Choosing to have a Mastectomy

This has been a very challenging month for me, but I have been expecting it for a long time. After my hysterectomy last October, many people congratulated me saying that they were so glad that I was now cancer free. I couldn't bring myself to say that I had only completed phase one. A month ago, I knew I was now strong enough for phase two. The time has come for me to have the double mastectomy I knew I would have to have. Don't worry. There is no sign of cancer, but because I have the BRCA2 gene mutation, I need to have this preventative surgery. I had wanted to wait, hopefully for years, until I actually started to develop lumps, but I can't. 

Good News a week after starting anti-cancer medication!

One good thing now is that I have hair. Actually, I never completely lost my hair before the new hair began to grow. It is gray and nice and thick like it used to be.

Another thing that I'm really happy about is that I am adjusting to the Lynparza anti-cancer medication, and it is only taking the week they assured me it would take.  It was a tough week, but I am now feeling more like myself. It is wonderful to no longer have the sense of anxiety and depression. I'm glad that the muscle and joint pain, headache, and nausea are just minor now. I don't have any diarrhea and the irritated gums are less and are being helped by using a baking soda mouthwash and the minor heartburn by pepcid medication. Oil and lotion are easing my dry itchy skin, and my decongestant and antihistamine are not only helping my allergies, but are also keeping the lung inflammation at a minimal level. So, though I don't feel as good as I did without the medication, it is livable now and my energy is even increasing. Yesterday, I walked nearly a quarter of a mile. The only thing which has become worse is that I have little sense of taste and little appetite. Since this removes the temptation to overeat, that really isn't too bad.   

6 Weeks after Ovarian Cancer Surgery

 

It feels good to finally be recovering from ovarian cancer surgery. It has been a challenging six weeks with reacting to the general anesthetic and having a month of an abdominal infection and three weeks of heavy doses of antibiotics. I have received many blessings during this time. The Lord is helping me to heal from the exhaustion I've felt and the anxiety caused by the anesthetic. In the past, I've had days of tears after having local anesthetics which has been difficult, but I've really needed the Lord's strength to hold together through this sense of panic. I could not have made it this last month without His help, and I am so grateful. 

I am also grateful that though the ultrasound showed a possibility of an infection pocket in my abdomen, just three days later, the CT scan indicated that I would not have to have more general anesthetic so I could be "opened up and cleaned out".  I feel that the Lord has been aware that I am too worn down at this time to endure this treatment and has blessed me with healing, so that I don't need to do it. 

Second Week after Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for Ovarian Cancer

Two weeks down! I still have a long way to fully recover, but I can move around the house, put laundry away, and I am no longer anxious (that's a big plus!). I think I was seriously exhausted last week. Having a full hysterectomy, or any major surgery, when you are in your seventies is quite wearing.  Especially, when I also had a twelve hour round trip by car to get to the hospital and home again which was made more tiring by my four spinal injuries. All this was on top of four rounds of Chemo, having cancer and ascites (abdomen swelling with liquid; I had three months ago). I don't think that it is surprising that I was exhausted.