Paris.

Back in October 2012, my husband asked me if I fancied running the Paris Marathon in April 2013. I said yes almost immediately. It would cut to the chase, and I know when not to protest. I'd run the Paris half marathon in 2012 in a painfully slow time after 6 weeks preparation. This would be double the distance with more time to train.
As it happened, I found a breast lump 6 weeks later and embarked on two rounds of surgery over the winter instead of training, so our trip to Paris last week morphed into a short family holiday in which to visit the sights and be spectators at the Marathon de Paris.

Getting back to normal :)

It's been a little over 2 weeks now since mastectomy. It has been a lovely, healing period. Lots of quiet time with my husband and children. Lots of comfort food, fleece blankets and Miss Marple on Netflix :)
Crochet was easy when one arm was out of action. I completed the little granny square blanket I started about a year ago.

I've started going for long walks again this week. I tried a few running steps too and it didn't feel too weird having just one breast bounce up and down :D I don't intend to start running though any time soon.

Started quilting my newest quilt today. It's very heavy work when one arm is a little delicate. I cleared my mum's old table, and quilted on that where I had lots of space. Had to quilt a little bit at a time, rather than sitting at it for long periods.
I'm pleased with the results so far.

Have been reading this book to my 6 year old daughter. She brought it up to the hospital so I could read it to her here. It's written by a mother who had a mastectomy.
My daughter has brought me spare pyjamas and hugs and kisses since I've been here. She's been looking after her daddy and big brothers too. A busy bee.

Mastectomy day.

My imagination went into overdrive in the days leading up to this operation. It needn't have. I'm feeling physically fine. I have pain but I expected to have pain. I feel like I've overdone it at the gym with a chest expander. I expect the real pain will kick in tomorrow. I've opted for reconstruction with an implant, so the pain is coming from the area under the pectoral muscle where they've placed a temporary expander pouch.

I'm concentrating on the physical recovery. I know I will be better equipped to deal with the emotional stuff when I'm physically healed.

I feel good. Relieved. Grateful. Hopeful. Excited even. My husband and children have visited. Their relief was palpable . Giddy and joyful as they left.

Not a cloud in the sky today in this part of Ireland.

The day before.

Tomorrow I'm having a mastectomy. I'll be blogging my way through recovery. I don't know why, but I'm hoping it will help me. I don't feel nervous. I don't feel relaxed. I'm feeling reflective and resigned to what's ahead for me.

Back here again.

Here are a couple of tiny wall hanging quilts I made last Summer as gifts. Full of flaws, and mismatching, but still lovely. Tiny little pieces sewn together to make something pretty. I didn't know then that the next 6 months would be difficult, yet beautiful, frightening, yet more full of love than at any other time,

Carolina Moon.

thinking about blogging again......