All has been pretty normal for a while. I decided to go ahead with the Lupron, think I mentioned it before, and still on everything else.
I went in for my Herceptin infusion. Of course Dr. S, my oncologist, wanted to see me first so the nurse took me to a patient room. He came in just as jolly as can be. LOL! "Hey there, how are you,tell me what going on." I explained that I had been having trouble sleeping, and staying asleep. That's so NOT like me, usually when my head touch my pillow I'm out. So he gives me Ambien. The he says to me I know you're probably going to punch me but how are hot flashes going?" I looked at him and sat up straight. "You knew this would happen huh?" "yes" he said. No I didn't punch him, not my style, ;-)but I did give him an earful of my new experiences with hot flashes. They can make a sista (or any person) miserable. He explains why they are a good thing in my case. If I weren't experiencing them, that would mean my body is still ovulating and creating hormones. So for now they are a good thing.
Monday May 9,2011 Surgery Day
I've been looking forward to this surgery for a while. Reconstructive surgery. No I didn't have a mastectomy BUT the left side of the team was a bit disfigured and smaller due to the lumpectomy and radiation. The surgeon; Dr.F; said she would fix that, make the breast symmetrical, and give me a lift as well using nothing but my own tissue.
Got to the hospital on time and they got busy with me going over notes,taking vitals, and starting an IV IN MY FOOT! OUCH!!!I'm sure I crushed A.D.'s hand for that one. The blood pressure cup was then placed on my other leg. See, I can no longer have anything restrictive on my left side due to the removal of lymph nodes and hand surgeon, Dr.Y., was brought in to remove two benign cysts from the right hand.
Dr. F came in shortly before the begin time and drew some makings on my chest. I'm excited now. Then the driver comes to take me back to O.R. LOL! It's the same dude that took my back last time. OR 2 is where we're stationed today. Dr. Y. comes out greets me and draws a smiley face on my finger and hand where he will be working.
In O.R. I'm transferred to another bed. LOL! this is nice. There is some blues playing. Dr. Y. explained that he had just gotten back from a Louisiana festival and had picked it up. Of course I take notice of everything around me. The tech's, the nurse, the equipment; ugh shouldn't have looked at that; the lights, everything. Anesthesia comes in and plays a game on me. Literally! After placing some wires and I guess getting some stuff in order she says "Let's make sure this the the right size mask for you." :l That's the last I remember before waking up in recovery.
Recovery Triage
All I really remember is starting to wake up in pain. The nurse next to me asked how I was doing and I told her "my boobies hurt." "Ok, I'll get you another dose of morphine. Think I got about 3 or 4 of those before they wheeled me to the patient room. Took about another 2 hour nap then went home.
Now I rest at home with a tight support bra and my hand bandaged. :l Friday we go in for a followup. I'll get a glimpse of them and learn how to change my bandages.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
April 21, 2010
Very Apprehensive this morning. Today I get the results from the biopsies. There is something just churning in my gut... but I don't know what. Maybe because I know I'm not a good test taker and may not get good results. Nerves!!! Nerves!!! NERVOUS, on the inside, but on the outside all you see is a calm, in control Mel.
A.D. and I got the kids off to school... on time, then head to Dunkin Donuts before heading to Dekalb Medical. UGH! my stomach.... churning with nerves! Anxiety is killing me...yet I maintain steady on the outside. Just don't fuck with me right now... ANYBODY!
AT THE HOSPITAL
A.D. pulls into a disables parking spot, I still had my decal from when I was in crutches and didn't mind still using it though I was better. UGH! my stomach is letting me know I ain't comfortable with my environment. ANXIETY!!! A.D. knows me well... I believe he can actually feel my distress and comforts me with simple works I can comprehend right now; "it's okay babe."
Sitting there in the waiting room allowed me to think about a lot of things. But I recalled wanting to see Dr. R.'s face, I needed to read her expressions and body language. I could determine if she had good news or not. A few more minutes go by then the nurse calls "Merrick."
Heading to the patient room
Nicole smiles as we came to her but it isn't her expression or face demeanor I'm interested in... Dr. R.? where are you? Just about to the room and I look to my left and there she is but damn!!!! her back is to me as she consults with one of the med students. ugh!!! WAIT!!! He looked at me, he couldn't help but lock eyes with me for a few seconds. Yea, sincerity was there but there was something more genuine,.... kindness... sympathy??? SHIT!!!! What does he know that I don't!? Still it's not his expression I want, but she kept her back to me.
