Australian Sisters
Comments
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I am paying the price for believing too much that because I was feeling wonderful that therefore that meant that I didn't have to 'take it easy'. It was Pauls 50th birthday on Wednesday, 5 days post surgery, so we had a small family dinner party for him. Then his big party on Friday night. There was no stopping me and I really was feeling great, so lots of preparation, dancing, Kareoking (sp?) and I enjoyed probably a few too many drinkies.
Then on Saturday, still feeling great (a teeny bit tired perhaps) I made the mistake of going to the plant nursery and of course bought a dozen plants, so promptly came home and planted them. It wasn't heavy digging or anything (WA is all sand, so really easy actually) and they were only small plants. But oh my goodness, yesterday I just wasn't right all day and eventually got Paul to go to the chemist to get me some panadeine. I also took the stupid bra support thingy off. I felt like my breasts were in a vice or sorts, and talk about itchy. All the dressings are starting to fall off (it's now been 10 days). So last night I had a little fiddle and started to pull them away to have a peek. Bad move. The left breast (the offending one in question!) has weepy stuff coming out from where the two incisions meet - I had a breast reduction at the same time as the lumpectomy - and I can see new fluid stains around the nipple.
My follow up appointment is tomorrow with the BS, so hopefully I will get them taken all off and he isn't too concerned at the lack of healing on the left side (the right seems quite ok). I also find out the path results from the SNB and lumpectomy and also if the cancer is hormone receptive or not. So a big big day for me tomorrow.
Today I am doing NOTHING - I think I have learnt my lesson
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Kate - sometimes a wound won't heal and the surgeon has to clean it up - happened to me.
It's healing to get out in the garden and plant things
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Good luck for tomorrow Kate :-)
If the weather where you are is anything like ours here in Sydney today it's a good day to be snuggled on a couch/sofa.
I went for my 4km walk this morning and the dog and I got rained on. Came home and had to dash out to pick up some dog food from the pet supply store, so I just popped my new long wig over my wet hair and went in the wig! So easy that I'm wondering why I didn't get a wig years ago. I figure if I get used to wearing them now it won't be so bad for me when my hair goes in a few weeks...
regards Jenn0 -
Kate - good girl for doing nothing today! lol I know I felt pretty good a week or so out from the mastectomy. I really got sick of looking at some weeds - right in my line of sight and bugged me no end, so I started to pull them out. Big mistake, and I didn't do it again, mind you pulling weeds and planting plants are a little different - so you probably haven't done any damage.
I agree with Sue though - planting things and getting out in the garden is healing - and good for the soul.
Trish
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Hi girls - got my genetic test results today - negative!!!
Good luck for tomorrow Kate!!
Sue
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Thanks for the encouraging words girls. I'll definitely let you know how it goes.
Well today I did do something. I was lying on the lounge when in staggered my oldest dog, Zippy. She is 15 and was my late mothers faithful companion and we have had her for the last four years. Anyway, in she staggers and her eyes were darting from side to side and so was her head. I thought she must be having a seizure or someother neurological failure. So, I'm here alone. My daughter has my car, as I'm not allowed to drive anyway. Hubby works 40 minutes away, so I was home alone and in a right royal panic. Thank goodness for my lovely neighbour next door. He took me to the vet and then my rock (sister in law) came and waited with me. It turns out that Zippy has this sudden onset disease that lots of old dogs can get where they loose all their balance and it is very debilitating. Good news is, it usually rectifies itself with no harm done. It is distressing to see her looking so scared and uncertain, and hey, I can sure relate to that horrible non balance feeling ie. after sitting up for the first time after a long surgery... or if I drink too much champagne! Zippy weighs 11 kgs. I think I was told not to lift anything over 2kgs for a couple of weeks. But heck, what was I supposed to do? Lucky it wasn't one of the other dogs as they are all in the mid 20 kilo range.
After I got home and was having a cool drink with my sister in law, I showed her my breasts. The surgical bra really is bothering me. I don't know why because it is very soft, but it is aggravating and I feel so much better with it off, anyway so I showed her, and her face just froze and then said very carefully, Kate you have a blue nipple, I think its gangrene and we'd better get you to the ED! . Of course I told her it was just the dye injection they put in, but the look on her face was priceless. Shame I didn't have the wherewithall to string it out for a bit longer and have a bit of fun with it (at her expense of course). This BC always seems to be doom and gloom so it's good to be able to find something to laugh about.
Now, back to the sofa I go....... cheerio for now
Kate
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Just got home from the city, put the christmas food shopping away, made a nice cool drink and thought I'd check whats been happening while I was gone.
While waiting in the waiting room at the orthos this morning I had a wonderful message from my niece.......grand niece was born 5.30am this morning by emergency C section but mum and bub both doing just fine! I texted back to ask if she was up for a visit and so I called in on the way home. I got to give that beautiful bundle a good cuddle, change the first nappy and give the second feed......daddy gave the first.........and her name is Kaitlyn and she was 7lb 11oz. Can you tell I'm a bit chuffed?....lol....
