Post-Op Feelings....

Hey All,

It's been a somewhat blurry week. I'm feeling pretty good today. I wasn't in too much pain post-op, mostly just on Wed. and Thursday. But on Thursday I pulled a muscle in my neck, shoulder, and arm (right side) I think because of the position I was in during the operation...or I just slept on it the wrong way. I was NOT a happy camper! It's a little better today.  A friend gave me a neck, shoulder and arm massage last night and that helped a lot. Even taking Dilauded and Flexeril and Ben Gay and a heating pad and ice didn't cut it! CRAZY Right?

My spirits are a little bit on the blue side today...the stress of the cancer is getting to me just a tiny bit. I feel like I'll always be worrying about it coming back - or it being in my body even now (that's why I will be getting the chemo/radiation, to kill off any runaway cancer cells that night have hitch-hiked to other parts of my body) but this is basically for the rest of my life. It's sort of an underlying dark place I don't often go to and don't enjoy going to and SHOULDN'T go to. I need to remember at all times that the Lord is in control of this whole situation and that it is my CHOICE to either focus on Him or on the circumstance I am in....."For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8

So today I will focus on the light! It is a beautiful fall day in Point Pleasant, PA. It is sunny and warm. The windows are open wide, the air is fresh, I have a great family, so many friends, electricity, running water, food, clothes...I want for nothing. I need to remember those much less fortunate than myself and help them...

Lord please give me the chance to help someone today, in your name. It would be a honor.

Love, Annie

Surgery Deets...

Thank you for checking out my blog!

Yesterday went stellar! Thanks to the folks from "Team Annie" joining me, and God orchestrating it all....
 

Team Annie

 

 

 

 

                             Eli & Daddy resting before the museum and operation...

Left Point Pleasant at 7 a.m. to make it to Philly by 8:45. Hit rush hour traffic. Got to U of P H 20 minutes late. Had the usual pre-something-stressful spat with Chippy in the parking Garage. No coffee and having to go tinkle with no john in sight - save a cold, lonely corner of a parking garage - which we did not utilize -  makes for a bad combo!

Pushed the elevator button to go to up 3rd floor and who did the doors open to but my wonderful sisters Lisa and "Gert"!  What a sweet surprise! Arrived to find Artis, the receptionist, all bubbly and perky, hilarious and consoling..."Aunt Nancy" was also there, waiting there to take Eli to the museum(s) THANK YOU, Aunt Nancy!!!! Eli had a rip-roarin' great time! 

I had made an apple pie on Monday for Dr. Tchou and while I was in the prep room the girls were able to present it to her which I was happy about! Dr. Tchou is a freakin' amazing doctor AND person! Plus doesn't she look adorable in her scrubs? Don't let her cuteness fool you though, she is BRILLIANT!

                                                                                                                         Dr. Tchou (Pronounced "Chew")

Went down to Radiology where they stuck a long 3" pin, a "marker" in my right thingy. Wow, what a hoot. And it hurt like hell when the local anaesthesia wore out that's for sure! I felt like a dart board! Then back up to wait for surgery. Had a wicked headache from no coffee..pound, pound, pound....ouchie, but I had to live with it. Everyone hung with me, except for when the girls went down to eat...I was starving...but I was okay. I knew I'd make up for that at some point in time. I told Lisa to eat a brownie for me and I'm pretty sure she did because when she came back up she was all smiles plus there was a little brown crumb on the side of her mouth (JUST KIDDING! LOVE YA LEES!) Many nice nurses and others took care of me, sticking me with all kinds of fun medical items like an IV etc. I felt in great hands the entire time as I gazed out the large wide windows of the hospital upon the gray, sturdy city buildings. I could also see CHOP across the street. I just knew I was in the right place, and it was worth the wait to get to U of P Hosp.
 

 Gomer...

 

 

Awesome Guy...I forget his name...  :(

Gert, Me, Lees....

                                                  My ugly feet in oh so stylish hospital slippers!I took a long nap, I was so bored plus hungry and tired from waking up at 5, plus all the stress...from 2 months leading up to this operation...Finally, I was awoken by this Doogie-Howser like anesthesiologist  "fellow" who came and explained all about the pain-killers I would be given during my operation...I signed a consent form. Of course I did!

Then I was whisked away I think around 1, I have no concept of time...down to the surgery place. I was yackking away 'til they put a stop to it through heavy pain meds in my IV and some mask they put on me to make me groggy and probably to make me hush up a little bit too...ha ha!

Then.................I woke up!

 Waking Up...

