I have made it home from the hospital and am resting well. During surgery the doctor said all my lymph nodes looked good but we were waiting on a final pathology report to confirm the cancer had not spread to the nodes.
Dr. B just called me and said the lymph nodes were clear!! She also said that the right breast had seven, yes SEVEN masses. All were removed with the mastectomy. We still plan to hit treatment hard so that this monster never returns.
God is good! All the time!
It has been nearly a week since I have blogged. My week was busy but in a good way. Once getting the news that the CT scan and bone scan were clear, we prepared for surgery day.
My AMAZING mother-in-law flew in from Arkansas and helped us get the house cleaned and ready for me to come home. I cannot even begin to explain how much that means to me. I have never been the greatest housekeeper so having her come in and deep clean was a huge blessing. I know that going home to a clean home will provide less stress and a safer environment for me. On Monday, before taking her to the airport, I was asked to come to the hospital and be tested for COVID. It was the final barrier to surgery.
The test was easy. They had told me that their test didn’t require them to “poke my brain”. I have heard many stories about how painful the test is, but thankfully mine was not. They came out to the car and swabbed the inside of my nose, both sides, and that was it. Took all of about two minutes. We found out Tuesday morning it was negative and that surgery was a go!
My nerves were through the roof. Not because I didn’t trust my doctor, I completely did, but because I had never been put under general anesthesia for a lengthy amount of time before and I was scared about how my body would react. I knew that without some help, I would not sleep Tuesday night. I took a Xanax and slept for about 7 solid hours. I woke up Wednesday feeling good about what was about to happen. We had to be at the hospital at 7:30 to check-in. By 7:45 I was in my pre-op room answering a million questions associated with having surgery. I was given an IV and an EKG and was told that the surgical nurse, anesthesiologist, and a doctor would be in to speak with me before surgery. One by one they came in and explained their role in my surgery. All of them had a wonderful bedside manner. We discussed our kids and animals, which greatly diminished my stress level. I was also allowed to keep my belongings with me and was in communication with Chris and so many others while I waited.
The rest of the day is a bit foggy. Just before taking me out of pre-op, they gave me some medicine to calm me. I remember them unlocking my bed and saying we were heading to the OR but I don’t remember the hallways. I then saw several people, including Dr. B standing over me. She was holding my hand and talking to me, but I have no clue what she was saying. A mask was put on my face and the next thing I remember is waking up in recovery.
The recovery nurse said I had already been in there for about 30 minutes and that I would soon be going to my overnight room. Chris was allowed to wait in my room, which I am sure was much more comfortable for him. Pretty soon after waking up I was brought to my room. Again, I don’t remember anything but my wheels being unlocked and then entering my room and seeing Chris. What a welcome sight that was! With COVID we weren’t sure until a few days ago that he would be able to be here with me through all this.
I don’t remember much at all about the rest of the afternoon. I was brought some food and remember not being able to eat because my mouth was so dry. They did tell me that I was not required to be incubated, yay! They were able to just use a mask and something that goes under my tongue to maintain my airway during surgery. I remember getting sick one time and feeling like my body was on fire. I was so hot. Everyone else was fine, but, I was sweating to the point my bed was wet. They gave me a small fan and a cold rag for my neck and I finally started cooling off. Chris will have to fill in the blanks of the day for you. I don’t know if there is video evidence or not, but if there is I am sure you will eventually see it.
They brought in dinner and it was good! I still wasn’t super hungry so Chris finished my plate. Chris then went home to get a few things and I FaceTimed the boys. Both here so happy to see me. That smile from Eli was the best medicine. We talked for a while and I watched them play. Eli then broke my heart by full-on crying when I said those dreaded words, “Bye baby”. I had to hang up super quick so I didn’t break down.
My pain level has been low and completely manageable. I am trying to stay on top of it with my pain meds. The hardest part is not using my right arm when I get out of bed or try to rearrange myself. They are coming in every four hours to empty the surgical drain and check vitals. I was able to sleep for a good four-hour stretch. I have been awake since the 3:30 nurse visit and decided now was as good a time as any to update you.
I have not seen the doctor, but she spoke with Chris following surgery. We got GREAT news. While in surgery they checked the “gateway” lymph node for cancer and it was clear! As far as I can tell, that means she got ALL of the cancer when she removed the breast.
The plan is to go home later today. I will be on lifting restrictions until the drain comes out. That should be in 10 to 14 days. That is all the updates I have at this point. We will update again once I see the doctor this morning and we make it home. Thanks again for prayers, text, and Facebook messages. I love getting them!
This has been such a busy week. Many waiting rooms, exam rooms, and tests. I want to do a separate post with details about the test, but I will explain what my week has looked liked this far.
Monday was Labor Day. Jordan came home from college to spend the long weekend with us and it was so good for my mommy heart to have all three of my babies under one roof again. I know it’s only been a month since we moved him into school, but it feels like much longer! The weather was nice on Sunday so we made a trip to the park. This was Eli’s first real trip to a playground. Before COVID hit he wasn’t walking and a playground would have been no fun for him. In March all the parks closed and are slowly starting to reopen. This weekend provided our first real chance to go! All three boys had a blast. Jordan and Isaac showed Eli all the cool things!
Tuesday was just spent doing things around the house and helping Isaac with online schooling. He will be doing virtual while I’m undergoing treatment. Not specifically because of COVID, but germs in general. I am thankful that this year provided that option for us.
Wednesday and today had enough appointments to fill a week. Yesterday starting bright and early I went to another Texas Oncology location for my CT scan. This was to check the chest, abdomen, and pelvis for spread. After that appointment, we ate a quick breakfast (I had been fasting for the test) and came home to meet with a dear friend who would watch Eli while we went to my next set of appointments. We went to my “normal” oncology office were had three more appointments. One for an echocardiogram of the heart. The next with a financial counselor about the cost of my upcoming surgery, and the third for training on what to expect with surgery and after. Thankfully, that was it for Wednesday. This entire process from leaving early that morning to getting back home took about five hours. Not horrible, but still mentally exhausting.
This morning started much the same way. I had to go to our local hospital for a bone scan to check for any “mets” or signs that cancer had metastasized into my bones. This was a two-part process that I will go into later, but from check in to home for this scan took about five hours as well. Thankfully, not all spent at the hospital!
Because my medical team is top-notch, we already have gotten the results of everything back. All the scans are NEGATIVE! This mean monster has not spread! These results are the difference between being able to cure this cancer and only being able to treat it. We WILL cure this!
After hanging up from talking to Dr. B I was, of course, relieved. It’s the first really encouraging news we’ve heard since diagnosis. This road won’t be easy, but there is a light at the end. We can and will fight towards a complete cure!
As most know, my family is strong in our faith. Immediately after hanging up a song popped in my head and I wanted to share that song with you. In the video below, the writer explains where the song came from. The lyrics are an anthem for all of us!
“I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm. Louder and louder you’re gonna hear my praises roar. Up through the ashes, hope will arise. Death is defeated, the King is ALIVE!