Today we returned to see Dr. Whitworth for my post-op appointment. It has been two and half weeks since my second surgery and things are progressing well. We received the final pathology report that showed that the margins are clear and no further tissue will need to be taken at this time. Now that we are at this point, it is ok to begin radiation. I am scheduled to meet with my new doctor at Vanderbilt on Wednesday this week to begin the process.
According to Dr. Murphy,(my oncologist) due to the size of my tumor, I will need to have 6 weeks of radiation and the area of radiation will be larger with the lymph nodes being involved. In other words I will get two tatoos rather than one!
I also met with the physical therapist today to continue to monitor my arms for lymphodema. My arm on the side where my surgery was did not show any swelling but the left one showed a slight bit of swelling. She said this may increase once radiation begins but will be managable with a special sleeve I can wear. She was also able to give me lots of exercises to do and techniques to do to help with the pain that I have been experiencing since they cut lots of nerves in my arm during surgery.
Wednesday will be another big day and the beginning of another hurdle to jump. B3 Fighters, we ask your continued support and prayers and thank you for all the praying and supporting you have already done thus far.
It Is Finished!!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Five Days Out
It has now been 5 days out from surgery number two and I am up and moving about. I have intermitent pain associated with the different healing processes at the incision site. This is different from the last surgery as it is stabbing at times and quickly bothered by the heat of the day. An ice pack is my best friend, not to mention medicine!
My sister Barb left today to go back to Atlanta so we are back to managing life on our own. She has been a wonderful source of help and comfort for us in this time of recovery. We would have her move in, but her family back there needs her just as much so she had to hit the road this morning. She starts back to work as a clinic aid tomorrow for Fulton County schools. They are very lucky to have such a good aid! They need to have her cook for them too!
We are waiting patiently (sort of) for the pathology report that should be in sometime later this week. These results will tell us whether or not I will have to undergo another surgery if the margins are NOT clear from the surgery last Thursday. Dr. Whitworth was very "clear" the day of surgery that this past one was our "last" opportunity for NOT having to take the entire breast and if the margins are NOT clear, we will be going back for the whole thing - yikes! He did not have to take anymore nodes this time because they had already taken the sentinel node along with 4 others my first round of surgery. This explains why my armpit continually feels like it has an innertube feeling under it. Hopefully physical therapy next week will help me to deal with that side effect!
Once we have the green light on this time around, we will move forward on scheduling radiation for a 6 week period.
Continue to pray for the Lord's will in all of this and our patience as we take each day as it comes. Meantime, I can float in the pool without a problem, just a little more on the right, than the left :-). Brenda
My sister Barb left today to go back to Atlanta so we are back to managing life on our own. She has been a wonderful source of help and comfort for us in this time of recovery. We would have her move in, but her family back there needs her just as much so she had to hit the road this morning. She starts back to work as a clinic aid tomorrow for Fulton County schools. They are very lucky to have such a good aid! They need to have her cook for them too!
We are waiting patiently (sort of) for the pathology report that should be in sometime later this week. These results will tell us whether or not I will have to undergo another surgery if the margins are NOT clear from the surgery last Thursday. Dr. Whitworth was very "clear" the day of surgery that this past one was our "last" opportunity for NOT having to take the entire breast and if the margins are NOT clear, we will be going back for the whole thing - yikes! He did not have to take anymore nodes this time because they had already taken the sentinel node along with 4 others my first round of surgery. This explains why my armpit continually feels like it has an innertube feeling under it. Hopefully physical therapy next week will help me to deal with that side effect!
Once we have the green light on this time around, we will move forward on scheduling radiation for a 6 week period.
Continue to pray for the Lord's will in all of this and our patience as we take each day as it comes. Meantime, I can float in the pool without a problem, just a little more on the right, than the left :-). Brenda
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Update
"After the check-in process, prep, and speaking to the doctor and staff; surgery began just shortly before 10a.m. and finished about 45 minutes later. Dr. Whitworth was pleased with the surgery. He removed more tissue to give pathology enough to find clear margins. The lymph nodes needed no further pathology. Barb and I sat with Bren in Recovery for about another 30 minutes before being released to go home at 1:00pm. She is heavily sedated due to extreme amount of pain and is experiencing nausea as well. As of this email she has not kept down any food and is resting. Once again, we find ourselves thankful for you; our extended family who has continually offered support and encouragement. We love and appreciate you!" Nick
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Upcoming Surgery this Week
I wanted to get the blog updated before I embark upon the week ahead. Wednesday the 18th we will walk back into surgery at 7:30 a.m. Since the pathology report showed the need to take node(s) and uncovered some cells under my arm that the MRI did not, the dr will be going back in to accomplish taking what he needs to.
Are we ready for this, no would be an appropriate answer, but realistically who is. The news of all this has taken us a few steps back. We are processing it and moving forward by the grace of God.
Radiation will be postponed now for another 3 weeks if all goes well with this surgery.
I am still experiencing pain from the first surgery and some swelling so the thought of a new incision(s) is not heartwarming. We are both tired mentally and emotionally and appreciate everyones prayers and support. We will get an update to the blog as soon as we can once surgery is over on Wednesday (through Sarah.)
We ask for the B3 supporters to continue to pray.
Are we ready for this, no would be an appropriate answer, but realistically who is. The news of all this has taken us a few steps back. We are processing it and moving forward by the grace of God.
