The Hermit Club

LaurieParr

Hi my dear friends,

I had my surgery and all is well.  The wire loc wasn't bad at all. They couldn't get to it with mammo, so they did it by ultrasound instead which was much better for me as I could lie on my side and not be pinched in the machine.  The radiated dye wasn't too bad either. The radiologist was SO sweet. He came in, held my hand and apologized in advance for how much it was going to hurt. He assured me that he would do it as fast as he possibly could. 

The surgery went well. The incision ended up being much larger than they anticipated having to do (it is the entire side of my breast), but I don't care. If it means clear margins then so be it.  I did get a gift of finding out that my node was clean though!  I didn't expect to get that news right away and so that is a huge relief and blessing.

I also wanted to share this......when I was in recovery, my doctor came to comfort me and tell me about the node. (Bless his heart he just lost his wife two weeks ago and he was so sad.)  He came over the side of the bed, took my hand and petted my head.  He leaned in and whispered, "I want you to know that all went well.  I also wanted to tell you that I have never seen so many angels during a surgery than with yours. I could see them and feel them. You are a blessed girl."   I was stunned.  For a man of science to reveal that to me was one of the greatest gifts I could ever receive.  I knew you all would love to hear that.

I am just resting today. It is sore, but the meds are helping, as are the ice packs that my husband got for me.  I can tell that I am going to struggle not overusing my arm as I am right handed and the cancer was on that side. I have a wonderful massage therapist (trained in cancer patients and nodes) who is standing by to help me when I am more recovered.  I have my follow up on 6/7 (my 17th wedding anniversary). I'll take that as a sign that it will be good news.

Love to you all....thank you all for your support these past two months.  I am so lucky to have all of you. I hope all of the migranes, chemo side effects, pain, and sadness disappear for all of you. I am always hear if you need to vent. I love all of you.

Blessings and light,

XOXOXOXO

Laurie

camillegal

Laurie I am not surprised at all about the angels, but that the Dr. said it , it was beautiful. All is well in breastland for u---nonnodes wonderful news. Are u getting any type of treatment or will tht be decided when u go? Whatever it is u must be blessed cus the feeling was in the whole room. U rest and be taken care of now, it's u'r turn to relax.

Teka

blondiex46

Laurie thanks so much for letting us know....we are here whenever you feeling like plugging in....love that dr...how cool is that....rest.....

Jazzygirl

Laurie- good news and glad your doctor was so good with you. I like my breast surgeon, she did a good job with my surgery, but she was not anywhere near as kind as that man was to you through your process. I am sure he is very sad right now, but he is still working and helping other women to be well, so he is a saint in my book anyways.

Good news on the pathology. Rest well and let us know how you are doing.

Hi to all other hermits. Work is crazy, but I am hanging in there.....

camillegal

Jazzy u work so hard and take it so well--good for u.

Laurie how are u doing today?

Teka

We're starting to warm-up in the North Country.

Planting done!!

Members seem to post less during the summer.

LaurieParr

Hello ladies!

Camille. Blondie, Jazzy, Teka and the rest...thank you! My treatment will be determined by final pathology. Can't wait to see the results. I can get them online before my 6/7 follow up. I check every day! LOL!  I'm guessing I will have clean margins and a low Oncotype score. My guess is that I will get a bit of radiation and then be put on Arimidex.  We shall see.  I am feeling pretty good. The site is of course sore, but ice packs help. I find that I can't take the pain meds every 4 hours because it gives me too much of a sense of non-pain and I try to do to much. I have been letting myself feel the pain (it's not excruciating), so I will just rest more.  The incision ended up being the entire side of my breast, so it is hard to raise my arm or carry things in my right hand. I would love to have my hair washed today. If I feel as if I can't do it, I will ask my husband or my daughter. My head itches. Part of it is from the Lortabs.  My daughter is coming by to watch Steel Magnolias with me. She has never seen it! Wow. I can't believe it. Now is the perfect time. 

Yesterday one of our baseball families brought us over an entire dinner. THAT was the best gift! There is enough that I can share it when my daughter and son in law come over today. I am certainly going to remember that gift of help and pay it forward in the future. What a help!

Well, that is all for now. I have been up for a couple of hours and so I feel as if I need to lie down again. LOL...lazy! Love to all of you....blessings to all of you.....praying that you all have a peaceful and painfree day. I will get my email notifications from the site, so blog on hermits!

XOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXO

Laurie

blondiex46

Laurie thanks for checking in and glad the pain isn't too bad....you have what appears to be a wonderful support system....enjoy the time with DD...

Teka

LaurieParr,

Pain medication helps with the healing process.   Really!

camillegal

Laurie have u'r DD wash u'r hair--it will feel better and like Teka said it does hekp with healing, but just know there are hings that u can no do with that arm. And that was a wonderful gift of dinner u got. Noce people to a nice family.

