Sorry, I know its been more then a few days since I updated my blog. I didn't have any solid answers so I was waiting before I added more information. I had a great dinner and it was nice to get out of the house to socialize with adults. Some of my husband's co-workers were surprise to see me but why stay home when I feel well and I am living my life as much as I can. Earlier in the day, I picked up my kids from the bus stop for the first time and they were excited to see me which was a good feeling for all of us. I drove for the first time to do a few errands afterwards with the kids. It was awesome to drive again. You don't realize how much you miss something until you can't do it.
My doctors suggested to get a 3rd opinion about the cancer in my breast margin to verify what my doctors have decided is what the others doctors might agree with. The original oncologist I was going to see at Yale will not be available until February 11. She travels around nationally because she works on non- clinical research for breast cancer. She has all my paperwork and will review my case when she gets some time. I have an appointment to see her partner oncologist on Tuesday February 3, 2009. I spoke with my oncologist tonight who I will be seeing going forward and he was comfortable who I will be seeing. He explained the best outcome that will come out for me seeing another doctor at Yale is that the oncologist will review my case with me and will also bring my case to the weekly board meeting with several speciality doctors at Yale to review. This group meets once a week so I will benefit to get additional Yale surgeon doctors review my case as well. My case is not as common as other patients so he explained that the doctors might not have a solid decision but the more opinions we get the better my treatment will be. I hopefully will have all the final reports within the next few weeks. He believes that waiting a few weeks will not be a harm to my cancer and will not spread. I will see my oncologist when all the results are in for our decision.
Tomorrow January 29,2009 I am going to go see my cancer surgeon and possibility my plastic doctor to look at my stitches and healing process. I still have the sore under my left breast but the medication the doctor prescribed as helped and I will continue to apply until its healed. My left breast has been bothering quite a bit. At times I get sharp pains throughout my breast. I am not sure if its the stitches or nerves. I will be talking to the doctor about it tomorrow. I have to take my pain medication at night to help me sleep since it bothers me so much. I now sleep in my bed which is nice but I still can only sleep on my back. I want to sleep on my side so bad but my front of my chest is still sore. Time for bed and rest!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday 1/23/09 doctor's appointment
I first met with my plastic surgeon doctor yesterday morning. The first exciting news was that my last two drainage tubes were removed. Yea!!! I was so happy to get them out. The tubes were uncomfortable to move around with them, had drain them twice a day, hide them from my kids and were starting to itch and really bother me. I had to record the amount of fluid from each tube each day that was coming out and the doctor was surprise to see the number low (under 24cc for at least 24 hours) to have them removed. My number was low for 48 hours. The doctor said that was great because most people will have the last two tubes in for an average of 3-4 weeks.
I will give all the details later today in my blog or tomorrow but I know a lot of you wanted to know what the doctors had decided. The board of doctors which includes breast surgeons, oncologist, genetics, mammogram specialist , plastic surgeons, cancer specialist, and many more doctors reviewed my case and felt that the best care for my situation at this time would probably be radiation. The doctors feel comfortable in their decision but would like me to get a third opinion. I will see an oncologist at Yale that has never been involved with my case to read all of my records, slides, review my surgeries, pathology reports, mammograms, genetics test and also see me in person. Hopefully I will get that appointment date today.
I will update more as soon as I can. Now that I have the drainage tubes out I can take a shower without plastic wrapped around me. Gene's Xmas party was cancelled back in December because we were having a bad snow storm and has been rescheduled for tonight. I will be attending the dinner tonight and this will be good for me to get out of the house and social.
I will give all the details later today in my blog or tomorrow but I know a lot of you wanted to know what the doctors had decided. The board of doctors which includes breast surgeons, oncologist, genetics, mammogram specialist , plastic surgeons, cancer specialist, and many more doctors reviewed my case and felt that the best care for my situation at this time would probably be radiation. The doctors feel comfortable in their decision but would like me to get a third opinion. I will see an oncologist at Yale that has never been involved with my case to read all of my records, slides, review my surgeries, pathology reports, mammograms, genetics test and also see me in person. Hopefully I will get that appointment date today.
