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.

Done with Chemo...On to the Next Chapter

I had my last chemo treatment on Monday.  I am very glad to be over with this chapter of the treatment.  I still have a long recovery, but things will be different now.  My oncologist said that I will be feeling about 60% better in 6-8 weeks and the rest could take 6 months to a year.  I go back and see her in a month to start the tamoxifen for 5 years.  This will keep my risk of recurrence of the breast cancer down.

I got into the room and had a different nurse, but I had a bed room which I liked better.  She was able to get the IV in on the first try.  I was very happy about that.  She wasn't a very friendly one, but I didn't care as it was my last time.  I got my foot massage and relaxed.  Rob & Debbie came by for lunch to see me and Mom.  Debbie told me to ring the bell when I was done with my treatment and I made sure to do so, along with saying a poem.  I got some hugs from the nurses and it was nice to say that I hope never to see them again.

The poem reads: Ring this bell, three times well.  It's toll will clearly say, My treatments done, This course has run and Now I'm on my way!

Everyone kept asking me what I was going to do to celebrate.  I honestly wasn't even thinking about it.  I just was happy to be done.  My Mom said she will bring me some nice chocolate pastries from the french bakery today.  I think a nice celebration will be done when I can actually taste my food again.

After we left chemo, I went to the plastic surgeon.  My belly was cleaned and we quickly discussed my continuing surgeries.  He would like me to get to a weight that I am happy with before he does any major part of surgery, but I can have some quick fixes if needed.  We will discuss more in a few weeks.

I am still continuing with this blog, since I am not done with everything yet, but I want to thank everyone for their support so far.  It has been really great to know that I have so many people that care about me.  I have a few goals to get to...can't wait to get my taste buds back, the hair I am not so concerned about, my new normal in life would be nice, my strength back and my 40th birthday in October. 

By the way, yesterday, I got out of the house and walked all the way to shopping center for the first time by myself.  It was nice to be able to do.  Sean will be happy when I can finally run after him and go down the slide in the playground.  I will be too.

Here Comes the Last Time

Tomorrow is the last chemo treatment...4 of 4.  Hooray! I am so happy.  Hopefully, my taste buds will come back before my hair which is expected to grow back in 6-8 weeks after the final treatment.  Also,  I am hoping that my belly will start healing up faster and maybe be able to go swimming by the end of the summer.  I don't know yet when the plastic surgeon will do the rest of the surgeries.  I can wait on that.

Mom is coming with me tomorrow.  We are taking the bus in and Rob is driving in earlier to be at work and to be able to drive me home later.  I get my bloods done, a visit with the oncologist, chemo and then over the NYU hospital to see the nurse practitioner to check out my belly.

Rob made my yummy dinner for me tonight of scallops, green beans and port wine reduction.  I also got my Godiva chocolates yesterday.  My treat for each chemo.  After this, back to watching what I eat.

Getting there

I saw the nurse practitioner on Monday and she likes how my belly is healing.  Last time, they gave me new packing to use in the wound and it seems to be making the opening heal better.  It is definitely a slow process.  Also she said there isn't enough skin to actually close the opening, so we will have to wait for it to close naturally.  I hope after the chemo is done that it will speed up a bit.


Sean said again that he likes my scratchy head.  I asked him if he wanted a haircut like mommy's and he said no.  He just like rubbing my head.

I took him into the city yesterday to Rob's office to take you child to work day and he had a good time.  He got to ride on the bus and the LIRR.  He colored all day with Mommy and had pizza and ice-cream.  He liked it.  Needless to say I am tired and sore today.  My last treatment is on Monday.  Hooray!!