We waited a few seconds, and I do mean seconds, and she comes in; without the student. DAMN, her face is neutral... she tells me nothing much by her demeanor, but she isn't really smiling as she usually does. After a little exam of my breast, from the biopsy area, she sits on her rolling stool and says "Well you did well with your test but unfortunately the samples came back as Cancer... you have breast cancer." The rest was a blur... she attempted to tell us some other stuff but she sounded like the Charlie Brown characters.
I'm going to spare you the rest of the story and let you read it in my book; the one that so many are encouraging me to write. :) It's a bit much for me to types these words, they are quoted word from my medical diary and those were written fresh with emotions at the time. Trust that this has been a tremendous emotional journey for my family and I, and that showing and sharing my emotion like this is NOT like me.
Anyway, I believe you can now pick up the rest of the story at the beginning of this blog site.
A.D. and I got the kids off to school... on time, then head to Dunkin Donuts before heading to Dekalb Medical. UGH! my stomach.... churning with nerves! Anxiety is killing me...yet I maintain steady on the outside. Just don't fuck with me right now... ANYBODY!
AT THE HOSPITAL
A.D. pulls into a disables parking spot, I still had my decal from when I was in crutches and didn't mind still using it though I was better. UGH! my stomach is letting me know I ain't comfortable with my environment. ANXIETY!!! A.D. knows me well... I believe he can actually feel my distress and comforts me with simple works I can comprehend right now; "it's okay babe."
Sitting there in the waiting room allowed me to think about a lot of things. But I recalled wanting to see Dr. R.'s face, I needed to read her expressions and body language. I could determine if she had good news or not. A few more minutes go by then the nurse calls "Merrick."
Heading to the patient room
Nicole smiles as we came to her but it isn't her expression or face demeanor I'm interested in... Dr. R.? where are you? Just about to the room and I look to my left and there she is but damn!!!! her back is to me as she consults with one of the med students. ugh!!! WAIT!!! He looked at me, he couldn't help but lock eyes with me for a few seconds. Yea, sincerity was there but there was something more genuine,.... kindness... sympathy??? SHIT!!!! What does he know that I don't!? Still it's not his expression I want, but she kept her back to me.
We waited a few seconds, and I do mean seconds, and she comes in; without the student. DAMN, her face is neutral... she tells me nothing much by her demeanor, but she isn't really smiling as she usually does. After a little exam of my breast, from the biopsy area, she sits on her rolling stool and says "Well you did well with your test but unfortunately the samples came back as Cancer... you have breast cancer." The rest was a blur... she attempted to tell us some other stuff but she sounded like the Charlie Brown characters.
I'm going to spare you the rest of the story and let you read it in my book; the one that so many are encouraging me to write. :) It's a bit much for me to types these words, they are quoted word from my medical diary and those were written fresh with emotions at the time. Trust that this has been a tremendous emotional journey for my family and I, and that showing and sharing my emotion like this is NOT like me.
Anyway, I believe you can now pick up the rest of the story at the beginning of this blog site.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Biopsy #2
Dr. R. calls me a couple days later to check on me. All is well, just some swelling, bruising and some soreness. She tells me that I need to come back and do another biopsy for the underarm (axillary) area. It needed to be done in the Comprehensive Breast Center so we could utilize the higher tech machines.
Appointment
Got there ON TIME :) did all the paperwork and followed the nurse to the exam room. Yup! did the drill... take off everything from the waist up and put on the paper gown. The nurses; there were 2 this time, 1 new from another hospital, prepped me. One put gel under my arm and located the areas in question. My eyes were glued to the monitor. It didn't take her long at all to locate the area and found several masses. I was shaken by every mass she found after the first, I anticipated them maybe finding only one.... Not 3. She then marks their locations and calls for Dr.R.
Dr. R. was in a meeting but made it down quickly. We make a some small talk as she looks over some info the nurse handed to her and says, "well, I don't think you're going to like me when I'm done today, I've gotta take quiet a few samples." Even though I could feel the pressure the actual procedure wasn't too bad.
The samples taken looked like small pieces of flesh.
