The last couple of days I have been sore, not in excruciating pain, but noticeable pain. I have about a 7-8 inch incision starting from the middle of my chest, where the top of the breast would be, that goes to my left, under my arm. (Imagine a kind of Frankensteinish looking scare with all the stitches, as well as staples.) Where it ends on my side is numb, about a 3 inch area. I feel a tightening around the incision that makes me uncomfortable. The underpart of my arm from my armpit, almost to my elbow, is tender to the touch; I think from lymph nodes being removed, but I'm not sure. I have a tube that was inserted in my skin about an inch down from the incision on my left. On the other end of the 2 foot or so of tubing, is a plastic bulb that collects drainage from the site. I pin this to my shirt. I have to empty it a few times a day and record the amount collected. When it gets low enough, the doctor will take it out.
Back to the doctor's appointment--
I had this follow-up appointment on the books since the same time that the surgery was scheduled, and confirmed it on Friday. Wouldn't you know it, when I went for my appointment they didn't have it on the schedule; they said maybe it got dropped when someone was checking on it and didn't click on save. You know how these computers are! .....Well, they squeezed me in.
The doctor checked the incision, said it was healing well, and removed the 12 or so staples that helped hold it together.
He started telling me about the pathology report. He said there was 17 lymph nodes removed and.....one came back with cancer. I had hoped for NONE with cancer, but I guess the outcome could have been worse.
The appointment was short (being it wasn't planned!). I didn't ask a lot of questions. I guess it kind a threw me again. I should be prepared for these things. He showed me exercises I should be doing with my arm to gain mobility --sort of putting my arm perpendicular to the wall and climbing up it with my fingers. He did say he wanted to see me in a week to remove the 12 or whatever stitches that are still there. I'll write down my questions this time.
Side note--
Matt went back to Waxahachie on Sunday. Another 6 weeks and he graduates (May 3rd)! Yea! My goal is to make it to his graduation. The doc says it takes 6-8 weeks to heal before the start of chemo, so hopefully this will all work out before I loose my hair!
Scott and Jan flew out early Monday morning. I'm usually the one who takes Scott to the airport at 4:30 Monday morning, but this week Jan could. (She had rented a car.) She was flying back to Ecuador after being here for a week. Thank you, Jan, love you!
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| My sister Jan |
My sister, Bev, came from Santa Cruz and stayed Tuesday and Wednesday. She took me to my appointment and helped me with some errands. Love you sis!
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| Zach and Auntie Bev |
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