Christmas Eve eve. 2010

WOO HOOOOOOOOO. Visit to the surgeon was everything I hoped for. He came into the room and sat down and said ' well it's good news' but then paused as if he was about to say 'and some bad news'. ( I didn't imagine this pause, as Mikey thought exactly the same thing at the same time) Fortunately there was no 'and some bad news' He said the op was a success and that the disease was gone from my breast completely....yayyyyyyyyy.

I must admit that I did cry. I had this urge to hug him but I am not sure of surgeon hugging protocol so I just thanked him with all my heart.

He had a look at my wound, well its not really a wound any more, just a scar. He thought it was fine but Lesley the breast nurse thought it was swollen and red. I think its fine to be honest and, having had vast experience in the infected boob department she trusted my judgement.

Lesley said she thought my radiotherapy will probably start in January as I am already in the system at Christies. She also said that with the radiotherapy, by right boob will shrink even more...bugger. Its a lready like a Water melon on one side and a canteloupe on the other ( a half eaten one at that!!). Still, I have no intention of whipping 'em out in public for the time being at least. They say you should maybe take a year to decide your next plan of action. They can reduce the other one or make a cosmetic hard shell to stop my bra sliding everywhere. I'll probably go for the reduction, It may help with my back problem :-). We'll see.

Next job is my radiotherapy tattoo. I am hoping for a Baloo the bear in a banana grass skirt or a microphone and some musical notes. Sadly I think it will be a dot. No harm in asking though!

I will keep my blog posted as things happen.

This is going to be a wonderful christmas. A few months ago, I wasn't sure how many more I would have...well, I still don't really, but you know what I mean.

Have a fabulous christmas and a healthy and happy new year.

My Mammogram is booked for next June! WHEN IS YOURS????????

KEEP CHECKING because if you find it early enough, before it takes a hold,you CAN beat this crappy disease.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

2nd Op 6th December 2010

Well, my surgeon loves me so much that he brought my op forward by 9 days, just so he could spend it with me!

We did all the birthday stuff on December 5th, which was very nice and made me forget about the op a little bit. We had a lovely lunch with John and Susy and enjoyed it thoroughly.

The hospital had phoned to say I was on the afternoon list and didn´t need to be there before 10.00am. We braved the snow and got there on time, only to be left in a waiting room for over an hour while they got my bed ready. Not sure why this happens? Its not like I turned up on spec and asked if there was any chance they could fit me in!!

Anyhow, they eventually gave me a bed and a gown and some hideous stockings that stop blood clots ( they actually stop blood circulation!!) I was pretty much last on the list, so I sent Mikey off home to do his homework.

The anaesthetist came to see me at about 2.00pm to see if I had any concerns. I told him about my vein problem and he wasn't overly concerned. He said that if he couldn´t find a usable vein, then he would put me to sleep with a mask and then worry about veins after.

Anyway, they came for me at about 3.45. I went to the theatre reception and my surgeon popped in to see me. He reassured me that it was a fairly small procedure which would only take about 40 minutes or so. He went off to scrub up and I went off to the anaesthetic room. I told the anaesthetist he had one shot, and then he had to knock me out!! He got a vein somewhere midway up the back of my arm. The last thing I remember was telling him that although it probably meant nothing to him, I was very impressed with his vein finding skills.

I was awoken in the recovery room and given loads of morphine, which was very pleasant. They kept me there until about 5.30 and then sent me up to the ward. On my way out of the theatre, the little Polish woman who had taken care of me the first time and reminded me of my mum was just coming into work and smiled. I actually didn´t feel too bad until they asked me to climb onto my bed and I nearly puked everywhere. I slept for a while and woke up in time for Mikey visiting. He didn´t stay long as I doubt I was making any sense at all in my morphine haze.

At some point during the evening they brought in another patient who kept all of us awake all night. I don´t want to sound uncaring, but after my 2nd cup of tea at 3.30 in the morning, I wanted to punch her! Even though she was deaf, forgetful and black and blue from head to toe after a fall....I need my sleep!! After getting no sleep at all I was ready for a coffee and some hot toast for brekkie. As usual the doctors turn up exactly at the same time as the toast....bugger!!

The doc had a look at my wound. I made the mistake of looking down as she did, and I burst into tears. Oh marvelous, I now have another huge dent in the front of my breast too!!! The doc tried to make it better by reassuring me that it would be made right as soon as the disease was all gone and that Mr Gandhi had tried to pad out my abscess dent a bit. Actually, I now feel a bit stupid getting upset. After all, its more important to get rid of the diseased cells than having perfectly symmetrical boobs!

They said if I was feeling ok, then I could go home that day. I didn´t feel great to be honest but I seriously needed some sleep. The pharmacist was trying to send me home with a packet of paracetamol until I pointed out that they might not quite cut it!!!

Like last time, everybody from the surgeons to the tea lady was amazing and I can´t thank them enough. The recovery was much easier this time, and quicker. It still hurts a bit but has healed up fine.

I am at the hospital tomorrow for the results of the tests on the stuff they took away. Please please let it be good news!! Assuming it is, I should start my radiotherapy in February.

My white hair is still coming along nicely. The pains in my leg muscles are very very bad and I can´t do too much walking yet but it will get better. My nails are starting to come off the nail beds, which I thought would happen earlier, during chemo. Apart from that....all is well. Looking forward to a nice christmas with my wonderful family.

I shouldn´t even need to tell you any more but.......KEEP CHECKING!!!