December 26, 2011
My journey continues........
Seven weeks post surgery was this past Friday, prior to this my breast that had the mastectomy had always been a little pink on the bottom half. Monday December 19th I started noticing it turning a bit red so I contacted my plastic surgeon. I did not have a fever nor did I feel ill, I scheduled an appointment for Friday with Dr. Maclennan. When I saw Dr. Maclennan Friday my breast was as red as an apple. Her first words was I don't like the looks and your timing isn't so great. Let's try to get some fluid out and put you on antibiotics. She was able to get a tiny bit of fluid out but didn't was to risk puncturing my implant. My hope was make it through Christmas and then deal with the next step which would be surgery. Well I made it, when I woke up this morning I felt two half dollar size water blisters on the outside bottom of my breast. I woke Tim up and said I'm calling the doctor on call get ready we have to go to the hospital. Fast forward a few hours I'm in surgery they removed the implant and replace it with an expander. There was not as much infection inside as originally thought which was good news not knowing the cause a little confusing. Needless to say I'm back to a drain. They will gradually fill the implant so I will be walking around with two different size breast for sometime but who cares as long as i have my health. I must say I did feel like I owned the post op since I was the only one in the area as they were closed for the Holiday. However checking in at the ER was a freak show. I was also very fortunate that Dr. Leitner was on call because Dr. Macclenan had the day off. He called her to let her know my situation, she had left him notes and a picture of my breast to go by. She decided to come in a do my surgery, how sweet was that.
So now a new chapter begins the bright side is the cancer is gone. I'm feel very lucky that I was able to spend time with my family for the Christmas weekend, the kids look so forward to that magical day.
September 23, 2011 a new world begins..........
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Getting ready to be wheeled to the OR some good stuff in the IV.
The best nurses!
Ready to go home and recover!
Reason to kick cancers ass!
Reason to kick cancers ass!
Yet another reason to kick cancers ass!
Last night I spoke with Dr. Sowden who was my cancer surgeon who is now my hero! She took time out of her weekend to give me the news that my cancer is gone. There was some concern during surgery that it my have been invasive rather than the DCIS non invasive. The other concern was that the cancer was very close to the outer skin in one area and would the margins be clear. All turned out great it was non invasive DCIS and after making over 200 slides of what was taken of breast tissue and tested the margins are clear and I've been born again. I can't begin to explain the feeling of joy, happiness, relief etc. more for my children and family than myself. During this journey I've had a very calm sense of peace I knew I was in very good hands and from all the support I had I knew no matter the turn out somehow everything would be ok.
I must say I would not change this experience it has actually been a positive eye opener on how life can change within minutes. I do look at things differently and I am trying to slow down and take life slower. However I can't ever change how I like my life in order and my OCD is just here to stay I can deal with that.
My family and friends I will treasure forever they are my rocks that I said formed my boulder to crush the cancer.
I'm excited to start working out again that will happen in a few more weeks I still need to rest that is very difficult for me but I know when to say when.
Thank you to my amazing parents, sister, Ashley, husband, children, Beth, Darcey all my dear friends there are too many to type my fingers are sore you all know who you are and I love you all very much!
Cheers to health, happiness and smiles................
CONSTANT FORWARD MOTION!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
November 5, 2011
Waking up in my own bed this morning cancer free was a feeling I can't explain.
My surgery yesterday went better than expected. I arrived at the hospital at 6:45 and had the nuclear medication injected into my left breast. From their I was in pre-op. Tim, my sister, Darcey, Beth, Wanda and Paula kept Tim company throughout my surgery. It was also nice to see my dear friends wish me well as I waiting for surgery.
The Fletcher Allen staff was amazing we joked a little with laughter, it was nice to take the edge off. I was taken down to surgery at 11 right before they wheeled me down the hall I had a little cocktail in my iv next thing I remember was a oxygen mask over my face. Four hours later I woke up and it was over.
Tim was standing next to my bed and told me I had done amazing. Dr. Sowden took three lymph nodes, they were cancer free, she told Tim they all did a dance in the O.R. when the negative result came in. Dr. Maclennan was by Dr. Sowden's side, what a great team. Dr. Maclennan is the reconstructive plastic surgeon and instead of the expander she was able to place my permanent gel implant and to boot I got a breast lift.
While in recovery I had a male nurse, not sure how much Tim had to pay for that but it was a pleasure. His name was Christian and he was adorable but most of all very sweet. I asked if he would come home with me and my husband would be glad to pay him - after all it's almost hunting season. Of course Tim ended up not buying that and Tim gets an A+ for his nursing skills. Of course though I made my mother come over last night to massage my feet a legs.
