creature Comforts (and necessities) For After your Mastectomy and/or Breast Reconstruction Surgery

October 3, 2014

Having a Mastecomy and breast reconstruction surgery is scary. The best defense is to be prepared. I researched and planned the best I could, and bought the items ahead of time. My reconstruction is called a DIEP Flap. This means that skin and fat are taken from the stomach area, as well as an artery, … More Planning Ahead: Creature Comforts (and necessities) For After your Mastectomy and/or Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Bailey has good news for you

October 2, 2014

Hi, Bailey here. I just found out my mom doesn’t need to have Chemo! She has been sleeping in the living room on a strange looking bed, with some kind of weird noise that makes it go up and down. I don’t mind though, because it’s no much easier for me to wake up Mom … More Bailey has good news for you

The aliens will be leaving on Wednesday.

September 20, 2014

I have three aliens that live with me. They are just here for a short visit, and will be packing up and leaving on Wednesday. They are like most guests; wanted at first, their presence is comforting. But as time goes on, I just want your house back and my life back to normal. They … More The aliens will be leaving on Wednesday.

Anonymous called. So I answered the phone.

September 17, 2014

When I saw “Anonymous” in the caller id screen, I assumed it was a telemarketer. Normally, I let these calls go to the black hole that is my voicemail. But I was feeling fiesty, and I decided to pick up the phone. “Speak,” I mocked. “Hello, this is Dr. S. I am calling for SueAnn.” Whoops. … More Anonymous called. So I answered the phone.

Am I having a mastectomy or buying a used car?

August 11, 2014

Any car salesman knows that once the customer has walked off the lot, he’s lost the sale. A savvy car buyer knows: always be ready to walk away. I did not realize that my best negotiating skills were necessary to maneuver through the process of mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery. I was diagnosed with breast … More Am I having a mastectomy or buying a used car?

Update on “my” breast cancer

July 16, 2014

I should not use the word “my” in front of breast cancer. It’s not my possession, I don’t want to own it. It is an enemy who has invaded my body. It has no right to be there. It’s an outsider, an intruder. A Facebook “friend” of mine sent me two books which detail natural alternatives … More Update on “my” breast cancer

Update on my upcoming breast cancer surgery

July 3, 2014

Good morning. I had to go back to the surgeon on Monday, as they needed to draw blood to send for Genetic Testing to see if the kind of cancer I have is hereditary. If it is, they will recommend a mastectomy on the “good” (left) breast in order to ‘prevent’ cancer on that breast. … More Update on my upcoming breast cancer surgery

Do I have Cancer again?

June 16, 2014

I just came from my yearly mammogram appointment. There was something strange on the film, so they decided to do a biopsy immediately. Today. Of course I asked, “It might be just fluid, right?” “No, it’s not fluid,” the Tech responded. I had breast cancer back in 2008. I still remember the phone call from … More Do I have Cancer again?

SueAnn Porter

An embellished memoir, in short spurts.

Category: Cancer