Personal Reflections: BRCA journey & Paris
June 16, 2013
in a gorgeous setting far away...a fantasy destination
we stumbled on in Paris (must stay here someday).
my photo
In the heart of Le Marais stands the loveliest first-class hotel
Pavillon de la Reine.
my photo
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| Learn more about a suite I love at this place right here. | ||
Join me in the garden for a chat, won't you?
(i snapped the above shot at Carnavalet)
Let's whisper here about victory.
I made it through the bilateral mastectomy
and reconstruction (NOT a cakewalk).
I do not resemble Angeline Jolie in any sense
except I can now join her in the great relief
of decimating the significant risk of cancer
which has tortured our mothers.
Where is the Pavillon de la Reine?
my photo
Slightly set back from the Place des Vosges.
Just around the corner from the
Place de la Bastille,
Hotels Particulieurs (my fav museums!),
and the shops of the rue des Francs-Bourgeois
(no shopping on the planet like the Marais!).
It is Sunday evening, and I feel pretty dang fierce.
My surgeries were early morning on Thursday.
I went for a walk around the block today.
my photo
Surgical chit chat from my Paris balcony.
Some high drama. Not enough Alloderm (cadaver skin)
for reconstruction, and in case you were wondering, you can't
ask your nurse to make a 7-11 run for a lil' mo skin for a petite fairy
in the middle of surgery. A small miracle...more skin secured.
We are hoping and praying all of my skin survives.
I am so grateful for my surgeons and medical team.
Post-op, I had intense hallucinations, steroidal rage, freeeeeky
side effects of anesthesia, and no sleep until Friday afternoon.
On the upside, my view of the Chicago skyline was rad.
I left the hospital Friday at noon.
There has been no pain (believe it!)
except for migraines from the evil anesthesia.
I am sure I'll be working out and painting again in no time.
my photo
Ahhhhhhh, Pavillon de la Reine relaxes me.
The journey continues, but today was a
simple lovely day of rest and time with my family
after a challenging chapter...victorious is the mood du jour.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart
(which is serving me quite well)
for all the loving comments and concern.
8 Place des Vosges, 75003 Paris
Telephone: + 33 (0)1 40 29 19 19
Peace to you right where you are.
26 comments
Beautiful photos followed by a beautiful victory! Here's to you and all your strength!
ReplyDeleteKaren
Shabby Brocante
Man...I can't believe all you have been through recently. Amazing you can even blog.....but hopefully your cyber friends will give you are warm embrace so you know you are loved. I hope your family is taking good care of you💕.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that this is all over, Michele. You have been a trooper throughout the entire dilemma. It's uphill from here!
ReplyDeleteLove the images here. Wow, such a lovely place.
Happy Monday,
Teresa
xoxo
Holy Moly... drugs are great except for when they aren't... Not surprised that you were sensitive to all that, and i'm sooooooooooooooooooooooo glad it is mostly behind you. I mean, wow... you did it, you did it, you did it! and no pain!? Cool!!!
ReplyDeleteCindy
The only thing more beautiful than these lovely photos is you, dear, gorgeous, courageous blogger. I'm glad you made it through and are on the road to recovery. Take things gently at first, one foot in front of the other. You'll be running marathons - figuratively and perhaps literally - in no time. Sending prayers and thoughts. XOXO
ReplyDeletePS - You are far, far, more beautiful than Angelina any day in my book!
I am embarrassed to say I am not aware of your health problems. But you inspire me with your go get it done and move forward attitude. Best wishes for all good things, health at the top of the list. xo
ReplyDeleteYou are a strong lady and you followed your gut and your body will thank you for this!! you can visit your Paris 10 times over now!!!
ReplyDeleteHeal well my friend!!
xo Karolyn
I have been following you on this journey for about 2 or 3 months, happened upon your blog from another I was reading. Simply wanted to say that your courage inspires so many and I'm thrilled that you are already on the road to recovery. Healing prayers to you.
ReplyDeleteso much sweetness from you all, thanks so much! i have received great help from my family. i am having another awesome day at 4 days post-op. i actually feel better than i did the day before surgery. i was perhaps more stressed than i was even aware. i still have no pain. can you imagine? i am not even taking tylenol. and i'm sleeping well which is not at all familiar to the newly menopausal me. i have 2 drains with tubes. they have not bothered me, but i have help caring for them so i'm lucky. my chest looks like a big ol' mess right now, but i'm okay seeing it and feel hopeful about how the appearance will improve with healing and time. i see the doctor tomorrow and the drains will prob be removed!
