Healing...

I am healing very well since my surgery and am back to most of my activities. I had to keep one drain in place for two weeks - so that limited activities a bit, but not much. I celebrated having the drain removed by taking a 3 mile hike with my sister :-). It was a beautiful Colorado day and we decided to make the most of it.

I have been getting things done around the house and my sisters have been helping me tremendously both mentally and physically. I managed to get me sewing machine out and help both kids make a pillow. (I am a bit challenged in this arena - so a pillow is about my limit.) I did some cooking and tried a few new recipes. I think I have played over 20 games of monopoly jr. with Natalie and about 10 games of Thomas with Andrew. I am just happy he now prefers dominoes - since that one is definitely more enjoyable for me.

I am enjoying sleeping in and I think the kids enjoy having Mom around in the morning. Andrew and I like hot breakfasts when the weather is cold - so we have fun 'cooking' in the morning. I have been exercising and doing arm stretches so my range of motion is pretty good.

My office seems to be doing well overall in my absence. The doctor who is covering for me had a family emergency so I may go back to work a week earlier than expected. I will miss reading books, afternoon naps, and relaxing - at least that was the plan next week - but it will be good to get back to work because I really love it. I might have actually started to get bored if I was home too much longer. It was more enjoyable than I had realized - at least once the drain was out and I slept at night.

We all had so much fun at the cabin in New Mexico last month that I have a long weekend planned the first of next month. I love watching the aspen turn color during this time of year so I planned for us to stay right at the edge of Rocky Mtn National Park. We are going 'camping in the mountains' as Andrew likes to say - but it is really a nice room at the YMCA. It will be warmer than a cabin and will have a full bathroom - which I will enjoy. There is a good chance of having snow - so I really did not want to try a public shower after walking in the snow and freezing. It should be a good adventure in any case.

I will probably start radiation therapy in a week or two. My appointment was supposed to be yesterday but we had to reschedule a few times. It will be a five week commitment so I hope to start in just over a week so I can finish by Thanksgiving and then officially start the AC (after cancer) phase of my life. I have not been able to give up carrying sanitizer in my purse yet - but hopefully soon I will feel okay without it and be able to trust my body and immune system. I did get my flu shot and will probably go for the H1N1 as soon as it is available just for extra protection.

Miracles do happen!

I do believe in miracles! I just received the news that when they looked at the breast tissue (which was the entire breast) and 26 lymph nodes - they found not one single cancer cell!!

Chemotherapy and all of the prayers and thoughts from all of - cured me of my cancer! Again - NO EVIDENCE OF CANCER AT ALL!!

I am recovering well from my surgery. I am off of all pain meds but may take an ibuprofen here and there until my drains are removed - hopefully on friday. I am moving my arm pretty well - considering the surgery they performed (lymph node dissection).

My sister Mary just left after a great visit. She was a great help before, during and after the surgery - as was a host of good friends. I have my other sister Kathy and my Dad coming tomorrow to help out and do some good bonding with the kids.

Tonight though, we are celebrating that I am now cancer-free! I just need to heal from this surgery and I will be doing some more celebrating!! I cannot wait to see the ocean and walk on the beach. That is my gift to myself once the radiation is over. I think my beautiful daughter will share in this experience with me - since we are both 'ocean girls'. I think we will also be attending the 'Joy of Christmas' os something like that at the Crystal Cathedral - because I do believe in miracles.

Thank you, thank you, thank you - and keep the prayers coming!

Doing well...

I made it through surgery with flying colors! I stayed in the hospital a little over 24 hours and was up walking and moving my arm within 3-4 hours after surgery. I was actually amazed at how little pain I had. It does hurt and ache some, but not as bad as expected - which is nice.

I have my sister Mary and Steve helping out at home. I am getting yelled at for doing too much and using my arm too much - but it is hard for me to sit in the sidelines... I am not doing much lifting or ready to bench press - but I can move my arm about 30% of my normal range of motion - which is pretty awesome for just coming out of surgery.

One of my best friends Stephanie - took both kids for a sleep over the night of my surgery - so that was a great distraction for them and a chance for all of us to rest and slow down a bit. The kids loved their 'first sleep over' and were plenty exhausted when we picked them up in the afternoon (Thanks Stephanie and Ken!!!).

I am going to do my best to relax and not lift or use my arm too much over the next few days - but it is hard when I do not have much pain :-). I am also anxiously awaiting the final pathology report on the breast tissue and lymph nodes.

Thanks so much for all the great thoughts, prayers, cards and warm wishes. They help tremendously! I am sure they are a big part of why I am healing well. I am going to catch up on my books and movies over the next few days. Email me with any good suggestions.

Surgery

I am doing well mentally and physically as I get ready for surgery in a few hours. I am a bit nervous and scared about losing my breast and learning about the final pathology report on the tissue. I am hoping that the cancer is only in the breast and has not spread to any or many lymph nodes - but we will find out after the tissue is taken out and evaluated... One lymph node was just barely being attacked by the cancer when they did the initial biopsy - so we will see how well the chemo worked on that tissue.

My sister Mary and Steve will both be with me at the hospital and helping keep my spirits high. It will be nice to have family around after surgery to help out with kids and just keeping up the household.

Thanks to everyone for all the great encouraging words. The thoughts and prayers are very appreciated also!

More soon,
Sharon