Good News: All drains have been removed.
Not so Good News: The last drain became infected so I am now on antibiotics for 2 weeks and have to watch for "fluid buildup". If there is fluid build up then they have to aspirate it with a needle and syringe. Looking forward to that!
Hey, but the cancer is gone, the drains are gone, the breast is gone oh wait I have a new one, it's healing into a nice shape. And I have to adjust to not wearing an underwire on that side. I get to wreck all my old bras on the right side. Destruction that is what I want to do now. Is this too much information for you? Hopefully not, as now I am feeling a bit cheeky and want to let off some steam. I am feeling not quite so tethered to myself and want to run or at least go for long walks but not yet, not until the site closes and we see no collection of fluid. The nurse said I would hear it! Can you imagine? Hearing fluid sloshing around in your own body.
What fun things to look forward to or not, I think the drain was just ready to come out and that there isn't going to be any buildup and I will be fine. Okay? Those are the rose colored glasses I am looking out of today.
Hugs, Deb
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Another banner day!
I drove down to UCSD on Wednesday and had two of my drain friends removed. My favorite word for them are appendages, but said goodbye to 2 of them so I am working on getting the last one removed by the beginning of next week. Then I am told I will feel much more free. Free for what is what I ask? I am continuing to heal and make great strides in my recovery which is good but the "burning" sensation is still noticeable. Anyone else have that when you had a mastectomy? It's just a burning feeling around the incision area. Not really painful just noticeable, then I also get chills too. Okay too much info, eh?
I am on a good note today, feeling more like myself and one of my friends told me last night that I look healthier. I can only imagine what those chemo drugs do to your system so I am glad to be feeling better. I really have had a full year of trying to get myself back into good health, so next year I would imagine that I will be "dwelling" in it.
That's all for now, take care and keep smiling.
Hugs, Deb
I am on a good note today, feeling more like myself and one of my friends told me last night that I look healthier. I can only imagine what those chemo drugs do to your system so I am glad to be feeling better. I really have had a full year of trying to get myself back into good health, so next year I would imagine that I will be "dwelling" in it.
That's all for now, take care and keep smiling.
Hugs, Deb
Monday, October 12, 2009
For I know the plans I have for you, Jerimiah 29:11
An update for all of you:
Craig went back to work in VA on 9/29 and I met with the surgeon on 10/5. The surgeon was pleased with my mending/healing and has given me little limitations, no strong exercise, no lifting more than 10 pounds, generally still take it easy as the drains are still in and hopefully will be removed Mon but probably Tuesday. They are bothersome but they are going down in volume (have to be at 30 or less in a 24 hour period to have them removed) so just playing a waiting game at this point. Able to drive and my mom and sister went home last Mon (10/5) after the surgeon said it was okay that I was left alone.
I visited with the oncologist on Thurs, the and he was quite pleased with the pathology report and has said it was as good as it gets. Basically the cancer was contained in the tumor which had shrunk in half from the chemotherapy and was not involved in my vascular, lymph, or other systems. He does have me on Aromasin (hormone inhibitor) for the next 3 to 5 years and I will see him on the 5th of November to discuss the long range plan for care and follow up. I don’t have to have anymore chemotherapy, Yea!
I did have quite a week last week with doctor’s visits and other functions to attend that I kind of took to my bed (or couch) Thurs evening and all day Friday. I did receive on Friday the operative report and the updated reports from the pathologist, no surprises I am still Estrogen and Progesterone positive and HER2 neg so that is good. It is kind of surreal reading the operative reports about what they did to you but then I find them interesting as well so it gives me a better idea of what transpired and really how careful I need to be with my right side for awhile.
Thanks again for keeping in touch whether it be by phone, email, facebook, or in thought and spirit. We are all busy and I don’t want any of you to feel bad for not calling or stopping by, I am just glad that I am here to tell it, AGAIN. Yes, they couldn’t knock out that stubborn streak of mine or my I’ll get you this time attitude towards this crummy disease.
Hugs, Deb
Craig went back to work in VA on 9/29 and I met with the surgeon on 10/5. The surgeon was pleased with my mending/healing and has given me little limitations, no strong exercise, no lifting more than 10 pounds, generally still take it easy as the drains are still in and hopefully will be removed Mon but probably Tuesday. They are bothersome but they are going down in volume (have to be at 30 or less in a 24 hour period to have them removed) so just playing a waiting game at this point. Able to drive and my mom and sister went home last Mon (10/5) after the surgeon said it was okay that I was left alone.
I visited with the oncologist on Thurs, the and he was quite pleased with the pathology report and has said it was as good as it gets. Basically the cancer was contained in the tumor which had shrunk in half from the chemotherapy and was not involved in my vascular, lymph, or other systems. He does have me on Aromasin (hormone inhibitor) for the next 3 to 5 years and I will see him on the 5th of November to discuss the long range plan for care and follow up. I don’t have to have anymore chemotherapy, Yea!
I did have quite a week last week with doctor’s visits and other functions to attend that I kind of took to my bed (or couch) Thurs evening and all day Friday. I did receive on Friday the operative report and the updated reports from the pathologist, no surprises I am still Estrogen and Progesterone positive and HER2 neg so that is good. It is kind of surreal reading the operative reports about what they did to you but then I find them interesting as well so it gives me a better idea of what transpired and really how careful I need to be with my right side for awhile.