So hear I rest and recover and thank God for the best outcome.
I've been beyond blessed with my family and friends I'm very fortunate to be so loved.
Now I start my new life it's time to slow down and breath and most important enjoy every moment.
Again Thank you everyone for sticking by me on this bumpy road.
xoxo
Shelly
Waking up in my own bed this morning cancer free was a feeling I can't explain.
My surgery yesterday went better than expected. I arrived at the hospital at 6:45 and had the nuclear medication injected into my left breast. From their I was in pre-op. Tim, my sister, Darcey, Beth, Wanda and Paula kept Tim company throughout my surgery. It was also nice to see my dear friends wish me well as I waiting for surgery.
The Fletcher Allen staff was amazing we joked a little with laughter, it was nice to take the edge off. I was taken down to surgery at 11 right before they wheeled me down the hall I had a little cocktail in my iv next thing I remember was a oxygen mask over my face. Four hours later I woke up and it was over.
Tim was standing next to my bed and told me I had done amazing. Dr. Sowden took three lymph nodes, they were cancer free, she told Tim they all did a dance in the O.R. when the negative result came in. Dr. Maclennan was by Dr. Sowden's side, what a great team. Dr. Maclennan is the reconstructive plastic surgeon and instead of the expander she was able to place my permanent gel implant and to boot I got a breast lift.
While in recovery I had a male nurse, not sure how much Tim had to pay for that but it was a pleasure. His name was Christian and he was adorable but most of all very sweet. I asked if he would come home with me and my husband would be glad to pay him - after all it's almost hunting season. Of course Tim ended up not buying that and Tim gets an A+ for his nursing skills. Of course though I made my mother come over last night to massage my feet a legs.
So hear I rest and recover and thank God for the best outcome.
I've been beyond blessed with my family and friends I'm very fortunate to be so loved.
Now I start my new life it's time to slow down and breath and most important enjoy every moment.
Again Thank you everyone for sticking by me on this bumpy road.
xoxo
Shelly
Thursday, November 3, 2011
November 3, 2011
Tomorrow is the big day I’m ready for a good night sleep after a busy day today. The phone calls, doctors appointments, making sure the kids are set with school and hockey for the weekend, laundry and the list of medications have kept me on my toes today.
My surgery is going to be about 3 ½ hours hopefully I will get in on schedule. The first thing is to be injected with nuclear medicine. Once in surgery Dr. Sowden who is the cancer surgeon will remove my nipple and extract my breast tissue through that incision. Dr. Sowden will also remove my first lymph node and text it immediately. Next step will be Dr. MacLennan the plastic surgeon; she will either place the expander or an implant depending on how healthy the skin looks.
I’m mostly sad that I’m going to miss my children play hockey this weekend I’m the biggest fan and I cheer the loudest.
Thank you everyone for all your love and support.
I will keep you posted on the surgery result, no before or after picture – sorry.
xoxoxo
Kicking Cancers ASS!
Friday, October 28, 2011
What a long week it has been not just for me but Tim and my family as well. We had yet another appointment this morning with the surgeon Dr. Sowden. I have to say my blood pressure is never raised but this morning when I entered the breast care center I was having heart palpitations and difficulty catching my breath. When the nurse took my vital signs it was not high for a normal person but it was raised for me as she looked back on my chart. And then the knock on the door which I knew was Dr. Sowden. As she entered the small examining room she was upbeat but I did not want to get my hopes up. She asked how we were I said anxious she basically said you don't need to be your right breast is fine. I stood up and hugged her I was so happy as too was Tim.
Dr. Sowden then proceeded to go over the details of the surgery that will take place Friday November 4 in the morning. Her nurse came in after to go over the care of the drains I will have and we left. I must say it was the first time I left there since this journey started that I had a smile on my face and I was walking on air.
I also had my pre-op with Dr. Rubman whom I thanked a million times again for finding this early. He is very modest and it's just his job as far as he is concerned. Well in my mind and families he's our HERO.......
I will breath a big sigh of relief when next Friday is over though I know I will be in the hands of two more than capable women surgeons.
Thank you all for the love and support you have surrounded me with.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Kicking Cancers ASS!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgTMQnZrk9IAmazi...
Kicking Cancers ASS!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgTMQnZrk9I
Amazi...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgTMQnZrk9I Amazing song by Martina Mcbride!
