Last night I went to sleep with a ton of anxiety. I seem to be more "on edge" the night before treatment. Like a good girl, I took my xanax, ambien, and had a nice long relaxing bath. I worked almost 12 hours yesterday so that today and tomorrow I could fully take andvantage of our guest bedroom and pretend to be staying in a hotel. My parents are keeping both Addison and Austin and I plan to do nothing but relax for 2 days. I can't be without my energy for as long as I was last time.
I arrived to the Infusion Room and took my seat next to the window. They hooked me up through my port and the meds have begun. I decided that right now would be a good time to catch all of you up and to put my recent feelings down. I opened my computer and caught a glimpse of my reflection. Needles and wires and the tower of medicine next me shocked me for a short second. I'm still having trouble making this a reality.
There are about 20 other people having a treatment at the same time. One lady across from me is wearing a bright pink baseball hat with rhinestones. I assume she has breast cancer and is a proud survivor. Another is paying her bills and bitching to herself - something about Medicaid. A man is next to me visiting with his wife over a salad and another woman just walked in with a purple bandana and a pink shirt that says PEACE on it. I just watched someone get "accessed" thru their port and their drugs have started. I can't help but wonder what type of cancer everyon has. Some look like they will be here all day with the amount of stuff they brought with them. The woman in the pink rhinestone hat just fell asleep - she looks so peaceful and comfortable. There are about 8 nurses moving from patient to patient handing out crackers, checking the medicine bags, and comfort levels. I am sitting eavesdropping and listening to my medicine trickle through my body. I'm the nosey one ...
Doug just left to go grab us some lunch and a HUGE Iced Tea. I would do just about anything for an iced tea right about now. When he left I tuned into a MTV and found 16 and Pregnant. I turned it off after my Infusion Nurse, Pat, came over and made some silly jokes about how ridiculous that show is. We talked about how I don't feel as guilty watching crap like that here as I would at home. Pat just gave me her life story in a nutshell. She and her "partner" Susan have a 14 yr old son. She was the pregnant one and her partner adopted him. They love costa rica and will eventually retire there once their son goes away to College. Pat has been my favorite Infusion Nurse so far!
2 weeks ago I received a gift card from my VERY special friends. It was a gift card to Top This. Thank you to ALL of you that contributed!! My doctor just released me for an Oncology massage so I'll be scheduling that there very soon!
I turned off my phone today and put an auto responder on my email. I plan to do a little work but just the minimum today and tomorrow. If you are looking for me, know that i'm o.k - just want some time to rest. I'm pretty sure Aunt Kay is dropping off another delicious dinner tonight. I can't wait to see what it is - everything she makes is awesome!
My salad, fruit and more importantly my ICE TEA is here! Later .....
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
RAISING Awareness for Breast Cancer
It was only a matter of time before my wheels started turning on ways to help OTHER young women and mothers experiencing this horrible phase that some unfortunately encounter in their lifetime. I've decided that it is my obligation to help raise the awareness for breast cancer and I am going to fight like hell for the rest of my life until we are all AWARE!
definition Awareness: having knowledge of
SO many women are affected by Breast Cancer - (and all other Cancers - this one just happens to hit home with me). I hear a small voice telling me to educate, speak about IT, stand strong, be a friend and rock to someone who needs it, and more than anything to be a Survivor. When I'm done with my treatments and my energy levels come back and I return to the "old Mindy", I will be all over the place trying to help others in this situation. This is a down right scary time and I want to give back by educating and raising awareness.
I have read TONS of books from Crazy Sexy Cancer, Stand By Her, Dr Susan Love's The Breast Book, and every piece of literature and pamphlet thrown my way. I have researched, compared my notes from my surgeons, and changed our way of living. This will be shocking to most because you probably know that never, in my adult years, would I have ever picked up any reading material that didn't say "US Weekly or People". But I feel a NEED to know EVERYTHING about breast cancer.
