Eat Your Spinach!
You are NOT going to believe this! Karma was in full working order this morning. Guess who my anesthesiologist was for this morning’s procedures??? That’s right – RED MEAT MAN!!! See what I get for flipping him off? I found this tidbit out when I asked the operating nurse who my anesthesiologist would be. She went on to say that - even though she should probably not be saying this - she would, hands down, want this doctor as her anesthesiologist. Anyway, I had no issues with anesthesia. Side note – I had a HUGE dark green, leafy salad when I got home from the hospital today!
Surgery went well. Dr. Brown operated first to install the port-a-cath. It’s so weird to think that I have this gizmo hanging out in my body. I now have two tangible pieces of evidence that something is going on in my body – a bump on my clavicle where the port sits and an indentation under my arm where the lymph nodes were removed.
When I look at myself in the mirror, it feels like I’m looking at someone else. I am glad, however, that I can shroud the evidence of this disease with my clothes, so at least when fully dressed, I can see ME looking back in the mirror.
Dr. Meric’s bit in the operating room also went well. I think it went so well that when she went out to talk to Nat about surgery, they ended up talking more about my uncooperative digestive system than about the segmental mastectomy she performed.
By the way, I understand she got the tissue she wanted and is sending it to pathology. Hopefully, the results will come back and give me some much-needed good news. I woke up in the recovery room around 10:30 a.m. (I went in at 6:00 a.m., first surgery from 7:00 – 8:00, and second surgery from 8:15 – 9:15). By 11:15 a.m., I was being wheeled down to the car.
When I left, my pain number was hovering around a 5, so I was happy to know that Mom and Dad were picking up another, new round of medication for me. About an hour after getting home, my pain number was down to about a 3, so the new meds kicked in. Haven’t really napped yet, but managed a walk and a very, very short trip to Target again. Found a camisole on our last run to Target that I can wear and doesn’t conflict with my drain, so I wanted to get a few more to coordinate with outfits!
I’m home now and am still feeling pretty good. My body is obviously beaten up and my pace is dramatically slowed, but my head is in a good place today. Yeah!! Hopefully, I’ll have a break for at least a few days before I go in next week sometime to get my drain removed. Lots of love, Lisa
-MESSAGES-
Hi Lisa! It was good to hear that your morning went well and that your pain is being managed. Rest well this evening and know that I am thinking about you :) L.
Model... Shopping ALWAYS makes a girl feel better. So does dressing up and showing off...I think you should throw on some bright red lipstick and model your new outfits for us! :)
Wonderful news!!! Well "red meat man" might be an @$$ but he knows what he's doing with anesthesia so I guess we can't complain too much!!! I am happy the surgeries went well and that you are home. Today we had a meeting after work. YES On a FRIDAY AFTER WORK! What were they thinking??!! None of us minded being there, we learned new information about the TAKS. What a joy. :) Can you feel my enthusiasm??!! Only 30 school days remain; I still can't believe it. It feels like only yesterday that you & I were breaking up a fight in the hall outside the library!! It rained a bit in the afternoon but otherwise has been nice. We are going to a family BBQ tomorrow (I am eating a vegetarian diet for you this weekend, so no sausage or brisket for me!) but other than that, we have no big plans. It will be nice to have a relaxing weekend. Thank you for keeping us updated. My continued prayers.......... And of course ((((HUGS))))
GOAT CHEESE Hi Lisa, it's your nutty hairdresser and friend. I thought I would use a message title that would really grab your attention since I can see there is a lot of competition. J. is the one who has been keeping me posted and sent me this website. Sorry to hear that you had to go back in for more surgery but am glad to hear that things are back on the bright side. I know this sounds a bit cliche but you really have been in my thoughts and prayers all week. I know you said you would like to hear funny things about our day so I do have a corny joke I heard that I thought you might enjoy. So a guy shows up at a psychiatrist's office wearing nothing else but saran wrap for underwear. The psychiatrist takes one look at the guy and says " I can CLEARLY see you’re NUTS." Anyway just wanted to send my love to you, Nat and your whole family. P.S. If you need to cancel, even at the last minute on Tuesday I totally understand. If not I really look forward to seeing you. Take Care!
From the table to Target??? Lisa, I can't believe that you went from the operating table to Target in one day! I always knew you were determined when there was a problem to solve, but really now. I am so glad to see your update and hear the good vibes in your voice. Best wishes for a great weekend.
Missing You! Hi Lisa! Only you would head to Target on the same day you were in the hospital! You go, girl! Sorry, I haven't posted earlier, but I have been reading all your updates and everyone's best wishes. I want to add my own prayers and love to you. I think about you all the time. Work is great, grad school a total pain. I have three papers due on Monday and another one on Wednesday. The thought of 30 more hours is frightening! We're still planning J's wedding. I'm heading to Georgetown tomorrow for a wedding reception and the girls are meeting me there. I treasure each day with them. K. gives her love and wishes to you for a speedy recovery. Well - gotta go pack and finish another paper. Love you, V.
Amazing Lisa - I think the word "amazing" is so overused. When you use it to describe a tasty ice cream cone, it loses its oomph. But when it comes to you - your spirit, your walks, your Target visits, well, you're amazing - for real. You mention some bad patches, and you wouldn't be human if you didn't experience some low times - this is serious stuff. Sounds to me like the biggest thing going for you is you! And maybe a few extra things to help like a loving husband, parents, and all your other friends and relatives AND good medicine and good physicians. Cheers from T. and me
You're truly amazing! Hi Lisa, I'm so glad that you had the energy to get to Target! Wow! Many thanks for keeping us up-to-date! You are an amazing young woman and you are challenging us all to see the beauty that surrounds us! My prayers (my husband's too) are with you and your family. Thank you for the beautiful person that you are! Rest and have a great weekend! N.
