I kept a paper journal for both of my girls until early February. Since then alot has happened, when I need to journal the most. I need to get these last few months caught up. While this won't be the most detailed journal, it will help me to get my thoughts down on "paper".
Lets go back to February, when life as I knew it took a turn in another direction.
Feb. 5th, we came home from Las Vegas. We were there with Bill's friends for SuperBowl. Our trip was Jan. 31st thru the 5th of Feb. Mom and Dad came home a day early, as they brought Sydney back with them. Due to school, Savannah stayed home with Sandy. She had a great time and was on her best behavior. She knows she has to be when she is with Sandy.
Feb. 8th was Bill's 43rd birthday. Abbie came over to babysit Sydney for us. Stephanie and Brad met us out for dinner at Fuego and then we decided to go to O'Briens for drinks. I didn't care. I was DD, it was Bill's night and I know how he and Brad like to have fun and let loose when they are out together. We got to OB's and I tripped in the parking lot on the way in. I heard a very loud pop in my right ankle and knew I had done some damage. I have never broken or sprained anything, so I was in for quite an experience. They iced my ankle and like a trooper, I sat at the table while my husband continued to enjoy his birthday. It wasn't until the next day when I realized I could not walk, that I knew something serious was wrong. I went to a scrapbook crop in Tampa with Nancy that day, knowing I shouldn't drive. That afternoon, I went to the Emergency clinic and got xrays, my ankle was not broken. They wrapped me and sent me on my way with my crutches. After 5 days, the swelling in my ankle had not gone down and I was still very brused, I went for an MRI. On Feb. 18th, I finally got an appointment and went. While I was there, I saw that Mammograms were done there, so I decided while I was waiting to have the boobies squished. I knew that would make my mom happy and I was due anyway. It came back that I tore 4 ligaments in my ankle, 1 completely and the others just really bad. Either way, it hurt ! I was in a black boot for 9 weeks, then started physical therapy.
Now back to the mammogram - it came back not good. I went on March 18th for a diagnostic mammogram of the left breast. 4 hours later my phone rang, it was Jai at Tampa Obst. She made me an appointment with Dr. Jason Hechtman, the breast specialist next door. That would be Thursday at 1:45. Deborah and Stephanie went with me. But I already knew what he would tell me. I had picked up my reports from the diagnostic center and I have medical background, so when I read "malignancy" I knew. And, why not ? So, I saw Dr. Hechtman, and immediately felt comfortable with him. I went for a biopsy on April 2nd. I had a PET scan done. The biopsy came back, as expected. DCIS in the left breast. And the PET revealed that my lymph nodes were negative for cancer. What a relief -- however, the PET scan also revealed a tumor in my right ovary, later to be known as "Doug". After an MRI, more blood work, more testing and more emotions, doctors feel certain that Doug is benign. It was decided on a double mastectomy and hysterectomy.
I just didn't think I could handle always wondering if cancer has returned to my other breast, or in my ovary, or in my uterus....the questions you would expect, the fears you don't want to live with.
Finally, my surgery was set for May 23rd.
I went for pre-op with Dr. Hechtman (s) on Wednesday 5/14 and Dr. Jill decided we would not do the hysterectomy, she was certain she could remove the tumor only. Worst case, she would take out the ovary and tube and do a tubal ligation on the left. On 5/16 Pat went with me to the hospital pre-op. On 5/19 Bill and I did pre-op with Dr. Coberly and finally we were ready. My mom got here on Wednesday the 21st.
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