Here are some Very Scary but REAL Statistics, but because of my new found obsession I felt the need to include these here:
* One in 8 women will get breast cancer in her lifetime
* Breast Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54
* 70% of breast cancer occur in women without a family history of the disease
* There are more than 250,000 women UNDER the age of 40 and currently living with breast cancer
* Breast Cancer in women under 50 is more agressive and virulent
* The five year survival rate for young women with Breast Cancer is 83%
On a different note - but still the same .... My treatment was last week (Tuesday). The days following were terrible. I was sick, tired, and I had a near fainting spell at Waterloo on Saturday from the heat. I napped often and was in bed by 7pm most nights. I caught myself thinking: "If I go to bed now then I'll get to the next day much sooner and start feeling a little better". I've never considered myself as lame or boring, but that's me right now. I'm finally feeling better and have some energy back. My treadmill is calling my name! I guess its safe to assume that my treatment weeks are going to be tough. Day 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 SUCK. I've got 2 weeks of goodness until my next one. Got so much to do!!
definition Awareness: having knowledge of
SO many women are affected by Breast Cancer - (and all other Cancers - this one just happens to hit home with me). I hear a small voice telling me to educate, speak about IT, stand strong, be a friend and rock to someone who needs it, and more than anything to be a Survivor. When I'm done with my treatments and my energy levels come back and I return to the "old Mindy", I will be all over the place trying to help others in this situation. This is a down right scary time and I want to give back by educating and raising awareness.
I have read TONS of books from Crazy Sexy Cancer, Stand By Her, Dr Susan Love's The Breast Book, and every piece of literature and pamphlet thrown my way. I have researched, compared my notes from my surgeons, and changed our way of living. This will be shocking to most because you probably know that never, in my adult years, would I have ever picked up any reading material that didn't say "US Weekly or People". But I feel a NEED to know EVERYTHING about breast cancer.
Here are some Very Scary but REAL Statistics, but because of my new found obsession I felt the need to include these here:
* One in 8 women will get breast cancer in her lifetime
* Breast Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54
* 70% of breast cancer occur in women without a family history of the disease
* There are more than 250,000 women UNDER the age of 40 and currently living with breast cancer
* Breast Cancer in women under 50 is more agressive and virulent
* The five year survival rate for young women with Breast Cancer is 83%
On a different note - but still the same .... My treatment was last week (Tuesday). The days following were terrible. I was sick, tired, and I had a near fainting spell at Waterloo on Saturday from the heat. I napped often and was in bed by 7pm most nights. I caught myself thinking: "If I go to bed now then I'll get to the next day much sooner and start feeling a little better". I've never considered myself as lame or boring, but that's me right now. I'm finally feeling better and have some energy back. My treadmill is calling my name! I guess its safe to assume that my treatment weeks are going to be tough. Day 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 SUCK. I've got 2 weeks of goodness until my next one. Got so much to do!!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Chemo Treatment - Day 3
My treatment on Tuesday went well. I saw my Oncologist first who I had remind me why we are doing this again. I guess there is still that thought of "did someone switch my lab results? did someone have a mix up in the radiologist department? Was someone tampering with my slides?" So she reminded me and again used the word "CURED" with me. So, I'm happy to report that my doctor says they are very optimistic about me being CURED from breast cancer - AFTER chemo.
Well hell, chemo down right SUCKS! I've had allergies, I've had the flu, I've had a cold, I've been pregnant, and I've given birth. This tops it! I'm helpless and doing everyhting I can to stay focused on my day to day activities. Kids in and out of the house, in and out of school, to and from baseball games and practices, and still trying to help run a business and keep my work from piling up on top of me.
My social life has gotten more and more complicated as well. I love all of my friends and I love to see them. I just feel so damned embarassed and tired and definitely not myself. The chemo kills not only the bad cells, but it kills the good ones too. It's doing a pretty big job and I can only concentrate on getting my body back to recovery before my next chemo blast hits me. If my white blood cells aren't back to normal by the next round, they will put it off - SO it is in my very BEST interest to rest and relax my body and bring it back to (somewhat) normal. And now I know it does a little more on me each time.
