Nothing is ever simple so I'm not sure why I even entertained the idea that was it for my blood clot. On Wednesday I had a follow up appointment with my general physician. She in turn referred me to a vascular surgeon. Thankfully I was able to get an appointment first thing Thursday morning. After reciting once again everything that happened and the time line of past testing & treatments as well as future treatments and surgery (Do you know how tired I am of telling this story??) she determines the best way to proceed is to treat the blood clot aggressively. Unfortunately not as aggressively as she would like due to my port still needing to be accessed. (She also suggested that as soon as my port was no longer needed I should have it removed being it may be the reason for the clot.) The decision was made to perform a deep vein thrombolyis first thing Friday morning followed by an over night in ICU for observation, Lucky me!! The procedure is used to dissolve the clot by inserting a catheter into the vein and clot. Then, clot-dissolving medication is delivered to the clot through the catheter. Sounds like fun...well as much as another hospital stay was not something I wanted to do it was a no brainer, I had to do it. Of course my day could not end there...
After being diagnosed with the blood clot I felt my reconstruction decision was made for me, I am going to get implants after my mastectomy. I feel the DEIP free flap was just to evasive and risky. After a conversation with my breast surgeon she confirmed what I was thinking, my surgery just became complicated. I am high risk for another blood clot as well as a hematoma. During my appointment with the vascular surgeon I needed to be on the blood thinner for 3 months before surgery. Instead of having my mastectomy in April it is now pushed off to May 3. Ugh another month of waiting! Here's where my day got even more fun! Thursday afternoon I had an appointment with a gynecological oncologist to determine weather I could get my ovaries out in lieu of taking the tamoxifine to stop the estrogen in my body. After a consultation and exam she determined it is my best option and I could have them removed the same day as my breast surgery, Even though this decision was already made in my mind before the appointment it is still overwhelming. On May 3 I will have a mastectomy, tissue expanders put in (the first step to my reconstruction) and my ovaries out. Whew!! That is a lot to take in!
I survived the procedure and the stay in the hospital. The swelling in my arm is mostly gone and fingers crossed the clot was broken up. Today (Monday) I had a follow up with my oncologist. The antibiotic worked and the infection in my nails is gone, although they are still a mess. After lots of back and forth she is allowing me to have my last 2 chemo. In the mean time I need to be diligent on keeping my nails clean to prevent another infection or worse case sepsis. February 28th I will have my last chemo and on March 6th I will have a bone scan to see if the cancer in my hip was stopped. Then I have my follow up appointment for the results on March 10th. In the mean time she is figuring out my treatment plan moving forward, she is concerned with me going 2 full months without anything, (And now so am I!)
The last few weeks have been crazy and lots of decisions have been made. It is all overwhelming and emotionally draining. I'm trying to stay positive and take things one day at a time although it is not always easy, I have said many times over the last few weeks "I just can't do this anymore." I know no matter what I will keep fighting but at times its just a lot to handle. All the texts, messages, cards and of course the never ending encouragement from David, Jack and Ava help me get through those low points. Thank you for the love and support! Keep the prayers coming, they make all the difference!! Xo
After being diagnosed with the blood clot I felt my reconstruction decision was made for me, I am going to get implants after my mastectomy. I feel the DEIP free flap was just to evasive and risky. After a conversation with my breast surgeon she confirmed what I was thinking, my surgery just became complicated. I am high risk for another blood clot as well as a hematoma. During my appointment with the vascular surgeon I needed to be on the blood thinner for 3 months before surgery. Instead of having my mastectomy in April it is now pushed off to May 3. Ugh another month of waiting! Here's where my day got even more fun! Thursday afternoon I had an appointment with a gynecological oncologist to determine weather I could get my ovaries out in lieu of taking the tamoxifine to stop the estrogen in my body. After a consultation and exam she determined it is my best option and I could have them removed the same day as my breast surgery, Even though this decision was already made in my mind before the appointment it is still overwhelming. On May 3 I will have a mastectomy, tissue expanders put in (the first step to my reconstruction) and my ovaries out. Whew!! That is a lot to take in!
I survived the procedure and the stay in the hospital. The swelling in my arm is mostly gone and fingers crossed the clot was broken up. Today (Monday) I had a follow up with my oncologist. The antibiotic worked and the infection in my nails is gone, although they are still a mess. After lots of back and forth she is allowing me to have my last 2 chemo. In the mean time I need to be diligent on keeping my nails clean to prevent another infection or worse case sepsis. February 28th I will have my last chemo and on March 6th I will have a bone scan to see if the cancer in my hip was stopped. Then I have my follow up appointment for the results on March 10th. In the mean time she is figuring out my treatment plan moving forward, she is concerned with me going 2 full months without anything, (And now so am I!)
The last few weeks have been crazy and lots of decisions have been made. It is all overwhelming and emotionally draining. I'm trying to stay positive and take things one day at a time although it is not always easy, I have said many times over the last few weeks "I just can't do this anymore." I know no matter what I will keep fighting but at times its just a lot to handle. All the texts, messages, cards and of course the never ending encouragement from David, Jack and Ava help me get through those low points. Thank you for the love and support! Keep the prayers coming, they make all the difference!! Xo
At least the crappy chemo ends. New, perky boobs? Great idea. Glad you went with the flap and reconstruction. Summer can't come soon enough as I hope that ends the journey and the healing one begins. Lots of love. Paula
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