Day 4- not much going on but busy.

 Still hot but not as bad as a week ago, only add in a higher humidity today and smoke from wildfires somewhere. It's humid, hot and hazy bad enough that even my chest was having difficulties breathing deep. 

Went to the doctor's office to have one of the drains removed, uncomfortable but no worse than getting a blood draw. Since Dr Camberos was not there his assistant did the procedure and removed the bandage from my incision. Everything looks good, starting to itch like crazy of course and the second drain will come out next Monday. That was it, gave me some extra gauze pads for keeping on the remaining drain with some tape. The other drain hole should heal in a few days and then I should be good to go. Just have to figure out how to get a ride to that appointment and the other one this week. Oh right, my oncologist office called and set up an appointment with her for Thursday this week which Amber can't do because she works that day.The one on Monday is too early for her because the boys start school on Monday at 9:20 and my appointment is at 9:30.

We were able to get to Costco right up the road from the doctor but then we had a 'heated discussion'' about that one being closer than the one up the freeway. She is such a persnickity child I swear. We got what we needed and a few extra goodies, certainly don't need any meat so bypassed that cost. The triple pack of hot dogs I usually get was just under $20. The price has gone up $3 in the past two years. It's gone up a dollar from the last time I looked at them a month ago.

A thought occurred to me that if I sell my car, I can sink that money into a Lyft account because it certainly isn't going to be enough to put a down payment on a newer car. I only paid $5000 and a bit for it and with the current condition I'd be lucky to get 1000. I don't have room in my budget for a car with payments either.

So anyway.... kitchen is stocked, it is unbearably sweltering outside, the garden is surviving. I was able to go out the last two days and water with a small jug but honestly, it's so late in the 'technical' season for growing things, might as well just pull up everything. That will have to wait though because I am still on a weight restriction for lifting. That's another situation entirely though. 

Just have to figure out transportation for the next week and then continue that until this situation changes.

Day 3 and good news

It's still horridly hot, I still haven't been outside yet because of that and one of the precautions on the Doxycycline is limit exposure to the sun. AC was on all night, I can't lay prone at all until my drains are out which means another week or so. I haven't taken a nap today because Rocky beat me to the bed for nap time. I'm doing okay other than my lower back being a bit cranky sitting in the chair and other reasons most likely. I have been drinking so much water... only having 1 soda a day with lots of ice so staying hydrated at least.

 So, on to the good news, got a call to make an appointment with Radiation oncologist for the end of the month, but that meeting may be altered slightly due to the other good news. Dr. K called and let me know that pathology labs came back clean and clear. Woohoo! 

A. Implant, right breast, removal:

• Intact and smooth silicone-filled medical device. (For gross examination only).

 

B. Skin, right chest wall, excision:

• Invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 2, involving dermis and superficial subcutis.
• Surgical margins clear.
• Dermal scar and subcutaneous fibrous tissue consistent with capsule.

 

C. Skin, right breast, excision:

• Benign skin.

That means no straggly edges, no hint of cancer in the surrounding tissue at the time of surgery, they got it all out and it hadn't 'leaked' outside the edges. They certainly carved out enough tissue in that area I hope they got it all. He said that the phone/televisit that was scheduled was basically talking about this news so I can ignore reminders about that appointment. Dare I say it may be possible to dodge doing radiation but that's up to the doctors, it would be nice to just segue into taking pills instead.

I am looking into getting one of those 'reading pillows' for sitting up in bed to make it easier to sleep upright. They aren't a bad price overall but so many different styles have to figure out what would be best for what I need. All we have are 2 'squishy' blankets we use in the winter and the two extra sofa pillows. Not conducive to comfortable upright resting when I need to stay a minimum of 45 degrees until my drains are removed. Don't know why I didn't think of that a month ago.

In other fun news the yarn I ordered came and I got some replacement needles so knitting will be progressing better now. Finishing off a sock and will be continuing with another pair, and so hands will be kept busy in the coming months.

