Feeling Good

Aside from some soreness and numbness, I'm feeling good these days!  :-)  For several days now, I've only had Tylenol 1-2 times per day.  Now, I only take it at evening time.  I'm expecting a wonderful weekend at home with family before the dreaded CHEMO begins. 

This summer, I hope to do some light traveling during those "in between" weeks, if my energy cooperates.  I plan to continue working from home this summer even though I may not feel my best each day.  Surely if other women can get up, dress, and drive to work while on chemo, I can log into my laptop and teach a class from the comfort of my home.  I have a wonderfully supportive dean and and work team ready to help me out if things get a little tough this summer.  Again, I am so blessed.

I've been told that chemo brings about a crippling fatigue that cannot be described.  I can handle it though.  I know God will bring me through it, and it's only temporary.  Have a great weekend!!!

My Chemo Plan

Now that all the surgery and preliminary tests have been done, a chemo regimen is now in place.  *sigh* 

First of all, I still had a little drainage this morning, so the surgeon extracted it.  He insists that I wait another week before beginning chemo.

My visit with Dr. Tauer went well.  He explained the pathology report again and prescribed 8 rounds of aggressive chemotherapy (every two weeks).  I don't remember the medication names (sounded a bit Greek to me), but when I find out, I may post it here.  Anyway, I'll be on two different medications the first 4 rounds, then a 3rd medication the final four rounds.  They will cause loss of hair and fatigue, but nausea should be controlled.  Anti-nausea meds will be given before each treatment, plus I'll come in for a shot the day following each treatment to keep my white blood count up.  The Herceptin treatments will begin with the final four treatments and another year thereafter. I will have my treatments on Thursdays, beginning June 3rd.

Also, I had a CT scan to see if there were any additional "spots" visible then re-visited with the doctor.  Dr. Tauer came in the room and proudly announced that my scan was "perfect"!  :-)

Chemo Delay

This morning's appt with the surgeon revealed lots of swelling and excess drainage in the surgical area.  The tube was still needed, but had to be taken out because of the infection.  Therefore, he did a needle aspiration to withdraw the fluid and wants to see me again Wednesday morning before my other appt. to see if the accumulation has lessened.

The surgeon will not release me for chemo treatments until this infection/fluid stuff is resolved. He said it could be about 2 weeks before I can begin chemo now.  I will still meet with the oncologist Wednesday morning to go over my chemo regimen, but nothing will begin until there is no infection.

Tube-Less!!!

Just as I thought, there was some infection at the tube site.  The doctor took it out (EXCRUCIATING), but now I'm finally tubeless.  I feel "free".  :-)

I was given a prescription for an antibiotic and told to take it easy.  I'll go back Monday to make sure there is no swelling.

Infection??

Last night was long and painful.  I had pain, headache, low fever, and other unusual symptoms.  This morning I peeked at my drain tube site and it appears to be infected.  So, it looks like it will come out today after all.  Drain output is good though (only 20 CCs yesterday), so that shouldn't be a problem.  I guess 2.5 weeks was just too long for it to be in there.  I'll go to the surgeon's office at 2pm.  Wish me luck!

Still Draining

Not only is the drain tube still in, but the drainage has increased quite a bit.  The pain has increase too.  I called the doctor today to see if this could mean infection, and he said it's probably due to increased activity.  So, I will take it easy... again... and hopefully have it out by Monday.  My daily accumulation has to be below 30CCs for 24 hours before it can come out.

A Wig That Might Work

Today, I went wig shopping with the girls.  We selected one that will likely work.  It will just take some getting used to.  Right now, I think it could use some thinning out.  Let me know what you think.

Drain Tube

Well, I didn't get to have my drain tube removed today.  It's still draining a bit much, so we'll wait until Wednesday or Thursday.

Deeply Rooted

I had to miss church again today, but I came across this scripture in Jeremiah that really spoke to me this morning.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord

and whose trust is the Lord.

For he will be like a tree planted by the water,

that extends its roots by a stream

and will not fear when the heat comes;

but its leaves will be green,

and it will not be anxious in a year of drought

nor cease to yield fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

This will no doubt be a year of drought (challenges), but I think - well, hope - I'm deeply rooted and will bear fruit even through this season.

More Info About Pathology Report

I had a follow-up appointment with the surgeon today.  Turns out, there was more to the pathology report than he relayed on yesterday.  The main tumor measured 6.2 cm, but there was another cancerous tumor in the first lymph node he removed.  It measured 2.7 cm.  He could see where another lymph node was enlarged too.  The pathology report revealed cancer cells within the lymphatic vessels (they transport fluid to the lymph nodes), so he's certain that more nodes were infected than the report shows.  He has asked a doctor in the pathology department to look at those nodes again...more thoroughly.

