POST-OP PERSPECTIVES

THE ANGEL FLEW HOME…AND I HAVE A SCHEDULE TO KEEP!

The past week I have been feeling better each day. My angel Kathy went home to my brother Bill, but not before I had a good cry over it. She’s been wonderful and I will miss her company very much. The night before she left Linda and Sandi came over and we had soup and salad, then played dominos. Kathy has us all addicted to ‘chicken foot’ and ‘Mexican train.’ There were a lot of laughs…but I could never share the reason for most of our laughs in a public blog!

Donnis came over the morning Kathy left to help pick up the pieces, as she knew it would be hard for me to let Kathy go. She was a big help in the transition.

This healing stuff is not moving as quickly as I had planned. My friends keep reminding me that I am ‘only’ three weeks post-surgery, but I have a schedule to keep. There are events coming up and I need to get back in the swing. When I was whinning (as I do occasionally) about my pain, my friend Dennis asked me if it was really pain or was I just sore. Well, that put it in perspective. I am just sore. Thanks for helping me see that, Dennis!

PHYSICIANOPHOBIA…OR SUDDEN FEAR OF DOCTORS

There may not be such a phobia—or one with that name, but I have started to really fear doctors. Not in the same way you would fear finding a cobra in your purse, but I get a real sense of trepidation when I have to see a doctor these days. I’ve heard it said that the best way to overcome your fears is to go at them with a vengeance. (Not a good idea with the purse cobra.) This afternoon I have to see my plastic surgeon. There is something that ‘may be nothing’ but it does not feel quite right in one of my implants. I’ll have to (coaching cliché alert…) ‘suck it up’ and go to see him. Maybe physicianophobia is like trauma induced amnesia and it will get better as I get better.

Editors Note: One of our astute readers has advised us that IATROPHOBIA is the correct term for fear of doctors. The editors thank the reader and request that the reader "get a life!"

VISITORS WITH BIG NEWS

On Tuesday, I had a visit from co-workers Renee Clayton, Adam Guess, Vince Thompson, Jordan Slentz, Sandi Atkinson, and Kevin Morgan. We had a ‘gut pack’ for lunch! Vitek’s is a little Waco sandwich shop that is famous for this culinary “masterpiece.” It consists of Fritos, beans, sausage, onions, brisket, BBQ sauce, cheese, and jalepeno peppers. I opted out of the jalepenos yesterday. Not sure my system is ready for them!

The lunch was fun and I enjoyed seeing everyone. Kevin had big news of the day. He and wife, Amber, are going to be first time parents in June. He even brought the ultrasound photos to show me. I know they have been wanting a baby for a while and this is just wonderful news. It was a good day all the way around

NO PAIN, NO GAIN?

On Monday, two of the four drainage tubes were removed. There was, we hear, a good bit of moaning about that procedure. It is not something you do for fun! Now that she only has two extra appendages, she is feeling better and moving around easier. No longer does she need help to get in and out of the bed or a chair. She was in very good spirits on Monday night and is asking for her laptop so she can look at all her emails. She’s quite driven to get back to work, so we suspect the laptop will be a means to that end!! You go, girl!

VICTORY

Pink is the color of breast cancer awareness and it was very evident at Janet’s house this weekend. A most beautiful pink rose was peeking over the entry fence to her house. We believe it is a Victory Rose to honor the excellent news. Not only was the original frozen section of lymph nodes removed during surgery found to be cancer free, but the final analysis was also—no cancer in the lymph nodes. We share Janet’s relief and joy at this news and share the Victory Rose with you.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

Since there were no coherent quotes from Janet during the past few days, today’s blog is from Sandi who is the blog’s hospital correspondent.

She was cheery, albeit, in a passive sort of way during this morning’s hospital visit. Acknowledging that she was ready to leave the nurses, aides, and other very kind and caring hospital personnel behind. So….

Janet clicked her ruby slippers together and is now at home, resting (read: sleeping) in her recliner. She is more mobile than during the past few days, but still moves at a snail’s pace. Dancing, aerobics, and swinging from the chandeliers will have to wait a few more weeks!

If anyone needs Janet’s address for sending her good wishes, email sandi@afca.com.

NO THING!

It’s all over! According to my surgeon, it went great. The plastic surgeon was not able to do the complete reconstruction, but inserted deflated implants that will be injected with a solution to expand my skin so the implants can be inserted at a later date. It will be awhile before I have my permanent ‘girls’ but that’s okay. We’ll get together eventually.

Thanks to a friend—Mary Jo—who has been through this, I heard about a camisole you can buy to help deal with the drains. The cammie has pockets to hold the drains so you don’t rip one out accidentally. OUCH!

Thank you, again, to everyone for your prayers, cards, phone calls, and other acts of kindness. It is difficult to put into words just how special it is to know so many people care about me and wish me well.

GOOD NEWS!

No cancer in lymph nodes. Reconstruction has begun. Expect about 4 more hours.

The Goodbye Girls

They came to take Janet to surgery about an hour earlier than expected, which created some "waterworks." Kathy, Sandi, Linda and Donnis were all there to send Janet off to surgery. Of course, with some of Janet's girls there to say goodbye to "the girls," a little bit of laughter was bound to ensue--there was a laughable moment as they wrote "yes" on each one of "the girls," indicating to operate.

More surgery updates to come...

On the Cutting Edge

Today is the day! I’m off to the hospital at 11 am and should be in surgery by 1:30 pm. I’m a little nervous, but ready to get on with my life after surgery. My sister-in-law, Kathy, and friends Linda Pulliam and Sandi Atkinson are going to do the hospital ‘waiting room’ duties today. My mother wanted to come, but I convinced her that she would not be comfortable in those waiting room chairs and she would probably get cold. So, she will wait at home and someone will bring her to see me after the surgery.

Hooters, Ta-tas, Boobs

Today we honor Janet's boobies,

In their place she'll have some newbies.

God gave her a nice pair,

But tomorrow they'll not be there.

Sorry for herself, no one will let her,

Because the new ones will be bigger and better.

Do not feel down, just salute them goodbye,

And tomorrow they'll point to the sky.

By Renee

THE BIG DAY FOR THE THING

Janet will have her double mastectomy and reconstruction tomorrow, October 6, 2009. The surgery will occur at Hillcrest Hospital in Waco. It will be a long surgery and we will have updates as soon as we know anything. Friends and family will be taking turns sitting at the hospital. Post-surgery, sister-in-law/angel, Kathy, will help take care of Janet. Co-workers have prepared meals to be frozen so that Janet and Kathy will have food ready to eat when needed

Your job is to say some prayers for Janet and her caretakers. Pray for steady hands. Pray for speedy recovery. Pray for fortitude. Pray for soundness of mind and comfort for all.

Reality Bites!

With apologies to David Letterman, this is my Top Ten List of the realities of breast cancer and my related ‘adventures.’

10. Razor, blow dryer and curling iron are getting rusty
9. Have discovered that pasta and brown rice are my comfort foods. Whatever happened to chips and salsa??
8. I bought my granddaughter a purple wig for her 4th birthday and her daddy wore it. I need to rethink how I raised that boy!
7. Discovered that hair is over rated. Everyone should be bald!
6. Cabin fever from spending so much time at home. My walls are still pale green!
5. Short-term memory loss (but some say that’s not due to chemo!)
4. Sometimes you just have to cry!
3. My sister-in-law, Kathy, is an angel. She’s not the only one—everyone has been so supportive.
2. Chemotherapy kicks your butt!
1. Never want to hear the term ‘Red Devil’ again (nickname for chemo mixture)