Tons to Talk About

Hello!

I wasn't aware how much time had passed since I've updated.  I haven't even been aware of just how much time has passed at all!  I guess post-op and pain meds can do that to a person.  So prepare for a long post...

Most important thing 1st - Pathology report is ALL clear!  No signs of cancer!!!  Yay! Hooray! Thank God! Yippee!!!  :0) 

Breaking free of the hospital - I was released from the hospital last Tuesday.  They truly did take such good care of me there but once I was weaned off the morphine, out the door I was booted and boy was I thankful!  I've been sleeping well, taking all my meds on a regular schedule and otherwise am being treated very lovingly by my at home team.  Thanks Mom, Dad & Will!!!

On the Mend - I am continuing to heal well.  Everyday truly does make such a difference.  I am in less pain and have just been able to reduce the Vicodin and rely more on the Motrin.  With that said, I am more alert and mobile.  Now is the really tough part - not to forget that I can not use my left arm at all and that I am not allowed to pick up more than 5 pounds.  Easier to do while you are sleeping the better portion of the day.  

Next Steps - I still have 2 of the initial 4  drains left.  Both are in my abdomen and I can feel that at least 1 of them is running through my stomach muscle (or lack thereof!).  1 was removed before my discharge and the 2nd chest drain was removed last week at follow up.  These remaining 2 may just end up coming out this week, prior to my next scheduled appoint which is on the 2nd of September.  I am on convalescent leave (military time to heal) and will be until the 14th of September.  

Visitors - Visitors are welcome.  I've remained pretty housebound but am hoping that will decrease as does the pain and need for Vicodin every 6 hours.  I do get out to walk but leave walking Honey to Will & my dad.  ;0)

Livestrong Challenge - Will, Kendra & Aaron participated in the Livestrong Challenge in Philadelphia on Sunday in my honor.  They each cycled 70 miles, much of it through oppressive heat and hilly terrain.  I am SO proud of them!!! Congrats and thank you VERY much!  The Livestrong Foundation, founded by Lance Armstrong, does an enormous amount to support cancer survivors & family members as well as bringing the need for a cure before our nation's leaders.  It is an awesome organization.  Check it out if you get a chance.  

That just about wraps it up!

Ta-Ta for now!

Today's Update

Ow! Lots of pain today, mostly in the belly but also in my back & hips from being in bed for far too long the past several days. I am up & about, walking pretty regularly and sitting in chairs almost as much as in the bed.

I have been blessed with so many visitors, beautiful cards, brightly colored balloons and lots & lots of goodies arriving in baskets.

I'm a bit irritable and the way the computer is positioned tonight is really making typing difficult so I won't write for long. I hate whining and/or complaining and even more so when I do it in writing.

Until next time...

From Tum-Tum to Ta-Ta

Yay!!! From tum-tum to ta-ta I am doing SO good! Yes, I am blogging on Day 2! I even checked out Facebook and GMail on Day 1! :0)

So today has been very busy. It started off with my surgeons checking out my sites this morning and removing the dressing from the tummy portion - the lower tummy portion that is. There are no other words to describe my surgeon's immediate reaction other than sheer delight and excitement. He is so pleased with his work and so very pleased at how my body is reacting and healing. He admitted that he had some concern about a particular area not surviving but he truly was pleasantly surprised after looking at it again today. I'm not out of the woods yet with that area but tomorrow (Sunday) should be the telling point. However, I will still have to stay in the hospital until at least Tuesday, maybe Wednesday. For the most part I don't mind, they are taking exceptional care of me.

The plan for the day included decreasing the amount of meds I had been receiving through my epidural so that it could be removed by afternoon. Once the epidural was out and I regained feeling in and use of my legs, this would then allow the folley catheter to be removed. That in itself is reason for great celebration! I used the potty all by myself ('cept for the nurse of course!) just like a big girl again!

And while walking I walked farther than just to the bathroom. With great assistance and while maintaining what would appear to be an uncomfortable bend at my waist, I managed to walk through the Ward a bit.

OK - after a day like I just described having, I need to get some rest!

Ta-Ta For Now!

TIC-TOC TA-TA

The recliner has been moved to the bedroom, the tray table sits next to it, a basket of magazines lay under the table, and another basket full of goodies sits next to that. My bag is packed with sleeveless, button up jammies for when I can wear them, snacks for when I can eat them and things to help pass the time when I'm not sleeping. The clock is ticking, the alarm set, just in case I do fall asleep. Will is still at work, trying to make up for the lost office time he will face over the next couple of days. We leave for the hospital in 3 hours and 30 minutes. Maybe I should be sleeping, but I rationalize that I will get plenty of ZZZ's in a few more hours during the 8 hour surgery, plus recovery time.

TIC-TOC TA-TA

My tummy. Well, not really. Not at all actually. Trust me, mine does not look nearly as cute or as lovable as this one...at least not right now. I am healing well from the delay surgery and soon there will be no more of a delay. The procedure is in 4 days, and yes, I am counting down. Last Thursday night I said to my self, this is the last Thursday night that I will ever have this breast.

I am not nervous about my surgery - I am afraid of it. More specifically, I am afraid of the degree of pain it will cause me to be in and for the length of time I will suffer from it. I have been receiving countless pep talks, and I appreciate each and every one of them, but the fear is still within me.

I have been told that I've been through worse, and to remember that, but honestly, I can't recall ever having been through worse. I know that I experienced chemotherapy, radiation, and numerous surgeries. I imagine that I will always remember those days very vividly. But what I can't remember is when did I go through worse than what I am about to endure? When did I ever have a part of my body cut off and removed?

Actually, the mastectomy itself, the removal of my breast tissue, will not be the painful part. What will be the painful part is the reconstruction - the removal of the majority of my abdomen and the cutting of at least 2 stomach muscles to tunnel it to the transplant location where it will be skillfully created into my new breast.

Yes, I am a tough cookie. Yes, I am a warrior. Yes, I am strong. I am a quick healer and a good patient. And yes, I am all those other positive things that I am being reminded of. But yes, I am still frightened.