Bottom line, I will need 30 rounds of radiation of the entire lymphatic region after my chemotherapy.  This is for two reasons: (1) the tumor was so large, and (2) the cancer has spread into the lymphatic region.  Terry asked him if he had any idea how many rounds of chemo I'd need.  He said probably 6-8 rounds.  This is only the beginning of a long road.

The surgeon also removed one of the drain tubes today.  It didn't hurt at all!  He said everything else looks great.

The oncologist's office called this afternoon to schedule my pre-chemo bloodwork and office visit with Dr. Tauer.  This will take place on May 26th.  I may have a CT/PET scan that day to see if cancer is in any other area(s) of my body.  (Now, who could ever be "ready" for a test like that?" I will probably begin chemo that week too.  I think I'll choose Fridays if given the option.

Hey...God is still good and He is definitely able!  Love you all.

Pathology Results

I just spoke with Dr. Patterson about the pathology report from last week's surgery.  The tumor measured 6 cm, which puts me in the Stage 3 category.  In all, only 2-3 lymph nodes appear to have been cancerous.  I was VERY happy to hear this!!  Praise God for that bit of news.  I have a follow-up visit with Dr. Patterson tomorrow, and he said he will probably be taking out one of the drain tubes.

He also told me that I shouldn't start chemo until 3 weeks post-op, so that will be in about 2 weeks.  I'm glad to wait that amount of time because I still have not gotten a wig or any turbans.  Plus, I'll be less sore by then.  All in all... good report!

Edited at 9:26pm to Add: 
I hope I didn't mislead anyone with my earlier posting.  The good news about the lymph nodes only suggests that things are not any worse than we discovered during surgery.  The pathology report only confirmed that there were not additional lymph nodes affected with cancer.  This did not retract anything said at surgery.

Pathology Report

I called the surgeon's office this morning and was told that the pathology report just came in today.  He will call me this afternoon to go over the results.  A copy is being faxed to the oncologist this morning.

Painful Reminders

I've had unusual soreness last night and today.  I don't know if it's the weather or the fact that I over-did it a bit yesterday.  This body keeps reminding me that I've had major surgery.  I probably need to take a nap today and get of my feet for the rest of the day.

Emotionally, I'm a bit down too.  I removed the surgery tape from the incision sites today.  I'm so thankful Terry was with me and he loves me so.  It was hard for me to look at, but as my mother reminded me, all this is worth it.

On a happy note, today is my mother's birthday.  Terry and I got her a Gould's massage to use sometime this spring or summer, a balloon, and a card.  I am so thankful to have her and my Aunt Mary here to care for me after my surgery.  I am so blessed!

Rest and Recovery

I'm still resting and recovering from my surgery.  I feel pretty good, but still depend on the pain pills every 4 hours.  I will visit the surgeon on Wednesday morning for him to possibly remove one of the drain tubes.  Let me apologize from the start for my choppy wording.  My thinking is a bit sporadic.

The girls are doing much better now that I'm home and sound and look more myself.  I'm being carefully guarded by my caregivers.  :-)  Let's just say, they're waiting on my hand and foot.  This is very strange for me since I'm usually the one running around doing things for everyone else.

I expected to hear from the surgeon yesterday about my pathology report, but did not.  Hopefully I will hear from him today.  From that report, we'll know the condition of the other lymph nodes and I can be properly staged.

Here is some pictures of me with Sarah.  They were taken this morning.

Recuperating

I am in the hospital room feeling pretty good right now.  This morphine is amazing!  I won't be on long, but wanted to pop in and say hello.  Thank you for the prayers.  I am doing well.

Dr. Patterson will be releasing me tomorrow (Thursday).  I will have pain meds and exercise instructions for my right arm.  Since the lymph nodes were removed, I'm at higher risk for developing lymphadema (sp?).  So, exercise will be important.  Never again can I have blood taken or blood pressure taken on that arm.  Hopefully, we'll get the pathology report by Friday.  This will be instrumental in my treatment plan.  From that report, chemo will be prescribed and possibly radiation too (of the lymph node area).  The journey has only begun.

I'm a little groggy, so I'm outta here for now.  Hugs!!

last night

Overall, Karen had a very good night. She was able to go to the restroom with some assistance. Her appetite has been pretty good. She's able to feed herself. She still has a lot of pain and swelling. We plan to stay at the hospital one more night. Please continue to pray for complete healing.

Surgery Update

She's doing fine.  Three of the ten lymphs nodes were affected with cancer cells, so the doctors removed all ten. They are going to let her rest for a while and they want her to eat a little something this evening. I'll stay with her tonight to ensure things go well. She will be in recovery for about an hour. I'll keep everyone posted later.

Terry

Surgery Eve

The bag is packed, the pre-op instructions have been read, the prayers are being lifted up.  Tomorrow is surgery day, and I'm as ready as can be expected.  Today was a bit overwhelming with many things to do, but I'm still optimistic and positive.  Terry will probably update the next few times.  Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

All My Love,
Karen

"Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's." 

- 2 Chronicles 20:15 -