Well I'm lining up for a knee replacement sometime in either March or April next year, I am waiting to hear from his secretary just when I can be fitted in. I was hoping it would be a little sooner but I guess I'll just need to be patient.....now that's hard!
Good luck Kate with your appointment, hope you get a good report.
Jenn, glad you felt comfortable in your wig!
Sue.....woohoo! Negative! That's great news!
Trish, glad to hear things are going okay for you.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi Chrissy - all the best for next year.
I hope all of our Aussie sisters have a wonderful Christmas!!!
Sue
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Sue - great news! Yay!!
Chrissy - a grand niece, wow, such wonderful news, lol yes can tell you are chuffed. Hard waiting for a new knee though - but the way time flies these days April will be here before you know it. I have no idea where the whole of this year has gone lol
Kate - I'm so sorry to hear about your old girl. I had a beautiful rough collie (lassie dog) called Mac and he lived to 13.5 before we had to help him on his way - and that was the hardest thing I've ever had to do - bc included. He eventually went deaf and blind and got lost in corners. But the worst thing was that he'd developed a brain tumour and that affected his balance and control of his back legs. He was my heart dog and has been gone for 4.5 years now - and I still miss him every day. Hopefully your girl will right herself and go on for many more years to come.
Thank goodness for your neighbour and sister in law. I did laugh about the blue nipple, I bet the look on her face was priceless.
Jenn - stay dry! We had awful weather here in Canberra yesterday too - it was more like a monsoon!
Racy - what are you up to? :-)
Trish
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Didn't get wet walking this morning :-)
Off for my psych onc appt this afternoon. Will be interesting to see what this entails. Shall I guess that she's going to try and break it to me gently that I have BC and the reality it is never going away and the best we can hope for is long periods of NED... Still trying to get my head around it I must admit so it will be good to talk about it with someone experienced in the reality.
Hope everyone has a lovely day filled with no crowds and an easy carparking experience if you have to go out in the crazy Christmas rush!
regards Jenn0 -
No more crowds for me as my shopping is done and what I haven't got my DD will bring with her from the city on Friday. The rest of the week for me is going to be spent in the kitchen and the first thing on the menu is the prep work for the Plum Pudding Icecream. GS1 asked if we were going to have it again this year and I said yes but I though I wouldn't make as much this year..........the look of horror on his face was priceless!!!! I got the 'Oh no Oma! you have to make more not less!!!' I asked why and the answer was, 'It's the best thing about the Christmas Food!' Guess the quantity will be up this year, can't disappoint the grands!
Love n hugs to all and hope you preps are all going to plan. Chrissy
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Girls! I got my results. ALL CLEAR! no SNB involvement and clear wide margins. yay!!!! I still have to do radiation to mop up any floaters, but BS felt that as far as he is concerned the cancer is all gone.
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Congrats Kate!!!!! :-)
regards Jenn0 -
Ladies, it's a busy time and so much is happening.
Chrissy, you must have Dutch, or is it German?, heritage if the grandson calls you Oma.
Kate, great news for you - no chemo. Yay!
Jenn, I hope your psych appointment went well. I have been seeing a psychologist for the past year and it has really helped me with all the BC stuff. (I am not mentally deranged; really quite sane lol).
My big news - I got hair extensions today! My hair has gone from 2 inches to 12 inches long. They are very soft and natural looking; just like my real hair. I feel so much better that I am arranging lots of social catchups.
I am going to Melbourne from 27th to 31st.0 -
Ladies, I was so excited today about getting hair extensions that I forgot to take my Femara and only just remembered at 4.15. I hope it's ok as I then went to Christmas drinks lol.
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Racy, I wouldn't worry about you taking your Femara late I have, on occassion, forgotten it all together! Now that's not a good idea....lol. I have German/Irish heritage but my DH is all Dutch.........he was born in Holland and came here to Aus when he was twelve. Oh yay!!! on your hair extensions.....post a pic so we can see!
Yay Kate!!!! That's great news and a great Christmas present to boot! Do you know when you start your Rads?
Jenn, talking to a psych is a good thing and will help you deal with the whole BC thing and whatever else is happening in your life and give you some perspective..........good luck with your visits and I hope they do help. Did you get to walk today?
I think I did waaaaay too much yesterday as today I have been as flat as a tack......unable to get myself motivated to do anything. Hopefully tomorrow will be a whole lot better and I'll have some energy back.
Love n hugs all. Chrissy
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Chrissy, I can't imagine you having a flat day. You are always doing something!
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Racy, thanks for the vote of confidence.....lol......I do get flat days though but thankfully they are few and far between as I've learned to pace myself but with all the excitement of Kaitlyns birth and having to do a big shop for the Christmas tucker as well as doc's appointment......well as they say, it has taken the wind out of my sails.
I got the phone call from the ortho secretary today and I'm scheduled for knee replacement on the 23rd May. I can't believe how long the wait is and that's going private..not even in the public sector so I'd hate to have to think how long those people are waiting!
