It's just been a little over two weeks since surgery...I think I am doing pretty good...the mild pain is now pretty constant...I think it is my chest getting used to two large, hard plastic, foreign objects being in there. It bothers me the most when I lay down or try to sleep....I am so sick of trying to only lay on my back...trying to lay on my side is pretty painful. Kind of reminds me of when you are pregnant you are not supposed to sleep on your back so all you think about it how much you really want to sleep on your back!!!
I have been getting LOTS of rest this week. Monday and Tuesday were beautiful days here so I spent a lot of time sitting out in the backyard trying to catch up on thank you notes and things like that....I even took my hat off and let the sun hit my "almost bald" ghostly white head...it felt good. Of course, we have a chance of snow showers this weekend....gotta love that Midwest weather.
Yesterday I had an appt. with Dr. B and Herceptin treatment. We went over my pathology report from surgery and he told me how pleased he was that there were no signs of DCIS found...DCIS is stage 0 breast cancer...when we did the MRI after my lumpectomy they saw other areas in the "bad boob" that appeared to be DCIS. He said that this is proof that my body responded well to the chemo and he says I am "cured". There really is no cure for breast cancer today but I still love to hear him say that word...you gotta love an optimistic doc! It is great to know that as of right now there are no signs of any cancer in my body. My online support group calls this NED...they will jokingly say I am in love with NED or I love NED....basically short for "no evidence of disease"! I was running a fever of 100.4 when the nurse checked my in so Dr. B was a little concerned about that...my first concern was that my body was rejecting the expanders. He checked everything out and said it looked like I was healing well and all my numbers looked good so he just told me to monitor it and if it went any higher I needed to call him asap to get on antibiotics...I have continued to check it and it has dropped back down to normal. I asked him about hair coloring...I had read that there is some concern about the chemicals in hair coloring being linked to cancer. He said there is still some questions out there so he would prefer that I only use organic treatments....I am not ready to color yet but I will be soon. I showed him my hair and he said "well, that salt and pepper might be nice for you"...I instantly said - "yeah, on men they say salt and pepper is sexy...you never hear anyone say that about women"! After meeting with him I had my treatment and a nice long nap...I woke up long enough just to drive home and hop right back into bed and slept until late in the evening.
Hair update: Hair on my head is definitely coming in salt and pepper...no evidence of red in there. My Mom and Dad both had dark brown/black hair and my oldest sister Vicki also had black hair...she always said Kay and I were adopted...I just can't imagine being anything other than a redhead...need to find some organic hair coloring products! If Sasquatch had a little sister I think it would be me. The hair is growing like crazy all over my body. As fast as the long hairs on my arms fell out recently they are coming back with a vengeance! I still haven't shaved my legs (LAZY)!! The funny thing about that new hair is that it is baby soft so I know that as soon as I shave my legs I will go back to that rough stubble...right now I look like a fifth grade girl that her Mom won't let her shave. I actually bought some new mascara and put some on for the first time in months yesterday!! They are still quite short but at least they are there again! Eyebrows are growing like crazy...I am having to keep them trimmed to avoid the unibrow!! That's it for the hair update!
4 comments:
Wow do I like to see the word "cured" also! I had nothing but optimism that the chemo would do its job and that you could get this over and done with and go on with your life! You're right, I can't imagine you not being a redhead with me, but you would make a real cute brunette also with those baby blues!! I'm sure you'll find the right concoction to put on that speckly hair of yours to make it just as you want it. I have to say the arm hair length you showed me did crack me up! Nothing like coming back with a vengence!! Well, take advantage of this time off and we'll talk soon.
Love you, Kay
NED... WHOO-HOO! That's great to hear.
You can still be feisty even though your hair is speckled.
Take care and rest up!
Libby
Glad to be able to keep up with your progress. Think of all of you often and it sounds like recovery is going well. Hi to all. Nancy J
HI Jan! Well, back to reality for me! We got home safe and sound last night about midnight. What a wonderful vacation it was. The weather was pretty good. Only 1 day did I not make it to the beach! I got some really good color, so I can hide it with my turtlenecks and sweatshirts - brrrrr.... Goodbye 70's hello 30's.... I heard we were supposed to get snow today - but thankfully the grass is green this morning! Sorry I haven't been able to catch up with you on the phone. Give me a call when you're "up" to it! Sounds like you are recovering nicely tho and your last post - just about brought tears to my eyes. CURED.... Oh yeah - - - No doubt about it, you've made the right choices! You'll never look back and say I should have done more! I'm curious what your hair will end up being. Now remember, I told you JD's patchy hair came in as blonde as he was when he was a baby - and so fine.... Now (short of the little waviness it has) it totally blends in with his "other" hair! So, it will be interesting to see when it's all said and done. I hope you are taking it easy as much as possible! Enjoy your time at home. We'll have to discuss when Cheryl and I can get back over there.... Or also when Jack, JD and I will come.... Better go, you know me - I could type forever! Love you and thought of you each and every day.... Sue
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