Surgery was Tuesday...I am writing the Great (ok mediocre) American Novel!

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chenheart
chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
So, I had my surgery on Tuesday morning about 9AM...my surgeon ( who I adore!!!) came in beforehand to gently tell me that the biopsy from the previous week was indeed positive for BC, but that was no surprise to any of us, was it?
I am actually happy that her outpatient schedule was booked and that I had to be a short-stay patient. Surgery took about an hour, and was "uneventful"~ which means I woke up! LOL
From the recovery room I had the option of going home, but I was still kinda wonky, and as they had a room with a bed and lunch for me, I opted to stay for a few hours! Food, a bed and an inevitable nap sounded almost like a vacation!
My Reggie was allowed in the recovery room and of course accompanied me to the "nap suite."
This was about 11 AM, and I was scheduled to leave about 3. So, as I knew I was going to fall asleep, I "made" Reggie go hit some golf balls for a few hours. Nice way not to have him hover and worry. He came back when I was ready to go home, though we did stop for a much anticipated cuppa Joe. Even though I am only a breakfast coffee drinker, I was sooooo looking forward to some real coffee~ not the see-through, flavored water the hospital said was coffee!
Armed with the well wishes of all of you,( ok, and a supply of Oxycodone!) home we came.
I am sore; there is I think an age-related, lack of elasticity issue with underarm lymphnode removal that is really not pretty! My incision looks like a long cut with a hard-boiled egg or 2 under the skin! Simply lovely, as you can imagine!

My surgeon called yesterday with the pathology~ it is the same BC as before, and just like the previous (and recurring) BC, it too is Estrogen positive. So, why oh why is it NOT responding to the Tamoxifen is anyones guess. I do feel a bit relieved that it is not some new cancer; I just wish it wasn't so darned stubborn! I meet with both the surgeon and the oncologist in 2 weeks; I need to heal before any plan is decided~ in the meantime I stay on the Tamoxifen.

I am not sure if my lovely Kindred Spirit benefactors want to remain anonymous, but in the last few days I have gotten some lovely, heart-warming gifts from the ladies here at CSN. I got a beautiful "Courage Angel" all in white, with silver wings and festooned with a pink ribbon, a tiny bag of gorgeous, mostly green glass ( which is my absolute FAVORITE color) marbles. No mention was made of me having lost mine; marbles are a favorite tangible of one of our sisters, and she was sharing their smooth comfort with me. I got a soft, lovely Warm Fuzzie blanket (ahhhhhhh) and an array of Mardi Gras Beads~ how delightfully fun! I also received a collectors edition of one of the BEST movies of all time:
Fried Green Tomatoes!!! Tawanda!!!!! I am so happy to be able to watch it over and over and over again.
Add to that the cards I have received and all of the gentle cyber hugs, emails and just the knowledge of all of you surrounding me~ well, I can feel the healing. I love you all, and thank you for not just being there, but for filling my heart when I most needed it.

Hugs and blessings to you all,
Chen♥

Comments

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
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    good to hear from you
    I hope each day gets better....


    Denise W
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
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    You are strong...
    You have such strength that I'm confident you will fight this one out and win again. I'm keeping you in my prayers. Hugs, Marilynn
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
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    mgm42 said:

    You are strong...
    You have such strength that I'm confident you will fight this one out and win again. I'm keeping you in my prayers. Hugs, Marilynn

    Thank you, Marilynn~ you
    Thank you, Marilynn~ you know how I just love seeing your smiling face! It makes me happy!
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
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    chenheart said:

    Thank you, Marilynn~ you
    Thank you, Marilynn~ you know how I just love seeing your smiling face! It makes me happy!

    You are most amazing my 50ft
    You are most amazing my 50ft friend! Continue getting stronger every day!
    Dee
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
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    chenheart said:

    Thank you, Marilynn~ you
    Thank you, Marilynn~ you know how I just love seeing your smiling face! It makes me happy!

    Glad to hear from you and
    Glad to hear from you and that you are doing well.Wishing you a speedy recovery. Prayers being said for you. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • aysemari
    aysemari Member Posts: 1,596 Member
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    TAWANDA!!!
    Now that's the spirit.

    Ever the thoughtful lady, letting reggie play golf while you enjoy your
    stay at the nap suite. You SURE Know how make Lemonade!!

    Hugs,
    Ayse
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
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    Good wishes...
    Coming your way for a speedy recovery from the surgery...be the ultimate "goddess" between now and your appointments in two weeks..the nasty beast is out of your body...rest, relax and recharge...I had more discomfort from the sentinel node biopsy than the for the lumpectomy incision.

    Wishing you the best...and REST! That's an order!
    Peace be with you,
    Nancy
  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl Member Posts: 1,077
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    MAJW said:

    Good wishes...
    Coming your way for a speedy recovery from the surgery...be the ultimate "goddess" between now and your appointments in two weeks..the nasty beast is out of your body...rest, relax and recharge...I had more discomfort from the sentinel node biopsy than the for the lumpectomy incision.

