Friday, May 31 - The END of the month of May and what I think is the END of feeling bad from the surgery. I didn't get much sleep the night before last, so was feeling pretty puny yesterday. I was on the phone a lot with the doctors setting up appointments and visiting with some friends, so I didn't get much in the nap area. I was afraid to nap anyway as I figured I wouldn't sleep again last night.
The good news is that I went to bed and slept there until 5:30 a.m. Yay for me! This hasn't happened in a while even before surgery. I had a good breakfast, compliments of Dane, and took a shower and dressed in street clothes. I moved around a little more and was feeling pretty good. After lunch I was pretty tired so had a 2 hour nap (hope I don't pay for that tonight).
So I'm feeling good about the pathology and getting on with the rest of this journey. I won't be having my follow-ups with the Surgeon and Oncologist until June 10. I am still waiting for a call from Mercy Washington Radiation Oncology to see when they want to schedule me. This little break should give me time to heal before the wedding and the next rounds of chemo. I'm assuming the chemo will begin the week of June 10 or the following. Stay tuned!
Talking with the nurse yesterday, I am very hopeful my drains will be pulled next week. They have been producing much less the last couple of days. Still aren't where they need to be, but getting closer. I had several people ask me what the drains are for and following is a synopsis of that:
After any large amount of tissue is removed from inside your body, your body attempts to fill the space with fluid. This fluid (blood & lymph node fluid) will slow your healing process. The purpose of the drains is to remove the fluid. The drain itself is a simple device, and consists of three parts: (a) a flat piece with holes that is inside the body, (b) a length of tubing running from the flat piece through a small incision to the outside of the body, and (c) a plastic bulb at the end of the tubing. The plastic bulb has a small spout and plug on it. The plug is opened, the bulb is squeezed to push air out of the bulb, the plug is closed, and the gentle suction of the bulb over time pulls the fluid out of the body and into the plastic bulb. The fluid collects in the bulb, and the bulb is emptied from time to time.
I want to thank everyone for the kind calls, prayers, cards, meals and gifts during this time. I am amazed at the caring and support from everyone. Dane was able to get his mind off work for a few days (although he's now back in the mode again) and pick up the slack around here. He definitely kept busy with the yard work, housework, shopping and running me to the doctors. Love that man to death!
After I find out my schedule I will be calling on a few of you to take you up on being my chemo buddy for the day.
Pathology
Wednesday, May 29 - A couple of hours after writing my last blog entry, I got a call from the surgeon's office with my pathology report. I was told that it did confirm Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (which is good, cause I sure would have hated going through all of this for nothing). The report also showed that 9 out of the 10 nodes tested were positive. Also, margins were clear. The right side papilloma was benign.
I will be getting a call back tomorrow with appointment follow-ups with the surgeon and the medical oncologist to make sure we are still going with the same treatment due to pathology reports. I will also have an appointment set up with the radiation oncologist in Washington.
After drains are removed, I will also be seeing a physical therapist for range of motion exercises. Sounds like I will be busy!
I will be getting a call back tomorrow with appointment follow-ups with the surgeon and the medical oncologist to make sure we are still going with the same treatment due to pathology reports. I will also have an appointment set up with the radiation oncologist in Washington.
After drains are removed, I will also be seeing a physical therapist for range of motion exercises. Sounds like I will be busy!
Ouch!
Wednesday, May 29 - So much for pain being tolerable! Things were going along great - went to my mom's on Monday and had some yummy lunch and a short visit with my parents, Dane's parents, my brother Tom and his daughter Lydia and Bob Scheer. It felt really good to get out.
Later that afternoon, I started having some bad pain and felt like my armpit and chest area were going to explode. I upped the pain meds, but just could not get comfortable. I started to run a low grade fever towards the morning. I called the surgeons office and was told the doctor would like to see me. So we headed into C.J. Pratt Cancer Center as that is where she was holding office hours on Tuesday. My incisions were looking good. The drains were the color of apple juice and nothing unusual with the output, so that wasn't a problem. My incisions for the drains were oozing some and red. She put me on an antibiotic just in case of infection. There was no pathology reports back yet, so nothing to report in that department.
So Tuesday was a long day. I did feel better seeing her, though, just to make sure everything was as it should be. I went to bed and actually slept there for more than 2 hours. I think I was totally exhausted. Came out to the recliner and slept another 4 hours, then went back to bed for a couple more.
Feeling much better today! Although I didn't do much on Monday, I obviously moved around more than normal and it caught up with me. That is what I think happened anyway.
Hopefully I will have pathology reports by the end of the week!