ReplyDeleteMichele I'm so happy you made it through so well, congratulations on your new ladies! Best thing for you right now is rest my friend. And trust me I know about menopause and believe it or not but I sleep like a rock. Here's hoping you keeping recovering so well.
ReplyDeleteHugs and much love to you my friend!
Debra
Love you girl! So glad you are healing and using your journey as another lesson in life and helping others with your sweet, thoughtful words. You are a jewel among women,
ReplyDeletexoxo Kathysue
Michele, These pictures are beautiful and the perfect reprieve from your current events. I am so happy that you are free again and have persevered through these recent events. How wonderful it is to be able to begin the road to recovery .. the next chapter will be a good one for sure.
ReplyDeletexxleslie
Maybe you should have written down your hallucinations! I hope you'll be full of energy in no time.
ReplyDeleteWhispering victory with you. Your attitude is inspiring and I'm sending thoughts for a quick recovery. Happy to hear that you've been relatively pain free. I LOVE the images you've shared. My favorite, of course, is you. xo
ReplyDeleteI can't believe your amazing attitude!! You're one brave and inspiring individual. What a beautiful post on all levels, thank you for sharing your journey and I hope you continue to feel well and recover quickly!!
ReplyDeleteLove ya girl!
Desiree
You are a true inspiration, Michelle. So glad to hear you are doing well. Your attitude is truly incredible.
ReplyDeleteYou look fab - and the other pics are gorgeous! :-)
ReplyDeleteI read this last night and for some reason I couldn't comment. But I had to return to tell you how happy I am to read this post and learn about your recovery. Your attitude is amazing and I can tell that you're blessed with so many loving family and friends. Including of course,blogger friends like yours truly. I'm so relieved the pain is minimal. Now if only we could do something about these damn hot flashes :)
ReplyDeletehugs
Leslie aka gwen moss
Ah, my sweet friend,
ReplyDeleteI thought about you
as I traveled to my
brother's family last
week. He means the
world to me, as I know
your sisters do to you,
and now you have greatly
increased the odds of
being there for each other
for many, many years
to come. So happy that
you came out of surgery
so well, and I just adore
your attitude....and you!
Heal quickly!
xo Suzanne
PS: Love how you entwined
your health update with your
"happy place," in Paris.
Only you my friend can combine the beauty of Paris with the beauty of victory so eloquently. I'm so proud of you hunny, you fighter you! Inspiring :) xxx
ReplyDeleteAlways lovely and inspiring Michele. You are also a warrior on this stand against cancer. I am so relieved to hear you are on the other side of this surgery and are feeling no pain. You are courage and wisdom on this journey.
ReplyDeletexx, Heather @ stylemindchic
Michele...back and catching up with all my faves to see what I have missed. Good to hear from you. Glad its all over and the worst is behind you. You are a superwomen and I have no doubt you will be flitting around in those ballet slippers, working out and rocking out in no time. You are unstoppable and I know this will not get you down. You are a hero...a beautiful strong able hero. May this journey continue with bright skies ahead. Sending you a hug.
ReplyDeleteMichele..I'm so happy everything went well and the worst is over..so much to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteMichele,
ReplyDeleteI was completely unaware of this and I want to apologize for not taking the time to come visit as often as I did. Know that you're always in my mind... when I see Matthew's art, when I bake your bagels, when I watch the Blackhawks kicking Boston butts... LOL
M,
I'm sorry you girls are going through this difficult time, but know that you all will come out stronger from this. The connection you're living with each other is beyond words... I'm sure you're aware of that.
Know that I'll be praying for your recovery.
I adore you.
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Gorgeous photos, Michele! You take care, and continue to heal. We want you back in Paris very soon!
ReplyDeleteLots of luv,
Loi
SO AMAZING pics:) I really love your blog and your sence of style.
ReplyDeleteIf you want some European travel inspiration...check out my blog:)
Have a great day dear
LOVE Maria from inredningsvis.se
(sweden)
Your comments add to the beauty...thanks in advance for your kindness.