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Psych appt yesterday was good. She gave me some suggestions for trying to get back to sleeping through the night and they worked :-)
This morning is my bone scan. I'm quite nervous about this because I've had this mystery sore elbow for quite a number of months - will be interesting to see if there's a cancer reason :-/
Off for my walk!
Have a good day everyone... Jenn0 -
Kate! What fantastic news (((hugs))) I'm so happy for you. So no chemo? That's a plus too - do you know your hormone and HER2 status yet?
Chrissy - naughty you for doing too much lol - but we all tend to do that don't we!? I'm amazed at the wait for surgery through the private system - I assumed the long wait was due to being public - that's unreal!
Jenn - thinking of you this morning - and keeping everything crossed that it's clear.
Racy - hair extensions! Come on - we want a picture!! lol
I went to see a psychologist yesterday. Last time I saw my onc, 6 weeks ago, everything seemed to be going wrong, and I wasn't handling things very well - he suggested talking to a psychologist who deals with cancer patients. When she eventually rang to set up an appointment, I felt I was coping quite well, but we agreed that one session would be beneficial. I'm so glad I did - she put everything into perspective for me. I guess that now that I'm nine months past chemo I should be "back to normal" lol and my old self. She helped me understand just how silly that was. It really was good to unburden myself to someone that I don't have to worry about - like hubby and good friends who worry about me too much already. I'll go back and see her in Feb after following her suggestions.
Trish
xoxo
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Chrissy - when we got back from overseas I told my physio I was thinking of finally doing a knee replacement - he said DON'T!!! It takes months to recover. I'm going to try and avoid it for a few years longer. They only last a certain number of years, so the older you are when you do it, the better. I've been avoiding it since I was in my late 40's.
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Trish - so glad you felt better after your meeting. I too felt better being able to talk to someone else. She was actually quite helpful.
Had my bone scan today. Arrived at 9.30am to get the tracer shot and then was sent off for 2hrs. My 20yr old daughter was with me so we wandered off to Newtown just up the road and got a whole lot of Christmas shopping done.
Went back and had the main bone scan. Then the tech said she'd just have to check with the doctor to see if he wanted anymore views and she came back and said "oh yes, he wants some more of your lumbar spine on a different machine" and she then rushed us out to the waiting room again with no further explanation!
Waited another 1/2 hr for the next machine to be ready and then had to spend 17mins under it with my arms resting on my forehead. Not normally a problem but my right arm started shaking after the first 5mins probably due to the recent surgery. It was a hellish 17mins I can tell you, and by then I was sooo scared they had found something...
Finished and they said come back in 1 hr for the scans and reports. So we went off to have a very nervous lunch. Got back and the report took another 1/2 hour so by that time I was really thinking there must be multiple bone mets.
Turns out they found NOTHING except some bone repair in an ankle I injured this past year and some mild shoulder and hip arthritis!!!! All that worry for nothing.
Off to the oncologist appt tomorrow...
regards Jenn0 -
Good news Jenn!!!!
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Wow Jenn! You sure had a time of it getting that scan done! So glad the results were all good but they do have a way of making us worry like crazy..............sometimes I think if they were a bit more up front instead of trying to hide stuff we could all relax a little more. I'm happy for you that the psych helped. Good luck with the onc tomorrow!
Sue, I know I'm going to be looking at months of recovery not weeks and I have been putting this off for a long time but now they are really stopping me from even the smallest things so it's time.........beside, at stage IV they'll probably outlast me anyway.
Trish, glad that you also felt better after speaking with a psych. You are right when you say it is easier to speak to someone who is totally impartial.
Well the food prep is underway......the first stage of the plum pudding icecream is done and the fruit mince for the mince pies.......they will be made on Friday.
Love n hugs all. Chrissy
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Jenn, I'm glad to hear of your good scan results.
Jenn and Trish, I do think it helps to see a psychologist. Did you get a Mental Health Plan from your GP or other doctor so that the cost of the visits can be subsidised through Medicare? You can get up to 10 subsidised visits per calendar year, if you need them.
I will post again soon, hopefully with pics.
Good night all.0 -
NIght Racy, sleep well!
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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The hospital I am using give you full access to the psych onc. All covered, no payment required :-)
regards Jenn0 -
That's cool Jenn! One less payment that needs to be made.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi girls. It's such good news that everyone seems to be travelling well at the moment. I tell you, I'll be pleased to put this year behind me and start afresh in 2012.
Can anyone tell me if their breasts after MX or the remaining area, felt incredibly senistive say about 2 weeks after? I had a big reduction (which I'm very happy about) and went from an F-G cup down to a C. The first week was an absolute breeze, easy peasy I thought. This week however, by about lunch time, I take off the surgical bra, and only have the lightest of cotton tops on and I am still in incredible discomfort. Anything touching the skin just seems to feet unpleasant. A bit like a really bad case of sunburn, without the burn, where it hurts to be touched. I am hoping that this will pass soon. I'd be walking around the house totally naked if I could!
Cheers
Kate
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Let me say, the top half totally naked, not all of me - I couldn't be so bold! and the dogs would think I had gone mad 0
