I Didn't Buy the Ticket

What a strange deal I have going on. It's been 10 days since this situation has started, I'm on week 2 of antibiotics, working towards a second script of vicadin, I've had 3 ultrasounds and 2 aspirations and I'm still in a bit of a bad way.
Here is the update. There was a TRACE of staph infection, so minute that it could have come from skin cells and it is not the issue here. After taking another ultrasound on Monday morning, Dr. Kaufman was wavering about doing another aspiration. The reason for his hesitation? It will just postpone the inevitable, and that is that this pocket of fluid is working its way to the path of least resistance and that is the scar from my surgery. Within a few days, it will break open and drain on it's own. He warned me that it will be nasty and until it happens, I'm to carry a change of clothes with me. Yes, there will be that much coming out of it. He compared it to having a coffee spilled on me, not the hot part, but the amount of fluid.
Now doesn't this all sound pleasant? Well, not so much. But it is what it is. Dr. K said that most times this happens at night when one rolls over and puts some pressure on the breast area. This will drain almost all the fluid at the time it breaks open, and then it will seep for a couple of days. Once this happens, the pocket inside will start to heal from the inside out to the scar area. There is little concern of infection at the area that breaks open as it will have scar tissue around both sides of it from the surgery.
The other option was to book a day of surgery, get put to sleep, and have the Dr. open it up and drain it in the OR. I'm opting for the natural method, it is definitely not going to be pleasant, but rather that, than being put to sleep. So I'm keeping it until it's better, it is just going to take 3 -4 weeks for that to happen.
I told Dr. Kaufman, "well, I'll continue the journey" and his reply was "But you didn't buy this ticket, did you?" We both laughed a bit and I got on my way to work.
Sharon

The Saga Continues

After a lazy weekend and finishing the round of antibiotics, I'm still not better. Although I am better than what I was, I'm not close to being 100%. Still very red, hot, sensitive, and sore. I was reading somewhere that having had the radiation makes for slower healing. That would make sense, since it kills not only the bad cells, but also the good ones. I'll have to ask Dr. Kaufman this morning. Yes, I have the first appointment of the day with him. Makes me think I'm special. Special is right, this is a crazy situation that the Dr's need to get a handle on and fast. I'm grateful it hasn't seemed to spread into my chest and arm area, the infection center seems to be staying right in behind the incision site.
I am hoping the lab results are back and the Dr. will have an exact species of bacteria that can be targeted and killed with a specific drug. Be hopeful with me!
Sharon

Broken Boob Update

It's been 7+ days since my boob got broken. I started the antibiotics Monday and had the first aspiration done Monday evening by Dr. Kaufman. Note: he is the only person who I will ever let do this to me again. Note to Dr. Kaufman: you cannot retire until I die.
I continued the drugs and pain meds until Thursday and I was sent in for another ultrasound that determined there was a lot of fluid build up in my breast. So Nurse Rachet aka the attending Radioloy Dr, did the aspiration. After screaming at the top of my lungs for him to stop, he finally ended the procedure. Yes, I can comfortably say "I know the pain of child birth" because nothing can come close to what he did to me. They tried to joke that I cleared the waiting room. I was a little embarrassed about that, and then they said, "no one could hear you, we have you in the back". Sounds a little like Stephen King to me!
The upshot is that I spent Friday laying on the couch bonding with my remote control. My sister Christine came over after work and we had breakfast for dinner and then she vacumned my whole place. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Today I honestly feel like things are getting better. I'm not so red, not so hot, and not so sore. I'm not 100%, but I'm definitely better. Monday I have the 9:00am appointment with Dr. Kaufman, the man with the gentle hands, the only one I'm going to let do any procedures on my breast again.
Pink out today,
Sharon

