Prayers Answered with a Small Miracle

Yesterday we went to the breast surgeon for a follow-up appointment. She checked my surgery site and said everything looked good but mostly wanted to discuss the pathology report. She said she had already told me this information, but perhaps I had misunderstood her or maybe I was still drowsy from the anesthesia, but she said that when she opened me up to remove the tumor there was nothing there. NOTHING THERE! My 16 chemo treatments and especially my 12 doses of Herceptin had completely eradicated my cancer! She said she had never seen that before with Invasive Lobular Cancer. I was lucky because my type was HER+ which made me a candidate for Herceptin and that made all the difference. So, so exciting to hear! My lymph nodes were, obviously, also cancer-free.

I can't help but think back to telling my mom that my oncologist was recommending Herceptin as part of my treatment. My mom, whose cancer was also HER+ over 10 years ago, was so excited because she was part of the trial for the drug and told me that even back then, they were calling Herceptin a "miracle drug". Well, I can vouch for that!

I assume, for the sake of insuring that the cancer is gone and will stay away that I will still undergo radiation and continued Herceptin treatment through August, but I will post an update regarding that after talking to my oncologist. My next appointment is the 16th and at that time I will also make an introductory visit to the radiologist as well.

Again, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has prayed for me and my family and thought positive thoughts on my behalf. You are all part of the miracle. Never before in my life have I felt as loved as I do now. I seriously feel I am being virtually hugged by all of you, all day, every day. That love and support has been a HUGE part of my journey. Love to you all!

Recuperation Update

On Monday, Beni took me to the plastic surgeon's office for a follow-up. I was hoping to have all four drains removed, but the physician's assistant said that she could only remove two, seeing as the two remaining ones were still collecting a substantial amount of fluid. Hopefully this will slow down enough to get them removed next Monday. She also said that she hopes to be able to insert some more fluid into the expanders next week, too. Maybe then I'll be an A cup. This also means that taking a real shower is still out of the question for another week. Ew. In the mean time I will make the most of damp washcloth baths.

Now that I have only two drains to clean twice daily, and less soreness in my arms, I am cleaning them myself. Beni still has to help change the dressings on my incisions and around the drains. Sleeping is better than in the hospital, yet not comfortable. As a side sleeper, it is hard to get comfortable on my back, especially when I am sitting up all day and then laying flat all night. My back and butt are getting tired of always being in the same position.

This morning Beni and I went on a 15 minute walk around our block just to get some exercise and fresh air. It was awesome!

I've been spending a lot of time on Facebook and Pinterest and have found a fun new site called Polyvore where I can create outfits. Lots of time-wasters. I have tried to read Bram Stoker's Dracula for school, but cannot get into it, so I changed over to Dicken's Great Expectations which I am liking a bit better. I wish I didn't have to get those done so I could enjoy something of my own choosing, but I guess I'll have to wait for summer to do that. This time off is definitely relaxing, though.

Tomorrow we go for a follow up visit to the breast surgeon who, I assume, will discuss the pathology report with us. She already called to say that there were no traces of cancer in the lymph node they removed, but we will probably get all the details tomorrow. Stay tuned . . .

Surgery, Recovery, Hair Update and More!

I woke up at 4:30 on Tuesday morning and literally did not feel nervous at all. I really have all of you to thank for that because I really believe that is all the wonderful support and prayers that are being sent my way that is keeping me so positive and even-keeled. There were no tears - at least not on my part. Beni and I got to the hospital at 5:30 as told and I was checked in, changed into a hospital gown and put into a pre-op room. Beni joined me. He began reading The Hunger Games and I chilled and waited. At 7 a.m. I was taken to nuclear medicine where they inject something into my breast that would help the cancer show up for the surgeon as she removed it. This would also help her identify the sentinal lymph node for removal. If that node was clear, we would know the cancer hadn't spread.

After nuclear medicine I went back into pre-op and spent a little more time with Beni. I spoke to the plastic surgeon, the anesthesiologist and his assistant and my breast surgeon. It was almost 8 a.m. and they gave me a sedative and said they were going to wheel me into the O.R. Beni gave me a kiss, he turned to pick up his backpack-o-goodies-to-keep-him-fed-and-busy, and as they started to push my bed, I was out like a light. Forget the anesthesia. The sedative knocked me out for the count.