I will update more as soon as I can. Now that I have the drainage tubes out I can take a shower without plastic wrapped around me. Gene's Xmas party was cancelled back in December because we were having a bad snow storm and has been rescheduled for tonight. I will be attending the dinner tonight and this will be good for me to get out of the house and social.
Monday, January 19, 2009
waiting period
The genetics test came back and the results were in a positive direction. There were two DNA genes that were tested for the gene mutation which were the 7Th and 13TH DNA. The test focused on BRAC1 which the results came back negative and BRAC2 which came back inconclusive. These results were good meaning I don't have a high risk to carry the gene mutation for ovarian cancer but doesn't mean I am clear that I won't have a possibility to get it. At this point it seems like this is not a hereditary case. There is a very small percentage that comes back inconclusive like my BRAC2 did and this means they can't say yes or no but the percentage is 98.5 that its okay. I will be following up with an oncologist and I am sure he will be doing several test in the future to help maintain and to prevent no cancer to come back.
I am feeling okay. I am taking less pain medication during the day which is good. I am very itchy which is good sign for healing but bothers me a lot. I still have two tubes on my sides so they tend to be itchy, in the way for my clothing and hard to be hidden for the kids in which I don't want them to see and I can't wait until they can come out! I have to empty them morning and night. Last week when I went for my routine check-up I saw the plastic surgeon and the cancer doctor. They remove all the taping off my incisions. My right side of my breast is healing well. My left side had a sore which is either a reaction from the tape, bra or just some irritation. I have to put a special cream around that area 2-3 times a day. My left breast seems to be not healing as fast as my right side and needs to be gauze up everyday. I wish the right was the one not healing instead of the left since it seems like the right side might have the possibility to be redone.
I will go back to the doctors on Thursday to find out the results that the board has decided what will be the best decision on how to handle my case. It might be radiation, surgery to remove the margin of the breast skin area or maybe they will come up with another idea. Both of my breast were removed and this case is not a situation where the doctor missed an area for cancer. She took extra steps and removed several margins under my skin which is considered part of the breast. She sent both of my breast and cells under my skin to the lab to verify 100% that all the cancer has been removed and to detect if there were any other signs for cancer. Unfortunately on my right side, it showed a high amount of cancer still in the margin on my upper right chest area. The doctor wants to make the best decision to make sure there is no risk of any cancer that can spread.
I will update everybody at the end of the week with the latest news.
I am feeling okay. I am taking less pain medication during the day which is good. I am very itchy which is good sign for healing but bothers me a lot. I still have two tubes on my sides so they tend to be itchy, in the way for my clothing and hard to be hidden for the kids in which I don't want them to see and I can't wait until they can come out! I have to empty them morning and night. Last week when I went for my routine check-up I saw the plastic surgeon and the cancer doctor. They remove all the taping off my incisions. My right side of my breast is healing well. My left side had a sore which is either a reaction from the tape, bra or just some irritation. I have to put a special cream around that area 2-3 times a day. My left breast seems to be not healing as fast as my right side and needs to be gauze up everyday. I wish the right was the one not healing instead of the left since it seems like the right side might have the possibility to be redone.
I will go back to the doctors on Thursday to find out the results that the board has decided what will be the best decision on how to handle my case. It might be radiation, surgery to remove the margin of the breast skin area or maybe they will come up with another idea. Both of my breast were removed and this case is not a situation where the doctor missed an area for cancer. She took extra steps and removed several margins under my skin which is considered part of the breast. She sent both of my breast and cells under my skin to the lab to verify 100% that all the cancer has been removed and to detect if there were any other signs for cancer. Unfortunately on my right side, it showed a high amount of cancer still in the margin on my upper right chest area. The doctor wants to make the best decision to make sure there is no risk of any cancer that can spread.
I will update everybody at the end of the week with the latest news.
Friday, January 16, 2009
latest update
Hi,
These last few days have been busy and I will fill everybody in about the minor stuff but wanted to get the update information about the doctors. My sister in law has been here all week helping with the kids, cooking, and assisting me so that has been helpful. My mom has been doing some of my errands for me so the week and has been great. The week has been going by fast.
