I went to the plastic surgeon last week and to my relief, he said the hyperbaric treatment had healed my skin enough to expand my expanders some. So I had an expansion of 55 cc's last week and will have one final expansion on Tuesday, Sept. 29 bringing my total to 450 cc's. Before the severe radiation burns I was expanded considerably beyond that, but I no longer have the elasticity in my skin cells to expand to the original goal. (If you recall, they took most of the fluid out of my expanders to take the pressure off of my radiation burn.) But, I am very happy with where we are stopping and feel very content.
I should find out next week when the doctor thinks we should do my next surgery to replace the expanders with my permanent breast implants. I still need to decide whether to use saline filled implants or silicon filled implants. There are many pros and cons to both, it is not a clear cut decision. I am trusting that the Lord will give me specific wisdom as He has done each time I have needed to make a decision. I am also praying for a clear sense of when to do the surgery. The big decision for me is whether or not to have the surgery before the holidays or after. My doctor is wise and I know he will have some good advice for me next week. I would very much appreciate your prayers for wisdom in these decisions. Thank you!!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Stronger every week
I was telling a friend that I don't necessarily feel stronger every day, but I do feel stronger every week. I have made a great deal of progress. I can actually be out doing things during the day and still cook dinner at night. It is amazing how grateful I feel for the little things in life; like being able to take a shower and not need to take a nap; like cooking dinner for my family and feeling well enough to eat with them; like taking my dogs for a walk and still being able to run errands afterward, to name just a few.
I got to drive one of my nieces to a class the other night and take another niece to Back to School Night later in the week. I also got to be in the right place at the right time to provide food for a homeless man and his children. It is beyond my ability to express how grateful I am to be on the helping side after being on the receiving end for the past two years. It is a tremendous privilege to help those I love and those that God loves. It is a gift to serve and I am grateful to have the strength to do so. Life is so very precious, I am grateful for each new day.
I got to drive one of my nieces to a class the other night and take another niece to Back to School Night later in the week. I also got to be in the right place at the right time to provide food for a homeless man and his children. It is beyond my ability to express how grateful I am to be on the helping side after being on the receiving end for the past two years. It is a tremendous privilege to help those I love and those that God loves. It is a gift to serve and I am grateful to have the strength to do so. Life is so very precious, I am grateful for each new day.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
A New Look for a New Season
I felt very strongly from the Lord that September would begin a new season in my life and so I really wanted to get through with my hyperbaric treatments. I went around 13 days in a row in order to finish by September. It was GREAT starting this new month with the daily treatment phase behind me.
I also wanted to change the look of my blog to reflect the change that has taken place. In this past season I felt very much that the Lord was walking with me through the "valley of the shadow of death." I feel like I have come out of the valley into a field of green pastures with lots of sun and cool breezes. I wanted the look of the blog to reflect that feeling.
I am still getting my strength back. I tire out more quickly than I used to and Ron says that my endurance still has a ways to go, but being 6 months out from chemotherapy is a wondrous thing! I have really gained so much ground.
Thank you for being with me on this journey, for praying me into this new season, and for your faithfulness to stand with me through the toughest fight I've ever faced. I am so grateful for you
I also wanted to change the look of my blog to reflect the change that has taken place. In this past season I felt very much that the Lord was walking with me through the "valley of the shadow of death." I feel like I have come out of the valley into a field of green pastures with lots of sun and cool breezes. I wanted the look of the blog to reflect that feeling.
I am still getting my strength back. I tire out more quickly than I used to and Ron says that my endurance still has a ways to go, but being 6 months out from chemotherapy is a wondrous thing! I have really gained so much ground.
Thank you for being with me on this journey, for praying me into this new season, and for your faithfulness to stand with me through the toughest fight I've ever faced. I am so grateful for you
FINISHED Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
Well, I am thrilled to report that I completed my 40th and final hyperbaric oxygen treatment on Saturday, August 29, 2009!! I have been going to the hospital 5 days a week since about February for either radiation or hyperbaric. I am so happy and relieved to have that phase of my treatment behind me. It is just so nice to have days in which I don't have to go to the hospital or even see a doctor...as great as my doctors have been!