That's basically it for now, getting so frustrated with my phone and missing calls. The fans are so loud I could have it on full volume and be in the kitchen and still miss hearing it. Got another call for talking to the breast care center(?) at Sharp but because they called at the end of the day today I have to wait and call on Monday.

Yippity skippity.

Day 2 of being home.

 It is unbearably hot outside for the next four days. It got up to 97 yesterday and doing the same thing today. We had to actually turn the AC back on overnight because it was so stuffy even with the window open but had to have the bedroom door closed. Very little pain overall as well. Got a little annoying middle of the night so I took two ES tylenol and I'm good for almost 12 hours sometimes more. Hands haven't bothered me other than a little swelling on the right but that's expected. I have chocolates, ice cream, other snacky things and only have to avoid dairy and eggs and anything with extra calcium because that can interfere with the antibiotics.

Today's lunch was Maruchan chicken ramen with stir fry veggies, green onion and a healthy dash of garlic powder. Fixed lovingly by my able partner.  It was delicious for sure and couldn't have done it better myself.

I am feeling better today at this time than I did yesterday and no, I have not been outside once since I got home, despite Rocky begging to do so after his second breakfast. Sleeping is still uncomfortable but it makes me smile when Jon will get up to the bathroom or whatever and come back, then move his hand around until he finds mine and then we both fall asleep like that, holding hands. Like I said, he didn't show it but I can see how much he really, really was worried and missed me. That makes me feel more loved than anything.

I remembered when I had Amber and Dave called up to ask when I would be home in a pleading voice. Not because he missed me, but because he needed me to take care of something that Kiri/Krys did. I had only been there for maybe 24 hours. A world of difference and I am happy knowing that someone is here that could (mostly) handle things while I was away. I forgot my phone and pad chargers so told Jon to bring (specific instructions on what it looked like) the cords when Amber brought him back. He got neither cord nor plug right but I wasn't angry or frustrated because he was there and his phone was charged and functional.

 

One of the things in my 'going home' package was this wonderful crochet lap blanket. There was also a small heart pillow for arm or seat belt support, little hand made pocket 'apron' for holding my drain bulbs and then a small, palm size liquid and gel beads.... thing. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be put in the fridge like a gel pack or if it's a coaster..

It's very squishy so I'm nos so sure it's a coaster .... anyway and it all came in a light pink fabric/paper bag.
It's hard to take a nap when the floor fan is on the corner of the bed and the AC and another fan is going, I tried and almost succeeded then Jon came in to get something out of the closet and it woke me up. Oh well. 

This will all be done in a week and more trips to the doctor will be figured out. I've got a first post op appt. with Camberos' assistant on Monday then a televisit/phone with Dr. K and then more follow ups with Camberos' office until we decide what kind of surgery is happening for reconstruction. Then radiation treatment. Which is another thing entirely.

Going to be knitting some more, hopefully finishing up some projects and maybe start on another one. Jon popped out to the garden yesterday and plucked the two jalapeños off my lone plant. Not really going to worry about the garden for a while. By the time I'm more ambulatory and able to do lifting it'll be time to pull anything that's left and add more soil for fall/winter. 

So that's all for today, just mildly uncomfortable, annoyed at having the drains and not feeling able to do much other than walk around, sit in bed, knit and play games. Same stuff I've been doing but...different you know? I did a partial 'sponge' wash of my upper area but still need to wash my hair desperately. Wonder if I could use that liquid soap they gave me...nah I have shampoo.

Okay that's all for now, not quite tired enough for a nap so computer and knitting it is.

All done now... and home.

 It was what you would expect of semi-major surgery. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ended up getting there WAY early because I had conflicting times from my two surgeons. One said 10 am and the other said 9:20 for arrival. Turns out the 10 am was closer because the reconstruction surgeon, Camberos had another surgery just before mine. So we got there before 9 because I'm paranoid about being late and had about an hour or so wait until they called me in.