The genetic test did come back and for the most part 98.5 its negative for the gene mutation for ovarian cancer but there is a small percentage that I am going to explain in a later blog. This is in a good positive direction.
I went to the doctor yesterday 1/15/09 and this is the latest new:
I will be honest with you these last two days have been hectic and yesterday was hard to hear the news at the doctor's. I was okay at the office and last evening it made me upset. I am updating my blog so I don't have to talk much about it.
I did get two of my drains out today which was great and my lymph nodes final test is negative for cancer. That was the best news! My left breast was also negative for cancer. I did have a very small 4ml invasive cancer in my lower right breast but its removed and no other sign of invasive cancer is in my body since I have chosen to remove it. This is a cleared situation. At this point that is not the doctors main concern. At the top of your breast which leads up to your upper chest area the doctor took off a hug amount of breast cells under the skin to be tested. This test has came back as cancer level 1 on my right breast which is called the margin. Its not skin cancer but still part of breast cancer. I still have a very thin layer of breast cells under my skin that will need to be removed. Its a vary large amount 2-3 inches. At this time we don't know if I will have radiation or remove the entire skin area which will be back into surgery. My case is going to go to the medical dispensary review board on Wednesday which includes several doctors in several areas of medical fields and they will discuss which will be my best care to handle this situation. I will go back to the doctors on Thursday 1/22 to review what decision I will be doing. I don't need to have all my scars/stitches healed for surgery and this will be done within a month. Its a lot to absorb and other issues will be discussed later as far as reconstruction because now the left and right side will be different sizes and we will have to decide how we will handle the implants. At this time the doctor wants to focus on the breast cell cancer and how to take care of it. At this time this is in a local area and has not spread but we want to react before this is an issue.
I appreciate that everybody has supported my family and me during these hectic times and I will get through this but some times I am strong and other times I have some lows. This has been a lot to absorb for all of us. I will update more as soon as I can. Take Care!
These last few days have been busy and I will fill everybody in about the minor stuff but wanted to get the update information about the doctors. My sister in law has been here all week helping with the kids, cooking, and assisting me so that has been helpful. My mom has been doing some of my errands for me so the week and has been great. The week has been going by fast.
The genetic test did come back and for the most part 98.5 its negative for the gene mutation for ovarian cancer but there is a small percentage that I am going to explain in a later blog. This is in a good positive direction.
I went to the doctor yesterday 1/15/09 and this is the latest new:
I will be honest with you these last two days have been hectic and yesterday was hard to hear the news at the doctor's. I was okay at the office and last evening it made me upset. I am updating my blog so I don't have to talk much about it.
I did get two of my drains out today which was great and my lymph nodes final test is negative for cancer. That was the best news! My left breast was also negative for cancer. I did have a very small 4ml invasive cancer in my lower right breast but its removed and no other sign of invasive cancer is in my body since I have chosen to remove it. This is a cleared situation. At this point that is not the doctors main concern. At the top of your breast which leads up to your upper chest area the doctor took off a hug amount of breast cells under the skin to be tested. This test has came back as cancer level 1 on my right breast which is called the margin. Its not skin cancer but still part of breast cancer. I still have a very thin layer of breast cells under my skin that will need to be removed. Its a vary large amount 2-3 inches. At this time we don't know if I will have radiation or remove the entire skin area which will be back into surgery. My case is going to go to the medical dispensary review board on Wednesday which includes several doctors in several areas of medical fields and they will discuss which will be my best care to handle this situation. I will go back to the doctors on Thursday 1/22 to review what decision I will be doing. I don't need to have all my scars/stitches healed for surgery and this will be done within a month. Its a lot to absorb and other issues will be discussed later as far as reconstruction because now the left and right side will be different sizes and we will have to decide how we will handle the implants. At this time the doctor wants to focus on the breast cell cancer and how to take care of it. At this time this is in a local area and has not spread but we want to react before this is an issue.