Saturday Morning Hi there! I couldn't believe it when Dick called yesterday and told me you were home already. Fantastic!!!! How was the rice cake? I certainly hope you all got a good nap in and things are progressing smoothly. Please know that I will continue to pray for a rapid and complete healing. I'm looking forward to a new update. Hugs and lots of love to you all. P.
Proud of You I am so proud of how you are handling this difficult situation. I can see through your blog that you are taking time to find the beautiful parts of each day. I was over at Goodson briefly yesterday, and the place was hopping with activity. It is apparent how much everyone is missing you there. This an awfully extreme way to get out of TAKS. Take care. P. and I want to come to see you when things settle down. J.
Greetings from Miami Hi Lisa---just checking in today to say hello and thank you for the updates. Working in a school myself, I see that your message board friends have great senses of humor about the daily happenings in school. I do hope you get good news about the new tissues taken. Keep strong, keep positive and know that we are all thinking about you. Love, A.
Love from us all in Birmingham Dear Lisa and Nat, We have been thinking of you as we go about life here. I'm glad you're home, that this surgery, hopefully, all surgery and needles behind you. Be sure to order that porch furniture so you can sit on under the new cover and enjoy being out of doors. many hugs, Prue, Ami, Mary and Eben
Happy Saturday Hey Lisa, I hope today is treating you well. Just got back from my son's baseball game. What is up with this weather? It was so darn cold and windy out there. We are mid-April in Houston Texas, right? Also, stopped at the new Caffino drive-thru coffee shop at Spring Cypress and Huffmeister. They are giving away free drinks. Couldn't pass that up. On their menu they were handing out, it says they give one percent of all sales to breast cancer awareness and research. I will now take my Starbucks business to Caffino. Other than needing an extra shot of espresso the drink was pretty good. I hope you have a restful weekend...you are coming back for TAKS next week, right? :) Prayers, happy thoughts and well wishes all coming your way.
Hey girlfriend I'm so glad to see your spirits picking up again. That is the Lisa I know and love. TAKS, TAKS, TAKS, TAKS - that's all you can hear and see! Crazy! Can't wait till next Friday. P. and I are going crazy trying to find people to interview - we have to have all transfers hired by Monday, April 23rd or then we have to take the excess - so we are frantic. It's very hard to get people to interview during TAKS week - imagine that! And what a joy it has been getting the summatives together! Thank God for S.; she has kept me sane in that regard. I really miss you so hurry up and get better. Keep that smile on and I'll talk to you soon. I'll have to email you about something else. Love, S.
You Can Do It Oh... my... gosh... Lisa, you are the most optimistic person I know. I am so proud of your ability to see the beauty that life has to offer. Every time I make JM go to spinning class with me, he grumbles and says it's too hard and that he can't do it. I used to tell him the old saying "can't never could do anything" but now, just pulling up your care pages helps!!! It's a little bit of a guilt trip, but at least I'm not shoving veggies down his throat! I can guarantee if I try, I'll get the bird too :) We love you, Lisa. You've got a huge circle of prayers going on between the C. and L. families...
"I'm Going to the Mattresses" Lisa...I have decided that we need a new motto and I have self-assigned myself as your Cancer Coach (CC for short). Remember when you were training for the marathon (I think) and I would call you (as a good coach does) and yell in the phone “LISA, what’s your motto?” and you would say back in a very boring tone... something...for the life of me, I can’t remember what it was...do you remember? I hope you will remember because now all of the people on your Carepages are going to want to know. So, anyhoooo....I decided we needed a new motto. The next time Dr. Meric et al. ask you how you are doing with your cancer, look them straight in the eye and say “I’m going to the mattresses.” You know, from the Godfather...it means you are going to fight, fight, fight (well at least I think that's what it means and from here on out that's how we are using it). I have images of you air boxing like Meg Ryan did in You’ve Got Mail when she was going to fight to save her book store. Maybe we should get shirts like your “No Crybabies Allowed” that says “Lisa is Going to the Mattresses and I’m Going with Her!” Know that I am thinking of you always and sending good vibes, warm hugs and lots of love. Love you tons. Kelly
Me again... Some people become addicted to eBay, internet shopping, chat rooms, and sordid pictures...I've never understood any of that until NOW. I am addicted to your carepage. I love to read what you have to say. I love to hear it in your own words. I love all these people who love you. I can't get enough. I've limited myself to posting once a day, and it's a struggle. I feel like I have cracked the code of your email password when I open the message board and can read all these special messages to you. I'm so thrilled you or your family or whoever did this. I feel so CONNECTED, which is how I really want to be. I'm so thrilled to count you among my friends. After reading all your messages and the messages to you, I am now convinced you have to be one of the most special people God ever placed on this earth. Speaking of feeling special...wanna hear a time when I felt special???? Huh, do ya? OK...at your wedding when I introduced myself to your sister, so said, "Wow! You're D. I'm so glad to meet you finally." I felt like I already knew her too because of how you speak of her, and to know she had similar thoughts of me made me feel extra-Millenbah special. I still get all warm and fuzzy when I think of it. I felt like I'd just been given an Academy Award and didn't have my acceptance speech ready. Whoops...there I go...blithering again. Can't help myself...webpage taking over...calling me...can't quit checking...it's stronger than me... Bye for now, Lisa. Love you.