So long boobies . . .

My bilateral mastectomy was a success on July 13th.  Both breasts removed, one night in the hospital, and home since to heal. Today my drains were removed, and fingers crossed I get to shower on Friday.  Typical healing time takes 4 to 8 weeks.  I have my surgical oncologist appointment on July 25th, and we are hoping for pathology reports to be completed by then.  July 26th I will then do the gene testing results.  By the end of July 26th I should know if I conquered cancer or have a bit longer to go.  Either way, I know I am stronger than this disease, and I will beat it!

As I speak to my friends and family in the US, I tend to get several questions regarding healthcare in Canada since I have been diagnosed with cancer and treated in Canada, and healthcare is a right in Canada to all.  Just think of this - you work your tail off for a company and have to pay, even when your company pays a significant portion, you still must pay a hefty premium.  Even after you pay your weekly, biweekly or monthly treatment (however, your employer deducts the premium from your paycheck), you could still be responsible for office visit payments, copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.  Then you get to retire and only if you are lucky at age 65, you still need to spend a significant portion of your hard earned retirement money on health insurance.  Seems crazy doesn't it?  Don't get me started on families with special needs children . . . 

I continue to relay that I am pretty damn lucky to have been diagnosed and living in Canada during this journey.  The doctors (for the most part) and nursing staff have been just amazing; since November 2015 we have spent less than $500 in total on all costs associated to our journey; and now that I am home, they have provided me a nurse who comes to our home to care for me!  Let me repeat that - less than $500 in total has been spent by my family on all my healthcare costs associated with my cancer treatment!  I know the road to this point wasn't a "bed of roses" (I must give Melania Trump credit for this saying - don't want to plagiarize), but most significant things in life do not work that way.  Yes, my first surgeon wasn't the greatest, but you can get a bad surgeon anywhere in the world.  And that was an easy fix - just replace him.

As I am highly medicated and typing doesn't feel so great, I must make this short and sign off.  I just wanted to give you a quick update.  Hope to be back soon with more updates!