I'm just filling in while Becky is recovering from her surgery. We had three goals today. We wanted to fix her hernia. We wanted to have a partial mastectomy to remove any cancer that was still in the breast. We wanted to remove the sentinel node so it could be tested to see if, God forbid, the cancer had spread and, if so, gain information on how to destroy it.
The hernia surgery went well. So did the partial mastectomy. The glitch came when after trying several techniques, the surgeons were unable to locate the sentinel node. That meant they had to resort to the old fashioned technique of removing all the nodes.
This was kind of sad on several levels. First, Becky chose the partial mastectomy, with six weeks of radiation because she hoped to avoid losing all the nodes. Now she must have the radiation, AND she has lost the nodes. Second she will have a longer healing and must wear a drain for a while. Third, she will always be at risk for lymphadima.
On the plus side, when I left the hospital tonight she was looking very good, and seemed to be on the road to recovery. We are hoping for a release, tomorrow.
She is a tough cookie. Let me know when and if she wants some company up in Baltimore. We can bring a whole mahjongg game up there when she is ready!! So glad she has you, Mark and so many great things to look forward to this year!
ReplyDeleteBecky,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that you are done with the surgery. I hope that your 800 IPOD songs are helping to keep your spirits up. I am sorry that you had to get so many lymph nodes out, but you can still do fine with all of those out.I am keeping you in my prayers for a quick and uneventful recovery for the rest of the way. Don't forget to take pain meds when you need them. Take care of yourself. I am looking forward to hearing from you again in your blog when you or your husband are up to it.
Rhonda from cancer care support group
Becky,
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it through the surgery. I wish you all the best as you make your way step by step to a full recovery.
Love,
Nadine