Now all I had to do was get up, dressed, and head home. NOT SO EASY! Damn, I was hurting so much the nurses had to help me sit up. My left side was numb! swollen! hard! stiff! swollen!... oh did I mention swollen! OMG! I was in so much pain the nurses had to help me get dressed after they bandaged me up.
Back at the truck I had to use my right hand to reach over and get the buckle. I was seeing freaking stars everywhere. I called A.D. to fill him in. He felt bad because he wasn't there and suggested I waited there for him to come help me. Hell nah, I needed to get home, some pain pills, and my bed....but first I had to make it to CVS across the street.
At CVS
I had so much trouble finding what I was looking for, all the boxes looked the same, the pharmacist had to help me. I made sure to purchase a drink as well cause I needed to get the relieve Tylenol promised. Back in my truck the painful task of buckling up came up again, I contemplated simply driving without it but decided to ask for help. A car with 3 ladies pulled up. Soooo, unlike me I say "excuse me..." and explain my situation and that I needed them to simply help me buckle up. "Thank you miss," they had no idea how much they helped a sista out.
Once I got home, I grabbed a larger ice pace, went to my room, took off my jeans and laid my ass down. What a day.
Now all I had to do was wait for the results. April 21, 2010 appointment.
Anticipation! Fear! Sleepless Nights! Fear! Anxiety! Fear!
Appointment
Got there ON TIME :) did all the paperwork and followed the nurse to the exam room. Yup! did the drill... take off everything from the waist up and put on the paper gown. The nurses; there were 2 this time, 1 new from another hospital, prepped me. One put gel under my arm and located the areas in question. My eyes were glued to the monitor. It didn't take her long at all to locate the area and found several masses. I was shaken by every mass she found after the first, I anticipated them maybe finding only one.... Not 3. She then marks their locations and calls for Dr.R.
Dr. R. was in a meeting but made it down quickly. We make a some small talk as she looks over some info the nurse handed to her and says, "well, I don't think you're going to like me when I'm done today, I've gotta take quiet a few samples." Even though I could feel the pressure the actual procedure wasn't too bad.
The samples taken looked like small pieces of flesh.
Now all I had to do was get up, dressed, and head home. NOT SO EASY! Damn, I was hurting so much the nurses had to help me sit up. My left side was numb! swollen! hard! stiff! swollen!... oh did I mention swollen! OMG! I was in so much pain the nurses had to help me get dressed after they bandaged me up.
Back at the truck I had to use my right hand to reach over and get the buckle. I was seeing freaking stars everywhere. I called A.D. to fill him in. He felt bad because he wasn't there and suggested I waited there for him to come help me. Hell nah, I needed to get home, some pain pills, and my bed....but first I had to make it to CVS across the street.
At CVS
I had so much trouble finding what I was looking for, all the boxes looked the same, the pharmacist had to help me. I made sure to purchase a drink as well cause I needed to get the relieve Tylenol promised. Back in my truck the painful task of buckling up came up again, I contemplated simply driving without it but decided to ask for help. A car with 3 ladies pulled up. Soooo, unlike me I say "excuse me..." and explain my situation and that I needed them to simply help me buckle up. "Thank you miss," they had no idea how much they helped a sista out.
Once I got home, I grabbed a larger ice pace, went to my room, took off my jeans and laid my ass down. What a day.
Now all I had to do was wait for the results. April 21, 2010 appointment.
Anticipation! Fear! Sleepless Nights! Fear! Anxiety! Fear!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Biopsy #1
Between my last visit with Dr. Q. and my first biopsy, there have been several other appointments but I will bypass them. They were more overwhelming than anything else.
April 2010
Back in Dr. R's office. My routine is beginning it seems like. A jolly nurse calls for me. "Mrs. Merrick?...hheeeeyyy come on back. I'm Nichole, Dr. R.'s nurse....." She escorts me and A.D. to a patient room to wait for the doctor. Before she leave she tells me to go ahead and remove everything from the waist up.
A few minutes later Dr. R. comes in with Nichole. While the doctor is informing us on the procedure she's about to do, I see Nichole busying herself pulling and placing a bunch of needles and medical equipment on the counter. Still in their sterile packaging she had them all lined up in some kinda order it would seem. Then she starts fussing with ultrasound machine and some other cumbersome contraption. I know I should be listening to what the doc is saying but all this stuff has my attention. I was really beginning to wonder about this biopsy, it looks like serious business. A.D. was there as well and I know he caught all her info.
