Checking In

How is everyone doing? First of all, Lady (dog) is doing well. She had a bad seizure (her first) Thursday night. It was hideous. $850 later... there was nothing that off in her blood work that we didn't know about and her chest and abdominal x-rays didn't reveal any masses. Short of a brain MRI or something which ain't gonna happen... she may or may not have another seizure. They only treat dogs (with phenobarbital) if they get 3 seizures in a months time. I hope this was an isolated one. I really do. I picked her up from the vet near here (ER one) and took her to her regular vet Saturday so all are in the know. She does have CDS (cognitive dysfunction syndrome). She circles for minutes before laying down. She walks into a corner or behind a door and seems confused as to how to remedy the situation. But, I mean, man she is almost 19 years old. Bound to get some neurological slow down, eh? There is a med but the vet said he has tried it on 3 patients including his own pet and saw no changes. I'm doing okay. Tired. A bit stressed. Whatever. Had stomach issues this morning. Breakfast sat like lead. Had to sleep it off. Wonder if it is bowel issues. I suspect something isn't great there though the pain/issue is far from often. A bit unnerving especially with other things going on. Went to my office party Saturday night. It was decent. They had a nice sitdown dinner that was excellent. The hotel responded quickly when I asked for fruit instead of the plated dessert (which looked fabo!). We didn't dance. Rich's knee is ca-ca. He needs an MRI to see what is going on but with all my issues, he isn't prioritizing it. We are supposed to leave Friday for NY to go to my sister and BIL's house. We'll head back home Tuesday the day after Christmas because I have my surgery on Wednesday bright and early. The dog is going with us to NY and will be kenneled there. At least we'll be 2 miles away from her rather than 275. I went to fetch my mammogram films on Friday from the MRI place. I had the breast MRI Thursday morning and they wanted the films for comparison. I need to get the films to the hospital by Wednesday. They need 'em a week before surgery. When they returned the mammogram films to me they also gave me a copy of the official report and a disc containing the MRI itself. Not sure if it changes anything or not. The one stand out thing is that my left breast shows nothing and is completely normal. That's good news. The right one...well, there is 1-2 hematomas in there from the biopsying down a few weeks ago. And they said the clumped stuff runs from the hematoma 6.5 cm to the rear back of the breast. Geez, that's 2.5 inches. Now that is length not width so I'm not really sure how big a chunk we are removing. It we remove a good size chunk there won't be much left. I also have one mildly prominent lymph node on the right side. Wonder if that is due to the hematoma or just whatever. Trying not to worry or even think about that. Here is the report info (for the medical techie geeks among us that like to learn): Post biopsy hematoma is present within the right superior breast. Two areas of susceptibility are present, one in the superior aspect of the hematoma and the second in the anterior/inferior aspect of the hematoma. Clumped linear enhancement extend anterior and posterior to the biopsy site for a length of 6.5 cm. The parenchyma is diffusely coarsened on the right compared with the left. Proteinaceous material is present in multiple subareolar ducts. The skin of the right breast is thickened, however, there is no suspicious enhancement within the skin. The left breast is normal. Mildly prominent lymph node in the right axilla measures up to 1.5 cm. The left axillary lymphadenopathy. There is no lymphadenopathy in the visualized internal mammory chain. (FYI, lymphadenopathy is swollen lymph node. Axilla means armpit. The internal mammory chain are the lymph nodes that run along the clevage side of the breast by the sternum. Do not know if the thickened skin thing is due to the biopsy site or more than that.) Hopefully will hear from the surgeon tomorrow about these results. Would like to know if it is still something that can be cut out without deforming my breast (which is already deformed mind you) or if it is so big that they should do something more radical. Anyway, that's the latest greatest.... off to get SOMETHING done today. Laundry, wrapping, decorating (if I end up giving a crap), cooking for a work party tomorrow, and packing are all possible but might not get done due to lack of interest and procrastination. Take care, Kathy

Hi Kathy sorry I havent posted before now, but I did want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time your going through and may God bring you threw with flying colors. Hope you and Rich have a wonderful trip to Ny w/ your family for the holidays. Keep us posted and Merry Christmas. God Bless...

I think I must have missed a post somewhere. I recall your original post about the results of the biopsy, but I thought you needed a second one. Are you having a lumpectomy? I hope your recovery procedes more quickly than mine from the hysterectomy (I as I lie on the couch resting the abs). The heat from the laptop feels good on the incision. What a busy week or two you will have! Good news about your dog. I certainly understand that--Vegas (goofy yellow Lab) had to have surgery for his perforated small intestine one day after I come home from UVa. Jeezy peezy. How can we relax tending to our fur babies? Have a good week, Hugs, Lois

Hey Lois! I was supposed to go and get another biopsy on a 3rd location but after getting me in the "position" they realized it was just too close to the muscle to do via that method. So, I guess it is up to the surgeon and the MRI and such to determine if that 3rd area is also of interest. Could be part of the one just on the back end of it or something. Sorry to hear that your recovery is slower than you had hoped. No resting with the geriatric fur baby here. Actually my back is sore from lifting her (19 lbs) the other day to get her to the vet quickly. You have a good week as well. Happy Holidays to you! Hugs, Kathy

Thanks for the update, Kathy. I have been thinking about you. About your dog...that has happened to my 12 year old Pomeranian before. The Vet CAN send you home with a syringe full of valium (without the needle of course) so in case she has another one, you can insert the syringe in her rectum after putting vasaline on it..like a suppository....to ease the seizures until you get her to the ER vet for stabilization. Yes..I spent that much money for no answers also !!! You look BEAUTIFUL. I wish you felt that way. Hang in there and go get on some happy pills. Maybe that will ease things up a little with everything that is going on. I am still waiting for mine to kick in. Big Hugs, Love ya, Dana

Hi Kathy, I was hoping to see you at the meeting in Saturday so I could just give you a hug and let you know we all care!! You are having such a rough time of it lately and still don't know all the answers. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you that things may not be as bad as you expect.... I wish I understood all the medical terminology but I just don't..... Sorry to hear about your dog - we have one 11 year old English golden retriever and a 10 month old puppy - if we are not haivng trouble with one dog it is the other!! And then our son has been sick again too and has a chest infection and earche again - not to mention the drugs he is on make him hypoer - he goes crazy all day and at 6pm he is crashing out!! I am talking to the doctor today and trying to see if they can change him to something that will make him our normal calm sweet little boy again!!! Take care and keep us informed on how you are doing... PS I just love love love your glamour shot picture!!! Can't wait to have mine done in January! Love, Jackie