One of the nurses said that in his 20 years of nursing he had never seen anyone with a wound as bad as mine heal as quickly as mine did. I know that was a direct result of God's gracious healing and your faithful prayers! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Ron and I had some amazing opportunities to talk about the Lord, to pray for people and generally be a blessing when ever we could during my time in hyperbaric treatement. We were told that our lives showed that it really helps to "have someone bigger than you looking out for you" and that prayer really makes a difference. That was very encouraging. The doctors and nurses in hyperbaric were just great, we got to be very close. I will miss them.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is really an outstanding treatment in helping wounds to heal. I am one of many who were helped during my time there. Hyperbaric treatment is helping to save many cancer patients, diabetic patients and others from having surgery or even loosing a toe or even a foot. I had no idea it was such a powerful help in healing wounds. I highly recommend it!
One of the nurses said that in his 20 years of nursing he had never seen anyone with a wound as bad as mine heal as quickly as mine did. I know that was a direct result of God's gracious healing and your faithful prayers! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Ron and I had some amazing opportunities to talk about the Lord, to pray for people and generally be a blessing when ever we could during my time in hyperbaric treatement. We were told that our lives showed that it really helps to "have someone bigger than you looking out for you" and that prayer really makes a difference. That was very encouraging. The doctors and nurses in hyperbaric were just great, we got to be very close. I will miss them.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is really an outstanding treatment in helping wounds to heal. I am one of many who were helped during my time there. Hyperbaric treatment is helping to save many cancer patients, diabetic patients and others from having surgery or even loosing a toe or even a foot. I had no idea it was such a powerful help in healing wounds. I highly recommend it!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Heading Down to LA
I am just posting a quick update as I head out of town for a few days. I am heading down to LA to help a friend move...yes, I am feeling well enough to travel and help someone else...it is a new day!!
I also wanted to let you know that I was released from the wound care clinic a week ago. My wound has been pronounced healed! I still have 12 more hyperbaric treatments to complete out of 40, but I am well on my way to being done!!
I am literally heading out the door so I will keep this short, but I wanted you to know that I am doing so much better. Thank you for all of your faithful prayers, I know I am doing this well because of your partnership in my healing process through prayer. The Lord is kind and He is faithful...always!
I also wanted to let you know that I was released from the wound care clinic a week ago. My wound has been pronounced healed! I still have 12 more hyperbaric treatments to complete out of 40, but I am well on my way to being done!!
I am literally heading out the door so I will keep this short, but I wanted you to know that I am doing so much better. Thank you for all of your faithful prayers, I know I am doing this well because of your partnership in my healing process through prayer. The Lord is kind and He is faithful...always!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
I'm riding my bike again
I got to go ride my bike with Karyn today. It was so much fun! It has been my heart's desire and prayer to be able to hike and ride my bike again. Having been sick for almost 2 years, it has taken a lot of hard work and many, many baby steps to get back to being in good enough shape to do what I had taken for granted before. I still have a long way to go, but I am getting there!
After my double mastectomy and removal of 18 lymph nodes on my right side last summer, I could only do 4 crunches when I was given the go ahead to begin slowly exercising. During chemo, there were days that it was all I could do to get to the bathroom, forget about the crunches. Radiation was a rough ride for me and having this radiation necrosis put a further hitch in my get-a-long, but I've been cleared again to exercises and have been steadily working on it. Little by little, taking many baby steps along the way, I am really making progress. I am up to 60 crunches, I am using light hand weights to work my arms. It amazes me how much muscle mass I lost during chemo and being sick for two years. I work on it almost every day though and I am slowly seeing improvement. This process has taught me to rejoice in the little accomplishments of life, it helps me to be patient.
I hope in a couple of weeks that I can go kayaking. As soon as the radiation wound heals completely and there is no longer risk of infection, I plan to be out on the lake paddling. I can hardly wait!
I am still going to hyperbaric treatment. They think I still need around 20 more treatments. We shall see. The healing is really making progress. The wound was originally over 6 cm by 5. 8 cm. Now it is down to 2cm by 1cm!! I am very encouraged. Thank you for all of your prayers, God is answering in amazing ways.
After my double mastectomy and removal of 18 lymph nodes on my right side last summer, I could only do 4 crunches when I was given the go ahead to begin slowly exercising. During chemo, there were days that it was all I could do to get to the bathroom, forget about the crunches. Radiation was a rough ride for me and having this radiation necrosis put a further hitch in my get-a-long, but I've been cleared again to exercises and have been steadily working on it. Little by little, taking many baby steps along the way, I am really making progress. I am up to 60 crunches, I am using light hand weights to work my arms. It amazes me how much muscle mass I lost during chemo and being sick for two years. I work on it almost every day though and I am slowly seeing improvement. This process has taught me to rejoice in the little accomplishments of life, it helps me to be patient.