Amazi...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgTMQnZrk9I Amazing song by Martina Mcbride!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
October 25, 2011
Yesterday was a big day Tim and I started our day at the plastic reconstructive surgeons office, Dr. Susan Maclennan. Susan will be working together with Dr. Michelle Sowden during my surgery. Dr. MacLennnan will place a temporary implant that can be filled gradually over the course of three months while I heal. Once I'm healed I will have another surgery to take the temporary implant out, at that time they will also take my right implant and replace both empty pockets with silicone gel implants. After I heal from that I will get my nipple tattoo. Yesterday was a good day I'm just anxious for a surgery date.
Today I had the biopsy on my right breast preformed by Dr. Oppenheimer (spelling?) he was very kind again it was painless just a lot of pressure. Nothing ruptured so that was a plus.
The genetic doctor called and finally some good news it came back negative.
Tim and I meet with Dr. Sowden Friday to go over the results of today's biopsy and hopefully tomorrow I will have a set date for surgery.
CONSTANT FORWARD MOTION!
Yesterday was a big day Tim and I started our day at the plastic reconstructive surgeons office, Dr. Susan Maclennan. Susan will be working together with Dr. Michelle Sowden during my surgery. Dr. MacLennnan will place a temporary implant that can be filled gradually over the course of three months while I heal. Once I'm healed I will have another surgery to take the temporary implant out, at that time they will also take my right implant and replace both empty pockets with silicone gel implants. After I heal from that I will get my nipple tattoo. Yesterday was a good day I'm just anxious for a surgery date.
Today I had the biopsy on my right breast preformed by Dr. Oppenheimer (spelling?) he was very kind again it was painless just a lot of pressure. Nothing ruptured so that was a plus.
The genetic doctor called and finally some good news it came back negative.
Tim and I meet with Dr. Sowden Friday to go over the results of today's biopsy and hopefully tomorrow I will have a set date for surgery.
CONSTANT FORWARD MOTION!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
September 23, 2011 I was diagnosed with stage zero Breast Cancer (DCIS). DCIS is a contained breast cancer that forms in the milk duct. Thank God for Dr. Rubman, my long time general practitioner for giving me a thorough exam and finding the lumps in my left breast.
Here I am a month later, wow how life has changed. One minute I'm Shelly the next I'm Shelly with cancer. Cancer will not identify who I am, I won't let it take over my life either. But I will embrace this journey with courage, bravery, at time tears and anger but most of all with a very hard kick in it's ASS.
After many sleepless nights researching DCIS on the Internet and reading endless amounts of literature the hospital has given me I'm starting to understand what it is tyring to ruin what I think of as my perfect boobs. How dare cancer screw up my 41 year old body that I've worked so hard to maintain. Angy yes, I eat pretty healthy, don't smoke, work out and yes I enjoy my wine and martini's which I've since pretty much given up.
Fast forward one month. After several appointments with doctors, surgeons, oncologist, radiation therapist and a second opinion I've decided the best place for treatment is right here at Fletcher Allen with a fantastic Dr. Michelle Sowden. I have to say the minute I met her I knew it would be her to walk with me on the journey. I just had to have that second opinion almost to knock it in my head that this is my life right now and yes I do have cancer.
At my most recent appointment Friday I was told after reading the MRI that a lumpectomy was not going to work the cancer is taking over a third of my breast. A third of my breast sounds like a lot but I have implants and those of you who know me after those kids of mine were born know that there wasn't much there. Needless to say a third of my "real" breast tissue isn't a ton. I didn't quit understand or blocked out Dr. Sowden saying the word MASTECTOMY. It was maybe the third time she said "no Shelly a lumpectomy is out of the question you need a mastectomy. At that moment my world seriously stopped, I could not even look at Tim but was holding his hand very tight. I wasn't sure if I wanted to scream, throw up, punch something, the room was spinning. I just took a breath and started crying. Dr. Sowden put her hand on my knee look in my eyes and said "I'm really sorry this is not what I expected". Tim's response was were not getting treatment here we are going back to Dana Farber. Tim also didn't really know what he was saying he was very angry. Dr. Sowden walked out of the room to get another Dr. to go over the MRI films with us so we could grasp what she was telling us. Once Tim and I sat in the dark room and looked at the computer screen we totally understood. What use to be one of my perfect perky boobs was not looking so perfect inside. It needed to be removed and thanks to modern practice of medicine they will be able to perform a skin sparring mastectomy, I guess the exciting part is I will get my first tattoo it will be my new nipple.
