Monday, October 06, 2008

Oct. 6th the sixth treatment of Chemo!

So, today was my sixth chemo treatment. I can not believe that I only have one more month and then I am done with Chemo. (HAPPY DANCE!!)

As you go through chemo you find the nurses that you like and enjoy working with and the ones that you would rather not. Today I found out that my favorite nurse Charles (he is a traveling nurse) is leaving and his last day is going to be on the 17th. I was so sad. He is a very funny guy, but I am sure that he and his wife are going to love Seattle and the chemo patients are going to love him up there.

Any who, I have two more chemo treatments and then I have surgery four to six weeks later. Right now I am trying to decided what kids of surgery I want. I know that I do not want a Lumpectomy because that would mean that I will have six to eight weeks of radiation every single day but Saturday and Sunday, after they take out 3.2cm or more of breast tissue out of my left breast. And when I am done lets just say my left breast will feel and look like a dried up wrinkled prune and be a lot smaller than my right. So then I will need another surgery to fix the left Breast and even then they can not promise that it will feel the same or look the same. So, I don't think so. That is so not for me.
So what you might be wondering am I going to do. Well, I am leaning on choosing a mastectomy or a bi lateral mastectomy. Either way the surgery that I am going to do is using my own tissue.
"The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap procedure is another option for women who would like a breast mound present immediately after reconstructive surgery. This procedure has several benefits — a faster recovery period than traditional TRAM flap surgery, no loss of abdominal muscle tone and the "effect" of a tummy tuck because excess tissue is removed from the abdomen to reconstruct the breast. " - quote on the type of procedure that I am going to do from Mayo Clinic. It means a 10-16 hour surgery and 7 days in the hospital. Two in ICU and five in a regular room.

After the six to eight weeks of healing time I am done. I will just have to do regular check up every six months to see if the cancer has come back for the next five years. I will also have to do hormone therapy which is taking one pill everyday for the next five years, and if the study proves that it is better to take it for ten I might be taking this pill until I am 41. WOW!!

So there you have it November 3rd is the last day of chemo. Still can not wait.
I love you all!!

4 comments:

Mama Bear said...

Hooray! You are almost done! Woohoo!!! We are coming for sure for Halloween...I will call you so we can get together while I'm in town! Love the tummy-tuck/boob job option...score! :) LOVE YOU...see you soon!

Myron said...

Sounds like you are keeping up beat...Just like always. Thanks for keeping the blog up to date. I'm sure it's therapeutic at the same time.

Taylor said...

I'm so glad I stumbled across your blog, only to find that you already found me! It is so nice to reconnect with all the far away cousins. Gosh, it's been years! My best memory is of you and I sitting out on the curb at Gma Hansen's house laughing hysterically at something the crazy neighborhood was doing. I'm happy to see that you are so positive with all that you are going through. You are a champ and I'll be thinking of you...

Lisa said...

I love reading your blog! I love that I can keep up with your family! Call me when you get a chance!!