Later that afternoon, I started having some bad pain and felt like my armpit and chest area were going to explode. I upped the pain meds, but just could not get comfortable. I started to run a low grade fever towards the morning. I called the surgeons office and was told the doctor would like to see me. So we headed into C.J. Pratt Cancer Center as that is where she was holding office hours on Tuesday. My incisions were looking good. The drains were the color of apple juice and nothing unusual with the output, so that wasn't a problem. My incisions for the drains were oozing some and red. She put me on an antibiotic just in case of infection. There was no pathology reports back yet, so nothing to report in that department.
So Tuesday was a long day. I did feel better seeing her, though, just to make sure everything was as it should be. I went to bed and actually slept there for more than 2 hours. I think I was totally exhausted. Came out to the recliner and slept another 4 hours, then went back to bed for a couple more.
Feeling much better today! Although I didn't do much on Monday, I obviously moved around more than normal and it caught up with me. That is what I think happened anyway.
Hopefully I will have pathology reports by the end of the week!
3-Day Post-Op
Saturday, May 25 - It's Saturday morning and post-op hasn't been too bad. The pain has been tolerable and I have been able to keep the pain meds down as long as I have something in my stomach.
I have been walking around the yard a few times a day to give my back some rest. That has been one of the most difficult parts of recovery as I can't get comfortable enough to sleep on my side. I can tolerate bed for a couple of hours, then find myself back to the recliner.
Dane has been tending to my drains 3 times a day. The output has been dark, but today it has started lightening up, which is what we were told to expect. The drains will be pulled when the output is less than a total of 30 cc a day for each drain. Right now each one is around 100 cc a day.
I was able to shower Friday afternoon, which always makes one feel better. Ahhhh! So, I'm taking one day at a time and expect to be back to normal in the not to distant future.
I have been walking around the yard a few times a day to give my back some rest. That has been one of the most difficult parts of recovery as I can't get comfortable enough to sleep on my side. I can tolerate bed for a couple of hours, then find myself back to the recliner.
Dane has been tending to my drains 3 times a day. The output has been dark, but today it has started lightening up, which is what we were told to expect. The drains will be pulled when the output is less than a total of 30 cc a day for each drain. Right now each one is around 100 cc a day.
I was able to shower Friday afternoon, which always makes one feel better. Ahhhh! So, I'm taking one day at a time and expect to be back to normal in the not to distant future.
Surgery
Thursday, May 23 - I'm just giving a quick update to those of you who aren't on facebook. Dane tried to update the blog after surgery yesterday but for some reason it wouldn't allow him to publish it.
Surgery went well and according to plan. They removed all my lymph nodes on the left side, did the mastectomy on the left side and removed the right papilloma. Surgery was about 2 1/2 hours. After waking up, I was mildly sore, but not too terrible. I had trouble keeping anything down most of the afternoon, so that wasn't very pleasant. I got to my room around 6:30 p.m. and got settled in, ate some chicken noodle soup and took a couple of tylenol. I was afraid to take anything stronger due to past experiences with those meds. Since I was the only patient there, I had plenty of attention. Dane also spent the night with me. I couldn't sleep worth a darn, so we watched the cardinal game.
Around 10:30 I was feeling hungry so had 1/4 of a sandwich and some fresh fruit. It was pretty tasty. I was tired of laying around so Dane and I walked the halls for a little bit. It really felt good to move around. I settled back in bed thinking I could go to sleep, but it just wasn't happening. I watched some more tv, then read a while. I finally dozed off towards morning.
The doctor came in around 9, checked all my incisions and wrote the discharge papers. Dane will be in charge of dumping my two drains three times a day and measuring the output. When each of them measures less than 30 cc, they will be pulled. The average time for this is 10 days. The surgeons office should be calling Tuesday (since Monday is a holiday) and letting me know of any pathology reports and to set up some appointments for future treatments (chemo & radiation).
I can't say enough about the compassion and care that this facility has given me. Everyone has been great, I would highly recommend this place to anyone undergoing breast cancer.
We got home around 10:30 and both took a nap. I have been taking some Percocet and that seems to be helping with the pain as long as I have food in my stomach.
Thanks again for all the prayers and good vibes. They seem to be working so keep it up. I can definitely feel the love and support from all of you!
Nap time!
Surgery went well and according to plan. They removed all my lymph nodes on the left side, did the mastectomy on the left side and removed the right papilloma. Surgery was about 2 1/2 hours. After waking up, I was mildly sore, but not too terrible. I had trouble keeping anything down most of the afternoon, so that wasn't very pleasant. I got to my room around 6:30 p.m. and got settled in, ate some chicken noodle soup and took a couple of tylenol. I was afraid to take anything stronger due to past experiences with those meds. Since I was the only patient there, I had plenty of attention. Dane also spent the night with me. I couldn't sleep worth a darn, so we watched the cardinal game.
