I am home again!
Hello, everyone!
I finally got online 11 pm late this evening for a few minutes.
We got to the cancer centre Tuesday morning at 6:30 am. At 7:30 I got a needle in my breast to FREEZE it then another needle, same place, to inject radioactive particles that then travel through the lymph system and thru the sentinal lymph nodes in the armpit. That is monitored and checked during surgery to find if the cancer seeds have gone that far..if the nodes are clear, it is a sign that the cancer has not likely travelled far.
Next at 8:30 was another needle for freezing (these freezing needles are huge and darned painful!) and then another needle to insert the very thin wire into the breast down to the tumour ...it has a hook at the end and is hooked into the mass so the surgeon can follow the wire down to make precise cuts.
From there I was again transferred to the OT and had to swish some thick gel in my mouth to freeze my mouth and throat. After that, they injected another darned needle to paralyze my gag reflex so that they can insert breathing tubes into my lungs. NOT fun. But shortly I was asleep and when I was wakened in recovery, I had a wee reaction- severe pressure on the breastbone...likely a surgeon digging an elbow on it...lol...but to be sure, they had me wear a heart monitor for 24 hours so I didnt get to go home that same day...in fact, they tried to keep me a second day. But I was determined to get outa there! I could not sleep at all..I live in the country and at night it is pitch dark..all I hear are owls hooting and coyotes howling. The recovery room is alive with the sound of cries, shouts, alarems, buzzers,talk, laughter, and bright lights and no sleep possible. The staff are awesome and very busy.
I managed to escape Wednesday late afternoon though and slept 18 solid hours at home... Just resting today. Pain quite manageable...I refuse pain meds.
Trying to eat soup & yogurt and drink tea. Healing well already. I see Dr Hodgson on Nov 30 for results and treatment plan. Right now just feeling weak and a bit shaky..that won't last long. Looking forward to feeling more human soon.
Thank you to all of you for your kind words and support. I am off to bed again. Love to all,
Nancy B
Rest and let your body do what it has to to heal, just happy to see you're back and hoping that the results show that the seeds have not spread to places that would make this a more difficult situation and that the plan is not overwhelming.
Sending hugs and positive healing thoughts to you.
Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