This past session on Tuesday left me a little nauceous. I'm at Day 3 from my treatment. I have the world's weakest stomach already and the queasiest little feeling has me thinking I am dying. Not to be a complete hypocondriac, but my stomach is a very sensitive one. This will come to a suprise to most and just so you knwo that I am not in my right sorts - Wine sounds terrible to me. Hopefully this is temporary :)
I have 2 more sessions of this coctail to go. One on April 26 and the next on May 17th. I have heard from my doctors that the mix I am on is more potent than the next 3 months. Beginning in May 24th I will begin to go to every week but apparently that isn't nearly as brutal as this one. Beginning May 24th I will have 12 weekly sessions and then I'm done! I can't wait long enough for August to roll around.
that's it for now - Mom's on her way over to help out while I drift off for a nap. Thanks MOM!
Well hell, chemo down right SUCKS! I've had allergies, I've had the flu, I've had a cold, I've been pregnant, and I've given birth. This tops it! I'm helpless and doing everyhting I can to stay focused on my day to day activities. Kids in and out of the house, in and out of school, to and from baseball games and practices, and still trying to help run a business and keep my work from piling up on top of me.
My social life has gotten more and more complicated as well. I love all of my friends and I love to see them. I just feel so damned embarassed and tired and definitely not myself. The chemo kills not only the bad cells, but it kills the good ones too. It's doing a pretty big job and I can only concentrate on getting my body back to recovery before my next chemo blast hits me. If my white blood cells aren't back to normal by the next round, they will put it off - SO it is in my very BEST interest to rest and relax my body and bring it back to (somewhat) normal. And now I know it does a little more on me each time.
This past session on Tuesday left me a little nauceous. I'm at Day 3 from my treatment. I have the world's weakest stomach already and the queasiest little feeling has me thinking I am dying. Not to be a complete hypocondriac, but my stomach is a very sensitive one. This will come to a suprise to most and just so you knwo that I am not in my right sorts - Wine sounds terrible to me. Hopefully this is temporary :)
I have 2 more sessions of this coctail to go. One on April 26 and the next on May 17th. I have heard from my doctors that the mix I am on is more potent than the next 3 months. Beginning in May 24th I will begin to go to every week but apparently that isn't nearly as brutal as this one. Beginning May 24th I will have 12 weekly sessions and then I'm done! I can't wait long enough for August to roll around.
that's it for now - Mom's on her way over to help out while I drift off for a nap. Thanks MOM!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Update and Chemo Therapy
It's been a while since I have updated my process... I'll go back about a few weeks ago. So much has happened and I wish I had been updating daily so that I wasn't stuck trying to remember.
Let's recap - on Jan 21st I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. On Feb 16th I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction. My healing began and I THOUGHT that was it! Two weeks after my surgery, my lab results of the tumor were in. An Oncotype test determined that the genes in that little annoying tumor were "agressive" and Chemo Therapy was recommended. I went in for another surgery (while still healing from the intial one) to get a Portacath put in. It was outpatient surgery and I think I was out for only 30 min.
The Portacath (also called a "port") was placed in my under my skin on my chest near my right shoulder. It was pretty uncomfortable. It will stay there until chemo is complete and will have to be surgically removed. So - this is where the TOXINS (or "Chemo") are administered. The Port has a cathether that goes under my collar bone then takes a dive towards my heart. From there the toxins are pumped to my entire body in an effort to kill any last cancer cells (if any). I have attached a picture of what the Port looks like - Yes, it is purple...
Let's recap - on Jan 21st I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. On Feb 16th I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction. My healing began and I THOUGHT that was it! Two weeks after my surgery, my lab results of the tumor were in. An Oncotype test determined that the genes in that little annoying tumor were "agressive" and Chemo Therapy was recommended. I went in for another surgery (while still healing from the intial one) to get a Portacath put in. It was outpatient surgery and I think I was out for only 30 min.