Around 10:30 I was feeling hungry so had 1/4 of a sandwich and some fresh fruit. It was pretty tasty. I was tired of laying around so Dane and I walked the halls for a little bit. It really felt good to move around. I settled back in bed thinking I could go to sleep, but it just wasn't happening. I watched some more tv, then read a while. I finally dozed off towards morning.
The doctor came in around 9, checked all my incisions and wrote the discharge papers. Dane will be in charge of dumping my two drains three times a day and measuring the output. When each of them measures less than 30 cc, they will be pulled. The average time for this is 10 days. The surgeons office should be calling Tuesday (since Monday is a holiday) and letting me know of any pathology reports and to set up some appointments for future treatments (chemo & radiation).
I can't say enough about the compassion and care that this facility has given me. Everyone has been great, I would highly recommend this place to anyone undergoing breast cancer.
We got home around 10:30 and both took a nap. I have been taking some Percocet and that seems to be helping with the pain as long as I have food in my stomach.
Thanks again for all the prayers and good vibes. They seem to be working so keep it up. I can definitely feel the love and support from all of you!
Nap time!
A Call From The Surgeon
Wednesday, May 15 - After feeling quite puny the past few days, I am feeling much better today. The fatigue hasn't been so bad, and my feet and hands feel much better. Now I hope to have a good week before surgery!
I received a call from my surgeon this afternoon. The breast MRI showed that the tumor has shrunk from 10 centimeters to 3 centimeters. If you remember, it was 2 centimeters when I discovered it and grew to 10 before I even had my 1st chemo which was within 3 weeks. This is great news.
Dr. O said I could have a lumpectomy, but having put a lot of thought and prayer into it over the past few weeks, I have decided to go for the mastectomy instead. This is mainly due to the uncertainty of whether or not they get clean margins the first time. I have spoken with several people who had to undergo a second surgery due to this fact. I decided better to be safe than sorry. I just don't know if I could handle having to undergo surgery again and then end up with a mastectomy after all.
So I'm off to Washington tomorrow for some pre-surgery blood work and then hoping not to think too much about it until next week. I'm a little nervous, so this may not be as easy as it sounds.
Dane will be working from home the rest of the month so he can be here for the surgery and whatever help I may need afterwards.
So I'll say goodbye until after surgery - please keep me in your thoughts and prayers!
I received a call from my surgeon this afternoon. The breast MRI showed that the tumor has shrunk from 10 centimeters to 3 centimeters. If you remember, it was 2 centimeters when I discovered it and grew to 10 before I even had my 1st chemo which was within 3 weeks. This is great news.
Dr. O said I could have a lumpectomy, but having put a lot of thought and prayer into it over the past few weeks, I have decided to go for the mastectomy instead. This is mainly due to the uncertainty of whether or not they get clean margins the first time. I have spoken with several people who had to undergo a second surgery due to this fact. I decided better to be safe than sorry. I just don't know if I could handle having to undergo surgery again and then end up with a mastectomy after all.
So I'm off to Washington tomorrow for some pre-surgery blood work and then hoping not to think too much about it until next week. I'm a little nervous, so this may not be as easy as it sounds.
Dane will be working from home the rest of the month so he can be here for the surgery and whatever help I may need afterwards.
So I'll say goodbye until after surgery - please keep me in your thoughts and prayers!
Not Much To Report Yet!
Monday, May 13 - Saturday we met Adam, Ann and Brayden in Lebanon for breakfast. It was soooo good to see Brayden since it's been so long. We had a nice long visit.
I didn't feel too great Sunday, not sure what the problem was. Took a long nap and just lazed around all day. My hands and feet were also bothering me but am optimistic that it will get better this week.
On Monday I went and had my breast MRI. I was told it would be a couple of days before the doctor called with the results and then I should know for sure kind of surgery I will be having. I will post after getting those results.
Hope all you ladies had a great Mom's Day yesterday!
I didn't feel too great Sunday, not sure what the problem was. Took a long nap and just lazed around all day. My hands and feet were also bothering me but am optimistic that it will get better this week.
On Monday I went and had my breast MRI. I was told it would be a couple of days before the doctor called with the results and then I should know for sure kind of surgery I will be having. I will post after getting those results.
Hope all you ladies had a great Mom's Day yesterday!
A Nice Reprieve
Monday, May 6 - On Friday morning, Dane & I, along with his brother Neal, boarded Southwest Airlines for a weekend trip to Houston. This was another trip that was planned before cancer struck. I had my last chemo before surgery scheduled a day earlier so I could make the trip.
