Feeling WONDERFUL Today!

The lumpectomy went extremely well. I was in and out within 2-1/2 hours from radiology to place the wire into the site through discharge. The surgery was anticipated to take an hour and it took 45 minutes. Recovery was to take 1 to 1-1/2 hours and only took 45 minutes for me to wake up and leave. The pain was not as bad as I thought, and Extra Strength Tylenol did the trick along with ice per doctor's orders and wearing my bra constantly.

I slept well last night, even on my tummy, which is my favorite position. I really felt rested this morning. Before showering, the bandage came off easily, and I could see the surgeon placed the incision totally on the side of my breast and way below my underarm. It will be totally unnoticeable even if I model in strapless gowns and bathing suits...horrors! The best part is that my breast doesn't look noticeably smaller than the other one although I can tell it is a little smaller, and my bra is not as stretched on that side. I'm sure it will be a little smaller once the surgical area heals too, but a small price to pay for my life!

I only wish it didn't take so long to get this surgery done. I feel mentally a million times better that this is out of me and I can move on to prevent its return. The pathology report will close the door on whether more surgery is needed, but I'm being optimistic that the door is closed!

I'm taking the rest of the week to do nothing but relax and sleep and heal. Monday we start again but I'm ready to continue the battle...

Thanks to all who are reading this for your prayers. So far so good.

Mental Health Checkup

Only 8 days away from the lumpectomy and 4 days until David's cardiac catheterization. Having gotten a pre-op checkup of my lungs, bloodwork, cardiac and respiratory status yesterday, I also thought this would be a good time to do a mental health checkup. For some reason, I wasn't sure I was reactnig appropriately to all the news. I really haven't cried all that much. I can stop thinking about our troubles when I'm busy, and am finding myself a lot more worried about David than myself. So...I made an appointment with my psychiatrist, whom I had visited in the past, but had not seen in the past 18 months. Today was the day!

When he asked me why I was there, I repeated everything I said above. We went into all the activities in my life within the past 18 months, including our plans to move. Fifty minutes later, I walked out with a pronouncement of excellent mental health - even more so than my last visit 18 months ago. He was pleased that David and I were reducing the commute and house maintenance stress in our lives by moving. He said my reaction to this illness was on par, basically because I really have no statement of the future until I get the results and talk to the medical oncologist. He further emphasized that he would be more upset if I were totally unwired at this point. Not that I should not be disturbed and concerned, but since I received "no sentence" at this point, why angst over the unknown? Makes sense to me.

So...I've conquered another checkpoint. Going to the dentist today for my 6 month checkup as planned. That's enough doctors until David's procedure on Friday. Then we start again. Here's hoping that Jewish New Year brings a happy and healthy one to the Klein family.