Amber and Jon were there with me and then when they finished my pre-op IV start and all that it was another hour wait... funny thing was, the clock in that little room (pictured above with the quote from Einstein) had stopped at 8:45. It was another hour or so wait in that room before the main surgeon Dr. K came in and then the anesthetist and the main nurse all came after that. 

Going under this time was different. They walked me down the hall to the same surgery I think I had before. I do remember the hallway and told the nurse I was wheeled on a gurney to the surgery last time. So that was interesting. Climbed on the table and got positioned, they put the oxygen mask on me, said that was going to be a pre-anesthesia in a moment and that was all I remember. Bam, out like a light because I had been up since 5 am and it was around noon. While I was in surgery Jon was able to find the cafeteria and had a decent bit of food but of course, got lost coming back and had to ask directions which one of the nurses thought was startling. He said, 'I know, right?'.

Waking up was interesting. Couldn't open my eyes because I was still groggy but knew I was in the recovery room and then heard that Jon was there. They asked if I wanted some ice and I nodded and mum led something, Jon spoon fed me ice whenever he asked if I wanted some. He was a lot more concerned than he let on, I've mentioned before that he tends to internalize/shut down in stress situations. So we got a room assigned and I had to open my eyes a few times because we were moving backward and making turns.. not good for my motion sickness.

Got up to the room and situated, I ordered a sandwich with Amber's help but I was still too groggy to really eat anything. About an hour or so later, since I was settled in and there wasn't much to do Jon and Amber took off so he could get some rest and take care of Rocky. Who yelled at him apparently when he got home. Poor guy missed me because he didn't understand why we were both gone for hours and then only Jon came home smelling funny.

So all in all things happened, nurses woke me every 4 hours for vitals and meds but I got some sleep. Was shown how to do my drains, what to look for, blah blah...Then I ordered an amazing breakfast, omelet with whatever I wanted on it and a hash brown patty that wasn't so amazing. But considering I hadn't had anything serious to eat for almost 24 hours, it was amazing anyway.

As per typical hospital situations there's always a delay of some sort. I was able to get some rest for the rest of the day, my phone and ipad were dying so told amber what the cord and charger looked like so she could have jon grab it. Welllllll.. Jon grabbed the pocket charger out of my purse but forgot the cord, then grabbed the wrong long cord. Oh well. He had Amber's number so finally when I was discharged I used his phone to call Amber and we got the heck out of dodge.

The nurses were all great and the one that got me the wheelchair and waited with us was incredible. I don't remember he name, small black lady who was very friendly and ended up giving me a neck and shoulder massage while we waited in the round about outside for Amber. Told her to thank the rest of the nurses and staff before I got in the car. 

And here we are at home, having to set up the AC and fans with Rocky sleeping against my pillows so I can't get a nap. I had a couple of chocolate caramels (dark chocolate and sea salt, yum! Thanks to Katie but that's another story), and a package of roasted cashews from a bag of goodies I found on the patio table Saturday.  

So I'm not really hungry but we need to figure out what we're going to have tomorrow. Going to be heinously hot tomorrow (low 90's) and I am not in a condition quite yet for galavanting about on public transit. We have 'food' in the house, but all of it requires cooking which means heating up the inside of the apartment and possibly adding smoke. Tempted to see what delivery service costs since I have some extra money in Paypal. 

 Will go check that out right now. I mean technically we could use lyft to get a sandwich and come back again but would rather have someone bring the food to us. Update when it happens.

Home home jiggity jig.

Final countdown...and ramblings

 We got groceries done that will last us for a while at least and way under budget do to generous help from Katie. Forgot to look for pajama tops/sets because my brain was not braining well. She wanted to take us over to target because I said I needed elastic but we went to Michael's instead which came up zero. I don't think Target would have had any better chance but it would have reminded me about getting pajamas.

Oh well.

