Breast Cancer update

[Kathy M]

I'm hanging in there.  The sutures were removed from my head this week and so far so good.  I have reached the halfway point for the iv antibiotics - yay!!!  I asked the infectious disease specialist if there is a test he can run to see if the staph bug has been zapped for good and he said the only way we will know is if it doesn't come back!!  The bloodwork has not shown infection for weeks and that is how it usually looks, even when it has still been lurking about - so my family will be looking at my head frequently to see if there are any signs.  When I start chemo in February and lose my hair, it will be really easy to monitor my incision!!!  There's gotta be some positives, somewhere, right?

As for the breast cancer, 1 of 3 drain plugs have been removed.  I was hopiing to have another one removed this week, but the surgeon looked at the incision and was not happy with a bit of fluiid that had built up on a small spot, so he left them both in place.  I was not happy with that, because they really hurt.  He says the incision concern has nothing to do with the staph infection and expects it to be fine by next week, so I'm not panicking.  I'm looking forward to my oncologist appt on Feb 11, so we can find out exactly what the treatment plan is, but in the meantime, I'm just trying to keep my mind occupied on other things and heal.

I've had lots of cards and visits from so many folks and it has really helped.  Steve is returning to work next week, and I'll be so glad he can get back into a portion of his normal routine.  But, he'll have to wake me up at 6:30 before he leaves to change over the iv bag and drain the wonderful plugs in my side - that will disupt my new routine of sleeping in til 9:30, but it's a small price to pay for all he has done (and doing) for me!!!  He works close to home, so if I need him for anything, he can be home in a flash.  I'm going to try not to research stuff online in my alone hours at home - the last time I did that, I was a mess at the end of the day.  So, I'm rounding up good books and movies to fill my days while he is at work. 

That's the scoop as of today!  Take good care, all!!!

Kathy

[pjb]

So happy to hear from you, you are such an inspiration to us all an amazing woman I cannot ever imagine what you are going through in your writings you would never know taking the time to write to us with all that you are going through..... That is true sometimes with too much information it is too stressing you just have to remember everyone is different and it can be too overwhelming with so many different opinions and options to have to choose from. But in the end I feel it my heart you will make the right choice and will overcome this. I am not sure if I asked you this before but is there anyway you can have homecare it might be too late now because your husband is doing it so they may feel that there is no reason to have a nurse come in for the IV, but maybe at least see if an aide can assist you for a couple of hours a day..

My prayers and thoughts will be with you next month.

Best Wishes,

Pat

[Kaybo]

Kathy~
So great to hear from you!  Glad you are halfway thru the antibiotics!!  I have been wondering how you are doing and have been praying for you daily, as has our Bible class!

Continued strength and prayers!

K   

PS - Have you received a package from Texas?   

[alicia]

Hey Kathy ~ Good to hear from you.  The days will be different now that your hubby is going back to work.  I remember mine going back to work after 3 weeks of taking care of me...I felt like a teenager again...waiting for him to call, thinking the minutes seemed like hours until I talked with him!  One day - he never called - I was heartbroken.  Then, after a week or so I remembered I really had been married for 16 years and it was ok 

I hope you can enjoy the books and movies!  You definitely need Netflix now! 

Maybe we should start you a "Best Movie Ever" list.  Ok maybe not best movie ever, cuz it depends on where the advice is coming from  ,

how about "Pretty Darn Good Movie List" or "Definitely Worth Your While List"

Since I am in the kid movie part of my life right now, I will start with ones an adult will find funny

Night of the Museum 1 & 2

[sgerrard]

Hi Kathy,

Always nice to hear from you. Below is a link to a YouTube video you should watch. It shows the staff of Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, OR, donning pink gloves and dancing in the hallways, to raise awareness of breast cancer. DHM and I were hoping to include the link in an upcoming Notes article on the Portland ANA group, but it did not make the final cut. The woman who founded our group in 1993, Barbara Belknap, worked at St. Vincent for many years, and I know she would have been dancing too if she had been there.

The video is called Pink Glove Dance, and has had over 6 million views:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw

I hope you find it as cheerful as I did, and that it gives you a little bit of hope - you will be needing some of that in the days ahead.

Steve

[Kaybo]

LOVED THIS VIDEO - am sending it out right now!  Especially loved the older gentleman with the dust mop!! 


K   

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Kathy ~

Thanks for the informative update.  I'm pleased to learn that the antibiotics are proving to be efficacious and the staph bug is being vanquished, at last. 

The weeks to come will be somewhat of a challenge and routines will be altered but with your husband being so supportive and friends rooting for you, I believe you'll emerge victorious in your fight to beat back the cancer and you'll do so with your usual dignity and resoluteness of purpose. Many people will continue to have you in their thoughts and prayers in the weeks and months to come.  I'm one of them. 

Jim

[lori67]

So good to hear from you, Kathy!   

Glad to hear the healing is on track and I hope your upcoming appointment goes well.

I'm also in a kid movie part of my life (I feel like I've been there forever!), but if you haven't seen "Up", it's really good.  So is "Bolt".  And if you're into Food Network, the show "The world's worst cook" is one of my new favorites.  It's on Sunday nights.  Those people make me look like a world-class gourmet!   

Remember we're all thinking of you and praying for you!

Lori

[ppearl214]

Kathy!   MAJOR healing hugglez to  you!  Thanks for keeping us updated... and you KNOW the wellness wishes continue your way.  "Day by day, inch by inch....."..... hang in there!

Phyl

[saralynn143]

I like the movie list idea. Since laughter is proven to aid in healing, some of my favorite all-time comedies are Tootsie, The Three Amigos and The Princess Bride.

My mother-iin-law would vote for My Cousin Vinnie.

My husband recommends Mars Attacks and Starship Troopers.

As I think of others I will post them, and you can also check out the AFI Top 100 comedies at http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/laughs.aspx

Happy thoughts headed your way,
Sara

[leapyrtwins]

Kathy -

great to see you back posting.  We've missed you and I know I speak for many when I say we've been thinking of you - alot.

I didn't see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, but my younger brother (almost 46) saw it and loved it.  I think it's out on DVD now.

My favorite kid movie is Curly Sue.  I just LOVE that movie 

I'm also partial to Uncle Buck, Big Fat Liar, and Mrs. Doubtfire.

Prayers and lots of healing laughter,

Jan

[Keri]

Hi Kathy,
Thank you for keeping us up to date. I hope the healing goes well as you wait for your appointment.
We're pulling for you and praying for you.

Keri

fave funny movies - Blazing Saddles, Airplane, British comedy - Monty Pythons Holy Grail

[wendysig]

Kathy,

Thanks for updating us.  I'm happy to hear you're halfway through your IV antibiotics and hope they do the trick for you once and for all.  It sounds like everything else is about as well as can be expected exceptfor the drains.  I hope they are removed soon too.  It is great to hear you sounding so upbeat in spite of all you have and are going through.  You are one strong lady.  Please continue to update us when you can - we are pulling for you.

Wendy

[moe]

Good morning,
Hope you have an Okay kind of day, Kathy.
I think of you LOTS and pray for a steady journey for you.
Maureen

[Debbi]

Hi Kathy-

Glad to read your update.  Hoping that things continue to heal and NO infections! 

If you haven't seen "Julie and Julia" I recommend it - it is just a great story, lots of fun.  And, you don't have to be a Julia Childs fan to enjoy it.  I also agree with the suggestion of "Up" - what a great movie!  And, in the categories of oldies but goodies - I just love "Pretty Woman" with Julia Roberts - I bet I've seen it 10 times, at least. 

Sending you lots of hugs and prayers. 

Debbi