I appreciate that everybody has supported my family and me during these hectic times and I will get through this but some times I am strong and other times I have some lows. This has been a lot to absorb for all of us. I will update more as soon as I can. Take Care!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Going home from the hospital
Friday January 9, 2009
As usual I was woken up early for my morning medications around 5:30am. I was assuming that my cancer and plastic doctor were in surgery all day so I did not know when I would be discharged. I ate my breakfast and was watching some TV. I guess the medications made me sleepy and I dosed off. I was woken up at 9:00am with both of my doctors to examine me and said I was recovering well and can go home. They informed all of the nurses to get all the paperwork ready for my discharged. I called Gene and he was surprised my doctors already seen me. Emily wanted her dad to get her on the bus for her kindergarten since he is normally at work and I was okay with that. This allowed me to slowly get my things together and have some lunch before I leave. The nurses and doctors were all great during my stay. They attended to all my needs and even gave me some extras as well to take home.
I came home and was tired so I decided to take nap before the kids get off the bus. The kids were excited to see me when they got home. My mom stopped by and gave me some supplies I needed and then my sister in law arrived early evening. It was a nice night and I slept in our new chairs. I slept much better in my own surroundings rather then the hospital.
Saturday January 10, 2009
I woke up not feeling so good. Gene had taken my temperature and I was 101.3, We placed a call to my cancer doctor and said she would like us to speak with the plastic surgeon for some possibilities I am having a reaction to the implants. I didn't have any other signs of a sore throat, redness in my chest area, swelling of the legs, just a bad headache. The only medication I could take was Tylenol. She told me to rest and to call her if the fever gets higher because I might have to go back into the hospital tomorrow to run some testes. I felt better during the day and the fever did go away. I did sleep with an electric blanket on me the previous night so maybe that was a contributing factor. Both of my doctors called to check up on me later in the day to make sure I was feeling okay. The rest of the day and night was okay.
As usual I was woken up early for my morning medications around 5:30am. I was assuming that my cancer and plastic doctor were in surgery all day so I did not know when I would be discharged. I ate my breakfast and was watching some TV. I guess the medications made me sleepy and I dosed off. I was woken up at 9:00am with both of my doctors to examine me and said I was recovering well and can go home. They informed all of the nurses to get all the paperwork ready for my discharged. I called Gene and he was surprised my doctors already seen me. Emily wanted her dad to get her on the bus for her kindergarten since he is normally at work and I was okay with that. This allowed me to slowly get my things together and have some lunch before I leave. The nurses and doctors were all great during my stay. They attended to all my needs and even gave me some extras as well to take home.
I came home and was tired so I decided to take nap before the kids get off the bus. The kids were excited to see me when they got home. My mom stopped by and gave me some supplies I needed and then my sister in law arrived early evening. It was a nice night and I slept in our new chairs. I slept much better in my own surroundings rather then the hospital.
Saturday January 10, 2009
I woke up not feeling so good. Gene had taken my temperature and I was 101.3, We placed a call to my cancer doctor and said she would like us to speak with the plastic surgeon for some possibilities I am having a reaction to the implants. I didn't have any other signs of a sore throat, redness in my chest area, swelling of the legs, just a bad headache. The only medication I could take was Tylenol. She told me to rest and to call her if the fever gets higher because I might have to go back into the hospital tomorrow to run some testes. I felt better during the day and the fever did go away. I did sleep with an electric blanket on me the previous night so maybe that was a contributing factor. Both of my doctors called to check up on me later in the day to make sure I was feeling okay. The rest of the day and night was okay.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
2nd day in hospital
Thursday January 8, 2009
I was woken up at 5:30 am for the usual routine check-up so I decided to stay awake. I activated my TV card and watch TV until I could place my breakfast order at 7:00am. I had no food restrictions so I was able to order what I wanted off the menu. I was starving because it has been 33 hours without any solid food. I ordered my food but was told it would take 45 minutes to be brought to my room.
