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| Just a quick update |
| Wednesday, November 28, 2007 |
I am doing pretty good today. I started coming down with a cold yesterday, so I am doping myself up to try to kick it before Friday. I don't want anything else delaying my surgery. My swelling has gone down some since yesterday also, which is really good.
Even though I didn't have surgery yesterday, I did have my surgical consult. The area is now too large to just close up or do a flap repair, as originally hoped. Instead, they will definitely have to do a skin graft. They will take an area of skin (5.9cm x 3.6cm) from underneath my arm (you know, where old women get that skin flap)and move it to my breast. The closer to the area, the better chance of a skin tone match. He will then try to just close up my arm. If he is unable to do that, he will take a partial thickness graft from my hip to repair my arm.
The theory behind this is that correcting my breast is the top priority, so it will look the best, the area from my hip would cause little scarring, so really the under side of my arm will have the worst scar, and it won't really be seen that often.
Everything will come from the left side, so at night I will still be able to sleep on my right side or my back.Labels: cancer, plastic surgery, skin cancer, surgery |
posted by Stephanie @ 3:27 PM  |
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| Tomorrow is the big day |
| Monday, November 26, 2007 |
or at least I hope it is. I have an appointment at 9:00 a.m. with the plastic surgeon. He will then either do surgery tomorrow afternoon or Friday, depending on how in depth the surgery will be. If they do it tomorrow they will be working me in at the end of the doctors day. Friday, I am actually on the books. I am really hoping for tomorrow though.
I'm ready for this to be over with. Plus, I would really like the extra days to heal. I am planning to return to work next Monday. Surgery tomorrow would give me 7 days to heal.
I have been in a good bit of pain this weekend. My breast really started swelling on Saturday and Sunday. This morning it was swelling so bad for my shirt to touch it was extreme pain. I called the doctor, and he wanted to see me to make sure there was no infection. Everything was fine...just painful, but no infection.
I'm guessing my breast feels like a breast the day after having implants put in. It is very hard and swollen, definitely sitting in an upright position. I told Damian tonight, maybe I do want to go ahead and get implants this week, because I just may never sign up for this pain again.
I'm counting on my sister to update everyone tomorrow if I do go into surgery, since there will be no time to update myself.Labels: cancer, plastic surgery, skin cancer, surgery |
| posted by Stephanie @ 11:50 PM |
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| In Review... |
| Thursday, November 22, 2007 |
My page has gotten quite cluttered in the day and a half that I have been back home. I do hate the space the paid post take up, but someone has to make a living! Sorry :)
So in review...I went on a "mini" vacation, I am finally cancer free! (and posted links to surgery pictures), and My tribute to Thanksgiving.
Does anybody besides me ever feel like some of the good posts get lost in the crap?
Oh, and in closing...
 Labels: cancer, pictures, shopping, skin cancer, surgery, Thanksgiving |
| posted by Stephanie @ 10:15 AM |
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| I'm CANCER FREE!!! |
| Wednesday, November 21, 2007 |
I just got the call today! "We got it all this time!" Third times the charm! Damian and I did the happy dance. I think my mom did too, but she is at work. Then we prayed, and thanked the Lord! Thank you all for your prayers! He heard your prayers and my tears.
My plastic surgery will not be until next week. I think on Tuesday, but I'll probably know later today.
So here is my way of posting pictures, without you having to see them if you do not want. So if you want to see the very graphic pictures from surgery, just click these links...The day after my first surgery, Immediately after my second surgery, and 4 days after the 2nd surgery. I don't have pictures after the 3rd surgery yet. They will remove my bandages on Tuesday, when I go in for the plastic surgery consult, so I will get more pictures then too.
So since Friday isn't boob day, then it will be shoes day, and Tuesday can be boob day! :) Again, thanks for all the prayers!Labels: cancer, pictures, skin cancer, surgery |
| posted by Stephanie @ 11:28 AM |
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| I had a bad day again... |
| Monday, November 19, 2007 |
Well, I got that dreaded phone call again today. "I'm sorry Stephanie, we were not able to get all the cancer out, and will need you to come back in again today." I maintained my composure and said, "that's fine, I'll be there in an hour or so." Then I hung up the phone and cried. I cannot handle that trauma again. I regain my composure, call back and say "Dr. Kent said he would give me a Valium this time." They agree, and tell me to come on in...they'll give me one while I wait.
I stopped and got Starbucks on the way. Starbucks always makes things a little better.
When I got there, they gave me the wonderful little pill that made today a better day. :) The pain wasn't nearly as bad this time, and it was a much smaller area they had to remove. Best of all it was on the highest area of my chest, as opposed to the nipple area! Dr. Kent thinks he got it all this time. :) We'll know for sure on Wednesday. Which means I may be on my way to a new breast by Friday!
