May 23, 2010
This is a first attempt at blogging for me. I have been a journal writer for many years, but I am about to start an experience that I wish to share.
Last Wednesday May 19th I went into same day surgery to remove a lump from my left breast. I met with my wonderful doctor on Thursday and he gave me the dreaded C word - Cancer. I have Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. My doctor tells me I will need a masectomy followed by chemo. He also wanted me to have a MRI to determine if the cancer is in one or both breasts.
So, Friday, I went in to get the MRI. Now this is no walk in the park if you have not had one! After 4 tries and two people I have an IV to enter the contrast. You get to lie on your stomach with your hands stretched out above your head, your knees bent with your feet up, your head is supported on your forehead and under your eyes by a stand with a mirror for you look out the window, and the best part your breast each have their own circle to dangle in while it supports your chest! Sounds comfy so far right?
An MRI sounds something like a cross between an air compressor and a jack hammer. Now I am in position and I am offered head phones with my choice of music or earplugs. I am not sure why, but I chose head phones. The technician does her best to get them on me without being able to see what she is doing, because I can't move and I am face down. We finally get them set and I pick country music.
Now it is time to push me in the tube. So I start to go in and the cords from the head phones are down my back and the tube is getting tighter. The cords are jabbing me in the back and then they yank my head back, which makes me scream. She stops the machine and tells me to hang on that it is a little tight but it will open back up. Then before I can respond she starts it up again and you guessed it I screamed again! After she pulls me out, I get up, and I try to explain what happened and we have more words we try again. So, there I am in position and she asks "Do you want head phones or earplugs?"
Monday or Tuesday I should find out more about the surgery which is scheduled for June 1st. This will be an easy date to remember because Ken and I were married on this date in 1994.
I have one week of school left. I have had a wonderful year with my kids.