I hope in a couple of weeks that I can go kayaking. As soon as the radiation wound heals completely and there is no longer risk of infection, I plan to be out on the lake paddling. I can hardly wait!
I am still going to hyperbaric treatment. They think I still need around 20 more treatments. We shall see. The healing is really making progress. The wound was originally over 6 cm by 5. 8 cm. Now it is down to 2cm by 1cm!! I am very encouraged. Thank you for all of your prayers, God is answering in amazing ways.
this time, no news was good news!
Sorry it has been so long since I've posted. I actually got to go on vacation! I went with my friend, Karen, to Tahoe for several days. We had a blast and I was so very encouraged by the endurance I had while hiking around. It was amazing.
I had to wear a lymphedema sleeve and glove the entire time I was up in the altitude, which was a little annoying, but well worth it. I didn't have any problems with swelling. They had me put it on in Auburn and then I took it off when I got back down to Auburn. I felt a little self conscious at first but within a few hours I just forgot about it for the most part.
The sleeve and glove are expensive, over $200. I only have one of each, so for going down to the beach with the dog and when I can kayak (hopefully in a couple of weeks) I bought the kind of sleeve that cyclists wear with their short sleeve shirts when it is cold. I got a tight one, one that feels about as tight as my lymphedema sleeve. I also bought kayak gloves that are tight like the lymphedema glove and put those on when I was going to get wet or dirty. It worked out great for me...if you are a cancer patient, I would check it out with your doctor before trying this idea. I still wore the real deal most of the time, but the two cycling sleeves were about $30 and the kayak gloves about $20, so they were much cheaper and easier to wash.
I was able to hike for a couple of miles, which was both fun and so encouraging. I worked so hard during cancer treatment to try and keep up my strength. My motto has been, "do what I can when I can." So if I could only walk across the house, I'd do that. When I could walk to the end of the porch, I'd do that and be happy that at least I could do something. After that , I got to where I could walk to the mail box, then to the end of the street. Ron and my girls have been walking with me as I have been slowly increasing the distance I could walk. It has apparently really paid off as I was able to hike up in the mountains. As I walked in the beauty of God's amazing creation, I thanked Him for seeing me through those very difficult months of treatment, I was thankful for you for your faithful prayers each step of the way, and I was thankful to be alive to enjoy such beauty again. God is good and I am so thankful.
I had to wear a lymphedema sleeve and glove the entire time I was up in the altitude, which was a little annoying, but well worth it. I didn't have any problems with swelling. They had me put it on in Auburn and then I took it off when I got back down to Auburn. I felt a little self conscious at first but within a few hours I just forgot about it for the most part.
The sleeve and glove are expensive, over $200. I only have one of each, so for going down to the beach with the dog and when I can kayak (hopefully in a couple of weeks) I bought the kind of sleeve that cyclists wear with their short sleeve shirts when it is cold. I got a tight one, one that feels about as tight as my lymphedema sleeve. I also bought kayak gloves that are tight like the lymphedema glove and put those on when I was going to get wet or dirty. It worked out great for me...if you are a cancer patient, I would check it out with your doctor before trying this idea. I still wore the real deal most of the time, but the two cycling sleeves were about $30 and the kayak gloves about $20, so they were much cheaper and easier to wash.
I was able to hike for a couple of miles, which was both fun and so encouraging. I worked so hard during cancer treatment to try and keep up my strength. My motto has been, "do what I can when I can." So if I could only walk across the house, I'd do that. When I could walk to the end of the porch, I'd do that and be happy that at least I could do something. After that , I got to where I could walk to the mail box, then to the end of the street. Ron and my girls have been walking with me as I have been slowly increasing the distance I could walk. It has apparently really paid off as I was able to hike up in the mountains. As I walked in the beauty of God's amazing creation, I thanked Him for seeing me through those very difficult months of treatment, I was thankful for you for your faithful prayers each step of the way, and I was thankful to be alive to enjoy such beauty again. God is good and I am so thankful.
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