They put up a paper barrier. It resembles the ones you may see them use when a mother has a C-section. A.D. was able to stay with me and witnessed the entire thing. Yea, he handled it well,... shoot! He's seen me deliver 3 babies; one deceased; so this wasn't much for him. The only thing I can tell you is that the numbing medication burned a bit and the machine was a bit archaeic sounding, LOUD! All else other than that was explained to me.
There was a small incission made and she inserted a long tubular mechanism used to extract tissue. She repeated this 6 or 7 times, each ending with a click. It didn't hurt at all, just a LOT of pressure. They of course tried to occupy my mind with small chat but, If you know me, I wanted to know what was going on. Kinda surprised them a bit so I explained how I requested pics from my achilles repair. "I don't get many patients like this" Dr. R. laughs. "I know, I'm a little different like that."
After that process, Nicole had to hold a compress on my for about 10 minutes. Dr. R. said this would reduce swelling and bruising. Before she parted, I had to see the samples she took. They look like little white pieces of... grizzle... I guess. I was then bandaged up and sent home to rest.
Now to wait for results.
April 2010
Back in Dr. R's office. My routine is beginning it seems like. A jolly nurse calls for me. "Mrs. Merrick?...hheeeeyyy come on back. I'm Nichole, Dr. R.'s nurse....." She escorts me and A.D. to a patient room to wait for the doctor. Before she leave she tells me to go ahead and remove everything from the waist up.
A few minutes later Dr. R. comes in with Nichole. While the doctor is informing us on the procedure she's about to do, I see Nichole busying herself pulling and placing a bunch of needles and medical equipment on the counter. Still in their sterile packaging she had them all lined up in some kinda order it would seem. Then she starts fussing with ultrasound machine and some other cumbersome contraption. I know I should be listening to what the doc is saying but all this stuff has my attention. I was really beginning to wonder about this biopsy, it looks like serious business. A.D. was there as well and I know he caught all her info.
They put up a paper barrier. It resembles the ones you may see them use when a mother has a C-section. A.D. was able to stay with me and witnessed the entire thing. Yea, he handled it well,... shoot! He's seen me deliver 3 babies; one deceased; so this wasn't much for him. The only thing I can tell you is that the numbing medication burned a bit and the machine was a bit archaeic sounding, LOUD! All else other than that was explained to me.
There was a small incission made and she inserted a long tubular mechanism used to extract tissue. She repeated this 6 or 7 times, each ending with a click. It didn't hurt at all, just a LOT of pressure. They of course tried to occupy my mind with small chat but, If you know me, I wanted to know what was going on. Kinda surprised them a bit so I explained how I requested pics from my achilles repair. "I don't get many patients like this" Dr. R. laughs. "I know, I'm a little different like that."
After that process, Nicole had to hold a compress on my for about 10 minutes. Dr. R. said this would reduce swelling and bruising. Before she parted, I had to see the samples she took. They look like little white pieces of... grizzle... I guess. I was then bandaged up and sent home to rest.
Now to wait for results.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Visit to the Surgeon
I rose that morning with great apprehension. Wasn't sure what to expect.
A couple days ago I had to go to the Hillindale branch to get copies of my mammogram films. LOL! didn't know they still had those things around...and still in use. Of course we all;my mom,A.D., and his mom; examined them.
There it is. That cloudy...ginger shaped... mass in my breast. A piece of ginger root is what came to mind when I examined the film. Can't they just take it out. UGH! Maybe that's what Dr.Q. will do. idk
I made my way to Dekalb Medical's main campus and up to Dr. Q's office. A nurse takes me to the back, takes my vitals, asks 10 million questions including the film I brought. She scans through them, holding each up to the light. Pretty expressionless so I had a hard time getting some kind of vibe.
"It's pretty small huh?" I asked. Just to get something outta her. "Yea, it's not that big but the doctor will talk to you more when he comes in."
Long story short. The doctor comes in, does a breast and axillary exam, takes measurements, looks at the film, and request a biopsy be done. That word jolted me a bit. They were gonna cut me to take tissue out. OUCH!
That Friday, for some reason I realized I hadn't verified if Dr. Q was in my insurance network. Investigation showed he wasn't the scramble was on to find another surgeon. I found Dr. R.
She repeats the same steps at Dr. Q and agrees that a biopsy is to be done. Her staff got that set up to be done a couple weeks later in that office. A lot had already occurred but the entanglement begins with my next appointment.
