Two years ago, yesterday, I underwent my first surgery in my cancer story. I spent around 5 hours on the operating table that day, two surgical teams took turns taking me apart and putting me back together.
Praise the Lord! For their skill and knowledge and compassion.
Today, I am totally and completely well. I had about 4 or 5 more surgeries, after that, to get completely "done", but I am now finished. I feel great and am happy and content. I took an infusion of Zometa earlier this year to combat osteopenia, which is probably the result of chemo. The Zometa will help me build bone, but also has a side-effect of reducing reoccurence of bc.
My hair is my same old hair, just not long enough yet. :)
I can honestly say that cancer made me a better person. And I can honestly say that I am glad I went through it because I like the new me more. I am so thankful to all my wonderful friends who helped and fed us, and helped and helped us some more. My family, who came from far and near to do any and all things needed. My insurance company (honestly), that paid and paid and paid, without one single glitch or increase. My husband, who walked through it with me, with humor and not one hint of discomfort or fear. My girls, who kept my focus off myself-- :)--and my wonderful menagerie, who needed me to get out of bed and bring the food!
With God, all things ARE possible.
Showing posts with label surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label surgery. Show all posts
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
It's summer and the living is easy...
Just a note to say that life is good at Netherfield. In the past month, I have had my exchange surgery, a new dog, two children in two different plays, closing ceremonies for Awana (twice), 4H dog program start-up, a truckload of daylilies to plant (seriously), a dryer full of red bubblegum, dance lessons, a weekend scrapbook project for 8th grade language arts, and a whole lot of driving!
It is hectic and normal. And who couldn't ask for more normalcy? On the "front" front--my exchange surgery came quickly as I was on the "bump up" list. So they called whenever there was a surgery cancellation, which worked well for me. I love my new look. I was a little disheartened by my tissue expanders. They didn't seem symetrical and they were blocky and hard.
She asked me pre-op if I was happy with the size and I told her no, to err on the side of smaller. I decided bigger wasn't all it was cracked up to be, and I was thankful to have lived with them for a few months before I had to make the choice. She said, no problem, they had "racks" of them back there in the OR. So I opted for smaller and I am very pleased.
I'm going to wrap up this blog and move back to Netherfield--where the fodder is more interesting! I am so thankful to all of you who have had a hand, or a dish, in my recovery. I am a better person for it and I hope you will all know how much your care and love has meant to me.
It is hectic and normal. And who couldn't ask for more normalcy? On the "front" front--my exchange surgery came quickly as I was on the "bump up" list. So they called whenever there was a surgery cancellation, which worked well for me. I love my new look. I was a little disheartened by my tissue expanders. They didn't seem symetrical and they were blocky and hard.
She asked me pre-op if I was happy with the size and I told her no, to err on the side of smaller. I decided bigger wasn't all it was cracked up to be, and I was thankful to have lived with them for a few months before I had to make the choice. She said, no problem, they had "racks" of them back there in the OR. So I opted for smaller and I am very pleased.
I'm going to wrap up this blog and move back to Netherfield--where the fodder is more interesting! I am so thankful to all of you who have had a hand, or a dish, in my recovery. I am a better person for it and I hope you will all know how much your care and love has meant to me.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Are you on schedule?
Sooooooo, is your mammogram scheduled? Are you on schedule? Are you taking an active stance in your healthcare?? These are important questions! I want to remind everyone, my cancer was "found" because I had missed several years (!) of mammograms for various reasons. I had gone in March 08 to get back on schedule. I had a physical exam by my ob/gyn at that time and was given no cause for concern. BECAUSE I had been off for several years, they asked me to come back for a six-month follow-up, in September. PTL! Had they not asked for that, I would just be getting ready to go for my annual mammo in March. Next month.
In addition, keep in mind that I had a physical breast exam by my ob/gyn and a mammogram. Both normal. In September, I had a mammogram and an ultrasound. Then a biopsy. No one could "feel" anything. They requested I have a biopsy on a suspicious site. That biopsy turned up positive for lobular cancer, which does not form "tumors" or lumps. It is more of a thickening of tissue.
I then saw a breast surgeon, who also did a physical exam--didn't feel anything unusual. He showed me my mammogram pictures and said other than the biopsy site, he didn't see anything that concerned him. He also sent me for an MRI.
The MRI showed another suspicious spot, right next to the biopsy site. This apparently didn't look suspicious on mammogram or ultrasound, since no one else mentioned it. Since I had already decided for a double mastectomy, we didn't feel it was necessary to wait longer and do another biopsy on that site. It was all coming out anyway, was my/our thoughts. (I decided to do the double after I asked him what he would tell his wife to do--and he said take it all off and be done with it.)
