Almost 3 weeks post surgery
Summary : I am doing very well.
Details : Several people have asked how I am. Is the bumpy road now smooth? Not exactly yet.
My son and his family arrived in Canberra ( as had been planned for many months ) the day I came home from hospital. I spent most of the first 10 days or so saving my energy for the almost daily gatherings of some or all members of my family - my son from Brisbane and 2 daughters and their children in Canberra. I kept going, but, in hindsight, probably overdid it. Though I would do the same over again - it was lovely seeing all my grandchildren playing together.
For the second 10 days or so I have been more tired mentally and physically than I expected. Though logically I do understand that 5 December, when I was told I had a malignant lump that should be removed, was just over 4 weeks ago and I have spent very little time since then just sitting , thinking and feeling. I am vaguely OK in the morning and do some daily chores, a few emails, walk somewhere - when it is not too foul outside or , just lately, on the treadmill in our gym listening to a podcast) and my morning coffee at my local cafe. By afternoon the backlog of emails or any undone chores are usually put aside and I resort to whatever series on TV I am bingeing on and tell myself that I am making good progress on my crochet project, using the 106 tiny balls of yarn I bought in Paris.
Everyone who looks at my wound says it is healing very well and that the surgeon did a good job. I have been doing my exercises and have almost got my full range of movement of my arm back. Several times, after the surgery the surgeon commented on the fact that I had a very prominent second rib. I had never heard of this and thought nothing of it at the time. It is a bone lying crosswise about 2/3 of the way between the collarbone and the breast. He seemed disappointed. I have figured out why. It is now more prominent and if I peer closely I reckon it makes me look hollow chested instead of just flat chested. Too bad, not much I can do about it!
This reminds me of a funny question. The day after surgery Wendy brought her 4 girls in. They all looked at the wound and asked varying questions which I answered openly. The youngest, aged 7, was , perhaps, the most interested - or at least she was trying hard to match what I was saying with what she knew of the world. Her final, very seriously and carefully-thought out question : "So, Granny, are you ever going to grow a new boob? "
I have an appointment with my surgeon on the 21st of January and then the medical oncologist on 28th January. The type of tumor I had was the type that feeds on estrogen and progesterone. I am expecting that the oncologist will suggest I go on hormone-blocking pills. I will need to be convinced that the odds for improved longevity and the side effects are worth this. One of the things that I have realised over the past month is that I value my ( usually) functioning brain more than my physical appearance. Amongst other things, brains need estrogen to function well. I have a lot of reading to do before the appointment. But not till next week, or maybe the week after, because next week's activity is sending belated Christmas greeting/ New Year greetings.
I continue to be very thankful that no lymph nodes were involved.
Details : Several people have asked how I am. Is the bumpy road now smooth? Not exactly yet.
My son and his family arrived in Canberra ( as had been planned for many months ) the day I came home from hospital. I spent most of the first 10 days or so saving my energy for the almost daily gatherings of some or all members of my family - my son from Brisbane and 2 daughters and their children in Canberra. I kept going, but, in hindsight, probably overdid it. Though I would do the same over again - it was lovely seeing all my grandchildren playing together.
For the second 10 days or so I have been more tired mentally and physically than I expected. Though logically I do understand that 5 December, when I was told I had a malignant lump that should be removed, was just over 4 weeks ago and I have spent very little time since then just sitting , thinking and feeling. I am vaguely OK in the morning and do some daily chores, a few emails, walk somewhere - when it is not too foul outside or , just lately, on the treadmill in our gym listening to a podcast) and my morning coffee at my local cafe. By afternoon the backlog of emails or any undone chores are usually put aside and I resort to whatever series on TV I am bingeing on and tell myself that I am making good progress on my crochet project, using the 106 tiny balls of yarn I bought in Paris.
Everyone who looks at my wound says it is healing very well and that the surgeon did a good job. I have been doing my exercises and have almost got my full range of movement of my arm back. Several times, after the surgery the surgeon commented on the fact that I had a very prominent second rib. I had never heard of this and thought nothing of it at the time. It is a bone lying crosswise about 2/3 of the way between the collarbone and the breast. He seemed disappointed. I have figured out why. It is now more prominent and if I peer closely I reckon it makes me look hollow chested instead of just flat chested. Too bad, not much I can do about it!
This reminds me of a funny question. The day after surgery Wendy brought her 4 girls in. They all looked at the wound and asked varying questions which I answered openly. The youngest, aged 7, was , perhaps, the most interested - or at least she was trying hard to match what I was saying with what she knew of the world. Her final, very seriously and carefully-thought out question : "So, Granny, are you ever going to grow a new boob? "
I have an appointment with my surgeon on the 21st of January and then the medical oncologist on 28th January. The type of tumor I had was the type that feeds on estrogen and progesterone. I am expecting that the oncologist will suggest I go on hormone-blocking pills. I will need to be convinced that the odds for improved longevity and the side effects are worth this. One of the things that I have realised over the past month is that I value my ( usually) functioning brain more than my physical appearance. Amongst other things, brains need estrogen to function well. I have a lot of reading to do before the appointment. But not till next week, or maybe the week after, because next week's activity is sending belated Christmas greeting/ New Year greetings.
I continue to be very thankful that no lymph nodes were involved.
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