Next post "Biopsy #1"
A couple days ago I had to go to the Hillindale branch to get copies of my mammogram films. LOL! didn't know they still had those things around...and still in use. Of course we all;my mom,A.D., and his mom; examined them.
There it is. That cloudy...ginger shaped... mass in my breast. A piece of ginger root is what came to mind when I examined the film. Can't they just take it out. UGH! Maybe that's what Dr.Q. will do. idk
I made my way to Dekalb Medical's main campus and up to Dr. Q's office. A nurse takes me to the back, takes my vitals, asks 10 million questions including the film I brought. She scans through them, holding each up to the light. Pretty expressionless so I had a hard time getting some kind of vibe.
"It's pretty small huh?" I asked. Just to get something outta her. "Yea, it's not that big but the doctor will talk to you more when he comes in."
Long story short. The doctor comes in, does a breast and axillary exam, takes measurements, looks at the film, and request a biopsy be done. That word jolted me a bit. They were gonna cut me to take tissue out. OUCH!
That Friday, for some reason I realized I hadn't verified if Dr. Q was in my insurance network. Investigation showed he wasn't the scramble was on to find another surgeon. I found Dr. R.
She repeats the same steps at Dr. Q and agrees that a biopsy is to be done. Her staff got that set up to be done a couple weeks later in that office. A lot had already occurred but the entanglement begins with my next appointment.
Next post "Biopsy #1"
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Call
We waited anxiously. In a way, kinda hoping NOT to hear from her. I have mad respect for this doctor, she and I have been together for a long time... even pregnant at the same time (Trey); so yea, we got a little bond.
About 4 something that afternoon, my cell rang from a number that I didn't have as a contact. Just the number showed... no name, no pic. "Hello" I said. "Mrs. Merrick, it's Dr. C....." She informed me that she had to pull over and talk to me cause she was on her way home. Damn I thought. She's in her car, on her personal cell but still called. This can't be good.
She begins to explain that there is need for further investigation on the lump and wanted me to see a surgeon for their opinion and possible biopsy. "A nurse, she's called a navigator, will call you in the morning to help you start setting your appointments."
Start setting my appointments,... what kind of appointments I wondered. I had no problems picking up the phone to call her or any of my other doctors.
She gave me the contact info of the provider she wanted me to see. "What kind of doctor is he" I asked. "He's a surgeon that specializes on the breast. He is the best in the area and does excellent work. This is just a precaution, we just need to see what we're dealing with and make sure it's nothing."
We did a little more small talk and called it an evening.
A.D. stood near by for the entire conversation and saw the change in my expressions and body language. Of course he wanted details of the conversation and that he got. "So they think it's something more that a lump?" "I don't know" I replied "but they want me to get looked at further and possibly get a biopsy." After a little cuddling and consoling he says "they just making sure my baby is fine...that's all... and I know you are."
That night I couldn't sleep. The mere thought this could be something more than a lump that needed to plucked and discarded frightened me. Though no one has said it yet, we knew what this could possibly lead to. "It couldn't be that though, there is no family history of breast cancer."
The next day around 10ish, I got a call from Alisha, the nurse navigator. She happened to catch me while in physical therapy. She explained that she would be guiding me along the way and if I needed anything was to let her know. I filled her in on my recent injury and recovery process and that any appointment with this new doctor would need to work around that. She called and got that set up for me.
My guess was that was just if for her, she works with the hospital to find the right provider and schedule for patients. This chick called me at least 2 times a week, at first it didn't bother me. Now that my head was clearing a bit, I began to really wonder what in the world was a Nurse Navigator. Per the trusty web, a nurse navigator is a nurse trained to advocate, and coordinate care for cancer patients. WHHHATT!! I felt and immediate rush of heat, fear, worry...just tons of emotions at the same time. "Are they really saying I doo have cancer, cause Dr. C. didn't say that. She just wanted to get this lump looked at further" were my thoughts.
In my next conversation with Alisha, I had to to ask "are they saying I have cancer?" she took the professional way outta this one. "Well they just want me to help you get through this precautionary period. Dr. Q will be able to tell us more." blah blah blah blah... was what I heard after that. My heart dropped when I got off the phone with her. "There is no family history of this disease, so why do they believe it's plaguing me.?"
