As you may have noticed, my entry yesterday was quite short. That was mainly because yesterday was kind of a down day for me. I just didn't feel like blogging! It was my own fault, fo starting the day off wrong. I knew I had a doctor's appointment yesterday morning, but I didn't set my alarm. I woke up with 20 minutes to get myself ready before we left. That meant, no breakfast and no pain meds.
Then, a fairly long wait in the doctor's office where I tried not to think about having the drain removed. Actually, the removal wasn't near as bad as I anticipated! But, it was still painful.
On the way home we did some shopping, so I was very tired, achy and hungry by the time we finally arrived home.
I never really recovered!
However, I always have blessings to count and will do so now:
1) We got to have dinner Saturday evening, with Kent's brothers and sisters - it was so good to see all of them. I am very lucky to have married into this family. All of these people are remarkable! Thanks Dave and Vicki, for hosting it!
2) We had a wonderful Easter weekend with our children/grandchildren. Thanks to all of you - I love you so!
3) I got to go to church for the first 2 hours - that was wonderful!
4) I've had wonderful visits from friends - even from one who drove all the way down from Salt Lake after work to see me - I am a lucky woman!!!
5) I continue to be blessed by "laundry ladies", dinner deliveries, cards, phone calls, messages of continued prayers in our behalf - the list goes on and on.
Thank you to all of you who have shown such love and concern for us! It is very humbling and very, very appreciated!!!
Today will be an "up" day, I promise!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Things I've Learned
1. I can sleep on my left side if I use a pillow under my right arm! :)
2. My limit for extended "activity" [and I use that term loosely], is 2 hours.
3. It does feel a lot better having one less drain. Removal wasn't that great!
4. I am continuing to heal "remarkably" well, according to the surgeon.
5. Chemo will begin 3-4 weeks after surgery - I will know more Thursday afternoon.
6. Tylenol Extra Strength Rapid Release doesn't work as well as prescription pain pills.
7. I have the best family, friends, & neighbors in the entire world!!!
2. My limit for extended "activity" [and I use that term loosely], is 2 hours.
3. It does feel a lot better having one less drain. Removal wasn't that great!
4. I am continuing to heal "remarkably" well, according to the surgeon.
5. Chemo will begin 3-4 weeks after surgery - I will know more Thursday afternoon.
6. Tylenol Extra Strength Rapid Release doesn't work as well as prescription pain pills.
7. I have the best family, friends, & neighbors in the entire world!!!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Follow-up visit with the surgeon
Well, my visit today went well. Everything is healing nicely. No swelling ect. that there shouldn't be. Actually, the area around the port tube looks a little red so she put me on light antibiotics for a few days, just to make sure it isn't infected. I'm not worried.
She couldn't take out any drains yet, but I have an appointment for next Tuesday to have one removed. [I AM anxious to get them out - but NOT anxious to have it removed - you know what I mean??]
Still no news on the Hur2neu factor - I'm not sure if that is good or bad or nothing.? Dr. Tittensor gave me a refill on pain meds, although I don't need many anymore, for which I am grateful. She also gave me a "prescription" for a prostheses - but I need to wait a few more weeks before getting fitted for one! That sounds SO weird, doesn't it??
Dr. Tittensor set up an appointment with my oncologist for next Thursday, the 28th. She also gave a sheet of exercises to start doing to get the mobility back in my right arm. She told me to take it slow still, until I am really healed up so I don't cause myself problems.
I had a lovely visit from an old -- no, not an old -- a long-time friend who wanted to see how I was doing. I am so awed by all of the love and support we are receiving. I know that I ask you for continued prayers in my behalf, but please include Kent in those prayers as well -- cancer can be harder on the caregiver than on the patient!!!
Just a quick jump back to yesterday. My visiting teachers came yesterday. They brought love, support, optimism, a lovely message and a "it's been one week since your surgery" cupcake. It was DIVINE!!! Thanks ladies!! [you know who you are!]
She couldn't take out any drains yet, but I have an appointment for next Tuesday to have one removed. [I AM anxious to get them out - but NOT anxious to have it removed - you know what I mean??]