I Broke my Boob

Yup, you read that right, I broke my boob. Well, I didn't break it, someone else did. But I take some responsibility as I've been very quick to be guarded when someone goes to give me a hug. But when it comes to a bigger guy, sometimes I just can't protect my boob like I'd like to.
So here's the story, Friday night I get up to leave and I get a big hug from my friend and he gave me a bit of a squeeze into his chest and I gasped.
Saturday I went from bad to worse and Sunday I was on the phone to Dr. Kaufman's office leaving an urgent message that I needed to see him Monday.
By Monday I couldn't stand myself, I was so swollen, red, hot and SORE. I felt like I was just 2 weeks out from the surgery instead of two weeks to my one year anniversary.
Dr. Kaufman was able to do the ultrasound and see a large sac of fluid, and with lots of novocaine, he drained a good portion of it. The whole procedure was tolerable. Right now the lab is testing the fluid that he drained out of my breast to see if there is infection. I'm already on a 7 day cycle of Keflex antibiotic, just in case.

And I feel better today.

It could be the steady dose of vicadin.

Just when I was getting ready to celebrate one year from my surgery. It seems like forever ago when this journey started, but my one year cancer free birthday is May 14th. That was the day of my surgery. Lumpectomy with clean margins and nothing in my blood or lymph nodes. The radiation and tamoxifen are just insurance policies. I deemed myself cancer free May 14 and that shall me my day of celebration.

I had my 6 month follow up with Dr. Kominsky, my oncologist. Everything is good there!

Relay for Life Season

It's that time of year again, when people all over the place are gearing up for their local Relay for Life.  Last year I was invited to an event close to home, but I was still in recouperation mode from my cancer surgery. I was roaming around blog land yesterday, and came across this raffle quilt.

Wouldn't you love to win this quilt? Well, if you check out Lisa's blog by clicking here and put your $2 on the table, you can have your name entered to win. After doing this, wander around Lisa's blog, Bear Hug Quilt Works and see her award winning quilts.
Imagine winning a quilt done by this quilter with the proceeds going to such a great cause. I don't know anyone who hasn't been touched by cancer. Show your support, it's only $2!
Today is my one year follow up with Dr Kominsky, my Oncologist. I'm positive everything is 100%!
Sharon

8 Months Later

Wow, has it really been 8 months since I had my surgery? I'm creeping up to one year cancer free. I got an A+ at my follow up with Dr. Kaufman, the surgeon who did an amazing job! That's all I have to report on this, May 14, 2010 will be my "2nd birthday"! I think that's a reason to celebrate. So until then......
Pink out!
Sharon

Six Months Later

This week was my six month follow up mammogram and with the help of a Vicadin, it went just fine. The Dr's reviewed the images and everything looked good! Today was my annual with my GP and she recommended I get the H1N1 flu shot, so that was my big adventure today.

On a side note. Thanksgiving was a weekend of travel and visiting. I went to Grass Valley OR where I used to live, Pop 160. Lunch consisted of a group of 5 women and one more came in and joined us. I was the youngest, 47, sitting around the table. Then we ranged in the 50's, 60's and 70+. A total of six women sitting having lunch in a town of 160 people. This is where I met these ladies, where they grew up and raised their families. Some were from the town north of here, but all from the same county. We had a lovely lunch, and on the drive home to my friends she casually said, "That was interesting" and I replied "What, that 4 out of 6 of us had breast cancer?" "Yes", she replied.
And that was the end of that conversation.

Today after getting the flu shot they asked me to sit in the waiting room for 10 minutes and during that time my phone rang. My g.f. had just has the same shot yesterday so we chatted abit about how my arm may be sore. After hanging up the phone, the lady sitting next to me asked about the flu shot. I told her I didn't plan on getting it, but since I'd dealt with breast cancer this year, it was recommended for me. She asked how I was doing, I told her, "great, just on the one pill a day" She replied "I tried that, but the side effects were terrible I quit after one year. But I'm a survivor too" She said this as she started to walk away. I told her I'm not a survivor, I'm LIVING. She replied "Thriving, that's a better word"
Yes, Thriving is so much better, because that is what it is all about. Surviving sounds like you're dragging your butt across the floor and are just making it through the day. That's how I felt some days during treatment, but not anymore. THRIVING, That's my new answer on "how ya doing?"
Enjoy the weekend, deck your tree, hang your holiday memories and enjoy your friends and family!
Sharon