The Portacath (also called a "port") was placed in my under my skin on my chest near my right shoulder. It was pretty uncomfortable. It will stay there until chemo is complete and will have to be surgically removed. So - this is where the TOXINS (or "Chemo") are administered. The Port has a cathether that goes under my collar bone then takes a dive towards my heart. From there the toxins are pumped to my entire body in an effort to kill any last cancer cells (if any). I have attached a picture of what the Port looks like - Yes, it is purple...
My initial reaction to hearing "we recommend chemo" was devastating. I thought hearing "you have cancer" was bad... That was nothing compared to these words!
I had Chemo Class on Thurs, March 10th. I was in a room with 4 other families. One person from each family was in my same boat - but all with a different cancer and at a different stage. I was told my treatments were going to be the shortest of the group's. My treatments will last from 2 to 3 hours each time. My schedule was also a lot different from those others. Needless to say, i was the youngest one in there and bawled my eyes out thru the entire informational session. I felt like a complete basket case - these other people just "took" the news as if they expected this. I, on the otherhand, felt like I had been given a death sentence and was having a hard time accepting this news.
My sessions are every 21 days for the first 3 months. the Second 3 months my chemo treatments will be every week! That's a total of 16 sessions and 6 months of this shit. I'll celebrate my last day of Chemo sometime in August.
In the class, at my first Oncologist appt, and at my first Chemo Treatment i was told (3 times) that one of the side effects is losing my hair along with extreme fatigue. I guess the doctors and nurses felt like I was ignoring this statement and I needed to be told again and again. This has been the hardest of all and this is why I felt a need for a Private Blog. From here on, it's raw emotion. I knew when Chemo was suggested that this was going to happen and thats why it was so disbturbing to me to hear it.
My first chemo session was on Tuesday, March 15th. It lasted almost 4 hours. First I saw my Oncologist who reminded me everything would be o.k. and that the reason we are going this route is because she believes I'll be CURED when this is over. The nurse came in, found my port and stuck a needle through my chest and into the rubbery part of the port. Then the Toxins came. It was actually pretty comfortable. There's WIFI so Doug plugged away on his email and I sat in a reclyner with my new IPAD given by Tina and Rick with my soft pink fuzzy blanket from Timberli. There are tvs, snacks, and drinks, and about 20 other people getting some sort of the chemo coctail also. it wasn't so bad and I have to admit, I think I handled it like a champ!
I was told to get rid of my hair so that I didn't have to deal with losing it on its own. Apparently that is more overwhelming to most women. I was also told that because of the type of person I am - in control most of the time that I would want to be in control of THIS as much as possible.
My hair has always been part of me ... I know it doesn't "define" me, but it is part of me. It wasn't the best - long, blonde, thin, and most of the time unmanageable but IT WAS MINE and I could do what I wanted to with it!! I put away my blow dryer, my straightener, and my fancy hair products. My poney tail holders now belong to Addison. It felt as if something or someone had died leading up to my buzz cut. I mourned like I had never mourned before and I cried like nothing else.
This will sound funny and ridiculous to some, but I don't care ... Losing my real breasts was not nearly as upsetting as losing my hair. It's different for everyone and for me this was the most miserable point in my life! I told Doug that I had never been this sad before and even when I say it (or write) it now, it brings tears to my eyes.
Cutting my hair happened last Wednesday, March 23. It doesn't seem that long ago but it feels lieke an eternity to me. That day will forever be a day etched in my brain. I'll always remember the Journey song playing, I'll remember looking in the mirror and taking that deep breath before building up the courage to say"I'm Ready" and I'll remember the champagne Doug and I drank silently with tears in our eyes.
I have new hair now, obviously it's not mine. It's darker but the same length. It's heavy and thick but manageable. It's actually a ton easier than using the Root Booster, a blow dryer, and flat iron. I thought I would never go outside of my house once I got to this point - BUT I have shocked the shit out of myself and apparently my mom as well. The next day I put on my hair, played with it for a bit, and mustered up enough courage to go to Austin's first baseball game of the season. I was glad I did - Austin was the first batter of the night and hit a ball up past Center Field and scored a Home Run. Moments like those make my hair issues seem minor.