The weather last night was another cold evening so there was a morning delay for the kids to get to school. I spoke with Gene and he mentioned that my mom and him will come to the hospital after they got AJ on the bus at 10:00am. Since Emily has afternoon kindergarten, she went over to the neighbors house for a play date before having to get onto the bus in the afternoon. My breakfast arrived and I was eager to eat my french toast but realized that it was scratching my throat while I ate it. During the surgery as a pre-caution the doctor insert a tube down my throat so I guess it was still sore. (I am glad I was not awake when they insert the tube yuk!) Luckily, I had ordered muffin, cream of wheat and several other foods so I was not starving but was a little disappointed about eating. You forget all these little things after surgery.
My pain level was still around a 5. The nurse would give me a percocet every 3-4 hours and a valium to help the muscle spasm every 6 hours. I also had an IV in my hand for an antibiotic drip and also potassium since the doctor felt it was a little low after my surgery. The day went pretty smoothly. I was able to get out of bed and freshen up and even sat in a regular chair during breakfast time. I had some visitors during the day that made my day go by pretty fast as well as receiving several phone call to see how I was feeling. Gene and my mom left mid day to go home and get the kids off the bus. Gene brought the kids back to see me at the hospital. I was happy to see the kids and they were excited to see where mommy was staying. They had a lot of questions about the room which was all curiosity in their minds. Emily was amazed to see a shower, a refrigerator, a window to look out to see where the parking garage was. AJ and Emily was amazed how my bed was able to move up and down, control the tv and even call the nurse if I needed to. We explained this was the floor and nursery where the both of them were born. They both looked at the menu in which I was able to order my food from and wanted to know what I was going to order for dinner. It was a nice family visit. My doctor gave the okay that I didn't need to be on the potassium anymore through the iv so the kids saw the nurse remove it out of my hand and thought that was something new to see as well. I still kept the needle tape on my hand so when I need to be hooked up to the antibiotic drip twice a day it was in place.
I had two more visitors in the evening and then tried to get some rest. I started to feel a lot of pain this evening. I asked for morphine since I would be in bed to rest for the evening just in case I got dizzy but the nurse said my blood pressure was a little low and the morphine would bring it down lower. So I just kept on my regular pain medications. The doctor also released that I did not have to wear the compression pump for my legs this evenings. I forgot to mentioned in the previous blog that at night I had to wear them to prevent blood clots since I was in bed and not moving. They are real loud and feel like a blood pressure machine tighten and loosing. This night was a little better for sleeping with out the loud noise and didn't get woken up as much by the doctors/nurses. I should be going home tomorrow! Friday
I was woken up at 5:30 am for the usual routine check-up so I decided to stay awake. I activated my TV card and watch TV until I could place my breakfast order at 7:00am. I had no food restrictions so I was able to order what I wanted off the menu. I was starving because it has been 33 hours without any solid food. I ordered my food but was told it would take 45 minutes to be brought to my room.
The weather last night was another cold evening so there was a morning delay for the kids to get to school. I spoke with Gene and he mentioned that my mom and him will come to the hospital after they got AJ on the bus at 10:00am. Since Emily has afternoon kindergarten, she went over to the neighbors house for a play date before having to get onto the bus in the afternoon. My breakfast arrived and I was eager to eat my french toast but realized that it was scratching my throat while I ate it. During the surgery as a pre-caution the doctor insert a tube down my throat so I guess it was still sore. (I am glad I was not awake when they insert the tube yuk!) Luckily, I had ordered muffin, cream of wheat and several other foods so I was not starving but was a little disappointed about eating. You forget all these little things after surgery.
My pain level was still around a 5. The nurse would give me a percocet every 3-4 hours and a valium to help the muscle spasm every 6 hours. I also had an IV in my hand for an antibiotic drip and also potassium since the doctor felt it was a little low after my surgery. The day went pretty smoothly. I was able to get out of bed and freshen up and even sat in a regular chair during breakfast time. I had some visitors during the day that made my day go by pretty fast as well as receiving several phone call to see how I was feeling. Gene and my mom left mid day to go home and get the kids off the bus. Gene brought the kids back to see me at the hospital. I was happy to see the kids and they were excited to see where mommy was staying. They had a lot of questions about the room which was all curiosity in their minds. Emily was amazed to see a shower, a refrigerator, a window to look out to see where the parking garage was. AJ and Emily was amazed how my bed was able to move up and down, control the tv and even call the nurse if I needed to. We explained this was the floor and nursery where the both of them were born. They both looked at the menu in which I was able to order my food from and wanted to know what I was going to order for dinner. It was a nice family visit. My doctor gave the okay that I didn't need to be on the potassium anymore through the iv so the kids saw the nurse remove it out of my hand and thought that was something new to see as well. I still kept the needle tape on my hand so when I need to be hooked up to the antibiotic drip twice a day it was in place.