Thanks again for keeping in touch whether it be by phone, email, facebook, or in thought and spirit. We are all busy and I don’t want any of you to feel bad for not calling or stopping by, I am just glad that I am here to tell it, AGAIN. Yes, they couldn’t knock out that stubborn streak of mine or my I’ll get you this time attitude towards this crummy disease.
Hugs, Deb
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Some of the reports are in:
The Pathology report was received last Thursday but I wanted to wait until I had spoken with the surgeon and the oncologist which was this week. The long awaited MRI report is being faxed to me this afternoon and the updated estrogen/progesterone report. The information on those is the same as the original biopsy, ERP positive and HER-2 negative. Not sure about the MRI but I know that the left side is clean per all other reports and comparisons.
The surgeon said I was healing nicely and still I had to "take it easy" as the drains were still not out and I am still healing. She said she was pleased with the Path report but would defer to the oncologist. I will see her at least one more time before I leave the area and then I will be back sometime in the spring to have her "finish me up". You know the breast reduction on the other side and balancing me out.
The oncologist couldn't have been happier with the reports as he was thrilled that the tumor was much smaller than originally measured and there wasn't any other area involved, lymphatic, vascular, etc. So I got a "clean bill" from him and no more chemotherapy but with the understanding that I would have to stay on the hormone inhibitor(aromasin) for 3 to 5 years. I will see him on Nov 5 and then we will have a plan for the rest of my care.
So all in all it was a good week, albeit a busy one for me driving to La Jolla on Mon; luncheon on Tues; breakfast on Weds and driving to LAX in the evening and then to Orange today and on to Riverside then home. I did not drive today, Craig did, but I was awakened at 5 AM with some soreness in the chest area and it has intensified throughout the day so my orders are now to rest and rest and more rest. I need it, I am tired.
Wanted to update you all and send my very best to you all. Thanks again for keeping up with me and my journey.
Hugs, Deb
The surgeon said I was healing nicely and still I had to "take it easy" as the drains were still not out and I am still healing. She said she was pleased with the Path report but would defer to the oncologist. I will see her at least one more time before I leave the area and then I will be back sometime in the spring to have her "finish me up". You know the breast reduction on the other side and balancing me out.
The oncologist couldn't have been happier with the reports as he was thrilled that the tumor was much smaller than originally measured and there wasn't any other area involved, lymphatic, vascular, etc. So I got a "clean bill" from him and no more chemotherapy but with the understanding that I would have to stay on the hormone inhibitor(aromasin) for 3 to 5 years. I will see him on Nov 5 and then we will have a plan for the rest of my care.
So all in all it was a good week, albeit a busy one for me driving to La Jolla on Mon; luncheon on Tues; breakfast on Weds and driving to LAX in the evening and then to Orange today and on to Riverside then home. I did not drive today, Craig did, but I was awakened at 5 AM with some soreness in the chest area and it has intensified throughout the day so my orders are now to rest and rest and more rest. I need it, I am tired.
Wanted to update you all and send my very best to you all. Thanks again for keeping up with me and my journey.
Hugs, Deb
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Another day has passed.
Hi there!
Today is Thursday, the 1st of October. Can't believe that nine full months has passed on this great and challenging year. I am doing okay today, not doing a lot, resting, regaining strength although no one lets me do anything so strength training is almost nothing. I am getting caught up on all the new season premiers shows and some new ones, reading the 4 books that I had started during the summer of chemotherapy and patiently awaiting the pathology reports. Patiently? I just don't want this to end up like the completed MRI report which I have never seen to date. I am just putting that out there that I want to see in writing that all my adventures of the summer were successful. I know in my heart they were but in writing, that's the ticket.
So I am home, in my own comfort zone, in my own bed, with my mom and my sister here for me. I am listening to everyone and not doing ANYTHING, but that does get very old very quickly. So I sign on to facebook or here to let off a little steam! Craig is back in the DC area and Kevin decided that he does enjoy being at Georgetown which is good and now he is trying to juggle his classes and work and a social life, what did they go to college for? Brian is busy with Architecture classes/studios and his work so life is very busy for all of them and here I sit healing. Doesn't make it any less lonesome and I do have my "down" times frequently but every once in awhile someone pops in and brightens my day so if you are in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello.
I am so appreciative of all of your prayers and thoughts, thanks so much,
Deb
Today is Thursday, the 1st of October. Can't believe that nine full months has passed on this great and challenging year. I am doing okay today, not doing a lot, resting, regaining strength although no one lets me do anything so strength training is almost nothing. I am getting caught up on all the new season premiers shows and some new ones, reading the 4 books that I had started during the summer of chemotherapy and patiently awaiting the pathology reports. Patiently? I just don't want this to end up like the completed MRI report which I have never seen to date. I am just putting that out there that I want to see in writing that all my adventures of the summer were successful. I know in my heart they were but in writing, that's the ticket.
So I am home, in my own comfort zone, in my own bed, with my mom and my sister here for me. I am listening to everyone and not doing ANYTHING, but that does get very old very quickly. So I sign on to facebook or here to let off a little steam! Craig is back in the DC area and Kevin decided that he does enjoy being at Georgetown which is good and now he is trying to juggle his classes and work and a social life, what did they go to college for? Brian is busy with Architecture classes/studios and his work so life is very busy for all of them and here I sit healing. Doesn't make it any less lonesome and I do have my "down" times frequently but every once in awhile someone pops in and brightens my day so if you are in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello.
I am so appreciative of all of your prayers and thoughts, thanks so much,
Deb
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