Progress On The Home Front As A New Cancer Survivor
Progress on the Home Front
I just had radical breast cancer surgery a week ago. I had a modified radical left mastectomy to
remove breast cancer cells and lymph nodes. I’m still waiting to hear if I will need chemo. I’m amazed at how easy this surgery was of the 21 surgeries I have had in my almost 75 years.
I’ve had something like six lumpectomies removed throughout most of my adult life. So, at my age, I decided to cut it out! But, wow, was I depressed after my last doctor visit when I elected to "go flat."
I was so mad when I got the letter from the radiologist telling me, “I need further evaluation.”
Since I had so many lumpectomies in the past, I thought that this was just another one.
I made the doctor's appointment with my primary care doctor to discuss what to do. I didn’t get to see my regular PCP, so after debating a mastectomy because I figured get them off so I don’t have to deal with this anymore, I made a statement that I could wait to do the surgery in the Fall.
The doctor said NO, you have cancer!He showed me the letter sent to the PCP from the radiologist that had the summary of “invasive ductal carcinoma,” and it just went over my head. I had determined that in the
back of my mind, I didn’t have cancer.
It's a tough pill to swallow when you first hear this. Yep, I wanted to cry, but… I didn’t. I’m a
stoic person. I keep on going. So, the plans were made for the surgery on May 29, 2024.
Amazingly, I didn’t get nausea/vomiting, which I usually get after surgery. I do get nauseated
during the day and must take meds for it along with standard pain meds. And my ROM (range of motion) is doing great. I have a drain that I have to manage, and it needs to be there for another week.
It’s an ugly scar. I’m not sure you can do this procedure and it not be an ugly scar. Now, to plan
the removal of the other breast, but I need to heal the left side first.
When I’m not resting or sleeping, I can still follow what’s happening at Wealthy Affiliate
and do some research, training, and writing. I’m taking advantage of this resting time to catch up on WA training.
Have you or anyone you know have or have had cancer? How did you cope? Do you have any helpful tips you can share with our readers? Please leave in the comments below.
Recent Comments
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I think the hardest for us was that we can't go anywhere outside of about an hour radius of the house. The chemo just tires her out. Also her sleep patterns are just nuts; we have an app that monitors us and she's out of bed more than in.
Like you, no symptoms other than the new Sinead O'Connor look. There was a danger of neuropathy from her treatment and she had to wear ice gloves and booties but it looks like that did the job.
Also, you can't ignore the rest of your body. She was really bad about going to other doctors during the chemo and the appointment just piled up.
We are currently subject to a similar restriction.
As my husband is on the transplant waiting list, he has to be available to go straight to the hospital if called, and it could be any time, day or night.
So, we can't be more than 15 minutes away from home, no overnight stays, days out, etc.
And yes, the chemo is exhausting, he can sleep for up to 12 hours.
So sorry for your restrictions! That really sounds like a pain :(
I have a dr appt tomorrow w my pain management dr. I won't miss that one, lol.
Luckily, I haven't had to increase the amount of pain meds that I was already taking. I'm just at the level so I don't vomit on them. I was taking one 600mg. ibuprofen, but don't need that anymore.
Next week I have 3 appointments. I of them is for hair and nails at the end of the week on the day after I get my drain out.
Teri
Jeez, Diane. I can sleep for 12 hrs w/o chemo!
Sleep is the best healing for me.
My thoughts and prayers for the transplant soon :)
Teri
Hello Teri,
In one of your answers, you said that you have always been into alternative therapies. Thirty years ago I had three major operations on my back and was told it was unlikely that I would walk correctly again. At the time I accepted what I had been told, but I was angry with the world.
During my recovery time, I read about the power of positive thinking and became obsessed with it. I read everything that I could, and put into practice the instructions. To cut a long story short, I walked into my surgeons office only six months later, full of confidence but more importantly I was upright. To say he was shocked is an understatement although he was of course delighted.
Of course I still have to be careful what I do, but the moral must be to never give in. You can do it, and I have every confidence you will.
Thanks, Michael!
I've been following the power of positive thinking for many years now. I think this is what has gotten me through all of these surgeries,
Teri
Hi Teri I don't have direct 'tips' for you but I believe you are already on the right road.
It must have been a difficult moment to digets this unpleasant news and look you are already picking up your WA affairs and continue to sculpt the future. That is the spirit !
I wish you strength and good recovery, maybe some adaptions but with hope and optimism you will overcome this and enjoy many moments the coming years.
Thank you, Andre!
I appreciate your support. I am an optimist, and I believe that working on my WA business will help me heal. 😻
Teri
I am glad you are recovering fairly well after your surgery. Healing from these things is sometimes the worst part.
My brother and nephew both had Ewing sarcomas. My brother didn't make it. It was a tough time. This was over 40 years ago. He was 11. My nephew is doing really well. He has been cancer free for several years now. My sister had a brain tumor. These are all such life changing/altering experiences.
The best thing I could share is that no matter what, don't give up. My nephew and sister have a fighting attitude and that keeps them going every day. From the sounds of things, you have this same fighting spirit! It will get you through!
Take care! Feel free to talk to me anytime.
Karin
Thank you, Karin!
I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. That was tough to hear, I'm sure.
I am a fighter and a survivalist. I keep on going like the Energizer Bunny, lol.
When I got the diagnosis of a brain tumor when I was just 41, I had already been through surgeries for a few female issues, including a hysterectomy and sinus surgery.
That was a scary surgery, although I was assured that it was benign and had been there for quite a while. It was close to my ear, so it could have developed into a neuroma and caused issues with my hearing.
Teri
I saw you as a fighter and survivalist just with the way you write in your blog here at WA. You are in my thoughts! You got this!
Karin
No matter how you look at it, you still have a win. The big C is such a scary word, and I lost my mother to lung cancer going on 10 years now. No matter what, it is not easy for anyone involved. However, being stoic and determined to push through, I truly believe is a benefit.
Wishing you the best of luck and a speedy recovery.
Nancy
Thank you so much, Nancy.
The Big C is the Pits!
I'll have to wait to see if it crops up somewhere else. I really don't want colon cancer like my father.
Teri
Sending healing thoughts. Since you stay on top of it, if anything crops up, I am sure you will catch it before it spreads. My mother's side is full of cancer so it is always a fear of mine.
Nancy
Oooo, that's scary. I think my grandmother on my father's side had breast cancer. Then, my father had colon cancer.
Too many cancers in the world!
Teri
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Hi Terri, I read your profile and noticed that we have some things in common. I joined WA in 2017, and I guess we must be a similar age. I was diagnosed with cancer a year ago. Probably i should have gone to the doctor sooner and been able to identify it sooner but i was reluctant to go to the doctor. I have had radiation treatment and am undergoing ongoing hormone and medical treatment. I never realised what a psycholgical challenge cancer would be. It is not a matter of being treated once and then recovery, there is this long period of ongoing treatment with a lot of uncertainty about whether or not it may return. Have a great week ahead! cheers Alan
Wow, Alan. I see my surgeon today for the follow-up surgery appointment. I get the drain out (what a pain that is for breast cancer surgeries. Glad I didn't have a double mastectomy cuz I'd have a drain on both sides.
I also find out about chemo and plan the next surgery for the other side.
We have a lot of extra work that was unplanned :(
Sending thoughts and prayers your way for a good recovery.
Teri