Other than that, running through check list, will probably use backpack for overnight bag since that bag is in storage and don't really need much. Clean underwear, one pair of socks, tooth brush/paste, spare shirt for going home and the only thing I have for bottoms is sweatpants which is okay for travel. Bringing my 'purse'/knitting bag for personal stuff, wallet, glasses (just remembered to find my eyeglass case), watch and likely will have the sock that's almost finished just in case. Not sure if I want to bring my ipad for games because it's overnight, and left arm may have IV in it and right side chest muscles will be compromised. Will see what happens. Fewer things to track of is better. 

I got online this morning and did the hospital form and check in already, paid the copay for the procedure so that's all done when I get there and things will go a lot smoother. Not sure if Amber is going to stick around but hope she does because Jon will need a ride back home to take care of Rocky. Don't think he would want to sleep at the hospital and not sure when I'll be getting out. I only know that Amber can get us to the hospital tomorrow, not sure about Tuesday ride home. Will have an answer hopefully soon.

I'm trying not to stress and I think I'm doing okay. I'm more worried about Jon than what I'm going through. He worries about me and I can see in his eyes that if he were to lose me, it would not be good for him (which is obvious you'd think) but more that we are such a pair that it would be a huge hole in his life (again what married couple has not had that). There's so much he doesn't do on his own, like simple cooking stuff, taking care of Rocky... he loves the little guy but he's never scooped his litter box. Silly things like that.

I need to show him on my computer where all my passwords are just in case, I know I know it'll be fine but there's always that tiny chance of things going wrong. So even if I am perfectly fine, cooking will be chancy for a few days, I'll have things to keep track of on my own, follow up visits next week and the week after and still no car.

Still trying to decide whether I should sell it or not but then will need some form of transportation indefinitely. Too much to think about right now, need a distraction.

Ohhh look yarn!

A close knitting friend took us out to lunch at Olive Garden then went shopping at Michaels (forgot to stop at CVS so Jon missed picking up one of his meds dangit). So anyway one of the things we got was a Star Wars Knitting book that had a gorgeous shawl pattern in it. Most of the yarns that are called for are top end expensive yarns which I am not going to get.

So yeah... the shawl yarn is expensive at $40 per skein and you need two for the gradient and one for the solid. I went online to Hobbii yarns and they had something that will do for slightly less and much more yardage. My friend gave me the money for it because Michael's sucks for yarn now. The substitute yarn is same weight, not exactly the same but close enough. There are gold beads also incorporated into the solid section in the 'Starbird' Jedi symbol but not going to worry about that right now (if I had access to my bead stuff I would have more than enough). I could use a knitting stitch that would create a little opening so that could work as well. Will I ever finish this shawl? Maybe, maybe not. But it's nice to have that in my queue. Most of the projects in the book are medium to difficult for the average knitter (as you can see from the projects on the cover).

So that's all for now, no updates for a few days...see you on the other side.

‎"There are times when I have to hurt to get through a situation and when this happens, the choice is not whether to hurt or not to hurt, but what to DO while I am hurting." ~Courage to Change 

And good to go for sure.

 Last doctor visit and won't see them until Monday Aug 4 for surgery. I double checked for instructions on using the special soap and only have to do my torso between neck and hips. He reiterated the other instructions on when to stop eating and all that. I told him there was conflicting times for when to be there and he noted that surgery was supposed to start at noon and then double checked so getting there at 9 or 9:20 is fine. That was my most pressing concern was conflict in when I should be there. 

Not much else is going on for now. I met up with Margaret and she passed me some veggies and I traded that for some tomatoes I had softening in the fridge. Gave Amber a bag of shirts and socks that don't fit me anymore for her to distribute as she wishes. Realized that this coming weekend is first of the month so we will have various monies again and we haven't used up all the meat in the freezer. Again. This is good! Going down the list of groceries also didn't use up a lot of the tomato products, we've been eating more leftovers I guess? This is a good thing because it's less money spent and still having good things to cook. I may be able to buy some other things this time around and expand my cooking options. Also need to be aware of things that don't require me to be in the kitchen for three hours. I am thankful I won't be going through chemo but recovery is still going to be hard, I'm 15 years older and not as in good shape.

