Surgery and recovery

It is one week post mastectomy surgery...still healing and still sleeping sitting up!  Not very fun.
There is lots of pressure and nerve pain.  To be expected.

The surgery itself went well.  They removed the tumor and eight lymph nodes.  I also had my port removed.  Then, a tissue expander was placed to start making a space for an implant (done months later).

The pathology report came back saying that the cancer in the two lymph nodes was dead and no cancer in the other six.  That is great news!  The core of the tumor wasn't effected but it had shrunk significantly.  Plus, the surgery removed the entire tumor.

I had one drain removed yesterday, which helps with the pain.  My other drain will be removed tomorrow.  Looking forward to getting that out!  The drains have been a majority of the pain.  So, I'm hoping my healing will be kicked into high gear after getting the last one out.

I'm still having a few chemo side effects but that is to be expected.

My next steps are to get my tissue expander filled to where I want to be (not much more needed actually!) and then I will start radiation once I can put my arm straight up over my head.  Thinking that will most likely start in May.

So here are a few shout outs:
My wonderful surgeons!  Dr. Lewis and Dr. Hancey...Thank You!  You are true artists.
All the nurses that cared for me in the hospital...you are angels!
My family and friends...words cannot express how much I appreciate all your tender loving care, help and generosity!

                                                           THANK YOU!

Surgery is scheduled!

Met with my oncologist and surgeon today.  According to the MRI report, the tumor has shrunk to less than half it's original size.  That is really good news!

It will be interesting to see what they find in the pathology report on the tumor after surgery.  The mass on the MRI might turn out to be 'dead' cancer cells.  That's what I am hoping for.

So, I am scheduled for my surgery - March 28th.  Next Wednesday!

The surgery will be a modified radical mastectomy (that includes axillary lymph node dissection).  Otherwise, it would be considered a simple mastectomy if the lymph nodes were not involved.  Alas, I had two that showed up positive.  But, they showed up quite a bit smaller on the follow-up MRI.

Many thanks go out to everyone that has helped in any way.  Me and my family really appreciate it.  We wouldn't be able to get through all of this without you!!!
Hugs!

A Quick UPdate!!!

As I type this I am having my last Taxol treatment!  A weight is lifting.  I might float right up to the ceiling when all the steps have been completed for my cancer treatment!

I am looking forward, now, to the next step, SURGERY.

I will have another MRI the end of next week to see how effective the chemotherapy has been.  Also another blood test to see how my blood cell counts are doing and my bone marrow and all that fun stuff.  So far my body has held up amazingly!!!  It's especially amazing because I have been having the dose dense regime (every 2 weeks instead of every 3).  Truly the result of blessings, prayers, and all of you out there putting my name in the Temple!  Thank You!!!  Words don't even express.

If all goes well with the MRI and blood test I am hoping to schedule my surgery for March 28th.
I will be having a mastectomy with sentinel lymph node dissection (but may have to have the axillary lymph node dissection - where they take all the lymph nodes on that side, well not all, but most).

So, on to recovery from this last round.  I'm hoping the neuropathy doesn't get too bad.  But, I am just so happy it's the last!!!

More to come!
Hugs to everyone...we all need them!