2007 Breast Cancer 3 Day

Friday, February 17, 2006

The final countdown

Today I went for a final visit to the plastic surgeon, Dr. C. She thinks that she may be able to go ahead and put in my implants at the time of surgery instead of the expanders. This means that I will come out of surgery with my final new set and won't have to go back in for more surgery. She won't know for sure until she gets in there to start working, but we are hopeful it will work out.

I also had pre-op admission stuff today as well as some pre-op tests: bloodwork, chest x-ray, and EKG. I am scheduled to go in Monday so they can inject my breast with some radioactive material for the sentinal node biopsy. It will be injected around my nipple (Yikes!) and then will drain into the sentinal node. At the time of surgery this node will be removed and biopsied to see if cancer cells have moved out of the breast via my lymph nodes.

Tuesday is the big day. I am ready. Surgery is always a scary prospect and I know the recovery will be tough. The implants are placed under the chest muscles which makes for an uncomfortable recovery. I hope that it is similar to my c-section. Everyone said how painful it would be, but I thought it was a piece of cake. I know I will have good pain medication, so it shouldn't be that bad. I just hate being doped up since it makes me sleep for hours on end.

I'll update again Monday after the injection(s). Say a little prayer that this procedure isn't as bad as is sounds.

7 comments:

  1. You are in our thoughts and prayers. While we can't be their in body, we're with you in spirit and know that the Lord will continue to provide strength and guide the hands of your doctors. We will be lifting you prayer in these next days, especially Tuesday.

    Love, hugs and kisses,
    Theresa, Dana & Max

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  2. When this is all over and the time has passed you will look back on this and laugh. Because through all your teen years and puberty times I bet you never asked for any fake breasts. This might not strike you funny but it is hard in these times to come up with humor to lighten the mood. There is no words to explain how proud of you we are! We are with you always. Love Dustin, Ricki, Cali, and Storie. armstrongdp@hotmail.com

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  3. Dear Ed, Fran and Emma,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you daily and we will especially be praying for you on Tuesday. Wish we could be there to help, but you will surely be surrounded by so many people who love you.....both grandmothers.....hmm...extra prayers are in order!

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  4. We as well have you, Ed, and Emma in our prayers. It will all be over soon and your strong will and resilance will be all you need to get through this next step of the process!
    We love you always.
    Brian and Anna

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  5. Fran:

    You will be in my prayers tomorrow as you go through your surgery.

    I pray that the Lord will guide the surgeons hand, and He will watch over you during recovery.

    Blessings,
    Lorrie
    FIAR

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  6. I will be thinking about you all day tomorrow. This is terribly hard but I know you can make it through and be healthy again. Love you!

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  7. I'm praying for you today, Fran - for a successful surgery and quick recovery.

    Love,
    Susan (FIAR)

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