I had two more visitors in the evening and then tried to get some rest. I started to feel a lot of pain this evening. I asked for morphine since I would be in bed to rest for the evening just in case I got dizzy but the nurse said my blood pressure was a little low and the morphine would bring it down lower. So I just kept on my regular pain medications. The doctor also released that I did not have to wear the compression pump for my legs this evenings. I forgot to mentioned in the previous blog that at night I had to wear them to prevent blood clots since I was in bed and not moving. They are real loud and feel like a blood pressure machine tighten and loosing. This night was a little better for sleeping with out the loud noise and didn't get woken up as much by the doctors/nurses. I should be going home tomorrow! Friday
Sunday, January 11, 2009
1st day at hospital 1/7/09
Wednesday January 7, 2009
I want to thank my husband for updated my blog while I was at the hospital. It was very precious and means a lot to me that he was willing to be part of my blog. I had tears in my eyes while I read it. He has been very supportive during this hectic time. Since you know how we were rushed to the hospital the morning of my surgery from the previous blog, I will start from the time we arrived at the hospital. I had to get the dye injected into the right and left side of the breast to be able to view my lymph nodes for surgery. I was awake for this procedure. It was very uncomfortable and did hurt, I won't lie! It only took about 30 seconds to inject the shot but it burned real bad. I had to clinch my teeth and close my eyes tight while it was injected. No, I didn't have any pain medications prior. It was two separate injections and for some reason when the injection went into the left side it burned more than the right side. Afterwards I had to lay there for 30 minutes, to take a total of seven pictures. The machine looked like a MRI machine but was open on top. The pictures were taken in order to track the dye traveling though my breast into my lymph nodes under my right and left armpit area. All I was thinking about was the massage I had the day before while these pictures were being taken that I am back in pain. I was in laying on my back in a straight position in the machine with my arms straight over my head and praying my muscles don't get locked.
Now I am back on the stretcher heading back to the pre-op room to meet the anesthesia doctor, my cancer and plastic doctor. The surgery began. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the recovery room and I had was in tremendous pain. The surgery started at 12:30 pm and Gene and my mom were informed about my condition at 4:15 pm. I didn't realize how much pain I would be experiencing. I kept informing the recovery nurse that my pain was a 8-9 from a scale from 1-10. She was great and kept giving me an additional doses in my IV until I went down to a pain level of a 6. I was given some ice chips during recovery. Gene and my mom did join me during my recovery and informed me about the great news that my lymph nodes were negative. I can't believe that wasn't the first question out of my mouth but I guess the pain was so intense I needed to get that under control. I was then transferred to my room around 5:45pm. My doctor had some rooms blocked off for her patients that are private rooms which was great! These rooms are on the maternity ward which was kinda funny. At Bridgeport Hospital there are two wings for the maternity ward and most of the babies were on the other side of the wing. I was at the end of the hall way and did not hear one baby or any noise on my wing. It was great to know that I was in a private room with my own bathroom, shower(but couldn't use), sink, refrigerator and a window. Gene and my mom had left at 7:00 to go home. Gene had purchased a TV card for me to activate but I was so tired that I figured I would do that tomorrow. Yes, you have to pay for TV, nothing is free anymore. I started feeling nauseous so the nurse did not let me eat or drink anything at all. I was not happy since I haven't ate since 10:00pm the evening before. The nurse wouldn't even give me any more pain medication because I felt sick and she felt I received a lot of pain medication during the recovery room. I felt horrible and finally fell asleep. I never did get sick and about 11:15 pm the nurse came in and allowed me to have a small glass of apple juice to see if I could hold it down. I had to sip the apple juice over a 30-45 minute time frame. Wow it tasted so good since I have been deprived of food. At 1:00 am the nurse finally gave me some additional pain mediation percocet. She only allowed me to have a few saltines with the medication and that tasted wonderful. I couldn't sleep well because I am not a person to sleep on my back and I was woken up every three hours to check my vital signs and to have my tubes drained for the liquid that was coming out. I had two on each side that were very uncomfortable. At this time I haven't seen what my chest looked like I was just miserable. I was woken up at 5:30 am by the surgery team to look at my incision and make sure I am healing okay. I will update day two in the hospital tomorrow and let you know the news about when I did finally got to eat!