Dane has been in contact via phone and emails with his distant cousin, George Strake for a couple of years now and has wanted to meet him in person for some time, but has not had an opportunity to work in Houston. Since the NRA convention was being held there, along with one of my best friends from high school also living there, we decided to take the trip. I stayed with Jill, while the boys holed up in a hotel and went to the convention.
Upon our arrival we were treated to dinner and a ballgame by George and Annette Strake. I won't go into the family history but it was a very interesting evening and a whole lot of fun. George and his wife Annette also took us to the Astro's ballgame so we got to see Minute Maid Park. It was a pretty cool stadium to visit. We caught the last few innings due to visiting over dinner for so long. Former cardinal, Rick Ankiel was playing for the Astros . We did not bring home a win for them though.
Dane then dropped me off at Jill's. What a great reunion that was. We stayed up and chatted way too long. She is one of those friends that you don't see for years, but when you do, it just picks right up where you left off. Thanks so much Jill, for your hospitality and the great visit.
I slept well that night. Jill & I mostly just stayed at her house and visited on Saturday. I did finally get to meet her daughter Emily who I hadn't seen since she was a toddler. We did take a ride around her stomping grounds and checked out a small Art Festival. The weather in Houston was good to us. No humidity and in the 70's while it was raining the whole weekend in St. Louis.
On Sunday, Dane & Neal picked us up for breakfast and we all went and had a great meal at a French breakfast establishment. I, of course, shared one with Jill as my appetite was starting to wane and nothing really tastes good at this point after chemo. After we dropped Jill and Emily off, we headed over to some other good friends of Dane's for a short visit. This is an older man that Dane had gotten very close to while he was just a kid taking on a new job in Houston back in the 70's with the phone company. Jack taught Dane a lot in those days. He always tries to visit him when he is down there and I have met them several times also.
I stayed up on my anti-nausea meds and kept it at bay pretty well. I was starting to feel puny on Sunday which is the 4th day after chemo, so not a surprise. We had a light lunch at an outdoor cafe (I'm telling you the weather was awesome) then headed to the airport.
I was hoping to sleep on the plane, but I was hot, it was crowded and I couldn't get comfortable. It was also one of the roughest flights I have ever flown. Welcome to St. Louis, it was still raining when we got in. Blah!
We picked up Willow from my parents and headed home. Got to bed shortly afterwards and I slept like a rock.
So, this is just to let you all know that I am doing well and had a nice break in routine before surgery scheduled for May 22. We are planning on meeting Adam, Ann and Brayden (whom I haven't seen for 3 months) this Saturday for a Mother's Day brunch.......so excited.
I can tell that the Hand & Foot Syndrome is trying to act up again - so have been using a lot of lotion and hoping it dies back down. I purposely stayed off my feet this past weekend for this reason. I am apprehensive, but eager for surgery and to get moving on to the next part of this journey so it can be over.
Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference! Winston Churchill
Dane has been in contact via phone and emails with his distant cousin, George Strake for a couple of years now and has wanted to meet him in person for some time, but has not had an opportunity to work in Houston. Since the NRA convention was being held there, along with one of my best friends from high school also living there, we decided to take the trip. I stayed with Jill, while the boys holed up in a hotel and went to the convention.
Upon our arrival we were treated to dinner and a ballgame by George and Annette Strake. I won't go into the family history but it was a very interesting evening and a whole lot of fun. George and his wife Annette also took us to the Astro's ballgame so we got to see Minute Maid Park. It was a pretty cool stadium to visit. We caught the last few innings due to visiting over dinner for so long. Former cardinal, Rick Ankiel was playing for the Astros . We did not bring home a win for them though.
Dane then dropped me off at Jill's. What a great reunion that was. We stayed up and chatted way too long. She is one of those friends that you don't see for years, but when you do, it just picks right up where you left off. Thanks so much Jill, for your hospitality and the great visit.
I slept well that night. Jill & I mostly just stayed at her house and visited on Saturday. I did finally get to meet her daughter Emily who I hadn't seen since she was a toddler. We did take a ride around her stomping grounds and checked out a small Art Festival. The weather in Houston was good to us. No humidity and in the 70's while it was raining the whole weekend in St. Louis.
On Sunday, Dane & Neal picked us up for breakfast and we all went and had a great meal at a French breakfast establishment. I, of course, shared one with Jill as my appetite was starting to wane and nothing really tastes good at this point after chemo. After we dropped Jill and Emily off, we headed over to some other good friends of Dane's for a short visit. This is an older man that Dane had gotten very close to while he was just a kid taking on a new job in Houston back in the 70's with the phone company. Jack taught Dane a lot in those days. He always tries to visit him when he is down there and I have met them several times also.
