Notes to My Family: December 8, 2010

Hi everyone,

Today I had my first follow-up doctor's appointment since returning from the hospital. One of my two drains was removed (somewhat painful but I'm definitely more comfortable without it). D said it was really long and disgusting looking. I didn't watch.

The plastic surgeon also removed my dressing and we got to see exactly what the Frankenboob looks like. It looks great - - aside from being the wrong size & shape, half numb and completely nippleless! (It's a work in progress, obviously.) There's no bruises or anything. It's like a weird Barbie boob sitting high up on my chest. I have to continue wearing the surgical bra and I can start spacing out the Percocet with some good old-fashioned extra-strength Advil.

While we were at the hospital they still hadn't heard back from the pathologist. A few hours after we got home we got a phone call from the breast surgeon. She had finally heard back from the pathologist and it was all good news! Just as we suspected there was extensive DCIS - - through three of four quadrants! (So still good that we got rid of the whole boob.) But NONE of it was invasive! Also, the margins were completely clear with room to spare so there doesn't appear to be any need for me to have radiation! Also, the lymph nodes were clean too.

So what now? I am still sitting on my butt, restricted to zero activity for the next week. The two weeks after that I will still be in recovery but will be able to move around a bit more. I'm still taking pain meds as needed. I see the plastic surgeon again next Thursday for either another drain removal, or my first post-surgery fill (he filled up the expander a lot while I was on the table), or both...I can't remember. After that I can probably get rid of the surgical bra and switch to zip-up sports bras and start SLOWLY working back up to my normal activity level again. As in, walking slowly around the block or very slowly on a treadmill, to start.

The reconstruction process will continue for the next few months.

I will also likely start meeting recommended medical oncologists now to pick one and start talking about mostly likely getting on Tamoxifen for the next five years.

So, that's the news for now. I'm gonna see if I can get a blog up and running so I can avoid these massive e-mail distributions.

Thank you all for everything you have been doing! The gifts, visits, food, well-wishes, coming to the hospital, etc, etc. You have all been wonderful!

Now, as the trip to the city was a bit too much excitement for one day and I'm surprised I have made it to 10PM ...I will go take some drugs & pass out!

Love, Diane :)