Lymph node doctor's visit Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 8:36pm

Thank you all for your kind thoughts...I am so blessed to have such a support crew! I went to see the surgeon yesterday, and he prodded my armpit and said yep I feel a lymph node rolling around. He gave me a quick manual breast exam and nothing weird there. He said it is highly unlikely that it would have jumped from one boob to the other. I am a year out from diagnosis at the end of the month, so he sent me in for a regular mammogram screening, versus a diagnostic mammo. Regular because he did not feel anything unusual, so we got to skip the ultrasound. We'll look farther later if it comes back unusual. I think that one is a no news is good news phone call. As far as the lymph node- I was a bit surprised at his answer, so I learned something new today. I have an appointment on the 11th to see if the swelling of the lymph node goes down. If it does not, he will be removing it so it can be tested. Doc says if it was his lymph node...he wouldn't do it because he has never had cancer. Because we know that I have had cancer- he needs to take it just to make sure. It wasn't registering that the reason why the whole cluster is gone on the other side is because removal is really the only way they have to test these lymph nodes.. At least that was what I understood- did I get it right, anybody know? LOL, first reaction is I don't want him to take it if he doesn't have to. Now I think, What happens if the swelling goes down, it is cancerous....and we don't know for a long time until it swells up again?" I know me bad...I am laughing at myself here folks, really I am! I just try really hard to share every bit of this crazy ride...I never know when I will forget it, and I don't want to lose it in case someone comes along who really needs it. So now we play the waiting game, ughhh. Oh well, I can do it...I feel much better now that I have done all I can for the moment. I am wondering if it is worth a visit to a naturalpath, to see if my lymphatic system needs cleaned out. Anybody know anything about this subject? If it really works, might be cheaper and way healthier then having it surgically removed just in case. Toodles!

OK, I admit it...I'm a little bit scared Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 9:46am

Finally, today is here. I have an 11 o'clock appointment with Dr. Pickhardt today. Something has been swollen since summer, in my good armpit. My radiology oncologist felt it last week, so it is not my imagination. It could be any number of non-cancerous things. I am a bit scared though, even though I'm sure it is not back already. He will probably want to look closer at it is my guess. I think it is all due to stress and heat. I'm not scared of the cancer treatment again, but of all the things concerning it. All I can visualise is all the mounds of financial paperwork again, and what my husband will think. There I said it...I am scared and sad. BUT- I do know that Dr. Pickhardt will make it all better soon!

I hate bras! Friday, June 25, 2010 at 1:26pm

LMAO! I didn't know that until just recently. It is warm out, and I am dripping all ready. Hot and sweaty, or just hot flashy? Who knows. I had to move some equipment from Libby yesterday, and I was going farther then home or Arlee. So I wore a bra. I have always been able to go without a bra all my life. Unless I wanted some vavoom, of course! I don't care that I am missing a boob, it is not the end of the world. The cancer is gone. I now feel the need to wear a bra if I am straying to far from home. I know nobody is going to stop and stare at me, and if they do- I will gladly spread some breast cancer awareness. I am just so tired already of wearing a bra, when I don't want to. Who wants to wear a hot and sticky bra if they don't have to?