Settling into normal

Over the last few weeks, life has gotten back to "normal" (whatever that word means now) for the "Bob Piazzas". 

Here are just a few updates:

1. Last week, I got a text message that I never thought I would get that said "Normal Brain MRI!" I'd like to think if it wasn't normal, I would have gotten more than a text message. Some back story: Mom started traveling again including a weekend to visit with the Piazzas in North Carolina and 3.5 days in Hershey, PA with all the Sheridans.  

After a weekend of eating the contents of Grandma Piazza's freezer (cream cheese brownies, chocolate chip cookies, schneckens...), and drinking some fairly strong Firefly and lemonades, Mom spent a few days recovering. She was very tired and dizzy.  The next weekend, we traveled to Hershey, PA.  Mom recognized her new boundaries and ate a bit less chocolate than she normally would.  Even though she was feeling a lot better, she talked to her oncologist about it.  Dr. S decided it would be best to rule out anything big and sent Mom for a brain MRI.  Good news, all is clear (other than some lingering chemo brain)!  Mom still feels a little dizzy in the morning right before she gets out of bed. It is likely that the dizziness is being caused by the Tamoxifan (hormone therapy) or Mom's blood pressure medicine. Hopefully, it will stop soon.

2. Earlier today, during our daily after work phone chat, Mom said "I got new boobies today."  (Again, not something I ever thought I would hear my mother say...)  Mom went to a place called Stepping Stones.  There, she was fitted for new bras and prosthesis. Right now, the biggest adjustment is wearing a bra again.  After months and months without, it is a little restricting.  However, she's looking forward to trying on her closet and wearing some "new" clothes again.  And the best news: they are covered by insurance!

Speaking of boobs, Mom has been in touch with a doctor on Long Island that does the type of reconstruction that she is considering.  She has a consultation scheduled for October while she is up visiting family. It would be a very lengthy surgery (we've heard 12-18 hours as an estimate) so she still isn't sure.  Perhaps she'll get used to her surgery-free and cost-free boobs instead.  We're hoping she gets another 54 years out of the next set!

3. Mom got her haircut! Well, she got a few hairs cut but it is a start.  

4. Mom doesn't have a doctor's appointment on her calendar for a whole month! To celebrate, Mom and Dad are going on a much-deserved getaway this weekend to an inn in Fredericksburg, VA.  Rumor has it there may be a carriage ride involved.  They are also trying to plan the "perfect' vacation for November.  If you have suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

5.  Mom is now going to yoga/meditation once a week and the Livestrong exercise program at the YMCA, twice a week. She is hoping to be able to climb mountains very soon.