Skittle

Laurie...  So happy your dr was attuned to angelic support, and was willing to share that with you.   Glad your healing can continue, surrounded by family and caring friends.  (Yay, dinner!)  Thoughtful.

Jazzy... Don't overdo.  Be good to yourself.

Teka... We keep having storms.  But my lilies of the valley are blooming, and I love their quiet presence, so often unnoticed.  I hope to put in some "elephant ears" --not sure how well they'll do.  

Blondie, camille, all... enjoy peaceful moments.   (Wishing all the local tornado watches and warnings would stop.  Thunder continues in the distance...)

Teka

I am now enjoying wild columbine & lilies-of-the-valley.

Skittle

Oh, Teka, of the green thumb...  Is Wisteria a good thing or a bad?  Some seem to view it as an invasive weed, but I think it's pretty.  Should I attempt it, or do you think I'll regret it? 

Spookiesmom

Skittle

I had a wisteria vine growing on a trellis for years. Pretty purple flowers, similar to lilac. At least in SW Ohio it wasn't a weed. I've seen it here too, but not frequently.

Teka

Several years ago, daughter & I planted 1 which continues to have some die back during the North Country winters.  

Not 1 bloom!!!

Jazzygirl

Hi hermits- glad to hear most of you are doing well, enjoying some warmer weather, etc.

Two days from the system go live so tomorrow I finish setting up my command center and we get ready to rock and roll on monday. My team seems ready and in a good place today, which I am grateful for.

My lower back pain is back. Started late this afternoon again and just not sure what the story is. I went to yoga class and that helped. Going to need to take it easy this weekend and perhaps rest my back some. I do wonder if it is from the Arimidex....

Glad Laurie is doing well and coming along with her healing! It does sound like you have some nice folks helping you! Please rest and let your daughter help you. Love Steele Magnolia's.

More soon! Blessings to all of you. June on the horizon now.

camillegal

Jazzy, watch u'r back for a whie and pay attention to when it hurts--these stupid meds can do a number on us,

Laurie I hope all is going well for u.

Storms during the night -my cat left me alone, then Joey came in and I went in his room for a while--now I'm awake and in pain so I took pain meds hoping it will calm down GRRRR that's my mad sound BTW. LOL We're supposed to get weather goofy for the next few days well I love rain but not storms or wind so if it just rai, fine I won't worry. So I have to watch my cat closely to see if she just walking around or hiding. hahaha

LaurieParr

Thank you ladies,

XOXOXOXO

Laurie

LaurieParr

Jazzy, I hope you feel better. Back pain can be horrible. (((HUGS)))

Skittle and all experiencing storms-I pray that is is mild and just passes over. XOXOXO (((HUGS)))

Teka-I will take my meds. Thank you. (((HUGS)))

Camille, Blondie, Markat...(((((HUGS)))))

Feeling ok on day four.Pain is a large dull ache, but not the worst I have ever felt.  Emotionally, I feel yucky. I guess it is all of the anethesia coming out. I don't want visitors and have been keeping people at bay. Haven't even felt like posting on facebook which is not like me. I know this will pass, but it feels yucky. Luckily the pain meds put me to sleep, so I have been allowing myself to do that. My son has a ton of baseball games in the coming days, so I am home alone a lot and I prefer that. I am not used to just laying around, but at least if no one is home I feel as if I can relax.  I think it is all just starting to hit me. I look at the scar and think, "Holy crap...that is because of cancer."  I'm not wallowing....it's just reality.  This process really takes us on a rocky journey. 

Thanks for letting me vent.

XOXOXOXO

Laurie

Jazzygirl

Hi Laurie- it takes a lot of energy to heal. It also takes a lot of energy to deal with other people, even when they mean well. I did not have very many folks visit during my surgeries last year. Not up for hanging out and being conversational with folks when I was either in pain, tired or both. Just let your community know you appreciate their support but need time to rest.

There is a sort of emotional let down after surgery. Plus the usual angst of waiting for the final path results. I remember crying more than a few times last fall after my surgeries. Take good care of you right now. One day (or hour) at a time.

Back pain is better today. Lower back feels a bit tight and think it is more muscles than bones but watching it. Exercise makes it feel better so I will go swim tonight after work is finished!

Cami- sorry to hear about the pain. Hope you feel better as the day goes on.

blondiex46

Laurie it take days or so to get the anesthesia out of your system....be good to yourself. {{{{{HUGS}}}} to you!!

Jazzy hope the pain isn't too bad now....

Cam your pain.....{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}

thank goodness for the illegal stuff and the meds...taking the pain away...

camillegal

Oh Blondie u precious goose--it is LEGAL in ILL now, but I think they have to figure out how they wil scrpt it and sell it yet.

