Update on me
I haven't written for a while largely due to a visit from my parents and an unexpected and extended hospital stay last weekend. Last Thursday I went in to have a cavity shaving around where my tumour was as the margins originally were not clear, as well as to have my chemo port inserted. I was advised by my breast surgeon that is the margins were not clear this time around, that another shaving would not be undertaken which would mean that a mastectomy would probably be on the cards for me. As I had booked my flights to go to New Zealand for a family Christmas, this was not the thought I wanted to be crossing my mind.
I developed pneumothorax whereby my lung collapsed 15%. A failed attempt that night to have a drain inserted resulted in a second drain being inserted on Friday via MRI.
Five days later the drain was removed and I was finally released. Prior to my release my breast surgeon advised me that whilst the margins were not clear to his preferred 2mm, they were clear to 1mm which he seemed to be resigned to accept - he probably felt sorry for me due to the agony I underwent Thursday night when he and an emergency doctor attempted to insert the first drain which they had to remove because I couldn't breathe. Also to the chemo treatment that I am about to undergo. So no mastectomy - at least not at this stage.
Once I finally got home I had a bit of catch-up to do as chemo starts on Monday and I wanted to get some meals organised etc - so I basically spent two days "chemo cooking" for my freezer.
This morning I did my first early morning Step into Life running session in just over a month however during the warm up, I felt the port (still being felt as a foreign body in my chest) pulling so I ended up walking. A number of my training buddies who don't normally attend this early morning session came out to support me and one walked with me around the course. Whilst the others ran up to 10 kms, we walked about 5kms and while part of me was frustrated that I wouldn't run, the logical side reminded met hat I had only recently came out of hospital where I had undergone more surgery. The fact that I was out there, my trainer said inspirational enough.
Tomorrow I undertake The Color Run which is a 5km run - I will be walking with a friend and probably just as well as it is going to be quite warm, about 29C.
Monday is my first chemo session and I don't really know what to expect. My distraction last weekend has enabled me not to think too much about it - I have read some information from the Cancer Council but still don't know what to expect. My partner is going to come with me in order to get a bit of an understanding (if possible) of what I will be going through.
I have two more hospital appointments next week and wonder how my first chemo session will effect me. I guess it will be day by day from this point onwards - into the unknon.
