Much a do about nothing?

It's now Saturday, and I've been home for five days. This is the first day I've actually felt like sitting at the computer for more than two minutes at a time. So, to start where I left off.......

The sentinel node biopsy was kind of a "That's IT?" kind of moment! Quite unbelieveable after all the worrying I did. But it was literally just a little stick for the numbing med (and yes, they did numb the area) and then the injection of the nuclear isotope. Took like three minutes! But what I would suggest is that anyone going thru this, stick to your guns, ask questions...as many and as often as you need to....demand local numbing, and you will be fine. The procedure was done in the breast center, and I think that made a difference too. Nuclear med is so cold and sterile and that department will scan every part of the body. The Breast Center does only....BREASTS :)

When the anesthesiologist came in to see me, I was never so happy in my life! FINALLY the surgery was going to happen...oh, and my EKG was misread...no problems, Echo was fine, repeat EKG was FINE! ohhhh well.....at least I had the OK from the cardiologist that I could have surgery :)

Surgery went fine, I am told. I was given Dilaudid to manage the pain for the first twelve hours or so. I was discharged on Tuesday around 10 AM :) I slept much better in my own bed, rather than with the monitors beeping and whirrrrring all night!

I saw Dr. Gawley for my first post-op appointment on Thursday. He said everything looked good, minimal bruising...it was a rough appointment for me, first day back out of the house and sitting up for a lot longer than I had been the last few days.

Dr. Walker phoned yesterday. My pathology report came back unbelieveably good! NO cancer in the lymph nodes (they removed three)and no cancer in any of the breast tissue...not even around the tumor! Not sure how it can be called invasive when the cancer didn't "invade". That will be my question to Dr. Walker when I see her the week of August 9th.

So, I will still be learning about what additional treatment....maybe the "anti~hormone" pill, since my cancer is hormone receptor positive. I still have questions for my doctors :)

And then there is still the process of filling up the extenders, and getting some curves back :)

Oh, and one more thing! Hubby is always thinkin' :) I have four drain tubes in. After I saw Dr. Gawley he said I could then shower...but don't get the drains soaked! The solution: BUNGEE CORD! The bungee cord is draped around my neck, the drain tubes already have a safety pin in a little plastic flap that is on part of the tube. The safety pins are hooked onto the curved ends of the bungee cord, two on each end of the cord, so that the tubes are then able to hang in front of me while I shower :) I think it's the most clever use of a bungee cord that I have ever heard of!

Hugs to All!
Suzanne