I woke up hours later in the recovery room with a very nice nurse hovering over me. I literally remember NOTHING. The only other time I have been under anesthesia I remember going into the O.R. and counting backward from 10. I do not remember leaving the pre-op room this time. The nurse told me surgery went well and that I was doing fine. I didn't feel nausea or pain, just a little discomfort in my chest, which was expected. I stayed there until about 3:30 when they took me to my room and we met Beni on the way.

One of the nice things about Central DuPage Hospital is that it has a new wing of patient rooms and no one has to share anymore. I had my own room with a giant t.v. and good nurses and techs watching out for me. I had a clear liquid dinner of chicken broth, green jello and water which stayed down just fine. Beni went home to relieve his dad and sister from babysitting duty and I went to sleep. It was a long night because sleeping for half an hour felt like I'd slept all night.

At lunch the next day, I noticed the inside of my bottom lip had a sore and that it felt funny to eat. Touching my front, top left tooth, I realized it was chipped! I figured it happened when they inserted or removed my breathing tube during surgery. I told the nurse who told me to talk to the surgeon who told me he'd talk to the anesthesiologist, but nothing ever came of that. I was discharged before I ever spoke to anyone about it. Beni came back to the hospital and hung out on Wednesday and with the nurse's help, I walked a lap around the hallway, and sat up in a chair for lunch. Beni went home to pick up the boys from school and then they came to visit in the evening. I did about three more laps in the hallway that day and was disconnected from oxygen and my I.V. drip.

I had, and still have, four tubes sticking out of my sides below my armpits for drainage with collection bulbs at the ends. These are pinned to my surgical bra. We have to drain the bulbs two to three times a day and keep track of how much fluid is coming out. We also have to change the dry dressings on the incisions daily as well. Beni has been a trooper about helping out with this! It's not totally disgusting, but not pleasant either. We are hoping that at our follow up appointment with the plastic surgeon on Monday morning, ALL of these drains will be removed. That will be a huge step in the recovery process.

The pain was never bad. For the first 24 hours I had a pain button, which I pressed as needed every 8 minutes or so, but on Wednesday, that was removed and I was given oral pain medicine every few hours. I was never in pain, but did take the meds when my chest felt sore and tight.

On Thursday morning, I walked some more around the halls and by the time Beni arrived I was ready to be sent home. The nurse showed us how to change the dressings on the incisions and how to empty the drains and we were off! Just being at home has been tremendous in the recovery process! Sitting on my own furniture and laying in my own bed - without constantly being interrupted every few hours is just what the doctor ordered. I feel much better every day.

Beni has been a fantastic nurse and caregiver! All I have to do is ask for something and there it is and he follow's the nurses orders for caring for me perfectly! Unfortunately, on Friday, my first full day home, we got a call from the school nurse that Frankie had thrown up. He came home and was shaking like a leaf. Beni covered him and he was asleep instantly. When he awoke, he complained that his chest hurt. Later, he had the same complaint so we called his pediatrician who instructed Beni to take him to the ER. Poor Beni, going to the hospital, yet again, and I could do nothing to help. After x-rays, it seems Frankie has a slight case of pneumonia. They sent him home with a shot of antibiotics and a prescription and we have to take him the doctor on Monday or Tuesday. When it rains, it pours. On the bright side, we did also get good news that day. My breast surgeon called with the pathology report results and ALL of the cancer was removed. No residual cancer cells were found in the removed lymph node. Hooray!

My hair is growing on the back and sides, but sadly, the front is still shy. I seriously hope that I did not get a receding hairline during my cancer treatment. I surely didn't have one before this all started. Here are the latest pics:

I think I may see some eyelash stubble growing out, but I may just be overly hopeful. I am hoping that by the time I am ready to head back to work, the hair on the top front will be filled in more so that I can go wig-less and perhaps color it brown again.

I'm sure I am forgetting some funny story, or detail, but I will add more as they come back to me. Here is one to leave off with. As a teacher, my colleagues and I are always laughing about "creatively" spelled names. Well, on the white board in my room was this word - Neondraye. I kept looking at it and thinking it was one of the meds I was on or something, until one of the techs helping me answered her cell phone and said, "This is Neondraye." Ooh! Another one to add to the list!