Resting, Recovering and Rejoicing in Good News

Beautiful flowers from my brother & sister-in-law & family in Nebraska

It's been just two days since my lumpectomy surgery and I think I'm doing great. I felt like I received excellent care from everyone involved, well except maybe the nurse who started the IV, but that's a small detail compared to the rest of it. 

I checked into the hospital Wednesday morning and went to nuclear medicine to have the radioactive isotope injected, which would help the surgeon locate the sentinel lymph node. That was an injection into the breast and it did hurt, but was over quickly.

Next up was a chest x-ray, nothing remarkable about that. 

Then I went to mammography for the "wire localization" and bracketing of the tumor, which was necessary because my tumor was located so deep in the breast that it could not be detected from the surface. That was a long involved process and, I gathered, not an easy one for the mammography technician and radiologist. It required a lot of  precision on their part and it was humbling for me to realize how seriously they took it and how they viewed me as an individual and as a person, not just another job. The mammography technician told me that she had prayed "that God will help me do this right for you." 

The radiologist came in, introduced himself and said, "You wouldn't know this, but I've been thinking about you for the past three days and thinking about how to do this right. I want you to know that I'm going to do my very best for you." Wow! They explained to me that their goal was to give the surgeon the best chance possible of removing just the right amount of tissue to get clear margins around the tumor, without having to remove too much. This procedure was uncomfortable at times, but I was more than willing to cooperate, because I certainly wanted them to achieve their goal.

Finally I was taken into the pre-op area, where my surgeon and anesthesiologist  came in and talked to me. Our pastor got there in time to pray with us just as I was getting loopy and then he stayed with Rick in the waiting room for awhile after I was taken into surgery. Surgery took a little under the ninety minutes that had been estimated. I spent some time in the recovery room, was reunited with Rick and was home by about seven in the evening. I slept in a recliner that first night, because that was where I was most comfortable.

Yesterday was a restful day at home. About the most ambitious thing I did was to take a shower. My incision is about three inches long and is closed with "steri-strips," not stitches. Because the tumor was on the side of the breast near my underarm, the surgeon was able to access and remove the sentinel lymph node from that same incision. The pain really hasn't been too bad.

My oldest daughter, Kelly, arrived from Dallas late last night. It is so good to have her here. Today she took me out to run an errand and to have lunch, which we ate outside since it was such a beautiful day. While Kelly and I were out, my doctor's office called my cell phone to tell me that the pathology report showed that my margins and lymph nodes were clear: wonderful news and sooner than I expected it!

After we got home, my friend, Jennifer came by to visit, which was a treat. She has had two experiences with breast cancer, one fairly recent and pretty rough, but is doing well now. She has been a great encouragement and source of information for me. 

Tonight Kelly made a delicious dinner and dessert and we've had a good time talking and catching up.

God has blessed me graciously throughout this experience. I'm so thankful to Him and grateful for the prayers of my family and friends and even caring people I don't even know.