Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

Corrine, I'm so glad!!

I hope everyone's day is wonderful and full of blessings!

Praying for you Bettelou!! When I had surgery for my lumpectomy I found these verses in my Bible

Before surgery

Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

When I woke up I came across this verse

Psalm 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.

May these verses comfort any one going through surgery.

God Bless, Corinne

Hello there,

I'm doing much better now Amen! Now I know what to expect right after TX.

I was foolish enough to look up recent studies on TN cancer and of course read some startling, negative mortality rates which sent me into a whirl wind. I know. I shouldn't have read that! Once I jetted to the daily devotional site (Corrine & Bette you will love this site!) (www.intouch.org)  did I receive a sense of peace and reassurance. I guess what's frightening is, to believe that we're going to beat this and realize we may not. I keep reminding myself, "The Lord is on the throne, by our side".

Corrine: I am soooo happy to hear that it's only a cyst. Amen!! What a relief for you. Hope you enjoyed your ride.

Deanna; I'm also so happy your MRI is negative.  What a relief for you too. Hopefully your pain will disappear soon.

Gail: Thx. My hair is about 1/2 in. too. Looks to be growing wavy & gray. 

Congratulations Chelli and Stacy for finishing TX and RADS! 

Bette: May God be with you during your surgery.  You've got lots of prayers and positive wishes your way! 

Hugs to all,

Jeannine

I am home now. Staff at Hopkins was fantastic. DD is making a chicken casserole for dinner, and I am catching up with the world. I am fairly comfortable on dilaudid and wearing a zip-up surgical bra, courtesy of PS. They were able to spare enough skin to fill the expander to 100ml, so I have a slight "profile".

Bette

Great Bette - I'm wearing a matching surgical bra after my final "exchange" last week. You'll soon be at the other end of this process, too!

Hugs,

Gail 

Lashon ~  You have been in my thoughts and prayers since we started this journey, and I am so happy that you will have another really big step behind you after tomorrow.  Are you doing immediate reconstruction?  Please let us know how everything goes as soon as you're up to it.  God bless you ~   Deanna

Great news, Bette.  I am glad you were able to get the recon. started with it.

Corinne & Lashon-I will be thinking of you as you get ready for your surgeries.  I am sure they will go well!!

Everyone else, hello!!

~Misty

Had a relatively good night. Only up once for pain meds. Drains are at 32 ml and 38 ml. DD is doing a good job stripping and draining. Spent most of morning up, but am feeling tired and sore after lunch, so am going to declare naptime.

Tomorrow is shower day

Visiting nurse coming tomorrow. Have not looked directly at my incision yet, but maybe she will change dressing and then I will peek. From what I can see with the dressing, I am not as "flat" as I thought I would be. Could that be the 100 cc they put in?

I just took the surgical bra off for a look. On the mx side I look 12 years old, on the other side 53 years old. LOL

Hi ladies

Congrats Bette on  getting the surgery done!  Great description, that's what I look like too, little kid on one side, woman on the other!  The drains are a pain in the tush, hope you don't have them too long. Good luck to the rest of you having surgery soon.  Sounds like I'm the only one with no interest in reconstruction after mastectomy! Not a big fan of surgery if it's not necessary.  Maybe I'll change my mind one day.  I think I'm more likely to get the other one taken off and go flat chested if anything!

I'll be half way through my radiation tomorrow, going well so far (and fast).

Bettelou - glad you are doing well and glad your surgery went good!!!  Lashon you are in my thoughts and prayers.  Misty1 - HAVE A BLAST on your cruise.  I leave February 28th for mine and I too am going wigless cause I just don't care anymore!!! LOL   Enjoy every minute you are away!!!!  Loves to all...........................

Hey, everyone,

No more chemo for me! Woo hoo!  Just surgery to go now.

Misty1 - hope you have a great time on your cruise.  My brother's taking my DH and I on a cruise Feb 12, and I'm so looking forward to it!  I don't know about the hatless, though, I'm pretty bald still.

Bette -I love the way you're working through obstacles for your wedding.  I think a satin turban would be beautiful for you!  Hope you're feeling better.

Big hugs to everyone!  Deen

Hello ladies,

I'm so glad that God has answered our prayers! Bette i'm glad it went well for you.

Congrats on finishing your chemo! I have been feeling better i'm sure you all know how it is when one day we feel good and then the next we feel like crap! I guess all we need to do is hang on tight and breath in and out for this crazy roller coaster ride. Blessing to all and have a great Sunday.

Lots of Love,   Karen

Today I felt tired and achey all day so I put in a lot of bed time. Tomorrow is post-op checkup, and drain # 2 will probably come out as it is producing less than 20 ml per 24 hours. Drain # 1, however, is producing over 200 ml in the same time. I think I will be stuck with that one for awhile. The drains are probably causing me more discomfort than the surgery at this point.

My hair is geting fuzzier and fuzzier! I like the texture, but where did all this grey come from, LOL

Still do not feel like going out in public with a mop like this. I am sticking to my eclectic collection of hats and scarves, with a wig only for formal, short occasions, because I cannot stand it on my head for more than a short time.

Tomorrow Tom has the day off and will take me to my appointment. It will be the first time he has seen me since my surgery. I am both eageryly awaiting his hugs, and wondering what it will be like to have only one side to hug with. I can't extend my left arm fully or hold him close on that side for a good hug. It will just be so wonderful to see him. I know the first time may be awkward, but we will work it out.

Another issue is that I have not seen my incision yet, because the dressing is still on. I promised him that he could see it at the beginning, so if the dressing comes off tomorrow, I guess that is that day for that too. If this is going to scare him off, I want to know it now. Fifteen years ago, a very different man walked out on our marrirage because I had a chronic illness. I know in my heart Tom is not that kind of man, yet there is still fear. I realize I have not completely recovered from John's leaving. Tom IS NOT John.

Better to go think of more cheerful things. I think a nice long shower would drown my tears right now.

Bette

Tonya, I am sorry to hear about your friend's passing.  This is very tragic, especially since it was so sudden and unexpected.  I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Tom and I both saw my incision today when the dressing was removed. He was totally accepting and held my hand as I inspected the new look of my chest. He also distracted me so that I did not even realize one of my drains had been removed. I got a lecture first from the doctor, then from Tom, for doing too much with my left arm. The heavy drainage on that side uncovered my secret of wanting to do things for myself.

After the appointment we went out to lunch, then home for an enforced nap. But I don't mind being waited on hand in foot once in a while. It was a very nice day.

I made an appointment with my local David's Bridal to go try on the pretty lavendar dress and to pick out something nice for my matron of honor as well. Once the dress is found, the search for headgear will begin. If my hair magically turns nice in two months, I will have it colored and styled and go with that. Ottherwise I will go with an elegant turbaan or hat.

I am so glad that we have now both seen my breast. It removes one element of stress from our wedding night. After what happened in my first marriage, I am very sensitive about rejection, and knowing that Tom has seen and accepts my breast makes a huge diffeeerence!

Bette