                                                  More Waking up...Isn't my sister Trudy a total FOX?
Believe it or not, I actually felt pretty good! Perky and yackking again! Surprised? I had some weird pshychedelic dreams during the operation. Too bad I can't remember them but they did involve a super colorful rainbow mermaid. (?????) Still had a headache, but wasn't hungry! WEIRD! So I just had some cranberry juice...crackers just were not going to cut it that is for sure...

Dr. Tchou popped by, she is sooooo wonderful, mere words cannot express it...Then I got "released" - got my walking papers....They gave me a bottle of Dilauded to take home (very nice form...we didn't have to make the usual post-op visit to the pharmacy on the way home....where you walk in all dishveled and crappy looking and humiliated with no make-up on and your hair sticking out every which way because you've been up half the night and everyone stares at you because they're all fixed up so nice... all showered with their make-up on perfectly and their clothes ironed and fresh as a daisy...) Eli & I took naps in the car. Chip was awesome, he drove there and back and made a kickass dinner too! When I came home I put on my new Hello Kitty pjs and plopped right into bed, and watched Animal Planet with Eli, as Chip served us dinner!

I now have two 1 1/2" incisions...one on my thingy and the other under my armpit. They hurt pretty bad so I am gonna lay low today and chill and take my meds. But Dr. Tchou is quite the artist I must say that. Her work is fine!

I'll hear in 7-10 days what exactly was found and what my next steps are....I was told by Dr. Tchou that I will have to go through chemo and radiation...barring any miracles - I might add - which I wouldn't be surprised to find because sooooo many people are praying for me....

But I have no fear for what is to come, for God is so good and the Bible tells me in Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

I am beginning to see the cancer as a gift. First off, I didn't know you all cared about me so much. Thank you a million times over. Thank you to the moon and back as one of my little kindergartners says. Second, I also feel so much closer to God. An unexpected gift...a veil has been lifted....God is right by my side more than ever. (He was always there, but now I feel him even closer....as close as He can be...)

I am to the point of thanking God for allowing me to go through this...I realize that may sound very strange, but it is what's in my heart this morning...I am learning so much through all of this.....but more on that later...

Love, Annie
                                   Let's all admit it, there are times I've looked better...
                              but also times I've looked worse...and that is a pretty sad fact!
                                                           (HA HA HA! I crack myself up!)

The Surgery, Finally!

I never thought today would come, but alas it has! I'm headed to U of P Hospital with Chip & Eli for 8:45 a.m. lumpectomy surgery.We have to leave here at 7 a.m. Originally I was told the surgery would be late in the day, like 4, but it got moved up. I was planning to chillax in the morning, sleep late, putter, but my plans ran amuck. Wow I've never used amuck in a sentence before and also I know I did not spell that right. See what not having coffee can do to a gal? So off we go....

I feel like this is the next stop on my journey. And in a way a different beginning....this I guess is kind of the easy part...I'm trying not to think about step two yet...one thing at a time...

My two sisters Trudy & Lisa are coming, and our good friend Nance will take Eli to a museum & do some stuff with him for a few hours....I'll try to get some pics, maybe you'll get to see me in my pre-op get up, now wouldn't that be dandy?

Juicing Recipes Needed!

Thanks for checking out my blog!

So......I thought I'd share  the latest concoction I drink each night. It's actually very tasty and makes me feel great when I drink it - like Super Woman on steroids! I just call it "Green Juice". It's made from: raw kale, blueberries, peaches, bananas, water, wheat germ, ground flax seeds, and vitamin D drops. Please share your recipes of great juices you think would be good for me! I could use some more recipes like this for my bag of tricks...

Thank you God for this new day of life and friends who care about me. I am so blessed.

"I wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving..."
Poet, Khalil Gibran

Love, Annie

Sometimes Time Seems to Go By So Slowly....

Hey Everyone!
Thanks for checking out my BLOG!

The latest....I've decided to go with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for my lumpectomy. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24th - late in the day. I'm the last surgery of the day, so it might be a long day for me as I CAN'T EAT ALL DAY! (Until after surgery...) And you all know how much I love to eat!!!! But it'll be worth it because U of Penn was ranked one of the:

Of all 98 hospitals in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metropolitan area, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is ranked #1.

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA is ranked nationally in 13 adult specialties. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is a teaching hospital. It is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

After the surgery the oncologist will let me know the next step - when chemo starts and how much I need...and what kind...so stay tuned (and thank you so much for caring!)

This is the oncologist Dr. Tchou suggested I use: Susan M. Domchek, MD...

