dixie_belle
Well-Known Member
Gosh but yesterday was a busy day. We left here at the crack of dawn to meet with my oncologist. He is a real nice guy. Reminds me a lot of Mr. Rogers!!! He spent at least an hour and a half with us. He told us the history of radiology treatments starting from prehistoric times right up until today. (or at least that's what it seemed like). He explained in detail what he's going to do and then he showed me the "savi" device which will be implanted in my breast next week. OK, now I'd done my homework and I already knew what it looked like, HOWEVER, I had no idea how large it was. How he's gonna get that thing in my teeny, tiny boob is beyond me. But I guess he knows what he's doing.
The actual procedure yesterday was sorta like the biopsy. Except that second lump was way deep and it was painful when he removed it. Luckily, the removal part only takes 7 seconds. And he counts down for you: "done in 7....6.....5....4...3...2...1" I figured I could stand anything for 7 seconds. So it was no big deal.
I do,however, have what amounts to a small garden hose hanging out of my boob. I wasn't expecting that. It's probably as big around as a pencil, hangs out maybe 6 to 8 inches and is attached to a spacer inside my breast. They want to hold it open until the pathology results come in. And the dang thing may be flexible but on the end there is a really hard plastic end that pokes the heck out of me under my arm. I'm going to put a baby sock on it and tape it on when I change the dressing this afternoon. That should fix that little problem.
I'm uncomfortable, but not in pain. I will probably take some advil just because I want to be able to function today.
One of the worst parts is no showers for the next two weeks. WHAT??? I love my showers. I can take a bath, but only the bottom half of me. The top has to have a sponge bath. And no washing my hair in anything other than a sink. So, I've got long hair and small sinks....maybe it's time for a haircut? I'll think on that one.
Here's the great part. This type of cancer was confined (they think). If it reoccurs, it'll be quick, in the next 5 years. If I can go that long cancer free, then they consider me cured. Not in remission, but actually cured. So I have that to look forward to.
I'm home now until Sept 3, then I'll go to Nashville to stay until the 11th or 12th, depending on how much treatment they decide I need. I've already heard from the Hope House and I have a reservation there. And it's really close to the hospital (like a half a mile) so I won't be keeping my car there. I'm planning on walking over to the hospital twice a day for my treatments because parking is a nightmare.
All it all it could have been much worse. I feel very optimistic and am thankful we caught this so early. (And at this point I still have two boobs). Although one is substantially larger than the other as it is quite swollen. My poor little size B bra is really working!
The actual procedure yesterday was sorta like the biopsy. Except that second lump was way deep and it was painful when he removed it. Luckily, the removal part only takes 7 seconds. And he counts down for you: "done in 7....6.....5....4...3...2...1" I figured I could stand anything for 7 seconds. So it was no big deal.
I do,however, have what amounts to a small garden hose hanging out of my boob. I wasn't expecting that. It's probably as big around as a pencil, hangs out maybe 6 to 8 inches and is attached to a spacer inside my breast. They want to hold it open until the pathology results come in. And the dang thing may be flexible but on the end there is a really hard plastic end that pokes the heck out of me under my arm. I'm going to put a baby sock on it and tape it on when I change the dressing this afternoon. That should fix that little problem.
I'm uncomfortable, but not in pain. I will probably take some advil just because I want to be able to function today.
One of the worst parts is no showers for the next two weeks. WHAT??? I love my showers. I can take a bath, but only the bottom half of me. The top has to have a sponge bath. And no washing my hair in anything other than a sink. So, I've got long hair and small sinks....maybe it's time for a haircut? I'll think on that one.
Here's the great part. This type of cancer was confined (they think). If it reoccurs, it'll be quick, in the next 5 years. If I can go that long cancer free, then they consider me cured. Not in remission, but actually cured. So I have that to look forward to.
I'm home now until Sept 3, then I'll go to Nashville to stay until the 11th or 12th, depending on how much treatment they decide I need. I've already heard from the Hope House and I have a reservation there. And it's really close to the hospital (like a half a mile) so I won't be keeping my car there. I'm planning on walking over to the hospital twice a day for my treatments because parking is a nightmare.
All it all it could have been much worse. I feel very optimistic and am thankful we caught this so early. (And at this point I still have two boobs). Although one is substantially larger than the other as it is quite swollen. My poor little size B bra is really working!