    Wishing you the best...and REST! That's an order!
    Peace be with you,
    Nancy

    I wish you well~
    Chen~ I am so glad the surgery is over. We shall keep praying for the next step as you heal. Keep your sense of humor and joy, as it is a great moral booster of sorts when we have to self administer it!
    I am so blessed to hear of the wonderful acts of love and kindness that our sisters here have bestowed upon you.
    I welcome anyone to private message me with your mailing info~ as I too would love to shower you with love and affection!!
    Be blessed!!
    Melanie
  • Texasgirl10
    Texasgirl10 Member Posts: 668
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    I wish you well~
    Chen~ I am so glad the surgery is over. We shall keep praying for the next step as you heal. Keep your sense of humor and joy, as it is a great moral booster of sorts when we have to self administer it!
    I am so blessed to hear of the wonderful acts of love and kindness that our sisters here have bestowed upon you.
    I welcome anyone to private message me with your mailing info~ as I too would love to shower you with love and affection!!
    Be blessed!!
    Melanie

    So good to hear from you
    I am glad to hear that the surgery went well and I am wishing you a speedy recovery. Keep your postive attitude. I love reading your posts, they inspire me.

    Hugs,

    Dawne
  • Miss Murphy
    Miss Murphy Member Posts: 302
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    Positive thoughts
    I'm sending you a bouquet of tulips ( see picture!) and wishing you a speedy recovery. Also many positive thoughts going out to you. Enjoy lounging around watching Fried Green Tomatoes - one of my faves too! Take good care. Hugs, Sally
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
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    So good to hear from you
    So happy that you are up and feeling well enough to write and update everyone! Time to be a princess for a few days until you are all healed from the surgery and then you can morph into the fighting tiger again!! I am sure there is some character in Harry Potter, instead of a tiger, but can't think of one right now!
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
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    Wonderful to hear surgery is
    Wonderful to hear surgery is over with and you are resting at home. Thank you for letting us know how you are doing. It is great to hear from you.
    BL

    PS All those thoughtful gifts came at a perfect time. What sweet Sisters you have Chenheart.
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
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    Wonderful to hear surgery is
    Wonderful to hear surgery is over with and you are resting at home. Thank you for letting us know how you are doing. It is great to hear from you.
    BL

    PS All those thoughtful gifts came at a perfect time. What sweet Sisters you have Chenheart.

    Uneventful?
    Don't you just love those words? I'm very happy you woke up, Chen! We do worry about those things, tho, don't we?

    Thanks for the update. Rest and renew!

    Suzanne
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
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    Not mediocre - Yes, GREAT!
    Dear Chen - I don't think anything about you, nor anything you do, could ever be even possibly considered "mediocre"...

    It's good you had a bit of extra time for recuperation following surgery. Smart woman you are (which we already knew, of course) - sending Reggie off like that. Whacking a bucket of golf balls probably released at least some of his worry-induced tension and stress.

    While you take good care and heal - I'll be HOPING that, now that the nasty node with the Napoleon complex has been permanently exiled to the hazardous waste trash, the Tamoxifen will regain control at keeping the beast at bay.

    Our circle of protection around you remains, as it will.

    Kindest regards, 12/25 xo
  • pitt
    pitt Member Posts: 387
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    I am so happy that you are
    I am so happy that you are resting at home and getting good answers. Can we say that to someone who was just re-diagnosed? Heck yeah! You have good news here! It's the same cancer and can be treated!!! Stay strong my warrior leader and show the rest of us how this game is really played! ...and for that book- you better be writing it! You have a gift and an important story to share that can help so many others...start typing! Sending you more hugs and cyber-cup-a-Joe! Love, Pitt
  • jamiegww
    jamiegww Member Posts: 384
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    Okay Chen
    You've now taught me not to ever even think about taking a temporary hiatus from this board. All kidding aside, I am glad your surgery is over with and you are obviously ready to do battle again. I'm lighting a candle for you and praying you get off that rollercoaster and get a permanent injunction against it ever returning again.

    HUGS!!!
    Jamie
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
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    Heal now and know that your
    Heal now and know that your Kindred Spirits are with you. I know your strength and optimism will carry you through. Healing hugs coming your way!
  • sausageroll
    sausageroll Member Posts: 415
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    Heal now and know that your
    Heal now and know that your Kindred Spirits are with you. I know your strength and optimism will carry you through. Healing hugs coming your way!

    Good news!
    Thank you so much for updating us. We're all here with you, as you have been for us. Take care of yourself and rest and recuperate. Thinking of you. Take care. Pat
  • EllenLNRN
    EllenLNRN Member Posts: 1
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    Hi All ,
    I have recently been re-diagnosed after 15 yrs with the exact cancer but they want to get really aggressive with cutting out my old scar ( no evidence of disease on pics ) , Lat flap, radiation and even chemo , "just in case " . I will be having surgery the 22nd and I wonder if you could all let me know how your healing went . This sounds like way over kill r/t the studies but I'm being swept away and am trying to see it as cleaning up my scar from a failed expander and adhesions . Any words of wisdom from recent lat flap / redo ?
    Thanks for all you comments ahead of time,
    Ellen