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       Surgery is done!  
       The day began with going to the Women's Center (at the clinic) to have markers inserted into the tumors.  Well, I get there and they don't show me on the roster.  Luckily I had brought my paperwork from the surgeon showing that I was suppose to have an appointment with them.  Anyway, they were great and worked me right in since I needed to be at the hospital no later than 11 a.m.  The marker ended up being a wire that stuck out about 3-4 inches.  It looked pretty scary but it didn't hurt.  
       Next we headed over to the hospital.  Like most things in life it was hurry up and wait!  I got admitted after some controversy over the Women's Center using their code number.  After being admitted I was taken to Ambulatory Surgery, given the lovely lingerie to wear and an I.V.  From there they took me to Nuclear Medicine where I was given 2 shots of some concoction that lights up the cancer cell path.  These shots were given in the breast but weren't very painful at all.  Now sent back to surgery and have to wait 2 hours for the concoction to spread.
       I survived my 2 hour wait. I was then given something to make me woozy.  That was all it took, don't even remember going to the operating room.  First thing I remember was waking up in a room with my hubby and kids.  Spent one night in the hospital, then was home about noon the next day.
       Now the best part of this story.  As you might remember, I had chemo first to shrink the tumors.  It worked just as planned, the tumors were very small.  Next the nuclear concoction they put in me didn't spread to any of the lymphnodes only some tissue surrounding the tumors.  So the surgeon injected another type of concoction and it did the same thing!  Apparently that means no cancer in the lymphnodes!!!  They did remove a couple to send off and I will find on the 21st when I return to the doctor.  
       All in all the surgery was a great success as far as I can tell.  It is painful but I got to say it is better than chemo any day of the week!
       I really must give God all the glory.  So many prayers have been lifted up for me and I had a praying surgeon...how awesome is that!

Busy Week Ahead

      Lot's of things going on this next week.  On Monday I have to go the hospital in Fort Smith to do blood-work for my upcoming surgery.  That is scheduled for 11 a.m.  When I get through with that I have to head to Fayetteville to have an echo-cardiogram.  This has nothing to do with the cancer but with my pulmonary fibrosis.  I have to have one done every year.  This is to make sure the fibrosis hasn't developed in to pulmonary hypertension.  Hopefully all will be well with that test.
       Wednesday is the big day for surgery.  At 9 a.m. I go to the Women's Center to have markers inserted into the tumors.  Then I have to be at the hospital by 11 a.m. to check in for the surgery.  They will inject me with some type of concoction that I will have to wait 2 hours to spread before they can begin the surgery.  The surgery will require an overnight stay.  
       Today, I have had a lot of lower back pain.  I don't know what that is all about, but it is starting to really get on my nerve!!!  
       Well that is all I can think of for now.  Will check back in next week.

Love to all,
Shawn