Great news—Kasey’s tissue expanders are now fully filled as of today!
She completed her final expander fill appointment this morning. These expansions are done in stages over time (typically involving periodic saline injections through a port), and the volume is determined not just by personal aesthetic preference but also by medical requirements—especially to prepare the area adequately for upcoming radiation therapy. Radiation to the chest wall or breast area after mastectomy often necessitates a certain level of expansion to help protect surrounding tissues, optimize positioning, and support the best possible reconstruction outcome down the line.
This afternoon at 3:00 PM, Kasey has her radiation mapping/simulation appointment (also called a “CT simulation” or “mapping session”). During this visit, the radiation oncology team will use imaging to precisely plan the treatment fields, mark the skin for alignment, and calculate the exact dosing to target any remaining risk areas while sparing healthy tissue as much as possible. This is a key milestone, and once it’s complete, she’ll receive her official start date for radiation therapy—likely within the next few weeks, depending on the schedule and any final adjustments.
Kasey is genuinely excited and relieved to be moving into this next phase of treatment It’s a big step forward toward finishing “active therapy” and beginning the path to full reconstruction. At the same time, she’s navigating some understandable mixed feelings about the current appearance. The expanders are filled to a volume that’s medically necessary for her treatment plan, but it’s noticeably larger than her natural size right now. This temporary change can feel strange or challenging to adjust to—it’s completely normal to have some self-identity questions or body-image adjustments during this stretch. She’s handling it with grace, though, and focusing on the bigger picture.
On a brighter note, since finishing chemotherapy, Kasey’s hair has started regrowing in small patches where it was lost! This is such an encouraging and exciting sign. Hair regrowth after chemo usually begins with soft, fine “baby hairs” appearing within a few weeks to a couple of months post-treatment, with more substantial coverage often coming in over 3–6 months. Seeing those little sprouts already is incredibly motivating and a tangible reminder of how her body is healing and recovering.
Overall, Kasey is feeling strong, positive, and ready to tackle radiation. She’s in great spirits and appreciates all the love and support pouring in. More updates to come once she has that official radiation start date!
Sending her (and everyone cheering her on) so much strength and good energy. 💪❤️