Monday Morning Ramblings

Good Morning Cancer Support Team!
Eddy and I had a busy weekend. Friday afternoon friends dropped off dinner and dessert, which was absolutely delicious!!! Our neighbors came by to the check the possible sprinkler system leak near our property line and we did some visiting, then our friends came by with their daughter for a little more visiting. I had a glass of wine, finally! On Saturday morning Eddy and I headed over the hill to San Jose for a few hours, then back to Santa Cruz for bra shopping. I have to say Eddy is one of the best shoppers, he will help pick sizes/styles and even hold my purse without complaining (people would be stupid to give him a hard time about a purse, he is big and he can do this really scary thing with his eyes when he is mad). Three cheers for Eddy!!! I was able to do Mother's Day with my mom this year since they haven't returned to Oregon yet. Mom's daughter-in-law, Dana, put together a wonderful Sunday brunch for all of us.

Tomorrow is my post-op appointment with Dr Rose. I am hoping to get a physical therapy "prescription" from the doctor since I want full use of my right arm sooner rather than later (can only lift it to shoulder level and I REALLY want to shave my underarm!). It would also be nice to get the green light to begin exercising again.

The next appointment is on 5/20 with the medical oncologist, Dr Andrea Edwards, who is kind of the treatment "coordinator". We will go over all of my options for treatment, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, etc. The surgeon, Dr Rose, felt I would need chemotherapy due to the two tumors on the right and the positive lymph node, but we will wait to see what Dr Edwards says. I do know that radiation is part of the treatment since that is the "standard of care" for patients that have a lumpectomy.

I will keep everyone abreast (thought that was kind of funny!) on the outcome of all the appointments.
Cheryl

Good News Today!

Dr Rose just called......we have clear margins on the tumors and only one lymph node positive for cancer!!!!! Yippy! The less nodes the better in regard to chemotherapy (maybe I won't need to do it, wouldn't that just be FANTASTIC!!!!!!).

I just took off the compression bra, what a relief, I can actually take a deep breath. To keep everything in place, I will wear it at night only. Dr Rose also said to get my mobility back, I could start lifting my arm up until it hurts.

Dr Rose contacts the oncologist and radiologist about my case, then they call me to arrange appointments. I want to get the ball rolling so I can get treatments over with this year. I want 2009 to be cancer free.

On a side note, Lefty (our cat) decided to drink water out of a very full water glass next to the bed last night. Well, he ended up dumping it over on me in the middle of the night, soaking the mattress, my compression bra and part of the comforter. Bad kitty. No more glasses of water next to the bed at night, I can't move fast enough not to get wet!

I want to thank all of you for the emails, phone calls, prayers, good vibes, whatever you've been sending out....THANK YOU!

Guilty!

Guy took the DA up on their offer of 4 years in prison so we did not have to testify today....yeah! DA says he really will do two years (he already has almost seven months of that under his belt since he was arrested). What a huge relief. I was not looking forward to the whole court room thing and more waiting.

Suzanne did a wonderful job on my hair today and I even put on a little makeup. Eddy and I are going to the pet store for a very short outing, my first since getting home on Thursday.

Drain under my arm was removed today....yeah! Another piece of good news. I wish I'd been warned that it would hurt so I could have taken a pain pill before hand. Takes about 45 minutes and it is starting to kick in now....weeeeee!

Tired but stilling hanging in there!

It is amazing how a little three hour drug induced nap at the hospital and some cutting can make you so tired! Whew. When people said to take it easy, I can certainly see why now.

Woke up from surgery and saw the clock said 6:00 pm and I knew things had not gone well with the lymph nodes. Surgery was supposed to only be about two hours, but was told if we had to take out stage 1 and 2 nodes it would be around three hours. My under arm and arm did not "feel" right when I woke up and I think that is the first thing I let them know was wrong. I also woke up crying, which the nursing staff said is a normal reaction when you come out. I wanted Eddy to be with me right away and it seems like he was there pretty fast but you know when on drugs things are not always what they seem!

I was so glad to come home on Thursday....I did not want to stay in the hospital. Eddy and Lionel moved our mattress upstairs so I would not be pestered by the cats and I could watch tv when I wanted. Mom and Suzanne remade the beds and I climbed on in but did not sleep well with the very, very tight compression bra on. The bra makes taking a full breath difficult and the first night I felt I stopped breathing a lot....I am sure this was my drugged mind playing tricks on me. I also have this plastic tube coming out my side with a big plastic ball on the end, which makes sleeping or moving kind of an issue (I hope the drain comes out today!).

Visiting Nurses should be here today for a look at my incisions and vital signs. The drain should come out if all is well! Not sure how long I have to wear the bra since I do not have an actual bandage on the lumpectomy site, just glue (allergic to surgical tapes).

Signing off for today!

Recovering

Feeling okay today. A bit sore, tired and very disappointed with the removal of the lymph nodes. Not looking forward to chemo.

Thank you for all of your support, emails, voicemails, good vibes and prayers....very much appreciated.
Cheryl

Cheryl is home from surgery

Today's surgery went well from a technical stand point, but we are not thrilled with what had to happen. The lymph node system tested positive for cancer and a full lymphepctimy was neccesary. What does that mean? That means a longer recovery time from the surgery and a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. There will also be a drainage tube and bottle to collect fluid from the lymphepctimy site for a few days.

Cheryl was a trooper today, all day, and it was a long day. She repeatedly said "I just wanna go home" and I just wanted to get her home. Thank you Linda and Suzanne for being there for us at the hospital, we love you and couldn't have done it without you.

Lots of people have been calling and leaving messages and we love you for it, we'll get back with you when the pain meds wear off a little.

Eddy

Nervous Energy

My mom took me to lunch today and then we did a little shopping at the mall. I needed a couple of tops that button up the front and sweat pants. Eddy and I worked on getting our business stuff buttoned up so I won't have to do anything until Sunday. We also met with the DA regarding the break in from October. Probably won't testify on Monday but it could be Tuesday or Thursday or not at all (we will know more on Friday).

I am signing off for the evening so I can get a lot of sleep (with help from my little friend Ambien!). Eddy will post on the blog when we get home in the late evening.

Thank you all for your warm wishes and support!