Still no news on the Hur2neu factor - I'm not sure if that is good or bad or nothing.? Dr. Tittensor gave me a refill on pain meds, although I don't need many anymore, for which I am grateful. She also gave me a "prescription" for a prostheses - but I need to wait a few more weeks before getting fitted for one! That sounds SO weird, doesn't it??
Dr. Tittensor set up an appointment with my oncologist for next Thursday, the 28th. She also gave a sheet of exercises to start doing to get the mobility back in my right arm. She told me to take it slow still, until I am really healed up so I don't cause myself problems.
I had a lovely visit from an old -- no, not an old -- a long-time friend who wanted to see how I was doing. I am so awed by all of the love and support we are receiving. I know that I ask you for continued prayers in my behalf, but please include Kent in those prayers as well -- cancer can be harder on the caregiver than on the patient!!!
Just a quick jump back to yesterday. My visiting teachers came yesterday. They brought love, support, optimism, a lovely message and a "it's been one week since your surgery" cupcake. It was DIVINE!!! Thanks ladies!! [you know who you are!]
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
News and more pathology results
I had a wonderful visit with my daughter, Becky, yesterday evening. It was so good to just sit and talk and look at her sweet face! When Kent came home we decided to go to dinner at Milagros - highly recommended for those who love good Mexican food. It felt so good to actually go someplace normal and have a meal. My other daughter, Sarah, was working last night, so she was able to take a couple of short breaks and sit with us! I was very tired when we got home and pretty much went right to bed.
For the first time since surgery, I woke up in the middle of the night in pain. It had only been 3 hours since the last pill so I couldn't take anymore. I sat up in bed and did crossword puzzles and found the pain lessening and me nodding off. Apparently, laying down increases the pain. Who knew! So, I slept the rest of the night at a slant. It works.
Dr. Tittensor called with most of the pathology results from surgery. No surprises - ! The breast lump was actually almost 5 cm - bigger than they thought - but not big enough to change the stage of cancer that I was/am at - Stage 2B. She removed 11 lymph nodes and only 3 were cancerous. They were the same 3 that they already knew had cancer in them! I think I've mentioned the Her2neu factor that they check for. Positive would mean faster growing and would require extra treatments, negative means just "regular" chemo. They still don't have the final results back from that.
There is also a genetic test that can be done on the cancer to see if this runs in the family. It is called a Bracha test. However, it costs $3,000 to have it done and insurance doesn't pay for it unless the patient falls into one of the following catagories;
Has cancer and is under the age of 50
Has cancer and is over the age of 50 with close relatives who have also had cancer.
Since I don't fall into either - I'm not going to have them do the test. My daughters are at a little higher risk of getting breast cancer themselves. I'm now a "history of cancer in their family". But, girls are you listening?, IF THEY HAVE REGULAR MAMMOGRAMS AND DO MONTHLY SELF EXAMS ONCE THEY TURN 40 - that will help them immensely! Actually, ALL YOU WOMEN READING THIS should be doing the same!!!!!!! :)
My sweet "laundry lady" and her lovely assistant returned my clean laundry this afternoon. This is way too much spoiling - but I so appreciate it! The Howards are doing a little shopping for me, we've got a meal coming in tonight and I've had wonderful visits and phone calls that lift my spirits and make me feel loved!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I continue to be grateful for the love Heavenly Father is sending me, for the prayers in our behalf, for my sweet and constant husband - I can't imagine trying to do this without any of them!
Talk to you soon.
For the first time since surgery, I woke up in the middle of the night in pain. It had only been 3 hours since the last pill so I couldn't take anymore. I sat up in bed and did crossword puzzles and found the pain lessening and me nodding off. Apparently, laying down increases the pain. Who knew! So, I slept the rest of the night at a slant. It works.
Dr. Tittensor called with most of the pathology results from surgery. No surprises - ! The breast lump was actually almost 5 cm - bigger than they thought - but not big enough to change the stage of cancer that I was/am at - Stage 2B. She removed 11 lymph nodes and only 3 were cancerous. They were the same 3 that they already knew had cancer in them! I think I've mentioned the Her2neu factor that they check for. Positive would mean faster growing and would require extra treatments, negative means just "regular" chemo. They still don't have the final results back from that.
There is also a genetic test that can be done on the cancer to see if this runs in the family. It is called a Bracha test. However, it costs $3,000 to have it done and insurance doesn't pay for it unless the patient falls into one of the following catagories;
Has cancer and is under the age of 50
Has cancer and is over the age of 50 with close relatives who have also had cancer.