I want to thank my husband for updated my blog while I was at the hospital. It was very precious and means a lot to me that he was willing to be part of my blog. I had tears in my eyes while I read it. He has been very supportive during this hectic time. Since you know how we were rushed to the hospital the morning of my surgery from the previous blog, I will start from the time we arrived at the hospital. I had to get the dye injected into the right and left side of the breast to be able to view my lymph nodes for surgery. I was awake for this procedure. It was very uncomfortable and did hurt, I won't lie! It only took about 30 seconds to inject the shot but it burned real bad. I had to clinch my teeth and close my eyes tight while it was injected. No, I didn't have any pain medications prior. It was two separate injections and for some reason when the injection went into the left side it burned more than the right side. Afterwards I had to lay there for 30 minutes, to take a total of seven pictures. The machine looked like a MRI machine but was open on top. The pictures were taken in order to track the dye traveling though my breast into my lymph nodes under my right and left armpit area. All I was thinking about was the massage I had the day before while these pictures were being taken that I am back in pain. I was in laying on my back in a straight position in the machine with my arms straight over my head and praying my muscles don't get locked.
Now I am back on the stretcher heading back to the pre-op room to meet the anesthesia doctor, my cancer and plastic doctor. The surgery began. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the recovery room and I had was in tremendous pain. The surgery started at 12:30 pm and Gene and my mom were informed about my condition at 4:15 pm. I didn't realize how much pain I would be experiencing. I kept informing the recovery nurse that my pain was a 8-9 from a scale from 1-10. She was great and kept giving me an additional doses in my IV until I went down to a pain level of a 6. I was given some ice chips during recovery. Gene and my mom did join me during my recovery and informed me about the great news that my lymph nodes were negative. I can't believe that wasn't the first question out of my mouth but I guess the pain was so intense I needed to get that under control. I was then transferred to my room around 5:45pm. My doctor had some rooms blocked off for her patients that are private rooms which was great! These rooms are on the maternity ward which was kinda funny. At Bridgeport Hospital there are two wings for the maternity ward and most of the babies were on the other side of the wing. I was at the end of the hall way and did not hear one baby or any noise on my wing. It was great to know that I was in a private room with my own bathroom, shower(but couldn't use), sink, refrigerator and a window. Gene and my mom had left at 7:00 to go home. Gene had purchased a TV card for me to activate but I was so tired that I figured I would do that tomorrow. Yes, you have to pay for TV, nothing is free anymore. I started feeling nauseous so the nurse did not let me eat or drink anything at all. I was not happy since I haven't ate since 10:00pm the evening before. The nurse wouldn't even give me any more pain medication because I felt sick and she felt I received a lot of pain medication during the recovery room. I felt horrible and finally fell asleep. I never did get sick and about 11:15 pm the nurse came in and allowed me to have a small glass of apple juice to see if I could hold it down. I had to sip the apple juice over a 30-45 minute time frame. Wow it tasted so good since I have been deprived of food. At 1:00 am the nurse finally gave me some additional pain mediation percocet. She only allowed me to have a few saltines with the medication and that tasted wonderful. I couldn't sleep well because I am not a person to sleep on my back and I was woken up every three hours to check my vital signs and to have my tubes drained for the liquid that was coming out. I had two on each side that were very uncomfortable. At this time I haven't seen what my chest looked like I was just miserable. I was woken up at 5:30 am by the surgery team to look at my incision and make sure I am healing okay. I will update day two in the hospital tomorrow and let you know the news about when I did finally got to eat!
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