THEN--after surgery, the tissue studies found cellular incidence of cancer in MY OTHER BREAST! The one that showed NOTHING in mammogram, ultrasound, physical exams and MRI's! NOTHING. But cancer was there.
PLEASE stay on top of your own health. I know the Lord orchestrated my whole story because it's an amazing story with more twists and turns than I have shared here. Please know your family history and pay attention to any gut feelings. Do those goofy self-exams. Stay on schedule with doctor appointments and don't short yourself because it's expensive, etc. (The bill for my last chemo just came--$13000! That's just one treatment.)
Take care of yourself--for my sake! :)
In addition, keep in mind that I had a physical breast exam by my ob/gyn and a mammogram. Both normal. In September, I had a mammogram and an ultrasound. Then a biopsy. No one could "feel" anything. They requested I have a biopsy on a suspicious site. That biopsy turned up positive for lobular cancer, which does not form "tumors" or lumps. It is more of a thickening of tissue.
I then saw a breast surgeon, who also did a physical exam--didn't feel anything unusual. He showed me my mammogram pictures and said other than the biopsy site, he didn't see anything that concerned him. He also sent me for an MRI.
The MRI showed another suspicious spot, right next to the biopsy site. This apparently didn't look suspicious on mammogram or ultrasound, since no one else mentioned it. Since I had already decided for a double mastectomy, we didn't feel it was necessary to wait longer and do another biopsy on that site. It was all coming out anyway, was my/our thoughts. (I decided to do the double after I asked him what he would tell his wife to do--and he said take it all off and be done with it.)
THEN--after surgery, the tissue studies found cellular incidence of cancer in MY OTHER BREAST! The one that showed NOTHING in mammogram, ultrasound, physical exams and MRI's! NOTHING. But cancer was there.
PLEASE stay on top of your own health. I know the Lord orchestrated my whole story because it's an amazing story with more twists and turns than I have shared here. Please know your family history and pay attention to any gut feelings. Do those goofy self-exams. Stay on schedule with doctor appointments and don't short yourself because it's expensive, etc. (The bill for my last chemo just came--$13000! That's just one treatment.)
Take care of yourself--for my sake! :)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Quick update
Just so you know, no updates have meant that I am feeling great and being busy! I bounced back from chemo even faster this time, only about 3-4 ick days. I have way less hair and really like my wig for all its convenience factors. I have chemo again on Friday.
I had an appt. with the plastic surgeon/generous genius today and due to the chemo, the blue blob spot is still not closed up completely. So, she's taking me in for a 5-minute surgery tomorrow to just remove the darn thing and stitch me up for good. Frankly, I'll be glad to be done with it. I'm sick of looking at it. Anyway, tomorrow afternoon will be spent in wait for that process, then chemo on Friday, then football all weekend.
Then we'll be in the homestretch with only one more to go!
Busy, busy! I didn't send out any Christmas cards this year, so don't think I missed/skipped you!
I had an appt. with the plastic surgeon/generous genius today and due to the chemo, the blue blob spot is still not closed up completely. So, she's taking me in for a 5-minute surgery tomorrow to just remove the darn thing and stitch me up for good. Frankly, I'll be glad to be done with it. I'm sick of looking at it. Anyway, tomorrow afternoon will be spent in wait for that process, then chemo on Friday, then football all weekend.
Then we'll be in the homestretch with only one more to go!
Busy, busy! I didn't send out any Christmas cards this year, so don't think I missed/skipped you!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
How much does all this cost??
In case anyone is wondering what breast cancer runs in the financial arena...
My bill from the breast surgeon was around $5000, of which he received $1500 from insurance and $300 from me. That $5000 was for surgery day, not visits, which were minimal.
The plastic surgeon's bill for surgery was $11,000, which she filed with my insurance, they routed it to a "non-network" deductible of $10,000, which I have met none of, so she receives nothing.
The anaesthesiologist was around $1500-$1800, can't remember. I think that's pathetic considering she's doing the risky stuff.
The hospital bill came yesterday; keep in mind I was there around 30 hours. I didn't have a lightswitch I could reach all night and the bill was $46,000, which they were paid $39,000 by the insurance company.
The insurance company also paid $2700 for the BR-CA gene test. Since some of my chemo will be done after the first of the year, I'll be responsible for the first $5500. But after that, they pay everything (in network). Not bad, considering.