Since I don't fall into either - I'm not going to have them do the test. My daughters are at a little higher risk of getting breast cancer themselves. I'm now a "history of cancer in their family". But, girls are you listening?, IF THEY HAVE REGULAR MAMMOGRAMS AND DO MONTHLY SELF EXAMS ONCE THEY TURN 40 - that will help them immensely! Actually, ALL YOU WOMEN READING THIS should be doing the same!!!!!!! :)
My sweet "laundry lady" and her lovely assistant returned my clean laundry this afternoon. This is way too much spoiling - but I so appreciate it! The Howards are doing a little shopping for me, we've got a meal coming in tonight and I've had wonderful visits and phone calls that lift my spirits and make me feel loved!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I continue to be grateful for the love Heavenly Father is sending me, for the prayers in our behalf, for my sweet and constant husband - I can't imagine trying to do this without any of them!
Talk to you soon.
Monday, April 18, 2011
The bandage is off
Well, I have mixed feelings about the bandage coming off. First of all - it feels so much BETTER! Second of all - the drains are more annoying. The sight doesn't bother me too much, but I didn't think about how my appearance will affect others. Sorry. It is obvious, so, I'm stuffing for the mean time. I seem to be more achy than I was before - I guess my body is rebelling about having to sleep in one position all night and guard my right side 24/7. BUT, the pain pills help and I'm only taking 3 or 4 per day. Kent continues to be my wonderful help in emptying the drains - bless him! Bedtime is a bit harder than other times of day - I'm tired. And thoughts of upcoming chemo make me very discouraged and afraid. I know there is much more of that kind of feeling lying ahead - I will rely heavily on your faith and prayers in addition to my own, to get me through! Time to go rest. Love you all~
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Kindnesses continue!
Well, today is Saturday, April 16 and I am continually amazed at how good I actually feel. I'm taking very little pain medication and I'm sleeping well at night! I've received visits, cards, and donated movies to watch during recovery. Lunches, dinners, treats [especially "anti" cancer ones!] have been so delicious and appreciated. Visits from my family fills my cup!
Kara, from "Sister survivors", came to visit and brought me some gifts and info on cancer. I feel I am in such good hands. Kent and I took a short walk around Nelson's Grove after dinner. It felt so good to breathe fresh air and not be laying on the couch!! :)
Tomorrow I am removing the bandage. I'm a little nervous as to how I'll REALLY feel about the surgery once I look at it. But . . . .
Kara, from "Sister survivors", came to visit and brought me some gifts and info on cancer. I feel I am in such good hands. Kent and I took a short walk around Nelson's Grove after dinner. It felt so good to breathe fresh air and not be laying on the couch!! :)
Tomorrow I am removing the bandage. I'm a little nervous as to how I'll REALLY feel about the surgery once I look at it. But . . . .
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Surgery
Well, I'm home. All went very well. The doctor was happy. She removed my right breast and several lymph nodes from under my arm. 3 were cancerous - they already knew that - and the rest looked healthy to her. The pathology tests will tell us for certain. I'm wrapped up tight and have 2 drains coming out of my right chest. Kent has learned how to take care of those until they come out. I also have a port under my left collar bone through which they will administer the chemo.
When I had my knee replacement surgery I was SO nervous going in and still get sick to my stomach when I think about going through it again. But, I felt nothing but calm and peace going into this one. I am so grateful for that!
We arrived at the Same Day Surgery at the American Fork Hospital at 9:00 am Wednesday morning. I signed in on this kiosk that works just like a wedding registry. After you check in you get this "restaurant" beeper that goes off when it is your turn. Much more efficient. I have noticed, however, that every office has you fill out lots of forms - some of them a repeat of the previous office visit. Then, when the nurse meets with you, she doesn't look at what you wrote - she just asks you the questions over again. Why don't they just fill out the forms as they ask you the questions? :):)
Even the IV insertion was the best I've ever had. She actually numbed the sight before putting in the IV. At one point there were quite a few people in the little dressing/gerny room - 2 anesthesiologists, 3 O.R. nurses and the surgeon. "How do you do?" "Nice to meet you". "See you in the O.R." Hah, I never even SAW the O.R. Next thing I know I'm waking up in recovery, in considerable pain. It didn't last too long, however - they pumped me full of morphine and took me up to my room.
