Healthy, happy lymphnodes! Healthy, happy, lymphnodes! Healthy, happy lymphnodes! -- HHL, HHL, HHL for all you corporate types that need an acronym! That's the mantra I want everyone saying as many times a day as you can.
I had a great meeting with Dr. Link, my oncologist. The first words out of his mouth were, "This is a highly curable cancer." We did a high five and I saw the prison doors swing open. The mastectomy and reconstruction surgery is scheduled for Friday, July 6th at Scripps Memorial. During the surgery they will remove a sentinel lymphnode and when they find it healthy -- I'm home free. This is why the mantra!
It looks like I'll be in the hospital for 3-4 days and then bed rest with little to no activity for 14 days, followed by physical therapy and other post surgery therapies. The recovery time for the mastectomy and reconstuction surgeries is about 10-12 weeks. The cancer is slow growing which indicates at this point in time that chemotherapy will not be prescribed post surgery. OK, settle down now...you're causing an earthquake. Is that good news or what!?
Last week I had a PET CT Fusion Scan -- PET, or positron emission tomography, monitors the biochemical functioning of cells by detecting how they process certain compounds, such as glucose (sugar). Cancer cells metabolize glucose at a much higher level than normal tissues. By detecting increased glucose use with a high degree of sensitivity, PET identifies cancerous cells -- PET cannot pinpoint the exact size and location of tumors to a precision necessary for optimal diagnosis and treatment planning. CT, or computed tomography, yields a detailed picture of the body's anatomical structures by taking cross-sectional images or X-ray slices of the body. Together, physicians can overlay the results of PET and CT scans performed separately to identify and locate tumors. We're waiting for the results on this test...stay tuned. I have been humbled by the response from friends and family. Thank you for all of your healing thoughts and prayers.
8 comments:
Karen:
There comes a time when all of us must show our strength. We all know and see how strong you are and will continue to be! I will pray for you and will continue to track your progress via your blog. Thank you for sharing and setting this up. Its wonderful. Amoura.
I'm trying to imagine what music goes behind the "Healthy, happy lymphnodes" lyrics. Somehow I can only picture a grooving, bouncing beat and Madonna with those crazy cone boobs! :-) Love ya and keep posting!
Leave it to Karen to approach this experience with us via a blog! I look forward to seeing only positive news and celebrating recovery with you. Some wild wacky tunes and many many beverages are in order.
K2: Well, you are terrific! Of course, your positive attitude is YOU! You set the bar for handling any crisis! You're the best. And, Jeff... Well, great support on all levels. My positive energy and love are always at your beck and call. Happy Birthday! I love you,
Grace
You go Girl! I'm sending you positive chi and thinking of you!!!
"Healthy, happy lymphnodes" !!!!!
Karen:
With your belief system and strong support of your husband, family, and friends, you will beat the cancer once and for all, We are sending you white healing thoughts.
Love,
Gordon and Irene
Karen,
I'm so happy to hear of the great prognosis, and love your mantra. The power of a group focus on those words will be, well, unstoppable .... as you are.
Love,
Margi
"I'm so happy and I'm so swell
that all the cells in my body are healthy and well!
All the little cells in my body are healthy!
All the little cells in my body are happy and well!
La La la!
LA la la!
La la la la la la la!"
The song of us singing that plays in my head all day and comes out when I'm in the shower or driving in my car when I think no one is watching ... Actually ... I secretly hope that they are watching! :)
Love You!
Lauren
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