Time To Update
Hello to all who read my journal.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted and wanted to let everyone know what’s been going on – plus the journal has been a great way for me to keep track of dates.
On December 14th I had a mammogram that showed a few suspicious spots and was told it was probably calcification. Two options, wait 6 months and redo the mammogram or have a biopsy. With my previous experience, I decided to have the stereotactic biopsy. I was not concerned at all since I had a biopsy before – not that kind, but it was a biopsy. It was done on December 30th and it was the most painful procedure I’ve ever had and still think the doctor didn’t allow enough time for the numbing shot to work. The first shot to numb the area and the little incision he made wasn’t felt at all, but the actual removal of tissue honestly felt like someone was shooting darts into my breast. The doctor kept on going and did two more extractions…. oh my, what pain and never again will I do that test. Reading comments from women who’ve gone through it say it’s barbaric, excruciating, and needless pain when there are ways to control it. Glad that was done and also relieved that there was no evidence of cancer. Grateful!
After the good news, I decided to put everything behind me and move on. Next thing to think about was getting the condo ready to sell and, once again, go through things and sort it all out. I thought I was taking my time and not doing much but my body let me know that wasn’t true. On February 3rd, I woke from a deep sleep with tightness and pressure in my chest. Took Tylenol and waited for it to subside, but it didn’t. Ed finally convinced me to go to the ER and the goods news…. it wasn’t a heart attack. After blood work, x-rays and a stress test, they weren’t able to tell me what caused this but one doctor said it could be a stiff heart – from the radiation. With exertion, it has to work harder to do it’s job. After about 10 seconds on the treadmill my rate went from 84 to 132 and blood pressure was 188/75 and that’s not good. So, I’m guessing my heart, as well as my body, is still healing and this was my wake up call. Was told to take things slower – how can that be – if I take it any slower I’ll stall out.
Considering everything that’s gone on – I’m a lucky lady. I’m cancer free and compared to what some women have experienced with side effects, I’ll take my life.
Ed, Tim and Kim have been there all the time and I’m so thankful to have them near. Poor Ed, we were in the ER for 12 hours and he looked like he was ready to drop. It’s hard enough sitting on those hard chairs, waiting for news and…. not eating. Thank goodness there was a TV in the room and it occupied some of the time for both of us. We slept like babies the next night.
Hope everyone has been doing ok through this winter and have survived the dreaded and nasty flu bug.