Oh the brain MRI came back the same as last time, it's a meningioma that is not dangerous, they were primarily looking for it being connected to the breast cancer which it isn't. They only get concerned if it starts growing or pushing on the tissue around it. Should get another MRI in 3-6 months to check on whether it's growing or not.

The thyroid ultrasound came back about the same but they want to double check the TSH levels with another blood test which won't be happening unless I can get my car fixed or can get a ride to the nearest lab which would be Grossmont. Maybe when we get money will hire a Lyft and head over there and treat ourselves to a sandwich. Yeah, that sounds like a plan.

Oh I got a huge pack of paperwork in the mail...from MediCal for renewing benefits by September 10. They still send out that pack even though I do it all online because it's SO much easier. I remember having to fill out that huge stack of papers AT the services office and then waiting for the appointment with my worker. So nerve wracking. Still hate filling out forms but not as much as before.

Oh I also got my repaired denim shorts back from Margaret, they are so cute! Although she used a purple calico type fabric and completely covered the zipper flap which makes this dark line right down the middle of my huge belly. She patched and reinforced with hexagon patches so it's very quilt looking.

And lastly, lost sight of Rocky today during his 'grass time', it's not a walk anymore because he just goes and finds grass he wants to munch then picks a spot in the shade on a sidewalk and lays down. I usually try and slip off to the garden and check on it, making a point of noting where he's laying and no more than fifteen seconds or so. Well that wasn't the problem, it was a food delivery guy who was looking for an apartment and the numbering system is so non-logical it's hard to tell. So I was helping him and then stepped quick back to where I last saw Rocky and he wasn't there. Fuuuh! Went up stairs quickly, told Jon what happened and then grabbed the plastic box that used to have treats but now just has a few kibble pieces. Went back downstairs and started shaking it looking around then I hear this 'meow?' and turn around..he was laying against one of the property walls near a bush. Geeez. So got him upstairs again and then ... Jon wasn't there. He must have come downstairs to look for him while my back was turned in the opposite direction. Pulled out my phone and then...saw that his phone was on the table. Rocky was safe and laying on the floor near the kitchen so I went back out onto the walkway and there comes Jon from the front gate. I waved him down and told him the wayward cat had been found.

Whew! Not like he would have gone far but there's entirely too many places he could slip away and not be able to get back home.

So that's all for now. One last adventure and then the long process starts next week. 

Short update

 Since I used about half of the first gift card I needed to load the second one, but there was a problem. In my effort to remove the security tape on the pin I scraped off the last digit. Didn't realize that was the issue until I counted the digits. I'm panicking because we don't have the extra cash to cover the balance for a one way ride. So was texting Amber about it and then it struck me. I have a 1 in 9 chance of finding the last digit. Computer nerd I am not but I've seen enough movies about cracking digital codes that it just might work. All right, start with.... 1. XXXXXXX1  Bingo! That was it! First try! Texted Amber and said, 'send me to Vegas baby!'.

Okay whew. that's taken care of but we may still be short for a round trip from that location. I'm considering taking bus and trolley to a half way point since Jon needs to pick up one of his meds in Santee because it's not available at the one that's walking distance. That will be figured out and chronicled next week.

Next news is from blood work results. Cholesterol is high enough that doctor recommends the same pill that Jon is taking which is Lipitor. I will be taking two other pills after recovery anyhow so not a big deal. Good news though is I am no longer pre-diabetic, yay! A1c was in the green zone as well as the mean glucose so that's something. Not having as many sodas and sandwiches? A bit more exercise? Something like that.

So that's the update for now, we're coasting until the end of the month, garden is limping along, knitting is the same. ComicCon is this weekend and have already seen some amazing pictures and video. Logan even sent me pictures from a Muppet table or something that had a Rizzo the Rat (slightly larger than life size for a rat) which she posed with.  I'm happy that the geek genes run deep with my family.

That's all I can think of for now, panic about the gift card solved and see what the day is like on Monday.