I've got one session down and another one coming up on Tuesday. After that, I'll have 14 more to go. Positive thinking!! I have never wanted time to pass so quickly as I do now. I look forward to every summer but this is definitely not one of them. This is going to be a tough year but I am determined to get through it without letting IT get the best of me.
Sometimes I feel defeated, humiliated, and exhausted. When those thoughts arrive I quickly rearrange them into thinking about how incredibly lucky I am that I found my breast cancer and that we moved quickly. I think about all of the choices I have had through out the last few months and realize that I have no regrets. I refocus on the positives and the overwhelming amount of support I have received.
BIG HUGS - MINDY
Monday, March 28, 2011
Privacy
Thank you to all of you reading my blog and wanting to keep up with my appts, my feelings, and my everyday life. Recently I entered into another realm of my cancer treatment. This is an extremely emotional and private time for me and my family. I would like to update my blog to keep you informed on what's going on - my phone has been crazy and I aplogize for the non returned phone calls. I have received them and appreciate it.
Beginning this week, my blog will be changed to "PRIVATE". If you would like to continue reading my blog, please send an email to mbyron@rmx360.com and include your email address. I'll add you to my list. Again, its a privacy thing. Believe me, as much as I want to be of "Hollywood Status" I do want keep this part of my treatment on the low :)
Thanks for understanding...
Beginning this week, my blog will be changed to "PRIVATE". If you would like to continue reading my blog, please send an email to mbyron@rmx360.com and include your email address. I'll add you to my list. Again, its a privacy thing. Believe me, as much as I want to be of "Hollywood Status" I do want keep this part of my treatment on the low :)
Thanks for understanding...
Saturday, March 5, 2011
New Information ...
So much has gone on and set in the last few days... I'm going to try to be as organized with this blog as possible. Afterall, the blog is for me and my closests and if you know ME it'll be understood.
The surgery recovery has taken longer than I anticipated. I'm healthy and energetic and outgoing. I thought for sure I would "pop"right back into place. I also thought a week of Lifetime Movies, 90210 reruns, and DrByron pampering me would be exciting. However, it's been miserable. I don't ask for help ... much. I'm originally a FARBER and now a BYRON and both of those mean INDEPENDENT! Two independents mean that you will do everything in your power to not ask for help. Not being able to drive to grocery shop, drop kids off at school, and run errands is difficult. So I am doing the best I can while continuing to feel helpless.
Last Wednesday I had an appt with my Oncologist. More bad news - My breast tissue and tumor have been tested and run through pathology. Test results have arrived. It turns out that my type of tumor had very aggressive genes and puts me at a high risk for recurrence. I thought for sure I was out of the woods and was cancer free. Unfortunately my oncologist has suggested a more severe treatment. Its hard for me to say the type of treatment although you all probably know exactly what I am expecting. My treatment will begin in the next 2 weeks. It's too hard for me to say or put out there right now. It's still new to me and very difficult to accept so I hope that if you are reading this you are a dear friend of mine and will respect my wishes on the privacy front.
Also on Wednesday, I had a phone call from a close friend of mine. Her dr found a lump in her breast. She'll be 35 this month. Her drs are very optimistic that it's a cystic thing rather than a "mass". She'll find out more next week. Please keep her in your thoughts. I'm thinking about her daily and hoping and praying that she will not have to endure the pain of a biopsy or anything more severe.
My sister in law Alison from Boston arrived on Wednesday to help out. She's been a tremendous help with house work, organization with all paperwork we have collected, and laundry. She leaves to go home today but hopefully we will see her again very soon.
This past Friday I was relieved of my surgical drains. YAYY!! Those were a complete nuisance. I finally feel somewhat human again. Tina is picking me up - since I can't drive a car yet because of sore muscles and pain meds. We are going to the mall - shopping withdrawals and buying something for myself seems very therapeutic right now.