Next step, meet with Dr. Q, have him do an evaluation and give a diagnosis I guess about this lump.
About 4 something that afternoon, my cell rang from a number that I didn't have as a contact. Just the number showed... no name, no pic. "Hello" I said. "Mrs. Merrick, it's Dr. C....." She informed me that she had to pull over and talk to me cause she was on her way home. Damn I thought. She's in her car, on her personal cell but still called. This can't be good.
She begins to explain that there is need for further investigation on the lump and wanted me to see a surgeon for their opinion and possible biopsy. "A nurse, she's called a navigator, will call you in the morning to help you start setting your appointments."
Start setting my appointments,... what kind of appointments I wondered. I had no problems picking up the phone to call her or any of my other doctors.
She gave me the contact info of the provider she wanted me to see. "What kind of doctor is he" I asked. "He's a surgeon that specializes on the breast. He is the best in the area and does excellent work. This is just a precaution, we just need to see what we're dealing with and make sure it's nothing."
We did a little more small talk and called it an evening.
A.D. stood near by for the entire conversation and saw the change in my expressions and body language. Of course he wanted details of the conversation and that he got. "So they think it's something more that a lump?" "I don't know" I replied "but they want me to get looked at further and possibly get a biopsy." After a little cuddling and consoling he says "they just making sure my baby is fine...that's all... and I know you are."
That night I couldn't sleep. The mere thought this could be something more than a lump that needed to plucked and discarded frightened me. Though no one has said it yet, we knew what this could possibly lead to. "It couldn't be that though, there is no family history of breast cancer."
The next day around 10ish, I got a call from Alisha, the nurse navigator. She happened to catch me while in physical therapy. She explained that she would be guiding me along the way and if I needed anything was to let her know. I filled her in on my recent injury and recovery process and that any appointment with this new doctor would need to work around that. She called and got that set up for me.
My guess was that was just if for her, she works with the hospital to find the right provider and schedule for patients. This chick called me at least 2 times a week, at first it didn't bother me. Now that my head was clearing a bit, I began to really wonder what in the world was a Nurse Navigator. Per the trusty web, a nurse navigator is a nurse trained to advocate, and coordinate care for cancer patients. WHHHATT!!
In my next conversation with Alisha, I had to to ask "are they saying I have cancer?" she took the professional way outta this one. "Well they just want me to help you get through this precautionary period. Dr. Q will be able to tell us more." blah blah blah blah... was what I heard after that. My heart dropped when I got off the phone with her. "There is no family history of this disease, so why do they believe it's plaguing me.?"
Next step, meet with Dr. Q, have him do an evaluation and give a diagnosis I guess about this lump.
Friday, March 25, 2011
1 Year Ago
Who would have ever guessed!?... that last year I was in the fight of my life. It's been long hard and challenging gut I'm glad to have made it this far, all in all... still doing pretty well.
When this blog was created, I did so with intentions of keeping my friends abreast of my care. Many of you however have asked "how did you find out?" and many other relevant questions about how this all got started. Now the turbulence has settled, I feel that time can now be shared with you.
Early 2009
Yup! that's when the lump was first noticed. No big deal I thought since it seemed to come and go with "Penlope." Instead of guessing, I discussed it with my gynocologist. Her exam concluded that "there may be a lump but it may just be due to your cycle, we'll just keep an eye on it." She said "if there are any changes in size and or shape come back and we'll check it out." No problem. I thought very little of this and really wasn't bothered with her decission.
For the next several month I did as she said. Checking for any changes... feeling and looking at them. As time went on I remember mentioning to A.D. that "the lump no longer seems to go away with Penelope." "It seems like it has gotten bigger." We weren't sure. Another month or so went by and I said nothing. Something inside began to churn and alert me that this isn't normal. Right then all I wanted to do was focus on my upcoming 2nd degree black belt test. A.D., Trey, and I were scheduled to test together for the same belt rank. :) It would have been nice to have such an accomplishment with them.
The week of November 2, 2009, I finally work up enough nerve to tell A.D. it was time to get this lump looked at further. It was now maybe 4-5 times the size it was when it was originally discovered and now disfigured my left breast. Since it was late in the week, the call to the gynacologist would be made on Monday.
