Today I go see the oncologist at UCSF for a second visit, first visit post surgery. As indicated in a previous post, I really liked this doctor, but things are moving fairly quickly right now and having a cohesive team at Stanford feels like it makes the most sense. So unless the appointment today somehow changes my mind, I will likely just be seeing her to get her medical opinion today and possibly one more time after the pathology is back from the lymph nodes.
I know I haven’t written a post in a while, and we do have more information and dates. My next surgery will take place at Stanford in Palo Alto on April 1st. I don’t have the time or exact location but they have assured me the date is set. This one is out-patient with a much quicker recovery. I am only nervous because they are cutting into my armpit area to remove the lymph nodes and that area still hurts the most right now from the first surgery.
I have two follow-ups the week after surgery, and on the 9th they should provide pathology results. Then on the 13th, I meet with my Stanford oncologist again to make final chemo decisions. I also have an hour of “chemo training” with his nurse coordinator. As long as all things go well, chemo will start the following week - likely the 20th or 23rd. Still weighing the options and locations. More updates on that after the appointment on the 13th. No additional information regarding radiation; that will be determined until after pathology is back in a few weeks.
So many people ask how I am doing and healing. The truth is this is all much harder than I ever imagined. That being said I had no good frame of reference. Delivering babies is the only “difficult” thing I have ever done. I still manage to “overdo” it more days than not, but all the doctors and nurses are happy with my progress, and I am doing more and more each day. I am working on gaining back full range of motion in my right arm. I still cannot lift anything heavy, but they want full range back before the next surgery. I have some very exciting PT exercises I do on and off all day.
Things at home are going well. We celebrated Emma’s 12th birthday last week and Lane’s 10th birthday is coming quickly on April 6th. Unfortunately, I will likely not feel great for Easter or her birthday but have been planning ahead so hopefully the girls still have happy, memorable experiences. Jeremy is so busy with work right now. The girls and I have managed to get in a pretty good rhythm with daily tasks around the house. I am doing more helping all the time and Emma and Lane are helping a ton with very little complaining. I am so proud of how well they have handled both the hard medical news and so much additional responsibility.
We have our dear family friend/nanny back helping a few hours a day, mainly with Halle, and that has been great for the whole family. We missed her so much, and she is so helpful and brings so much joy to the house. She also has Halle swimming at least a few times a week, which is wonderful.
The outpouring of love and support still amazes us on a regular basis. For those of you I have not thanked personally, please know every act of kindness and giving is deeply appreciated by my family.
Surgery/Appointment update:
April 1st - surgery for axillary node dissection and lympha procedure
April 6 - post-op reconstruction appointment
April 9 - post-op appointment and pathology report
April 13 - appointment with oncologist to discuss pathology and make final chemo decisions
April 20-23 - likely start of chemo (TBD April 13)