Also on Friday I had a Echocardiogram. That's a sonogram of the heart. My heart's chambers and size was looked at to make sure I am up for the new treatment. My heart is healthy although it hurts. I was stuck with more needles and more IVs and had to have a CT Scan to check my liver, lungs, kidneys, and other important organs. They want to double check to make sure that everything is very healthy.
I have been scheduled for another small surgery this Monday. The surgery will last an hour at the most and I'll be home by Monday afternoon. This surgery is in preparation for my upcoming treatment. It'll make my treatment more manageable.
I appreciate all of the dinners arriving daily! Everything has been so delicious and very appreciated. I'm pretty sure we are going to add more to the calendar for just 2 days a week for the next 6 months as that is how long my additional treatments will last.
Off to do a little shopping and take Addison to Katelyn's b-day party. Nothing can warm your heart like watching a bunch of crazy toddlers run wild.
The surgery recovery has taken longer than I anticipated. I'm healthy and energetic and outgoing. I thought for sure I would "pop"right back into place. I also thought a week of Lifetime Movies, 90210 reruns, and DrByron pampering me would be exciting. However, it's been miserable. I don't ask for help ... much. I'm originally a FARBER and now a BYRON and both of those mean INDEPENDENT! Two independents mean that you will do everything in your power to not ask for help. Not being able to drive to grocery shop, drop kids off at school, and run errands is difficult. So I am doing the best I can while continuing to feel helpless.
Last Wednesday I had an appt with my Oncologist. More bad news - My breast tissue and tumor have been tested and run through pathology. Test results have arrived. It turns out that my type of tumor had very aggressive genes and puts me at a high risk for recurrence. I thought for sure I was out of the woods and was cancer free. Unfortunately my oncologist has suggested a more severe treatment. Its hard for me to say the type of treatment although you all probably know exactly what I am expecting. My treatment will begin in the next 2 weeks. It's too hard for me to say or put out there right now. It's still new to me and very difficult to accept so I hope that if you are reading this you are a dear friend of mine and will respect my wishes on the privacy front.
Also on Wednesday, I had a phone call from a close friend of mine. Her dr found a lump in her breast. She'll be 35 this month. Her drs are very optimistic that it's a cystic thing rather than a "mass". She'll find out more next week. Please keep her in your thoughts. I'm thinking about her daily and hoping and praying that she will not have to endure the pain of a biopsy or anything more severe.
My sister in law Alison from Boston arrived on Wednesday to help out. She's been a tremendous help with house work, organization with all paperwork we have collected, and laundry. She leaves to go home today but hopefully we will see her again very soon.
This past Friday I was relieved of my surgical drains. YAYY!! Those were a complete nuisance. I finally feel somewhat human again. Tina is picking me up - since I can't drive a car yet because of sore muscles and pain meds. We are going to the mall - shopping withdrawals and buying something for myself seems very therapeutic right now.
Also on Friday I had a Echocardiogram. That's a sonogram of the heart. My heart's chambers and size was looked at to make sure I am up for the new treatment. My heart is healthy although it hurts. I was stuck with more needles and more IVs and had to have a CT Scan to check my liver, lungs, kidneys, and other important organs. They want to double check to make sure that everything is very healthy.
I have been scheduled for another small surgery this Monday. The surgery will last an hour at the most and I'll be home by Monday afternoon. This surgery is in preparation for my upcoming treatment. It'll make my treatment more manageable.
I appreciate all of the dinners arriving daily! Everything has been so delicious and very appreciated. I'm pretty sure we are going to add more to the calendar for just 2 days a week for the next 6 months as that is how long my additional treatments will last.
Off to do a little shopping and take Addison to Katelyn's b-day party. Nothing can warm your heart like watching a bunch of crazy toddlers run wild.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Post Surgery - February 28
Post Surgery - It's been almost 2 weeks since my surgery. It's been a painful recovery - physically and emotionally. Doug (who we will call Dr Byron) has taken such good care of me and even sets his alarm to give me my pain meds so that we stay on top of them. He created this handy spreadsheet that lists all of my meds along with doses and times. It's even on a clip board! Dr Byron has been awesome even while he is behind on SO much sleep!!