Laure that's why we're the hermit people. It's much easier to be alone when u don't feel well for us. I remember the first time I was in the hospital for almost a week and I did not want anyone to come and I meant it and my DD said Mom it looks like no one likes u they all want to come--I was so sick I didn't care to even see the drs. And a priest came in ONCE and only ONCE and I'm Catholic then he sent a neighbor of mine in to give me communion (I lived in a condo) so she told everyone I must have lung cancer (cuz I smoke) and I was dying.When I came home the lobby had all these people there telling me see if u didn't smoke this wouldn;t have happened, I was so mad I half opened my top and said see i had breast cancer and I'll be fine Thank u and I want no visitors. It actually upset me. Because I thought no matter what I had I would never say that to anyone. Oh and they were all very Catholic and I did say I didn't break any Commandments-unless I missed one. So I'm really not good in crowds hahaha

camillegal

lizlori

Hi Everyone,

I went back to work and it has been awful.....they are trying to get me out of there. The nurse "filling in" has changed my office and moved in her furniture. That was my first clue.....she and the boss are in cahoots and are constantly gossiping about me. Anything I say gets twisted. It is an awful situation to be in this kind of work environment.  They are looking for errors I have made (however I have found things she has done wrong)   I am going to lose my job, and that is clear to me. I am depressed and feel like I don''t care much about anything anymore.   If it wasn't for my sweet staff and the residents, I don't know what I would do.  a On a brighter note my new kitten makes me happy...he is a rag doll breed, and she slept with me last night. His name is Fritzy and he is a handsome cat, fur like a rabbit, mitten coloring on his paws.  Last night he pressed his paws softly on my cheeks and started at me, so sweet.   Yesterday I start the first of twelve taxol treatments.   Unfortunately the steroid wired me so bad that I got no sleep, even after taking 10mg of valium.   I never went to work, am so tired, but stll cant sleep.....and back to crying again, taking effexor for that, but don't know if that is a side affect of the steroid and lack of sleep?   Laurie glad you are good, been thinking about you. That Dr. is a gem...wished I had an angel to hold me....Jazzy, take care of that back, I have had years of it when I worked as an aide, ibuprofen did wonders, and rest. I feel for you, is no fun. Now its in my neck, which is stress, and poor posture.  Take Care my Hermit friends.....Lori

Skittle

Oh, Laurie, you are being so smart.  (I was an idiot.  Had surgery on a Friday and was back at school Monday.  I did not allow myself any time to think about it.  Not too wise.)  There was tornado activity close, but we're safe.  Major flooding, though.  Highway to work was under about 5 inches of water...  (But today was the last day of school!!  Only workshops and professional developments until August--yay!)  Hope your son has a great season, and daughter feels well as baby grows.  :-)

Camille, Feel better.  You have so much spirit!  I feel like a soggy sock in comparison.  My hermity ways overcome spunk more often than I care to admit.

Jazzy, Happy swim.  I envy that skill.  Love the water/sink like a rock.  Happy that dd2 and dh have super skills.  Both life guard qualified.  Dd1 does not like the water.  (Hmm.  Taurus?) 

Blondi, Have a great weekend.  Be good to yourself.

Markat, Still sending loving thoughts and prayers your way.  Gentle hugs.

Teka and Spookiesmom, I think I'll investigate a young wisteria and see how much they are...  Maybe wait 'til the weather calms down so it doesn't drown.  They grow more like trees here than vines...  Maybe they're just older ones?  

Happy June to all.   Time goes so quickly by.

Michele2013

Skittle...are you in oklahoma? If you are, we are going to get hit again. Same if not worse than last night.



I hate cancer and tornadoes!!!!!!!!

blondiex46

Cam....well it isn't here in PA...that is right....I barely come out of my bedroom....lol...and with my car broken I have to borrow one to go do things, it is more of an excuse to stay home, which is not good...I do need toilet paper, lol

Lori so sorry....{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}document everything, CYA....don't let them run you out of a place that you want to be...steroids do that to me every time, I take benedryl sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't I get it as part of my regiment so they told me I could take it. Glad something makes you smile...come here and play...there is usually someone here all the time.

Teka

I've a wisteria vine.

camillegal

Hi everyone==

Lori I don't like this at all---can't u go on disability till u'r completely done then maybe u can hanle things better and take care of u'r job. Tht would be good for u to do so u'r not stressed out. Is that possible? Cuz the Drs. will do it for u. I worked the first 4 months of chemo, that probably the time our State went broke, but after oper. and started chemo again I never worked another day, but I was on disability for almost 4 yrs. I thought I was going back hahaha foolish me--but can u do that? And bless u'r kitty, I have one too and they are so lovable/

Yes more rain and storms and stuff =don't like this at all--it's not evening out at all- Not pleasant enuff.

(((MARKAT)))

Why are so many of us having bad back problems---what were we given?