Just an update

the radiation is going well so far, I've had 14 of 33 treatments so far

4:09 PM - 3 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment

Are You an Animal Person?
Category: Pets and Animals

If you are, then I encourage you to get to know Joe at Recycled Rovers & Friends.  This is an animal rescue center located in Donna.  He has both cats and dogs available for adoption and is part of Petfinder.com.  It would be awesome if you could adopt a new baby; but if you can't do that, maybe you could take some time to volunteer there with the cats.  He really needs the help so if you have some spare time, this is worthwhile place to spend it.

9:53 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

radiation + another draining
Current mood: okay

well, radiation is going well so far - it doesn't take very long, even though it is every day and that gets a bit annoying, but that's ok

I did have to have my breast drained again yesterday (3rd time now).  My surgeon tried to tell me the redness was from the radiation, but I remember that feeling too well.  He was a bit suprised when he did the ultrasound and saw how much fluid was actually there.  I'm back to wearing the gauze for packing, but that is preferable to the  fluid.

6:40 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Starting radiation tomorrow
Current mood: cheerful

I got the mold made today and now have magic marker all over my upper body to mark the radiation...........so here we go (glow for Greta)

wish me well

8:46 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

It's Back to the Radiologist for me
Current mood: sleepy
Category: Life

My surgeon says it's time for me to go forward with my treatment (I couldn't agree more)!  I go to see the radiologist Tuesday.  Hopefully, I can get it started and get it finished.  I am so wanting to go to KY/TN to visit family and friends and I need to have this behind me first.

Otherwise, things are going well.  We are up to 9 cats/kittens now - yes, I know we are crazy.  But I wouldn't trade any one of them for anything.  They make me smile.

Hope everyone has a great week!

10:44 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Feeling Better

Well, my cold is mostly gone; but poor Joe has it worse than I did - he is so sick

I did get some good news at the doctor's yesterday - the fluid doesn't seem to have returned!!!!!!!!!!!  He wants me to continue keeping it constricted for 2 weeks and if it doesn't return, I can go ahead with the radiation *crosses fingers*

10:39 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

now, I've got a cold
Current mood: cranky

as if all this other stuff isn't enough, now I've got a cold

I don't understand how, I just finished off my antibiotics Thursday and was sick on Friday.  I have high blood pressure, so I can't really take much to help with the symptoms - so I feel yucky

on a positive note, the packing seems to be helping since the fluid doesn't seem to be returning (knock on wood!)

10:11 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Another OUCH!
Current mood: anxious
Category: Life

I had to go back to the surgeon today because the fluid had begun to collect again.  He wanted to do a drain tube and got me all numb and everything, but was unable to get the tube into the space where the fluid was from where he had made the incision.  So he opted to drain it again - not nearly as much stuff this time only 70 or 80 cc's.  He told me to keep it packed with gauze and wear a tight bra (sports bra) in hopes that will keep the fluid from collecting again.  He said if it comes back, he'll have to take me into the OR to insert the tube where it needs to go.  So, I'm gonna be wearing the tightest things I can find - that will be a big change after wearing things loose and comfortable for such a long time now.

Keep me in your prayers, I really don't want to have another surgical procedure.

8:04 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

OUCH!
Current mood: melancholy
Category: Life

Well, when I went back to the doc Thurs. he did aspirate my breast.  Unless I am adding wrong, he took close to 500 cc's of fluid out.  That did aleviate a great deal of pressure, but now it hurts -  I guess it is re-settling after having that much liquid removed.  He did say it didn't look like it was infected, but sent some of it off to be cultured anyway.  I'm still not sure when I can start my radiation - I go see my regular oncologist Monday and then the following Monday will be time for another herceptin treatment. 

Right now I'm just hoping my breast doesn't refill with fluid, I REALLY DON'T WANT another drain tube.

Has anyone else had this problem that could give me some advise?

12:33 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Bit 'o' bad news
Current mood: worried
Category: Life

hmmmm.........how to start this

I thought I was doing pretty well, went back to work last week, started herceptin on Monday

then

on Thursday I went to meet with the radiologist and he said it looked like I might have an infection in my breast and sent me to my surgeon and sure enough - an infection

my surgeon left the room and came back with another doctor and his nurse, they started talking amongst themselves about draining it and maybe a drain tube.......so I sorta freaked 'cause I thought everything was fine

he did an ultrasound and gave me some antibiotics to take - if they don't get rid of the infection, it's needle draining time for me.............that really scared me at first, but now, I'm so uncomfortable and in pain that I wish they'd have done it already.  Now I have to worry about the swelling becoming too much and maybe bursting the surgery scar open...........I sure hope not

keep me in your thoughts and prayers

8:26 AM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment