Well the Merry Go Round Ride starts again

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Amazon_Archer
Amazon_Archer Member Posts: 23
edited June 2014 in Second or Third Breast Cancer

On June 9th it would have been 17 years of being cancer free after having a modified radical mastectomy of the left breast and 6 months of chemo.  On June 9th this year I'm going in for a colonoscopy to check for cancer. On June 17th I'm going in for Pre-Op. On June 24th I am having a modified radical mastectomy on my right breast.  I may sound like I'm fretting but I'm not acutally, not for myself anyway.

The biggest thing I'm having a problem with is getting stuff organized around the house. I am my husband's and my mother's caregiver. My hubby and I moved into my mother's house a year ago because she didn't want to move and get a smaller place that would be easier for her to take care of, so we moved back "home" to share expenses and keep up the house and yard work.

 My dear hubby is a dialysis patient and has had 4 heart attacks in 5 years and he is also wheelchair bound and uses oxygen. My mother is mostly just elderly and does have heart problems (atrial fib) and she doesn't drive (neither does my hubby).

I have already made arrangements for a neighborhood kid to cut the grass and I'm stocking up simple and easy to prepare meals (lots and lots of casseroles :) 

Husband's and Mom's meds are handled unless they keep me in the hospital longer then anticipated. If that's the case my sister will stop by and at least do my mom's meds for the week and my hubby's dr office can do his if necessary.

Can anybody think of anything else I should try to prepare/prepare for ahead of time?

I've survived before...I WILL survive again... I'm just trying to get as much organized ahead of time as I can but I'm thinking I'm trying to over think. But I just want to make this as easy possible for my family to cope with.

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited June 2009

    Amazon Archer,

    Sounds like you better get your bow sharpened.  How sad to be on this road again after so many years.  You seem to be handling it well...old hat I guess.  I think I would be quite overwhelmed in your place and if you do get that way, I hope you can ask for help.  Best of luck in your upcoming procedures. (I just had my colonoscopy and it was a piece of cake, so to speak!) Let us know how you are doing. 

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  • Amazon_Archer
    Amazon_Archer Member Posts: 23
    edited June 2009

    My bow at the moment is hanging on the wall gathering dust probably until October. I'm hoping I will be recovered enough to at least compete during the indoor season in the fall and winter although I have missed and will miss all of the outdoor season this year.

    I think I'm handling it pretty well because the first time on the Merry Go Round wasn't that bad of an experience for me. I felt I had an advantage over my competitors because I didn't have a "boob"  getting in the way of my bow string. I didn't have to worry about shaving hairy arm pits or hairy legs for almost a year and after recovering from surgery I was able to continue to  work in a job that I loved all but about 4 days after each chemo treatment which was every 3 weeks.I had a great surgeon, a great boss, a supportive family a lot of answered prayers and I figure that God is probably just trying to get me to slow down a little bit. After all, I have my hubby and my mother to still take care of.

    I'm not saying I'm not worried because I am. But I can't change it, worrying myself to death won't help it. And I will probably be a basket case after it's over. I have a tendency to put up a brave front, I do fine until it's over and the addrinalin (sp?) rush lets down. I will probably be a basket case for a few weeks after the surgery is over.Then I will find my balance and go from there.

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited June 2009

    So you really do have a  bow!   You also have the same outlook that I subscribe to.  It is what it is.  Time to adjust and get on with it.  However, there are some days when its easier said than done.  

    A lot of this voyage is about perspective.  You certainly have things in your own experience that help you keep things in perspective.  I nursed my teenage daughter through cancer and lost her at 16 years of age.  I think that our lives have already taught us a lot of lessons that makes the bc route more doable for us.  Does that sound like a fair assessment? 

    Edited to say:  It isn't the bow that you need to sharpen is it?  It is the arrows.  Shows what I know! 

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  • smithlme
    smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
    edited June 2009

    Archer,

    I'm so sorry you're traveling down BC Lane, once again. I've done the trip twice and the second time wasn't as scary as the first. Like you, I thought way ahead and planned. You seem to have everything thought out for your husband and mom, now do something for you. A new book, magazines or soft jammies. Be sure all the current bills are paid so you don't have to worry about them. Give the house a good cleaning and stock up on toilet paper. Does the oil need to be changed in the car? Just a few ideas to get you going. Best of luck with your upcoming surgery. Take good care of yourself...

    Linda

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  • Amazon_Archer
    Amazon_Archer Member Posts: 23
    edited June 2009

    LOL Smithlme,

    I just told my Husband and Mom this morning that I wanted new PJ's and underwear before I go in :)

    and I have already ordered 2 of the surgical cami's from tlc they were shipped out yesterday.

    When I was diagnosed the first time around I spent about 4 days in the hospital. This time around they said I would only stay overnight if all went well. Is that the norm now adays? I know all my questions should be answered when I go in for pre-op on the 17th but I was just wondering. I know they have come a long way in treatment in 17 years.

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  • smithlme
    smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
    edited June 2009

    Does the expression, "drive-through-surgery" ring a bell? Overnight seems to be the norm for many. I've been one of those people who run a low grade fever after surgery so I end up staying two days. Something about hospitals seems to make me sick!

    When I was in for 6 days with my failed TRAM I was begging to go home. I ran a low grade fever for 5 days and broke out in purple splotches and streaks all down my side. Two visits from a doctor from Infectious Diseases and several IV's of heavy duty antibiotics and I was still there. I kept pleading my case to my doctor, saying that the hospital was sucking the very life outta me! I think one of my nurses "fudged" my normal temp so I could go home. Once I was there, I was fine.

    Happy undies and jammie shopping. Treat yourself well...

    Linda

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  • mke
    mke Member Posts: 584
    edited June 2009

    Put everything you need on low shelves, reaching up will be difficult.  Overnight is usual these days and that's probably a good thing.  Hospitals are not particularly good places to be unless you are very, very sick.  I was in less than 24 hours after a bilateral mastectomy and it wasn't a problem - but I wasn't the caretaker for two other people.  Be careful not to overdo things, try to get another driver for a couple weeks.

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