Open in the Front

No Shit.  

I will probably always have my hospital frock open in the front...should I ever need to be gowned for something else, they'll wonder why I have it on backwards.

I had my post-op with Dr. Torstenson today.  It felt rushed.  A "break-up" I wasn't quite prepared for.  She ripped off the steri strips- it didn't hurt, but there was no warning, and told me the incisions looked good.  I asked about my armpit pain (normal), TMI ALERT: nipple sensitivity (normal), if this was going to kill me (no), and if I could drum (no- until June 15).

She went over the pathology report- 3 lymph nodes, one with 6 minis attached to it, 8mm tumor, nothing scary in the left breast, a "great" pathology report.  Stage 1A, as good as it can be!  Hooray!?!

Dr. T said that they're still waiting on my oncotype and that will help the Medical oncologist determine if I need chemo or what the course will be.  WHAT!?  I thought that door was closed.  She seemed to think it won't be needed, but gah!!!  You (and I) can learn more about this here.

She commented on my large breasts several times and the need to continue with the binder and sports bra because of my large breasts for 2 more weeks, then just a sports bra.  Here's hoping the weather stays in the low 70s with little humidity and I am motivated to eat salads, chicken breasts and fruit.

I won't see Dr. T again until January 2!  Mammogram and appointment with her.  Happy New Year! (I hope.). That's what I mean, so far she's been the only major medical player in this diagnosis, and now I won't see her again until January!  Ouch!

I forgot to ask if I could wear deodorant, so I quick emailed Katlyn. 😅. I can!  But you should still tell me if you smell me!

Jason and I brunched at the Breakfast Club, I went to Costco (there's a line to get in at 10AM-who knew!?), then to get the oil changed in Jason's car (I've been driving an electric car since 2020, and honestly, Jason does the car stuff, so it was something I haven't done in YEARS).  Then I came home, read and napped.

Next Up:

  1. June 3- Radiation Oncology- Dr. Bodine- This is the one I need to sweet talk to ensure our trip will still work.  Dr. T says radiation starts 4-8 weeks after surgery.  8 weeks will be the week we get back.  So it should be fine?  The scheduler who made my appointment made it sound like maybe we could get all of the "prep work" out of the way, and get rolling with radiation right when I return
  2. June 7- Occupational Therapist- Kendyl- she will be concerned with potential lymphedema.
  3. June 10- Medical Oncology- Dr. Schultheis- this will be who is in charge of chemo or tamoxifen.  My first Google search of Dr. Schultheis revealed that he went to med school at the American University of the Caribbean...luckily he looks more grown and professional than I was guessing. 


Popular posts from this blog

It Takes a VILLIAGE

 I just sent this email to 120 EDUCATORS.   With the subject title It Takes a Villiage.  VILLIAGE.  I. AM. MORTIFIED.  Parent Square says it updated, but you KNOW they all saw it!  For the LOVE! Hi All, This is a crummy email to write, but I wanted everyone to have the same information at the same time.  I’ve always been a pretty open book, and that’s not about to change…. Wednesday afternoon I received a Breast Cancer diagnosis.  (Mammogram August 29, Mammogram March 29, Biopsy April 8, Diagnosis April 10)  Luckily I was able to meet with a surgeon today.  Here’s what we know now:  I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 1, Nottingham grade 1, Estrogen and Progesterone: Positive, HER2: Equivical.  I don’t know what all of these things mean, but maybe you do….and I’ll learn.   My treatment (as of now) will be an MRI and Genetic testing next week (the first grade concert is going to be JUST fine).  When the tests come back (2 weeks) if the plan is the same, I will have a physical and a
Read more

FAQ 1

 Do you have family history of breast cancer?   No.  I am not aware of any blood relatives who have had breast cancer.  My mom has had 4 Melanomas in situ.  I am having genetic testing because of her melanomas and because I am under 50.  We are hoping for very. boring. test. results. Did they find this during a mammogram, or did you feel a lump? I had my yearly mammogram on August 29.  At that mammogram they saw something irregular and did an ultrasound.  They decided they'd like to look again in 6 months.  Getting things scheduled between Iowa Clinic and Mercy for the follow up was kind-of a nightmare, so 6 months became 7.  On March 29 I had another mammogram and ultra sound.  They weren't sure what they were looking at, but it was still there, so I had the biopsy on April 8.  A stereotactic biopsy, guided by mammogram.  Once I got over the fear, it was pretty fascinating.  THANK YOU SCIENCE! A little back history.  I had a breast biopsy when I was 8 weeks pregnant with Nolan
Read more

The Day Everything Changed

  4/10/24 Remember when we had to have blogs for school?  I thought the world was ending.  I’m lucky to still be employed…and how many people actually read them?  Exactly.  Bottom line….if someone would have told be that I would be blogging by choice I would have laughed in their face.  Mom says CaringBridge is for people who are dying.  I feel like I know a lot of alive people who use(d) Caring Bridge.  But I also want to be able to put things in one place so everyone knows everything and no one has to wonder, so here we are. B.C. Before Christ….did I ever use this term?  Maybe in Western Civilization at Simpson with Joe Walt?  Maybe?  I got a C.  It’s a big maybe. B.C. in 2020 that’s what I started calling the time Before Covid. B.C. as of today, April 10 at 2:55 PM, the moment my life changed.  Before Cancer. How many tears are actually in my body, because I haven’t stopped crying? Trish, the breast navigator at Mercy called and left a message to call her back at 2:30.  I called at
Read more