Kent stayed with me until dinner time and then he went and had dinner with a good friend and I ate dinner while visiting with Becky, Sarah and the Tuomisto kids. Very fun. The rest of the evening, however, was not so fun. I got a terrible headache which eventually caused me to throw up. I waited quite a long time before a nurse could come and help me because there was a cardiac patient having lots of trouble on our floor. [If I were the cardiac patient I would want them to take care of me over some sick lady!] They did finally get me something for my headache but then the rest of the night was spent waking up to my machine or someone else's beeping, nurses coming in to take my blood pressure and check my oxygen level, trying to change some tubing on my IV that actually caused the antibiotic to pool at the sight and require another IV to be put in. Pretty typical night in the hospital. :)
Morning came, they gave me more headache medicine and restricted my breakfast intake. My sweet nurses aide gave me a bath and washed my hair. I felt 100% better from then on. I even walked up and down the hall a couple of times by myself. Best of all, I have been able to lengthen the time between pain meds because the pain isn't too bad. I continue to feel very blessed.
It is good to be home, in my own bed.
What comes next? The pathology results should be done in a few days and Dr. Tittensor [yes, that is the surgeon's name!] will call me with the results. I have an appointment with her for one week from today, at which time she will, hopefully, be able to remove one of the drains and give me some simple exercises to get the use of my right arm back. After another week or so I will meet with the oncologist and set up the next stage of treatment!
I'm looking forward to a night of no beeping, throwing up, or tests! YAY!
Love to all
When I had my knee replacement surgery I was SO nervous going in and still get sick to my stomach when I think about going through it again. But, I felt nothing but calm and peace going into this one. I am so grateful for that!
We arrived at the Same Day Surgery at the American Fork Hospital at 9:00 am Wednesday morning. I signed in on this kiosk that works just like a wedding registry. After you check in you get this "restaurant" beeper that goes off when it is your turn. Much more efficient. I have noticed, however, that every office has you fill out lots of forms - some of them a repeat of the previous office visit. Then, when the nurse meets with you, she doesn't look at what you wrote - she just asks you the questions over again. Why don't they just fill out the forms as they ask you the questions? :):)
Even the IV insertion was the best I've ever had. She actually numbed the sight before putting in the IV. At one point there were quite a few people in the little dressing/gerny room - 2 anesthesiologists, 3 O.R. nurses and the surgeon. "How do you do?" "Nice to meet you". "See you in the O.R." Hah, I never even SAW the O.R. Next thing I know I'm waking up in recovery, in considerable pain. It didn't last too long, however - they pumped me full of morphine and took me up to my room.
Kent stayed with me until dinner time and then he went and had dinner with a good friend and I ate dinner while visiting with Becky, Sarah and the Tuomisto kids. Very fun. The rest of the evening, however, was not so fun. I got a terrible headache which eventually caused me to throw up. I waited quite a long time before a nurse could come and help me because there was a cardiac patient having lots of trouble on our floor. [If I were the cardiac patient I would want them to take care of me over some sick lady!] They did finally get me something for my headache but then the rest of the night was spent waking up to my machine or someone else's beeping, nurses coming in to take my blood pressure and check my oxygen level, trying to change some tubing on my IV that actually caused the antibiotic to pool at the sight and require another IV to be put in. Pretty typical night in the hospital. :)
Morning came, they gave me more headache medicine and restricted my breakfast intake. My sweet nurses aide gave me a bath and washed my hair. I felt 100% better from then on. I even walked up and down the hall a couple of times by myself. Best of all, I have been able to lengthen the time between pain meds because the pain isn't too bad. I continue to feel very blessed.
It is good to be home, in my own bed.
What comes next? The pathology results should be done in a few days and Dr. Tittensor [yes, that is the surgeon's name!] will call me with the results. I have an appointment with her for one week from today, at which time she will, hopefully, be able to remove one of the drains and give me some simple exercises to get the use of my right arm back. After another week or so I will meet with the oncologist and set up the next stage of treatment!
I'm looking forward to a night of no beeping, throwing up, or tests! YAY!
Love to all
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