Hooray!

My belly is officially closed.  The doctor's assistant did remove the scab since she said it was hard skin and would not heal properly.  Now all I have is what she calls an abrasion.  I only need to put on bacitracin until it heals up completely.  I still can't go in the water, but hopefully when I go back to see her in a month, yes a month, it will be healed and I can go in the water in August.

I also had my blood drawn today and the phlebotomist did great.  I had to had 10 viles drawn and she got my bad vein on the first try.  I was so happy that I asked to speak to her supervisor and give her kudos.  I told her she won the gold star for today.

Nerve Test

I had the nerve test done.  The doctor determined that I have no nerve damage or carpal tunnel.   He could not give me a reason for the pins and needles.  He told me it will just get better.  I didn't like his answer because I had this problem prior to the surgery and it got worse after.  I think it was a cop-out and it sounded like he was saying it was in my head and not a real issue, since they did not find a problem on the test.  I will talk to the neurologist after she gets the report.

Endocrinologist & Nerve Test

I saw the endocrinologist yesterday.  She discussed with me about going back on metformin to help regulate my hormones while on the tamoxifen.  She does want me to get a blood test and a 24 hour urinalysis to confirm my hormone levels and to make sure that I am not having any problem with my cortisol levels.  She doesn't think I do.  I go back and see her in 3 weeks.

Tomorrow, I get to have a nerve test done on my left arm/hand that is still numb.  Since the spinal tap came back clear, they still need to find out why I am having problems with it.

All Clear

The final cytology came back on the spinal tap and it is all in the normal range.  They want me to go get a nerve test on the left arm, but they will not be able to do the muscle test due to the mastectomy and risk of lymphodema.

My hair is growing in and it is all fuzzy.  Rob says it feels like Angie's fur.  It is com ing in pretty dark.  Doesn't look very blond to me.

I also saw the plastic surgeon and my belly hole is just about closed.  She thinks it will be closed by the time I see her in 2 weeks.  Ugly scar, but that can always be fixed.

MRI & Spinal Tap

I had the MRI on Thursday and the rest of my spine looks fine.  The spinal tap was horrible.  It took her 3 times to get it in correctly.  I also wound up with a muscle spasm on the left side of my lower back the rest of the weekend.  I have a mild spinal tap headache which has been getting better.  I got the preliminary results of the spinal tap this morning and it looks normal.  We are still waiting on the the cytology, which the doctor said should be in later today or in the morning.

My plastic surgeon appointment for today was canceled and I will got on Friday.  My belly is looking good...almost closed.

Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Back in the Water

I figured I needed to update everyone with what was going on.  I have seen the plastic surgeon, oncologist and a neurologist since the last time I posted.

I am starting to feel better and getting stronger everyday.  I am still tired walking for a long time, but it is getting easier.  My hair is growing in.  It is about a 1/4 inch now and looks dark.  We will see what it will look like when it grows in a little more.

I saw the plastic surgeon to discuss my additional surgeries.  I will need to get to a weight that will make me happy first before he can continue with any of the additional surgeries.  Also my belly will have to be closed fully before he can fix up the scar on my stomach.  Since I have finished chemo, my stomach wound has begun healing quickly.  It should be closed up within a few months.  The scar looks like I got cut open with a can opener, but the surgeon assures me that he can fix it.  I also need to finish my surgery on my breasts.  I need to get a reduction on the good one and he needs to fix and finish the reconstructed one.  He is also going to do some liposuction into the area above the reconstructed breast to fill in the area left hollow by the mastectomy.  I joked with him to take it from my thighs, but he said that he will only need a shot glass full to fill in the area.

The oncologist saw me a few weeks ago.  I will have to see her every 3 months for the first year.  She started me on the breast cancer drug Tamoxifen.  The side effects suck, but they keep telling me that it will get better.  She also gave me a diuretic to help take down the swelling in my legs from the chemo drugs.  She also sent me for a MRI on my brain and cervical spine for the numbness in my left hand.  After those results came in, the oncologist wanted me to see a neurologist.  I also received a bone scan, since the Tamoxifen can cause osteoporosis. I have to take 1500mg of calcium a day to help with that.

I saw the neurologist yesterday.  Most of my MRI was fine, the brain scan did show sinusitis and for one area on my cervical spine that was a little brighter than the rest of it.  She advised that it could be normal for me, but she wanted to send me for more tests.  I have 2 more MRIs next Thursday on the rest of my spine.  I am also getting a spinal tap to check for cancer cells in the spinal fluid, just as a precaution.  She advised that the after the spinal tap, the MRI could light up, so she needs to get one beforehand. This would be why I am getting a MRI before the spinal tap so she can have a baseline.

On the Mend

I saw the plastic surgeon nurse on Monday.  She said my belly is looking good.  She did advise me not to swim this summer while the wound is open, but she said that as the chemo leaves my body, the healing will begin to be quicker. 

I had a little scab fall off on the other side of the belly and noticed that there is still a stitch in it that they forgot.  I spoke to the nurse and she wanted me to come in yesterday when I found it, but I said I was coming in on Monday to see them.  She was hesitant, but said ok and to watch it.

I have been feeling better each day.  I am still a little weak and tired, but doing better.  I think I might even start driving the boys in the morning next week, so I have the car during the day, if I want it.