KnotPC

On Monday, December 15th, I still hadn’t heard back from the oncologist about the results of my scan. She had her assistant call to say she would call me as soon as she spoke with the radiologist. On Tuesday, she called and said she was going to definately stop the chemo, start me on Femara and would begin radiation treatment on the right femur where all the pain was. She also said she had contacted an orthopedic surgeon to look at my bone scan and xray, and she would probably be calling me soon.

Jack called and said, “Listen to this message.” All it said was, “This is – - – from Dr. S – - – - – office. We have you scheduled for surgery Thursday, December 18th at Littleton Adventist. Please call me to make an appointment to talk to the doctor before Thursday.” Oh, wow, what a short notice.

I had planned to go by myself, but my boss offered. Then, Clint called and he offered. Then, Jack called said,”I’m coming home and going with you. I want to know what is going on. Things are happening too fast.” So, Jack and I ended up going by ourselves to see the doctor. On the way, he told me he was dead set against the surgery and would have to be convinced it was necessary.

The doctor said the bone scan showed the cancer at the top of the femur next to the joint. She said it wasn’t a question of “if” it would break, but “when” and to have the surgery now, would be preventive. They would insert a rod down the femur from the top to the bottom, and secure it with a pin at the top. This would keep the bone stable. She explained there was no chance of spreading the cancer, as the cancer was on the bone not in the marrow. That was a good thing. So, without really consulting with Jack, I gave my okay.

Thursday morning, we left the house and stopped at the oncologist’s office to pick up samples of the medication, Femara, she was starting me on. Everyone was shocked to see me walking with a cane, which I had done since the prior week, when the oncologist told me to. The oncologist had time to talk with Jack and I, which really helped. She was happy I was having the surgery, but was not happy that I had intended on just taking the weekend off to recuperate. She told us she would write my employer a note to keep me out of work the following week. With it being a short week anyway, Jack and I decided to take her advice.

We headed to the hospital to check in. By 1:30, I was in the OR getting the rod put in and by 5:30 I was back in my room. I was sore, groggy and ready for the drugs to take effect. The doctor had showed Jack the exray of where the rod and pin were, and he seemed quite pleased.

The night was fitful, you can’t sleep in a hospital. Every hour to hour and a half, the nurse would come in to see how I was doing. By next morning, I was ready for home, my puppies and a good night’s sleep. I was released that day, but only because Jack was home to take care of me.

The weekend was fine, and the recuperation has been good. I am still using the walker, but trying to get away from that. The pain in my hip joint is no longer there, just achiness from the surgery. I think we made the right decision.

My next steps are to meet with the surgeon to schedule my mastectomy/reconstruction, then the radiologist to being my radiation treatments.

We appreciate all your prayers and ask that you continue them. We hope your holiday was as blessed as ours with family and friends around us. Here’s to a prosperous healthy new year to all.

By the way, I have not been the perfect patient for Jack nor he the perfect nurse, but we have survived!!!  But, there is probably a story in that, too!!

Well, there was a little excitement with the decrease of the tumor, but Monday with the oncologist burst that bubble.  I have been having pain in my right leg/hip area, and it is pretty bad at times. She didn’t like that, so immediately scheduled me for a bone scan and xray.  She is concerned the cancer has spread more in my bones. 

I had my regular chemo yesterday, along with the aredia, and things went fine.  However, the stress between Monday and today with all the tests took its toll, and I ended up crying my eyes out when I got home. I took the dogs out, one at a time, as Jack suggested.  Rex did fine, because we have a choker collar for him.  Chey Anne, went out, and got herself around a post, and when she pulled to get loose, spun me around, and my right leg did something.  It was pretty painful.   I started crying and just prayed I could make it back to the house.

Got in the house, and the more I cried, the more the dogs got concerned and of course, jumping on me.  I finally cracked them with the cane, and they took off to Rex’ cage and stayed there.  A treat couldn’t even get them out. 

Anyway, I think it was just the culmination of the three days, no real rest, and the anticipation of what the tests will show.  The, I found out my doctor is out of town till Monday, so I have to wait.

If it is cancer spreading, she will do the mastectomy and begin radiation to the bones.  I was so overcome by all that, I forgot to ask a lot of questions. 

Will keep all of you posted.

Love, and thanks for the prayers.

LInda