Bills, groceries and an effortless recovery for unexpected breast reconstruction

Last night I read a chapter of my book at the Fertile Action gala at the SLS hotel. I was very present, and super hot! My intention was to wear a "Die From Laughing" shirt over this skin tight black dress, because I couldn't find a black skirt. But the make up lady insisted I remove the shirt because the event was fancy. So I rocked my new tatas for the first time in public, and they looked f"n good! Because I was one of the performers, everyone knew I was also a survivor. I was getting so many compliments on my breasts, as if they were the ones I've had for the past 5 years! Nope - these are two weeks old! Still infants, making my life hell for the time being. But not really :-)

This weekend is the five year anniversary of my double mastectomy. That is just insane. I can barely remember life before cancer. I remember my boobs, and being really busy, but it's strange how things can quickly and irreversibly integrate themselves into your lives. So many incredible women shared their stories last night in a funny and lighthearted way. Similar to final nights at Andrea's groups, I felt like I was in a room full of my people. I was the youngest survivor there of course, but my oncologist told me last night she just got a 20 year old. 20 years old with breast cancer! What is happening to us? What are we allowing into our lives and when will we learn to stop tolerating bullshit.?

My big cedars statement came in today. The new boobs cost $65,000! Not including the tests leading up to the rupture discovery. The good news is Cedars discounted $45,000 through the charity care program I applied for. My insurance should cover the rest. If not, we start an army. 50 women, 100 breasts, we will be heard!! (sound of indian scalping ALALALALA!!!!).

And no promised, but my one woman show might be back this year... I'll keep you posted.

Love and hugs,
Elysia

This is my 6th breast reconstruction surgery.
Every surgery before this I did not allow myself to recover properly. First there was the double mastectomy in 2005 (I performed in a stage reading 5 days post op), then the first implant surgery in 2006 - the same implants that tried to kill me last month (i rested for two days then went to Santa Barbara for a film festival), then in June 2006 I was blessed with nipples (skin grafted from my thighs) and though that was the most painful surgery of them all, I still found a way to sneak out and go to the mall when my caretaker was asleep). I've had two fat gratings before this one and both surgeries I worked the week of.
This is the FIRST time in my life I simply rested. My surgery was one week ago from yesterday and I promise I have done nothing (except for two very brief trips outside the house). I am almost as white as my fiance (he's albino) so that should prove it.
Today I went for my check up with my plastic surgeon and I am healing up so well that the nurse thought it was my two week check up! Yay for me! However I still have to wear the compression garment for another 4 weeks (I've peed in it twice in case you were wondering, yeah, I'm sure you were. The pee hole is tiny and it hurts too much to take it on and off! But then when you don't aim right you have to take it off anyway).

I was told as soon as I don't need painkillers anymore I can start driving again. FREEDOM!!!!!!!! Today my brother took me to the bank and the post office, I felt like an old lady (and not just because I peed in my medical spanx).

My Chipin has been a blessing, but I was hit today with a $3200 medical bill. I did apply for charity care from cedars, so there is a chance they'll reduce it (I have a good feeling they will).

Regardless, I've have been having fun (despite the bruises and endless loads of laundry washing this stupid compression body glove every other day) with my visitors, my amazing Kalen and am now a fan of HOUSE and Law & Order. But I am not into Hoarders (that surprised me, I thought I'd love it but I feel terrible for those people).

My friend Jen came over yesterday and we started and finished all of Monkey Island 1 on her old laptop. I used to play this game for months at a time when I was ten years old with my Grandfather. It was beyond awesome.

My grandmother, who has not been the most supportive person in the past sent me an edible arrangement. She asked me in the most adorable old jewish lady way. It went like this:

(try to hear Mike Myers doing Linda Richman with a little bit of Edith Bunker)
Grandma: Oh Leasy, I'm so sorry you have to go through this crap. I'm gonna send you something.
Elysia: Thanks Gram, that would be really nice.
Grandma: What do ya want, fruit or flowa's?
Elysia: Uh... fruit?
Grandma: Alright, I'll call the arrangements.

Yesterday I was greeted by a lovely "breast cancer awareness" fruit arrangements with light pink white chocolate covered strawberries (they looked a little like penis heads, I'm not gonna lie) but they were delicious!

I'm glad to be laughing each step of the way.

Love,
Elysia


PS: Update on my Top Ta-Ta's, they are now a lovely zombie flesh yellow hue, as opposed to elegant eggplant. Progress people!

I am two days post-op and although I am very sore, I am happy to be clear of leaky silicone. My doctor was shocked at the rupture. It was described to me as a slit in the implant, not on the seam, and it was a pile of goo when they were pulling it out - disgusting and much bigger than I thought based on the mri.
Kalen and Laura took such good care of me at the hospital. I wound up spending the night because of how sensitive I am to anesthesia (I'll spare you the gory details).
I spent all day watching top model and top chef (I need a show called top ta-ta's) and hanging out with my kitties and fiance. We did the metric conversion just for fun and between the saline implants and the grafted fat, each breast weighs about 5 pounds! Maybe that is t.m.i. for a blog, but I find it just fascinating.
Mostly I am amazed at the kindness and generosity of the contributors to this site. I am always surprised by unconditional kindness and I cannot thank you enough for your support. We're at $1085 which is almost my October mortgage. I created this site so that I wouldn't have to worry through my recovery, and you, friends and strangers, are making this so much easier than I could have ever imagined.
Now if anyone has any daytime TV tips, please email me!
Love and hugs,
Elysia Skye

Good morning friends,

I am heading off to have surgery any minute now. In the spirit of Gratitude and giving/receiving, I would like to ask that if/when you contribute, you leave a note with your favorite charity so when I am back on my feet, I will match your donation to that cause. I am incredibly thankful to the wonderful support team I have, and I know not everyone is as lucky as me. Next time I write, it will be behind a new set of ta-ta's! From the OG's, to the silicone pair to my new saline C's, third time's the charm, right?

Thank you again, with open arms, sending and receiving love and light,
Elysia Skye

Hello,

Thank you for coming to my chipin site. I am not always good at asking, well, not when it is for me. But recently I found out that one of my breast implants from my breast reconstruction of 2006 has sprung a leak. Apparently less than 3% of implants leak, and mine wanted to be in the cool kids club.

For those who don' know me, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer shortly after my 24th birthday. I had a double mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and multiple reconstructive surgeries.

A few weeks ago I started getting a terrible pain in my right breast and armpit. Worried, I went to my oncologist who discovered a file that had been overlooked from December, showing the implant rupture. Since it has been leaking for over 8 months, I feel it is urgent to have it replaced as soon as possible.

On Monday August 30th, I'll be swapping out my silicone implants for saline implants, as well as fat grafting to create a realistic feel around the implant. My doctor asked me to take a few weeks off work and aside from my monthly bills, the medical bills will be outstanding.

Thank you so much for reading my story and contributing what you can. To learn more about me and the organization I created for women under 40 who get cancer, visit www.laughaboutcancer.org

Love and Gratitude,
Elysia Skye