I really expect a nephew by then too! Mandypoo is due any day now! Woo Hoo! Though my mom thinks its funny that I threatened Mandy not to have Eli on the day after Thanksgiving, so not to ruin my shopping, and now I'll probably have plastic surgery then. Oh well, a new boob or new shoes? I choose the boob!
 Yes, I am still on drugs? Can you tell? Probably so. I should stop before I embarrass myself. My dad took Madison to a cabin about 45 minutes from here for the holiday. Mom and I are going to go up for the night. I think it will be a good change of scenery for me. I'm tired of being locked in this dreary house. It was never dreary before, but now that I have been confined to it for a week straight...it is dreary.Labels: baby, cancer, nephew, surgery |
| posted by Stephanie @ 4:20 PM |
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| It's My Pity Party, I'll Cry if I Want To! |
| Friday, November 16, 2007 |
Today I will pout! I will whine! I will ask "what if"! I'm tired of being told "Don't worry about what you don't know" I know this, but I'm tired of hearing it! If it were your boob you would worry; you would whine; you would ask "what if".
This morning it was a bit nippy, so when I went to the restroom I decided to look at my boobies. My right boobie was reacting just as it should ~ in full upright position. This is when I noticed my left boob was not. Is my left headlight permanently out? Which makes me wonder just what functions this boobie will have. When I have a baby will only my right boobie fill with milk? Will I have a double d and a b at the same time? Will I get any pleasure from my left boobie? Or will it forever be dead weight?
To Tattoo or Not To Tattoo?
I have often thought that if I ever had a large scar that I would tattoo over it. I never thought my large scar would be across my breast. I think boobie tattoos are pretty trashy; so am I a hypocrite if I now get a boobie tattoo? Really, why am I worried about this right now? This sitting here all day thing is really starting to wear me down!Labels: breast, cancer, skin cancer, surgery |
| posted by Stephanie @ 10:50 AM |
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| I'm not 10! |
| Thursday, November 15, 2007 |
I had another surgery today. This was the worst surgery I have ever had! It was done by local anesthesia again, which means more shots in the boob. Only this time the doctor stuck the needle in an open wound. That was pleasant, let me tell you. I wasn't as strong this go around either. This time I cried. The surgery took a lot longer, and I actually heard the doctor cutting out the tissue. You would be amazed how close your breast is to your ear! Afterwards they did the whole burn my skin thing again. (I really hate that part), and then stitched pig skin over my wound. It is supposed to cover the wound to help keep infection out, and lessen the pain.
So here is where the title comes in. I say, he doc, how many stitches are you putting in? He says "just enough, but not too many" I laugh and say, you must be a parent because you mastered the art of avoiding answering the question. Then I say How big is the area, and he dodged that question too. Keep in mind this is the Resident, and not my actual doctor.
When we got home, Damian showed my neighbor the pictures (I let him take pictures). I haven't looked though, not even at the pictures. So Danielle is looking at the pictures, and I say how close to my nipple did he go? She starts to answer and Damian says "Danielle don't answer her questions..." Too late though, she had already told me that the doctor cut all the way up to my nipple, through the areola, all the way up to the nipple.
So what happens if they didn't get it all? Will I lose my nipple? Why is everyone avoiding telling me this stuff? It is my nipple, shouldn't I get a say in it? I guess I'll address it if it happens, but come on...stop babying me. I'm going to find out sooner or later!
Oh, and here is a blog survey? Would you want to see pictures of my surgery? I have pictures of the wound site after surgery 1 and surgery 2 so far? Would it be really gross to post those?Labels: cancer, pigs skin, skin cancer, surgery |
| posted by Stephanie @ 6:56 PM |
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| Negative Ghost Rider the Pattern is Full |
| Wednesday, November 14, 2007 |
Well, I didn't have surgery today. My lab results came back & there were no clear margins, which means I have to go back tomorrow. The original place they took out is about nickle size...I don't know how big the next one will be. What I do know is that Option 4 with the plastic surgeon will probably be out now. Honestly, at this point, I'm just worried how much boob I'm going to have left when they finish. I'm only a b cup to start off with, though I am definately swollen to a nice c cup right now.
So when I first found out I had skin cancer I was told do not under any circumstances look this up on the internet so I haven't, not once. But today after being told that they didn't get all the cancer I decided to look this up, mostly because it left my mom wondering if a cancer surgeon should be doing this procedure instead of the dermatologist. This is what I found out...
The cancer I have (Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans) is so rare that only 3 people in every million are diagnosed each year, and that I could find only one other case has been reported on the breast. That was in Turkey (as in the country!) This type of cancer does not react to chemo nor radiation, and surgery is really the only option. It does not show up on any lab tests, nor ultra sounds, mamograms, ect. So the only way to diagnosis it is through a biopsy. The Mohs procedure (which is the procedure I am having) is the recommended procedure. This is how the procedure works:
Basically they map out the section to be removed. When they send off the tissue to be tested they test 360. around the area. If they find cancer all the way up to the margin on any area then they will go back to the map and remove additional tissue from that area. This is to guide them of where to go back to. Well, unfortunately this doesn't matter too much for me, because there was cancer found all the way around, so they will have to go back and cut all the way around.