I stayed up on my anti-nausea meds and kept it at bay pretty well. I was starting to feel puny on Sunday which is the 4th day after chemo, so not a surprise. We had a light lunch at an outdoor cafe (I'm telling you the weather was awesome) then headed to the airport.
I was hoping to sleep on the plane, but I was hot, it was crowded and I couldn't get comfortable. It was also one of the roughest flights I have ever flown. Welcome to St. Louis, it was still raining when we got in. Blah!
We picked up Willow from my parents and headed home. Got to bed shortly afterwards and I slept like a rock.
So, this is just to let you all know that I am doing well and had a nice break in routine before surgery scheduled for May 22. We are planning on meeting Adam, Ann and Brayden (whom I haven't seen for 3 months) this Saturday for a Mother's Day brunch.......so excited.
I can tell that the Hand & Foot Syndrome is trying to act up again - so have been using a lot of lotion and hoping it dies back down. I purposely stayed off my feet this past weekend for this reason. I am apprehensive, but eager for surgery and to get moving on to the next part of this journey so it can be over.
Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference! Winston Churchill
Chemo #4 - Moving Right Along!
Wednesday, May 1 - My dad picked me up at 8:15 and we headed in to the Breast & Cancer Institute for my final chemo before surgery. Yay! I met with doctor Coplin first. We discussed the Hand-Foot Syndrome and she looked at my feet. She said to continue what I was doing with the Lotion and Vitamin B6. It seems to be working pretty well. I do notice it is inflamed and sore if I'm on my feet for longer periods or when I wear my tennis shoes and socks and my feet get hot.
She told me that I would probably start on the Taxol about two weeks after surgery. I will make an appointment to see her the same day that I follow-up with Dr. O a week following surgery. This will give a better indication as to how I am doing with everything and when to resume.
She also told me that my hair will start growing back in a couple of weeks. Evidently, I will not lose my hair do to the Taxol. This was a pleasant surprise for me. She said I will have little patches of hair by the time Adam & Ann's wedding rolls around. Ha! I'm sure it won't be enough though. Maybe I should just go with it that way - progress will in evident!
On to the chemo room. I was a bit early so had to go to the waiting room as the nurses were in a meeting. I was the first one there - usually my appointment is a couple hours later. We didn't wait too long and they called me back and got me accessed rather quickly. My blood was drawn and the WBC came back within range so they ordered the drugs from the pharmacy which is right on site with a window to the chemo room. I had Charlene again and she made my appointment for my Neulasta Injection in Washington for the following day and I had her refill my nausea medication.
I thought the time went by quickly thanks to my dad being there to talk to. Dane got back in town and swung by on his way home, so that was a nice surprise. I was feeling pretty tired on the way home, so when I got there, I hit the couch, turned on the Cardinal ball game and promptly fell asleep. Woke up about an hour later and got to see the win. Go Cards!!!!
So, things are moving right along and I'll have a little bit of respite here before surgery. Keep those good thoughts and prayers coming - they are much appreciated!!
She told me that I would probably start on the Taxol about two weeks after surgery. I will make an appointment to see her the same day that I follow-up with Dr. O a week following surgery. This will give a better indication as to how I am doing with everything and when to resume.
She also told me that my hair will start growing back in a couple of weeks. Evidently, I will not lose my hair do to the Taxol. This was a pleasant surprise for me. She said I will have little patches of hair by the time Adam & Ann's wedding rolls around. Ha! I'm sure it won't be enough though. Maybe I should just go with it that way - progress will in evident!
On to the chemo room. I was a bit early so had to go to the waiting room as the nurses were in a meeting. I was the first one there - usually my appointment is a couple hours later. We didn't wait too long and they called me back and got me accessed rather quickly. My blood was drawn and the WBC came back within range so they ordered the drugs from the pharmacy which is right on site with a window to the chemo room. I had Charlene again and she made my appointment for my Neulasta Injection in Washington for the following day and I had her refill my nausea medication.
I thought the time went by quickly thanks to my dad being there to talk to. Dane got back in town and swung by on his way home, so that was a nice surprise. I was feeling pretty tired on the way home, so when I got there, I hit the couch, turned on the Cardinal ball game and promptly fell asleep. Woke up about an hour later and got to see the win. Go Cards!!!!
So, things are moving right along and I'll have a little bit of respite here before surgery. Keep those good thoughts and prayers coming - they are much appreciated!!
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