November 8,2009
A.D., myself, and another friend met at the Dojong to train. We were preparing for our upcoming 2nd degree test. We were good. :) During our defense drills... I set up for a particular kick, but when I did that. OMG! SNAP!!!!!! my right Achilles Tendon broke. I've heard of this but NEVA imagined it happening to me. I had surgery to repair in, spent several weeks in a cast, even more in a boot, and then physical therapy. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to test in December with my crew. A.D. was playing Hoke and driving Ms. Daisy everywhere. LOL! what a time.
February 2010
Finally able to get back behind the wheel, :) so I take iniative to follow up with my gynocolagist. This time she is alarmed approximate diameter of the lump and orders a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound for me. That was completed maybe about 2 weeks later.
I remember the both tech's clearly. They both remained unemotional about the whole thing. So therefore I wasn't expecting anything much... until the tech who directed me to get dressed said "I will send your results to Dr. C. and she will call you either this afternoon or first thing in the morning." It was already late in the afternoon... so that alarmed me that she would call the same day.
The events of the exam was expressed to my husband over fear and worry at this point. "She's just gonna say all is well" he says. My thoughts... if the doctor calls you.... it ain't good.
That evening, my cell rings and I see it's from my doctors office. "Mrs. Merrick, this is _____ from Dr. C.'s office. I have been hunting you down cause the number on file is no longer in service. I called the hospital and got this number from them and it worked. Dr. C. want to talk to you but I had to find you first. She will call you shortly." Despite A.D.'s word of comfort, fear and worry began to set in.
To be continued with "The Call" in the next post.
When this blog was created, I did so with intentions of keeping my friends abreast of my care. Many of you however have asked "how did you find out?" and many other relevant questions about how this all got started. Now the turbulence has settled, I feel that time can now be shared with you.
Early 2009
Yup! that's when the lump was first noticed. No big deal I thought since it seemed to come and go with "Penlope." Instead of guessing, I discussed it with my gynocologist. Her exam concluded that "there may be a lump but it may just be due to your cycle, we'll just keep an eye on it." She said "if there are any changes in size and or shape come back and we'll check it out." No problem. I thought very little of this and really wasn't bothered with her decission.
For the next several month I did as she said. Checking for any changes... feeling and looking at them. As time went on I remember mentioning to A.D. that "the lump no longer seems to go away with Penelope." "It seems like it has gotten bigger." We weren't sure. Another month or so went by and I said nothing. Something inside began to churn and alert me that this isn't normal. Right then all I wanted to do was focus on my upcoming 2nd degree black belt test. A.D., Trey, and I were scheduled to test together for the same belt rank. :) It would have been nice to have such an accomplishment with them.
The week of November 2, 2009, I finally work up enough nerve to tell A.D. it was time to get this lump looked at further. It was now maybe 4-5 times the size it was when it was originally discovered and now disfigured my left breast. Since it was late in the week, the call to the gynacologist would be made on Monday.
November 8,2009
A.D., myself, and another friend met at the Dojong to train. We were preparing for our upcoming 2nd degree test. We were good. :) During our defense drills... I set up for a particular kick, but when I did that. OMG! SNAP!!!!!! my right Achilles Tendon broke. I've heard of this but NEVA imagined it happening to me. I had surgery to repair in, spent several weeks in a cast, even more in a boot, and then physical therapy. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to test in December with my crew. A.D. was playing Hoke and driving Ms. Daisy everywhere. LOL! what a time.
February 2010
Finally able to get back behind the wheel, :) so I take iniative to follow up with my gynocolagist. This time she is alarmed approximate diameter of the lump and orders a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound for me. That was completed maybe about 2 weeks later.
I remember the both tech's clearly. They both remained unemotional about the whole thing. So therefore I wasn't expecting anything much... until the tech who directed me to get dressed said "I will send your results to Dr. C. and she will call you either this afternoon or first thing in the morning." It was already late in the afternoon... so that alarmed me that she would call the same day.
The events of the exam was expressed to my husband over fear and worry at this point. "She's just gonna say all is well" he says. My thoughts... if the doctor calls you.... it ain't good.
That evening, my cell rings and I see it's from my doctors office. "Mrs. Merrick, this is _____ from Dr. C.'s office. I have been hunting you down cause the number on file is no longer in service. I called the hospital and got this number from them and it worked. Dr. C. want to talk to you but I had to find you first. She will call you shortly." Despite A.D.'s word of comfort, fear and worry began to set in.
To be continued with "The Call" in the next post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)