This week started out with a trip to my primary care physician to start the process for all the tests I need completed prior to surgery. She completed some of the paperwork and was able to get the required EKG done in her office. I was sent with the orders for the chest x-ray and the lab work needed to complete the rest of the required pre-op prerequisites.
I was scheduled for the chest x-rays on Tuesday. Those were completed at the same imaging office where I had my MRI last September. It’s been 6 months since this whole nightmare started. It seems like yesterday and yet a lifetime ago.
Tuesday was also Support Group. We didn’t go the previous week due to both of us having the cold Hubby so graciously passed to me. Thankfully I didn’t have it as bad as he did. I told him it was because I had a flu shot and he didn’t. I get a flu shot every year, he avoids them like the plague. My cold was not as severe as his and lasted about half the time as his lasted. My Breast Cancer Support Group mostly discussed surgery and hair loss. There are three of us having surgery within the next four weeks. One of them is a gal who just joined our group. It was her first night and when she introduced herself she advised us this is her second battle with breast cancer. Her first battle was 16 years ago. She had a lumpectomy, chemo and then radiation. This time they again caught it early, Stage 1, but very aggressive. They did genetic testing this time and found she is positive for the BRCA1 gene. She is not eligible for another lumpectomy due to already having had radiation. She cannot have radiation therapy a second time. Even if she didn’t have the BRCA1 gene, she would have to have a mastectomy. Because of the BRCA1 gene mutation, she is having a bilateral mastectomy. The room became very silent while we listened to her story and what she is facing this time. She worked the first time she had breast cancer, but because she knows what she is facing this time, she is taking medical leave this time. She doesn’t even know how she managed to work through radiation therapy as she was so tired.
We were talking about hair loss and the fact that I have no nose hairs and how the side effect of this is a runny nose. The new girl agreed, and we talked about how long it took to grow back. Hers grew back before the hair on her head, but Tuesday morning I swore I saw some “long” fuzzies on my head. I couldn’t find them again so figured I was seeing things. We talked about how my research on the website “Beyond the Shock”, showed that for those of us who lost their eyebrows and eyelashes later in chemo, and even after chemo ended, didn’t grow back until much later 6 to 8 months later. There are now two of us who had thyroid cancer before we had breast cancer. Linda who is the other one to have had thyroid cancer said her Endocrinologist says yes there is a link between the two, but her oncologist says no there is not. Linda was glad we discussed our surgeries so extensively as she is working on deciding what she will do come May when she faces her surgery. She just had her 3rd of 6 chemo treatments.
Speaking of fuzzies, after I took my shower this morning I definitely found fuzzies that have grown in since we had my head shaving when my hair started falling out. I’ve always had a little stubble that never fell out. I didn’t grow either. It still has not grown, but I do have some fine little fuzzies that are longer than the left over stubble. It’s so fine and white it’s hard to get a picture of it, but here is an example:
I also noticed this morning that I’m not quite as puffy as I have been. I still have quite a bit of face puffiness, but it’s a little less today. I can also taste avocado again! And bacon almost tastes normal! Yea, taste buds and fuzzies! No new nose hair that I can tell, my nose still runs as much as it did before. No eyebrows either, not even one little hair growing in, and same with my eyelashes, nothing growing in there either. I’m down to just a few little stubborn eyelashes clinging on. So yes, my eyes water a lot too. I walk around with a tissue going from eye to nose to eye and back again. Nancy in our group said her eyes stopped watering about two months after chemo ended, so maybe next month.
We decided to go see The Shape of Water, which we loved, and then Black Panther today. First time in forever going out to do something other than, doctor appointment, lab work, grocery shopping and Support Group. I was so drawn into Black Panther that I was crying at the end when I came back to reality and realized Wakanda is not real so there will be no center in Oakland and no Shuri to be in charge and teach those in Oakland all about the technology. To pass on that love of science. There is no T’Challa to announce to the United Nations that Wakanda will now share their discoveries with the world. Hubby didn’t understand my heartbreak. To him, this was no different than any of the other Marvel Comic movies. He liked it, but it’s still just a Marvel Comic.
My neuropathy is not any better, but I know someday it will be. I did lament to the group that by the end of the day I am ready to just cut my hands off they are so irritated from being used. It’s not painful, just irritating! So ready to be done with this. Same with my feet. There are times when even just having socks on is irritating. My acupuncturist is getting more aggressive in her treatment, she’s added additional needles between my fingers and toes now that I am no longer on chemo. While I was on chemo it was like fighting an uphill battle, but she is hoping that a few treatments with the extra needles may afford me some relief.
I think I’m ready surgery next week. Still a little nervous about what happens prior to surgery at the Breast Diagnostic Center. The placement of the wire and the injection of the radioactive dye under my nipple to map the sentinel nodes. I am also a little nervous of the outcome, but ready to do this. Next week I have my pre-surgical appointment with the plastic surgeon, Dr. Goldberg. She wants to go over one last time what will happen on the 23rd as long as the pathology report comes back clean. This is also where I discuss with her what will happen if they end up having to do a mastectomy after the lumpectomy.
The Toothless Wonder Cat is still coming in every night to sleep. He’s even learned how to meow at the front door to be let in for the night. It’s at this time that I know my lap is taken for the rest of the night.
He waits patiently for me to get ready, with a blanket draped over my legs so he can come up. He usually eats a jar of baby food (spoon fed of course), before he settles in and takes over my lap for the night. When it’s time for me to head to bed he moves over to the chaise and sleeps there for the night.
Life is kitty purrs to build my bone density
Yay for the fuzzies and the regenerating tastebuds! I’d be having Bacon and Avocado sandwiches for every meal just to be able to taste something delicious. Jen and I finally got to spend a day together yesterday and went to the movies too. We saw The Shape of Water which we both enjoyed very much. I haven’t been too keen on seeing Black Panther but after reading your blog, I might give it a try. Seems like it’s getting everyone’s attention so it must be pretty special. I’m so happy that you were able to venture forth to do something fun rather than just go to doctors or run errands. Life is a lot better when it includes more enjoyment. TWC has likely decided on his forever home. You have lovingly cared for him on his terms and earned his trust. As he has aged and his needs increased, he chose you to be his family because you understand him and don’t try to force him to be something he’s not. Good example of patience and loving kindness.