We Have a Plan...and I AM Getting on With My Life

Three weeks ago I had surgery.  Each day is better.  I have my down days, but it has been almost a week since I was feeling not well physically and that translates to emotionally.  I had to take a half of one of my "happy" pills, as R calls them so that I could get the sleep I need.

Since I last posted, I have had a followup w/Dr. Rasmussen, my surgeon, and got the thumbs up.  Don't need to see him again until after chemo.

I also had a followup with Dr. Ferguson, the plastic surgeon, well actually his PA Travis, who removed the last drain Friday.  Yeah.  Feels so much better...MAJOR BETTER, but Travis only removed it if I stayed absolutely still for a few days.  Um, I only work at a computer, so it's not like I'm outside chopping wood.  Shaking his head, no working, so had to beg off and truly have tried to be still UNTIL NOW, Monday night.  I was borderline on fluid output to get it pulled and being active increases fluid, so with the drain removed there is the chance of seroma development, hence the "chill out" order. 

I also got another fill job.

Oh, and we spent three hours at the oncologist's office...check in and wait, see patient advocate and wait, see nurse and wait, see PA and get a physical and go over the packet that I filled out and brought with me and wait, see doctor and get scheduled.  Done...three hours. 

So, I start my chemo on Friday, March 30, six sessions three weeks separated, plus I get a chemo drug called Herceptin which needs 11 sessions beyond the initial six, so I will have an infusion every three weeks for a year.  That's 17 IV placements and since my right arm cannot be used from here on out for needles, then doc wants a port-a-cath placed, which is venous access in my upper chest just under the clavicle.  Sounds yucky to me, but will ease the burden on the small veins in my arm.  I arrive 6:30 a.m., yup gotta get up early, at the hospital and am scheduled for four hours to get this procedure done under conscious sedation by radiology, then go over for my first chemo infusion which I have been told being first will take a little longer, 3-1/2 hours, so I'll be at the hospital all day. 

tomorrow night I have a chemo class, required by doctor, where I will get all my questions answered, taught by the oncology staff.

Doc also requires that I get a baseline echo prior to first chemo, which I will have done this Friday. 

Lots of appointments.

I'm doing well, went to all three hours of church Sunday and did very well, didn't cry.  It was a lift for me, lots of encouragement.  I needed that church boost yesterday and am looking forward to all three hours of church this Sunday. 

My RS president just sent me an email (her sister-in-law just had her 2nd chemo session) and mentioned to me that her sister-in-law went to see her grandbaby get blessed and then ended up catching someone's bug and had a 10-day hospital stay, so when she wants to go to her church there is a buffer zone discreetly placed in front and behind her bench, meaning couples who are well with no children.  She's so sweet and has offered to arrange that for me.  Something to think about, but shouldn't be a problem, seeing as we sit 2nd bench (isn't it funny how we all have "our" bench) left front, and usually the bench in front is empty and frequently the bench behind is a family w/o little children, but definitely something to think about, as I do want to go to sacrament meeting as able. 

I know that I will be receiving a Neulasta shot after each chemo session which helps to build up the white cells that are destroyed.  The shot itself costs $6000, but oncology office is preapproved to administer because insurance has found that it's better to pay $6000 rather than allow claimant to get sick due to crashed immune system and end up in hospital. 

Got a call from a family member today, actually call not really for me, but I was the one who was home and answered phone.  I was chipper and positive, but kind of bothered when I heard "well, I hope that this doesn't take you and that you can get on with your life."  I thanked caller, but was thinking "I am getting on w/my life.  This is my life.  I am still here and trying to have normality as possible.  My life continues and has not stopped." 

Actually, I shouldn't sound annoyed because I am truly blessed.  So many good people checking up on me, buoying me up.  My life is good, just a few bumps in the road right now, but overall good.