Tag: mastectomy

Somewhat overwhelmed

So the clock is spinning at record speeds now it seems.  I can not believe we are just a little over three weeks out of the mastectomy.  The march forward continues.  I had my blood work done yesterday and was rather impressed with the efficiency of the process.  I usually go to a labcorb or Quest for blood work but they preferred I went right to a Cooper center so they could access the results directly.  I was there for less than 15 minutes from check in til walking out the door.  Almost a pleasure really, (as much as having a pointy item stuck into your arm can be of course) :-). I have had to sit for well over an hour many times…nice to have something move so quickly!

I am a bit overwhelmed. We have received many offers to help out during my recovery for which I am so grateful! So many of the offers are so sincere, I mean we all know how it is right?  You are standing there and the conversation comes up about someone cutting off part of their body and no one is sure what to say so the offers to help come pouring out. We have all been there ugh..right? Alright, maybe not exactly  that situation but I think we all know what I mean.

We do not have parents who are usually the ones who come running. Frank and I are used to facing things for the most part alone and head on and do not ask for help well.  We also do not quite know what to do with help that is offered sometimes. I think we  may be underestimating the degree of assistance we may need.  I believe that after all of the different biopsies we both expect hope that I will be up and around very quickly.

To all of my friends I thank you and appreciate the offers!  We just might need you all!

Field day

I am exhausted!  This morning they held “field days” at my daughters school.  She has never asked me to volunteer for any of these things in the past so when she did this year I made sure to be there.  A friend and I ran the “Irish Potato Race” together.  The kids used a hockey stick to push a nerf  football.  As soon as I saw it I knew we would have an interesting morning.  Shockingly, no one was hit by a stick.  We met many very nice kids and many orderly classes.  We also ran across the “others” we will call them.  It was something.  I am glad I could be there for Meg!

Yesterday I had my appointment with the surgeon.  For the most part it went well.  Funny I first met him 18 years ago for my first biopsy…I told him I have been with him longer than my husband.  He seems very optimistic about my recovery/rehab since to date I show no signs of cancer so they will not have any reason to go near the lymph nods.  We will keep our fingers crossed.  It does seem that my blood pressure is up.  I have never had any issue with blood pressure.  He says it is a bit of a concern but should not affect the surgery.  He says I need to relax, cut out things causing stress, get back on my exercise routine and hey while I am at it if I wanted to drop a few pounds before the surgery feel free.  I will get right on all of that! I signed off on the consent form and was on my way.  Next time we meet I will be on the table I guess.

Tomorrow is blood work.

Eyes wide open…and blood-shot

I can not sleep.  For years now, Sleep is something that I have battled.  I could sit here for several more hours with no luck then tomorrow I will drag all afternoon. I have a doctors appointment in the morning so maybe that is part of it…reality really hits hard starting tomorrow!

So to pass the time I am sitting here flipping channels and nothing interesting is on.   How funny is that?  Growing up we had like 5 total channels until cable first rolled out.  Even then just a handful and you could always find something interesting.  Now reality shows, 24 hour news; none of it good, and shock TV.

The rest of the family is in bed so I am alone with just my little ole thoughts which of course are raging, racing and never-ending. I printed up the visitation hours for the hospital for Frank and the girls.  I was worried that they may not be able to see me in the ICU since they are so young but after scanning the hospitals page I don’t think that should be a problem. That puts me a little more at ease.  At least they will be able to come and see that I am alright. They are so innocent, so caring and so loving with absolutely nothing attached. So many people as they get older have too many strings.

One thing about all of those strings, once you are able to get yourself to make the decision to cut off currently healthy parts of your body for the best interest of yourself and your family, it makes it extremely easy to remove unwanted strings from your life.  All in keeping things in perspective I guess, something that we easily lose when we become so busy that we forget to step back and reflect on our lives.  Right now that is all I am doing..too much so at times!

Well let’s hope things go well at the doctor tomorrow.