My bill from the breast surgeon was around $5000, of which he received $1500 from insurance and $300 from me. That $5000 was for surgery day, not visits, which were minimal.
The plastic surgeon's bill for surgery was $11,000, which she filed with my insurance, they routed it to a "non-network" deductible of $10,000, which I have met none of, so she receives nothing.
The anaesthesiologist was around $1500-$1800, can't remember. I think that's pathetic considering she's doing the risky stuff.
The hospital bill came yesterday; keep in mind I was there around 30 hours. I didn't have a lightswitch I could reach all night and the bill was $46,000, which they were paid $39,000 by the insurance company.
The insurance company also paid $2700 for the BR-CA gene test. Since some of my chemo will be done after the first of the year, I'll be responsible for the first $5500. But after that, they pay everything (in network). Not bad, considering.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Water gets deeper
The day we've all been waiting for...well, maybe it was just me waiting for it. Or pretending it wouldn't come. I met my oncologist yesterday and liked her very much. Her undergrad was with honors, she was chief resident at IU and then her MD from Vanderbilt, so she's no slouch. She's my age or a little younger. Very kind and nice.
She said all my situations fall in the middle of the road--the size of my cancer mass, my age, the aggressiveness of my cancer cells, are all mid-range. The onco-type test takes two weeks to get the results. Even if it comes back that I have a "low likelihood" of recurrence from that test, she would still be recommending that I do chemo, sooner rather than later. Also, there were cancer cells in the right breast tissue. They were immeasurable, but existed. So, another thing to be thankful for--getting them both done. PTL
She said chemo lowers your recurrence risk by 40%. Taking Tamoxifen after that lowers the remaining risk by another 18%, so they are worth doing. She felt like she was the bearer of bad news, although it isn't really bad news. It's a temporary tunnel you pass through to make the far end of the road longer, I guess.
She said my hair would fall out 19 days after the first treatment. I have to have four treatments, 21 days apart. She said you feel pretty crappy for about a week, then your blood counts drop and you need to be very careful about germs and fresh fruits and vegetables at that point. Then about the time you get feeling better it's time to do it again.
I cried. I admit it. It's so silly to cry over something that seems so shallow, but in reality, it's a BIG part of my identity. Handyman LOVES my hair. It is my one vanity solely because he has always gone on and on about how he loves it. I am glad it will be winter; and I am glad I really do like hats. I will hate having no eyelashes especially. But it gives me a chance to be humble and to pick out something else to identify me, I guess. How about a big blue blob? Oh, right, I can't be showing that to everyone. It is getting lighter in color, but the oncologist said it would last awhile. Wonder what her definition of "awhile" is?
It'll still be football season, so that'll help. And I'm signing up for Netflix. My concession to cancer?? Netflix. No late fees. I just have to walk to my mailbox. My friend RM is giving me some recipes for homemade calorie-intensive foods to boost my strength. I think I'm going to take #1 and #2 to Olive Garden for an early birthday dinner, while I still feel like eating.
I'm considering the whole hibernation thing--don't show my face until March 1. My blog b/c friend, Gail has been through her first treatment, so I have some hints of what goes on. I'm sure my friend Aibrean will have words to encourage me with, since she has walked this road, with a great sense of fashion, I might add.
Here's what I am chanting to myself: IT's TEMPORARY. IT's WORTH IT. THIS TOO SHALL PASS. (You'll look like a bowling pin.) Oh, that's probably not one I should keep repeating.
Well, I have to get a flu shot. I have intensive vacuuming to do. I'm off to search "homeschooling with chemo" and "chemo for the holidays". Bottom line, again: It ain't my pancreas. Thank you Lord that chemo exists. (Remind me of this in two weeks.)
She said all my situations fall in the middle of the road--the size of my cancer mass, my age, the aggressiveness of my cancer cells, are all mid-range. The onco-type test takes two weeks to get the results. Even if it comes back that I have a "low likelihood" of recurrence from that test, she would still be recommending that I do chemo, sooner rather than later. Also, there were cancer cells in the right breast tissue. They were immeasurable, but existed. So, another thing to be thankful for--getting them both done. PTL
She said chemo lowers your recurrence risk by 40%. Taking Tamoxifen after that lowers the remaining risk by another 18%, so they are worth doing. She felt like she was the bearer of bad news, although it isn't really bad news. It's a temporary tunnel you pass through to make the far end of the road longer, I guess.
She said my hair would fall out 19 days after the first treatment. I have to have four treatments, 21 days apart. She said you feel pretty crappy for about a week, then your blood counts drop and you need to be very careful about germs and fresh fruits and vegetables at that point. Then about the time you get feeling better it's time to do it again.
