Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Delayed

It is always something!

I met with my surgeon yesterday, and I have 2 things going on that are delaying scheduling surgery - my cold and the burn on my right arm.

What burn? Here is what happened. I haven't cooked at all since I began chemo treatments. I didn't have a lot of energy and the thought of food really wasn't pleasant. We have been very fortunate in support from friends here at the Lake and at BSE (the boys' school) who have brought meals by twice a week since I got my diagnosis. Jim and Amelia have been filling in the slack. So last Saturday I was feeling pretty good, and I actuallly planned a meal and helped in its preparation. Jim smoked a pork shoulder on the grill and I made coleslaw for Bar B Que pulled pork. Before I got sick, I'd been experimenting with making baked potato chips. I've got the flavor down, now I'm just working on the right amount of crispness. Anyway, I decided to try again on Saturday. I successfully got the potatoes sliced without slicing my finger(which is a major accomplishmment for me), but I wasn't so successful in getting the cookie sheet out of the oven.

I burned my right forearm. I thought it was nothing and hadn't even put anything on it. Although I didn't think it was a big deal, I showed the surgeon my burn, just so he wouldn't think it was some kind of cancerous lesion. He got very concerned due to the risk of infection and lymphedea. As part of the surgery, he will remove all of the lymph nodes in my right arm. This means that from now on any kind of wound to my right arm becomes dangerous because without the lymph nodes my ability to fight infections on my right arm becomes very difficult. I'll also run the risk of Lymphedema which can cause your arm to swell. As neither would be much fun for me, he doesn't want to start right off the bat with me having a wound on my arm. So it will have to heal before we can go ahead. He has given me a prescription for topical antibiotic cream which I have to put on 3 times a day. Hopefully, this will speed the healing process.

And he wants me to be totally over my cold. I'm actually feeling pretty good, but still have some congestion and a little cough. Just so nothing else comes up, I'm going to be very paranoid for the next week and avoid going out as little as possible. I've been fairly careful during chemo to avoid germ situations. I've avoided shaking hands and hugging and have tried to limit visiting places like hospitals and schools. Jim has been taking Michael to physical therapy, so I haven't had to go to Children's Mercy, and I've only gone to one school event where Miles had a reading part. I've not even been to watch the boys' swim practice, and I really miss seeing them swim. I had hoped to get out this week and do a few things including finally getting together with friends I've been missing, but I guess I won't do that either. I guess if I want to look on the bright side, it has turned bitter cold here for the next couple of days, so being forced to stay in won't be too big a deal.

I'll go meet with Dr. Sclar again next Tuesday and hopefully I'll be cleared for the surgery. If so, he said we would then schedule it sometime that week. I hope it is sooner because we'll really be pushing into Christmas. The good news about the surgery is it is a pretty easy one because its not like they have to open my chest or abdomen. Dr. Sclar said I'd have to stay in the hospital for 2 nights and once home I should be able to move around.

The yoga thing is STILL hanging over me! Ugh!

Stay warm and enjoy the Christmas weather.

Late breaking news: I was just getting ready to post this when I received a call from Dr. Sclar's office. They are going to go ahead and put me on the surgery schedule. If for some reason, I'm not better we'll just move it. She is going to try for Wednesday, December 16.

Monique

2 comments:

  1. Oh you are so funny! I cannot beleive you were trying to make your own potato chips. What is up with that? Is that the result of the book you were reading last year? My recomendation is to stay out of the kitchen as long as possible. This is an opportunity of a life time. But maybe you enjoy the kitchen. As you can tell, I am not that kind of person. I think it is because my mom is such a great cook and baker. It is too hard to live in her shadow. Anyway, be careful!

    If you ever decide to go to swim team, you MUST call and let me know. I will be there. I miss having you around. So be sure to give me a heads up. We are typically Tuesday and Thursday for Sophie. Gabby is now at the later practice and she goes more often so I can really go ANY day.

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  2. The late breaking news is good. Getting the surgery done before Christmas seems positive.

    I agree with Jackie. Get out of the kitchen! The kitchen is no place for an adult female. Let the men and children take care of it - hehe!

    Nancy

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