As we sat back down in the exam room with Dr. Sowden she finished explaining that there were a few questionable spots on my right breast, OK Doc where is the good news today I've had about enough! Needless to say here is where we stand tomorrow (Monday) we meet with the plastic surgeon (good thing I already have a relationship with her). Tuesday I have my second biopsy on my right breast. Friday we meet with Dr. Sowden hopefully the last time I will see her until my surgery. I'm still waiting my genetic testing results I hope to get them this week.
I'm so thankful for all my family and friends they are my rocks that are making my boulder. My boulder is going to crush this damn cancer as I kick it's ASS!
As for my children Colton and Kylie they are actually doing well. Colton has a lot of questions about my boobies Kylie really doesn't seem to be effected.
I'm dealing with this full throttle I do give myself time to be sad, angry and cry but for the most part I'm taking this as journey and with a positive attitude. If I can get anything out of this it's for people to take care of themselves, go to the doctors, the dentist, preventative care is very important!
I'm sorry for the long post I've really been wanting to do this so everyone knows whats going on but I've just been a little pre-occupied. Now that I've started I will try and keep it up to date.
xoxo
Here I am a month later, wow how life has changed. One minute I'm Shelly the next I'm Shelly with cancer. Cancer will not identify who I am, I won't let it take over my life either. But I will embrace this journey with courage, bravery, at time tears and anger but most of all with a very hard kick in it's ASS.
After many sleepless nights researching DCIS on the Internet and reading endless amounts of literature the hospital has given me I'm starting to understand what it is tyring to ruin what I think of as my perfect boobs. How dare cancer screw up my 41 year old body that I've worked so hard to maintain. Angy yes, I eat pretty healthy, don't smoke, work out and yes I enjoy my wine and martini's which I've since pretty much given up.
Fast forward one month. After several appointments with doctors, surgeons, oncologist, radiation therapist and a second opinion I've decided the best place for treatment is right here at Fletcher Allen with a fantastic Dr. Michelle Sowden. I have to say the minute I met her I knew it would be her to walk with me on the journey. I just had to have that second opinion almost to knock it in my head that this is my life right now and yes I do have cancer.
At my most recent appointment Friday I was told after reading the MRI that a lumpectomy was not going to work the cancer is taking over a third of my breast. A third of my breast sounds like a lot but I have implants and those of you who know me after those kids of mine were born know that there wasn't much there. Needless to say a third of my "real" breast tissue isn't a ton. I didn't quit understand or blocked out Dr. Sowden saying the word MASTECTOMY. It was maybe the third time she said "no Shelly a lumpectomy is out of the question you need a mastectomy. At that moment my world seriously stopped, I could not even look at Tim but was holding his hand very tight. I wasn't sure if I wanted to scream, throw up, punch something, the room was spinning. I just took a breath and started crying. Dr. Sowden put her hand on my knee look in my eyes and said "I'm really sorry this is not what I expected". Tim's response was were not getting treatment here we are going back to Dana Farber. Tim also didn't really know what he was saying he was very angry. Dr. Sowden walked out of the room to get another Dr. to go over the MRI films with us so we could grasp what she was telling us. Once Tim and I sat in the dark room and looked at the computer screen we totally understood. What use to be one of my perfect perky boobs was not looking so perfect inside. It needed to be removed and thanks to modern practice of medicine they will be able to perform a skin sparring mastectomy, I guess the exciting part is I will get my first tattoo it will be my new nipple.
As we sat back down in the exam room with Dr. Sowden she finished explaining that there were a few questionable spots on my right breast, OK Doc where is the good news today I've had about enough! Needless to say here is where we stand tomorrow (Monday) we meet with the plastic surgeon (good thing I already have a relationship with her). Tuesday I have my second biopsy on my right breast. Friday we meet with Dr. Sowden hopefully the last time I will see her until my surgery. I'm still waiting my genetic testing results I hope to get them this week.
I'm so thankful for all my family and friends they are my rocks that are making my boulder. My boulder is going to crush this damn cancer as I kick it's ASS!
As for my children Colton and Kylie they are actually doing well. Colton has a lot of questions about my boobies Kylie really doesn't seem to be effected.
I'm dealing with this full throttle I do give myself time to be sad, angry and cry but for the most part I'm taking this as journey and with a positive attitude. If I can get anything out of this it's for people to take care of themselves, go to the doctors, the dentist, preventative care is very important!
I'm sorry for the long post I've really been wanting to do this so everyone knows whats going on but I've just been a little pre-occupied. Now that I've started I will try and keep it up to date.
xoxo
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