She is the Executive Director of the Basser Research Center; 
and the Director of MacDonald Women’s Cancer Risk Evaluation Center Medical 

Medical School:  
Harvard Medical School
Internship:  
Massachusetts General Hospital
Residency:  
Massachusetts General Hospital
Fellowship:  
Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Recognized in Philadelphia Magazine's Top Docs issues from 2011 to 2013 
Recognized by Best Doctors in America 2009-2010, 2011-2012
Recognized by America's Top Doctors, 2012-13
Recognized as Top Doctor, U.S. News and World Report

ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW, I am so blessed to be able to go to U of Penn! And I can't wait to just get this done, it seems like it's taken forever to get to this point....when it all started only the first week in August....which really wasn't all that long ago...

PS I am really excited that I will have these two amazing women taking care of me! Nothing against the men, but I feel God has led me to a really good place with these two talented women watching out for me! I know I will be in GREAT hands!

University of Pennsylvania Hospital...

Meet Dr. Tchou, U of Penn. Hospital....

I had a great visit to U of Penn Rena Rowan Breast Cancer Center on Monday. My sister Trudy accompanied me. THANK YOU, Trudy! Not only did we take in a lot of information - we had fun too!

My original reason for going to Penn was to verify the treatment offered to me at Fox Chase.....but once there I found the facilities and staff to be AWESOME!!!! Dr. Tchou was WONDERFUL! I loved her. I am leaning towards going to Penn for my operation and chemo. It is #1 in PA. Why wouldn't I go there? As small as the cancer is, it's still cancer. I want to get the best treatment for myself. The only downside I see is it's a bit difficult to get to, it's in the city, and you have to deal with the parking garage etc. BUT it is only for a short while...it won't be forever...so I scheduled surgery tentatively for September 24th ....now I am praying for God's wisdom.....Please pray for wisdom for me...Lord, please make it 100% clear where you want me to go....

HERE ARE SOME STATS on Dr. Tchou...WOW!!!!!!!

Medical School...................	State University of New York - Stony Brook
Internship........................	Johns Hopkins Hospital
Residency.......................	Johns Hopkins Hospital
Fellowship.........................	Johns Hopkins Hospital Northwestern Memorial Hospital * Recognized annually in Philadelphia Magazine's Top* Docs issues from 2010 through 2013 * Recognized by America's Top Doctors, 2012-13 * Recognized as Top Doctor, U.S. News and World Report

Surgery...SILLY ME!

Silly me! I scheduled my surgery for September 19th - My school's 'Back to School' Night! Soooooo I had to change the date of my surgery to Thursday, October 3rd. I really feel I need to be there for BTS Night...In the meantime, I will be getting a 2nd opinion from University of Pennsylvania Hospital...that will be on September 9th... I am hoping they confirm what Fox Chase has said...that I can get a lumpectomy...that I do not need a double mastectomy at this time.
        The surgeon called and he got the results of my M.R.I. - nothing has changed about my condition...so thank God there is no cancer in my other breast...

Gotta keep it light - worrying does not help A THING! (In fact it can make things worse...) Hence the photo of the cute lil' limey kitty! I have no idea why he is wearing this citrusy helmet but he doesn't seem too happy! So in case you're worried for me, transfer that worry to this kitty!!!! Poor thing!

FUN WITH AN M.R.I.!

So yesterday I got an M.R.I. at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philly. It was in an M.R.I. machine that looked like this. The only difference was I was laying face down and face forward, and my girls were in "holes" so the tech could take photos of them, and what's inside of them! Doesn't that sound like fun? The best way I can describe it is you know when you play miniature golf and you have to get the ball in the little hole? Well it was like my boobs were having a hole in two!

The radiologist will read the M.R.I. results today and pass them on to my surgeon....I am praying for the best of course, complete healing...a miracle....no cancer found!!!! Or if God wills me to still have cancer, then no cancer in my left breast....even though I'm scared sometimes deep down I know that God is in complete control of my life and he will take care of me 150%

After the M.R.I. I had to wait what seemed like a gazillion hours to give blood to use for the operation and get a baseline EKG test to see how my heart rate goes normally. All that waiting for only 5 minutes! UGGH!!! BUT I met some really cool women in the waiting room and we shared many stories about life, cancer, etc. That's probably for me one of the best parts of having cancer - meeting so many kind and interesting people on the front lines.

While in the M.R.I. machine listening through my ear plugs to the very loud beeps, whirrs, and other noises I thought of how amazing God is that he created people that cared enough to invent such a machine as the M.R.I. along with the millions of other useful inventions and drugs.....I feel so blessed to have cancer at this point in time because there is so much more available for treatment......

God Bless you all for your notes, e-mails, calls, prayers, good wishes, cheers, and LOVE!

XO Annie