I cried. I admit it. It's so silly to cry over something that seems so shallow, but in reality, it's a BIG part of my identity. Handyman LOVES my hair. It is my one vanity solely because he has always gone on and on about how he loves it. I am glad it will be winter; and I am glad I really do like hats. I will hate having no eyelashes especially. But it gives me a chance to be humble and to pick out something else to identify me, I guess. How about a big blue blob? Oh, right, I can't be showing that to everyone. It is getting lighter in color, but the oncologist said it would last awhile. Wonder what her definition of "awhile" is?
It'll still be football season, so that'll help. And I'm signing up for Netflix. My concession to cancer?? Netflix. No late fees. I just have to walk to my mailbox. My friend RM is giving me some recipes for homemade calorie-intensive foods to boost my strength. I think I'm going to take #1 and #2 to Olive Garden for an early birthday dinner, while I still feel like eating.
I'm considering the whole hibernation thing--don't show my face until March 1. My blog b/c friend, Gail has been through her first treatment, so I have some hints of what goes on. I'm sure my friend Aibrean will have words to encourage me with, since she has walked this road, with a great sense of fashion, I might add.
Here's what I am chanting to myself: IT's TEMPORARY. IT's WORTH IT. THIS TOO SHALL PASS. (You'll look like a bowling pin.) Oh, that's probably not one I should keep repeating.
Well, I have to get a flu shot. I have intensive vacuuming to do. I'm off to search "homeschooling with chemo" and "chemo for the holidays". Bottom line, again: It ain't my pancreas. Thank you Lord that chemo exists. (Remind me of this in two weeks.)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Space Mountain
Did you ever ride Space Mountain at Disneyworld? It is an indoor roller coaster, completely in the DARK...that's right, dark. There are some neon type lights here and there and if you can keep your eyes open and your head relatively still, while you're whipping around at 60+ mph, you can see the tracks, but you certainly can't see where you're going. That's my life right now.
We had a great sermon about Amy Carmichael yesterday, to kick off a missions oriented weekend thing. I already know some about AC, but it was great to learn even more. I wish I could replay the entire thing for you, you might be able to download it at www.yourchurch.com and see if they have an MP3 of sermons--I think they do. ANYWAY, it was about the contradictions in the Bible, last shall be first, to live you must die, etc. Anyway, I liked it a lot and heard words for me about not being in control and surrendering to Jesus.
So, this morning as we are squabbling about biology and trying to get ready to go, the phone rings and it's Dr. T's office (the breast surgeon). Denise, his ass't says that the 1st plastic surgeon's office has just called her. This is the wonder-plastic surgeon, recommended and loved by all, whose office never noticed that they weren't in my network. The dream surgeon that I had to let go of, and was preparing to write a complaint to...
Her office called Dr. T's office to say that she was so "mortified" about what had happened to me that she wants to do my reconstruction, for FREE. F-R-E-E, no dinero, zippo, zilch, because I was inconvenienced. I cannot believe it still, really. Anyway, that puts me back on target for surgery on 10/20, next Monday, after all.
I am reminding myself now how I really did like Space Mountain. Maybe it was because I couldn't see what was coming. Maybe that's just easier for me.
We had a great sermon about Amy Carmichael yesterday, to kick off a missions oriented weekend thing. I already know some about AC, but it was great to learn even more. I wish I could replay the entire thing for you, you might be able to download it at www.yourchurch.com and see if they have an MP3 of sermons--I think they do. ANYWAY, it was about the contradictions in the Bible, last shall be first, to live you must die, etc. Anyway, I liked it a lot and heard words for me about not being in control and surrendering to Jesus.
So, this morning as we are squabbling about biology and trying to get ready to go, the phone rings and it's Dr. T's office (the breast surgeon). Denise, his ass't says that the 1st plastic surgeon's office has just called her. This is the wonder-plastic surgeon, recommended and loved by all, whose office never noticed that they weren't in my network. The dream surgeon that I had to let go of, and was preparing to write a complaint to...
Her office called Dr. T's office to say that she was so "mortified" about what had happened to me that she wants to do my reconstruction, for FREE. F-R-E-E, no dinero, zippo, zilch, because I was inconvenienced. I cannot believe it still, really. Anyway, that puts me back on target for surgery on 10/20, next Monday, after all.
I am reminding myself now how I really did like Space Mountain. Maybe it was because I couldn't see what was coming. Maybe that's just easier for me.
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