Pricked, Poked, Pictured and Prodded
I got my pre-op physical today, which involved being at Johns Hopkins all day, going back and forth between floors of the outpatient building for EKGs, chest x-rays, blood drawn and a physical. I got the go ahead for surgery on Wednesday and will need to be at the hospital at 6am. In oncology I tried on wigs and was having a tough time deciding between being a brunette with lots of red highlights or a brunette with a few blonde highlights hmmm. Mark and I also met with the nurses to go over post-operative care. Pretty scary as I will be discharged with two drains coming out of my chest that have to be emptied every 4 hours the first day and twice a day thereafter. They said the drains should be removed 1 to 3 weeks after surgery. We talked about me staying one night or going home after surgery and I elected to go home. Even the nurses said I will get more sleep and be more comfortable. My parents and Mark will be here so I am sure between the three of them they can take care of me. Now I need to find big shirts to cover the drains for the next few weeks. I should be healed in about 3 to 4 weeks and ready for my next step of my journey.
Tonight my daughter and I went to the Relay for Life event. It is an all night event to raise money for the American Cancer Society. They had a survivors dinner and walk in which I participated. I was really moved by the experience and hope the whole family can participate next year.
posted by The Bolstad's @ 8:00 PM
2 Comments:
At 7:41 PM, May 20, 2006,
Seajade said…
Hi there,
I am not currently friend or family but perhaps a "comrade in arms". I was diagnosed with breast cancer in Mar 2005 at the age of 46. My cancer is ER/PR negative and Her2 positive. My sister suggested starting a blog sometime after my diagnosis. I wish that I would have started it sooner since it is a good place to go with your thoughts and also a place your friend can be in touch not only with what is going on but with your thoughts also. This last part is very important since they will change often as you go through this process.
My mastectomy was May 3, 2005 and I started chemo June 6. The protocol was Adriamycin/Cytoxin followed by Taxol - all on a dose dense (every 2 week) regimen. Chemo affects everyone differently but, in general, is pretty horrible. I approached it with the attitude that I would be different and breeze through it just as I did my surgeries. Wrong! It slammed me. It is good to see that you have support going through this but if you ever need to talk to someone who has been there, don't hesitate to visit my blog and let me know. I am more than willing to listen.
Radiation came next. My lymph nodes were negative but the main tumor was so big and there were so many of them that radiation became a necessity. This was a breeze after chemo but meant that my reconstruction was delayed another 6 months.
After chemo came herceptin - technically not chemo but a biological agent. But first, another surgery to have a mediport put in my chest since my veins were all but gone in my left arm. If you are offered this option, I strongly recommend you take it - BEFORE CHEMO. You will have so many blood tests and IVs that your arm won't know what hit it. I still have to have IVs for CT scans and MRIs and standard blood tests and it is a trauma each time with the depleted vessels in my arm.
I am now scheduled - finally - for DIEP reconstruction in June and will be blogging about it as I go along.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because of all of the wonderful people who helped me and talked to me on my way through this journey. It always helps, even in the breast cancer world, to find someone with a similar type cancer, at a similar age, going through similar type treatment. I am just passing on the sisterhood and letting you know I am here and that you can contact me or check on my blog anytime. (be forewarned - my blog is not just about cancer - there are lots of other life topics I hit there)
All the best to you,
Cathy
At 7:47 PM, May 20, 2006,
Seajade said…
Sorry. one more comment.
Save those spa days for chemo. I found that the A/C made my skin bad. Going for a facial and massage was hugely therapeutic during my good weeks and helped me face the next round of chemo. :)
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