Friday, October 30, 2009
Post Surgery
I can't type much because I'm too sore. I had the mastectomy on Monday 10/26. I stayed overnight in the hospital because the anesthesia made me sick. Other than that, things went very smoothly. I can't lift my right arm very high and I can't sleep on my side, but other than that, I feel pretty good. I go to the oncologist on Tuesday 11/3 to find out how bad the cancer is/was and whether or not I'll need chemo. More coming soon when I can type more...
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Beginning
I've never blogged before, so bear with me. I started this online journal so I can document my experiences over the next few months.
In August, I found a lump in my right breast. It was completely by accident and I brushed it off. A few weeks passed and I thought about it again. This time, I decided that since I hadn't had my annual OB/GYN visit, I would go ahead and schedule it. So, on September 11, I had my appointment and jokingly mentioned the lump to my doctor. He recommended a mammogram, just to be safe.
On October 6, I had a baseline mammogram. The next day, they called me to say they needed to take a closer look. So, on October 9, I went to the hospital to have another mammogram and an ultrasound. Well, the radiologist didn't like what he saw, so he recommended a biopsy and an appointment with a surgeon.
On October 15, I had an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy.
On October 19, I had my appointment with the surgeon and got the bad news. I wasn't really upset, just shocked. All I really remember are the keywords: malignancy, tumor, mastectomy, lymph nodes...
On October 26, I am checking into the hospital for a mastectomy. Due to the size of the tumor (it's 5.8 centimeters) the surgeon has recommended removing the whole right breast and all of the lymph nodes.
Today, I'm still in shock mode. I'm sure I'll experience a whole range of emotions over the next few weeks, but right now, I'm pretty calm.
This is all I know right now. I'll post again soon.
In August, I found a lump in my right breast. It was completely by accident and I brushed it off. A few weeks passed and I thought about it again. This time, I decided that since I hadn't had my annual OB/GYN visit, I would go ahead and schedule it. So, on September 11, I had my appointment and jokingly mentioned the lump to my doctor. He recommended a mammogram, just to be safe.
On October 6, I had a baseline mammogram. The next day, they called me to say they needed to take a closer look. So, on October 9, I went to the hospital to have another mammogram and an ultrasound. Well, the radiologist didn't like what he saw, so he recommended a biopsy and an appointment with a surgeon.
On October 15, I had an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy.
On October 19, I had my appointment with the surgeon and got the bad news. I wasn't really upset, just shocked. All I really remember are the keywords: malignancy, tumor, mastectomy, lymph nodes...
On October 26, I am checking into the hospital for a mastectomy. Due to the size of the tumor (it's 5.8 centimeters) the surgeon has recommended removing the whole right breast and all of the lymph nodes.
Today, I'm still in shock mode. I'm sure I'll experience a whole range of emotions over the next few weeks, but right now, I'm pretty calm.
This is all I know right now. I'll post again soon.
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