Radiation will be postponed now for another 3 weeks if all goes well with this surgery.
I am still experiencing pain from the first surgery and some swelling so the thought of a new incision(s) is not heartwarming. We are both tired mentally and emotionally and appreciate everyones prayers and support. We will get an update to the blog as soon as we can once surgery is over on Wednesday (through Sarah.)
We ask for the B3 supporters to continue to pray.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Pathology Report
In my last blog I mentioned that I would be returning to the surgeon on Monday, August 9th for my post op appointment and at that point we would get the pathology report. We got home from running errands last night and there was a message on my phone from Dr. Whitworth himself asking for me to call as he had the report and there was more work that needs to be done.
Nick and I talked to him on speaker phone and he said the margins were not clear in the report and they did find the cancer in the sentinel node so we have to go back to surgery
to get the spattered cells that remain and take the nodes. He was going to call his nurse when we hung up and have her begin to get scheduling it which will no doubt be this upcoming week. No definite time or date as of my typing this but post op appointment is no longer needed - just going straight onto surgery again.
When we hung up with him, our heads were spinning and still are. Hopefully come Monday we will know what day it will be to go back for round two of phase two all over again. I will update the blog as I know more details. THanks to all who continue to pray and send meals and support us with your friendship and just being there when we need it the most.
Brenda
Nick and I talked to him on speaker phone and he said the margins were not clear in the report and they did find the cancer in the sentinel node so we have to go back to surgery
to get the spattered cells that remain and take the nodes. He was going to call his nurse when we hung up and have her begin to get scheduling it which will no doubt be this upcoming week. No definite time or date as of my typing this but post op appointment is no longer needed - just going straight onto surgery again.
When we hung up with him, our heads were spinning and still are. Hopefully come Monday we will know what day it will be to go back for round two of phase two all over again. I will update the blog as I know more details. THanks to all who continue to pray and send meals and support us with your friendship and just being there when we need it the most.
Brenda
Monday, August 2, 2010
Surgery and Recovery
I am writing this update the Sunday after having my surgery on Thursday. I am able to lift my right arm to utilize it for limited things, but I am coming along well on this road to healing.
Surgery was Thursday, July 29th and I have been well taken care of since discharge by my honey and sister. I have been able to take the bandages off and got one shower so far. And that felt good!
Everything went well with surgery and they were able to keep from taking any lymph nodes. This allowed me to go home the day of surgery. We will have the pathology report back when I return for my post-op visit on August 9th to the surgeon.
I am still taking the pain meds, but not as often and sleep has been in whatever position I can get in and be comfortable with.
With having the partial mastectomy (lumpectomy), I did not have to have drainage tubes which makes the healing go faster. I have two pretty good size scars at this point and hopefully over time those will fade.
Onto radiation Monday August 16th where they will do the markings and I will go everyday for treatment for six consecutive weeks. I have heard the side effects are "tiredness" so I am hoping for the best when that time rolls around. Nick will have to come up with hobbies while I sleep to keep himself occupied. It would be nice to think I could go back to work at that time, but am looking to get through phase three of this journey and finish the battle in good standing. I may need reconstructive surgery after the radiation and we will cross that bridge when the time comes.
We appreciate your continued support and prayers as we plug on. I am up to visitors (short visits though) and have enjoyed seeing familiar faces and friends during this recovery time.
Brenda
Surgery was Thursday, July 29th and I have been well taken care of since discharge by my honey and sister. I have been able to take the bandages off and got one shower so far. And that felt good!
Everything went well with surgery and they were able to keep from taking any lymph nodes. This allowed me to go home the day of surgery. We will have the pathology report back when I return for my post-op visit on August 9th to the surgeon.
I am still taking the pain meds, but not as often and sleep has been in whatever position I can get in and be comfortable with.
With having the partial mastectomy (lumpectomy), I did not have to have drainage tubes which makes the healing go faster. I have two pretty good size scars at this point and hopefully over time those will fade.
Onto radiation Monday August 16th where they will do the markings and I will go everyday for treatment for six consecutive weeks. I have heard the side effects are "tiredness" so I am hoping for the best when that time rolls around. Nick will have to come up with hobbies while I sleep to keep himself occupied. It would be nice to think I could go back to work at that time, but am looking to get through phase three of this journey and finish the battle in good standing. I may need reconstructive surgery after the radiation and we will cross that bridge when the time comes.
We appreciate your continued support and prayers as we plug on. I am up to visitors (short visits though) and have enjoyed seeing familiar faces and friends during this recovery time.
Brenda
Surgery Schedule
It has been a tough few weeks with the decision making process. Seeing the Dr. and coming to a final decision on what surgery to choose has been agonizing. All of the what if's and what for's and unanswered questions were not fun. I finally came to my decision on Friday and told them to put me on the roster to schedule me. Today I received the call that my set date is Thursday, July 29th. I will have lots of pre-op appointments between now and then.
I will see the oncologist on Monday as well and he will begin his preparations for lining me up for radiation treatment once I am a few weeks out from surgery.
I feel at peace about my decision and glad that we are moving ahead and jumping another hurdle
I will see the oncologist on Monday as well and he will begin his preparations for lining me up for radiation treatment once I am a few weeks out from surgery.
I feel at peace about my decision and glad that we are moving ahead and jumping another hurdle
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