Seton Hospital was wonderful! The delivery people said I had the most flowers of anyone there. My room was FILLED with beautiful flowers, balloons, and magazines - Thank you to all of you! My nurses were very friendly - even the guy I chewed out after I arrived to my room post surgery. Poor guy - he was there to make sure I got in o.k and all I could do was bitch about how my room wasn't big enough :) David ended up pulling some strings and got me into a suite but I was already too comfortable in my room and the thought of how painful moving would be kept me there. I aplogized to my nurse when we left - luckily, he understood.
Recovery is going well and I am moving right on track. Lots have asked about chemo, radiation and further treatment. These are all things I am continuing to educate myself about. My appt with my Oncologist is on Wednesday so I'll know more then. I am hoping and praying that minimal treatment is needed - afterall, the malignant tumor was taken with "wide clear margins and there was no lymphnode involvement". Those are great words!!
I have so many people in my life to be thankful for. Thank you Mom and David for taking such good care of the kiddos. Thank you Tina for being such a fantastic organizer and sending updates during my surgery and letting me borrow your IPAD. And thanks to the IPAD - I am now addicted to Scrabble. Thank you to ALL of our wonderful friends and family members that have sent flowers and gifts, brought lunches and dinners and cookies, and have called and emailed to check up on me!
I've already gained 4 lbs since this thing started. I cant WAIT to get back to the courts with my tennis coaches and tennis friends. Unfortunately, I still have a while before that can happen. My muscles have been tampered with and its possible that I will need some help with getting my strength back. Tennis has always been a great stress reliever for me and I am used to playing 4 times a week! Soon enough, soon enough!!
Today is already the last day of the month! Where did February go? I have so much work to do and unfortunately time doesn't stop or slow down because you are down. Everything moves right along and it seems to move even faster when you aren't prepared. All I can do is what I can do... everything else will have to wait its turn. You've heard "don't sweat the small stuff" and I've never really been able to relate ... till now.
Seton Hospital was wonderful! The delivery people said I had the most flowers of anyone there. My room was FILLED with beautiful flowers, balloons, and magazines - Thank you to all of you! My nurses were very friendly - even the guy I chewed out after I arrived to my room post surgery. Poor guy - he was there to make sure I got in o.k and all I could do was bitch about how my room wasn't big enough :) David ended up pulling some strings and got me into a suite but I was already too comfortable in my room and the thought of how painful moving would be kept me there. I aplogized to my nurse when we left - luckily, he understood.
Recovery is going well and I am moving right on track. Lots have asked about chemo, radiation and further treatment. These are all things I am continuing to educate myself about. My appt with my Oncologist is on Wednesday so I'll know more then. I am hoping and praying that minimal treatment is needed - afterall, the malignant tumor was taken with "wide clear margins and there was no lymphnode involvement". Those are great words!!
I have so many people in my life to be thankful for. Thank you Mom and David for taking such good care of the kiddos. Thank you Tina for being such a fantastic organizer and sending updates during my surgery and letting me borrow your IPAD. And thanks to the IPAD - I am now addicted to Scrabble. Thank you to ALL of our wonderful friends and family members that have sent flowers and gifts, brought lunches and dinners and cookies, and have called and emailed to check up on me!
I've already gained 4 lbs since this thing started. I cant WAIT to get back to the courts with my tennis coaches and tennis friends. Unfortunately, I still have a while before that can happen. My muscles have been tampered with and its possible that I will need some help with getting my strength back. Tennis has always been a great stress reliever for me and I am used to playing 4 times a week! Soon enough, soon enough!!
Today is already the last day of the month! Where did February go? I have so much work to do and unfortunately time doesn't stop or slow down because you are down. Everything moves right along and it seems to move even faster when you aren't prepared. All I can do is what I can do... everything else will have to wait its turn. You've heard "don't sweat the small stuff" and I've never really been able to relate ... till now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)