What I also learned is that this type of skin cancer has the largest reoccurance rate of any other skin cancer. The reason for this is because it is so hard to tell if it is all removed since it grows with thin lines growing off it, so labs can often miss it when testing the margins, thinking they have removed it all and later finding it was still there.
So after reading up, I'm not any more scared than before, just more aware. I think I will ask them to go back and take one more round, even if they think they got it all, just to make sure! I am also beginning to think that my plastic surgery may end up becoming more. I may go ahead and look into enlargements. I may have to after this...there isn't much more to cut out.Labels: cancer, surgery |
| posted by Stephanie @ 6:08 PM |
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| Still waiting |
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I was supposed to find out my lab results yesterday so I would know if I was going to be having MOHS surgery again or if I would be having plastic surgery today. My plastic surgery is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. (It's now 11:11 a.m.) and we still don't have the lab results. I can't have either surgery until we know. Talk about waiting til the last minute.
I have just crossed the line to "annoying patient" since I will now be calling every 30 minutes until someone can answer me. Seriously, when the plastic surgeon and the hospital are both calling to see if you know anything, what else are you supposed to do?
Plus, I am hungry! I'm not allowed to eat, and if I don't have this surgery today, that is just mean!Labels: cancer, surgery |
| posted by Stephanie @ 11:10 AM |
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| Now What? |
| Tuesday, November 13, 2007 |
I went for pre-op today with the plastic surgeon. He undressed my wound, we discussed my options. I have 4 options.
Option 1: Let the wound heal on it own. This will involve daily changing the dressing for a period of 2 to 3 months. This means, no showers, only sponge baths, and me having to look at this wound for this period of time, and dealing with the paid of an open wound. Um, no thanks!
Option 2: Skin Graph. This would involve taking skin from another part of my body (my leg or my booty), and sewing it to fill in the gap. This means 2 scars, 2 healing wounds.
Option 3: Cut a section of my breast, allowing the doctor to stretch my skin to help close the wound. 2 scars, but both on the same breast, one where the wound is, the other running from underneath my arm to my aureole.
Option 4: Close the open wound, by just pulling together the skin around it. This is only an option if they already got all the skin cancer, and the wound is not going to be any larger. There would only be one scar, but because of the location, pulling the wound close, could cause my nipple to be pulled in one direction. This means when my high beams are on, one would be up in the trees.
The doctor recommends options 3 or 4, which seem to be the best 2 options in my opinion. Honestly, though, I am really disappointed. I thought that by involving a plastic surgeon that I would be fixed wholly. He told me we didn't have to make a decision until tomorrow, so Damian and I could talk about it. Mom seems to think I should choose option 4, because of the least amount of cutting. I really don't know which way to go. Though, part of me is leaning to option 3, since the second incision will be a straight line, and should leave minimal scarring.
And to top off my day, when the doctor drew a line to show me where he would be cutting, I looked down, and forgot he had taken my bandages off, and I almost puked! Okay, so a breast is nothing but fatty tissue, so you know those medical shows that show the surgery? That is what my boob looked like...blood, guts, and fatty red stuff. Excuse me while I barf!
The following conversation took place in the elevator after the doctors visit:
My Mom: "Wow, Damian, I let you look at Steph's boob twice now."
Damian: "I know, you're pretty cool."
Me: "You probably did that on purpose mom, after that he'll never be attracted to my boobs anyway."
Mom: "Ha, you are probably right. Your dad will like that."
Oh, and no word on my lab results today, so we'll have to wait until in the morning.Labels: cancer, surgery |
| posted by Stephanie @ 7:21 PM |
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| The Smell of Burnt Flesh is Disgusting! |
| Monday, November 12, 2007 |
I had my first surgery this morning. Well, I use the term "morning" loosely. I was told to be there at 8:00 a.m. I got called back to the room at 8:30 a.m. (not too bad), and sat in a paper gown for an hour and a half before they even numbed the area (aside from the 2 times I had to re-dress to go to the bathroom down the hall). They didn't put me to sleep, they just did a local around the area. And once they gave me the series of shots in the boob (yes, it was a desirable as it sounds), it was another 45 minutes before the doctor actually did the surgery. The surgery only took about 10 to 15 minutes. Then I was told, "you might smell something strong, but you won't feel anything." And for the most part, I didn't. But since, they were leaving an open wound (meaning, there were no stitches, since they plan to fill this gaping hole with tissue from some other part of my body), they litterally burnt the skin around the wound to stop the bleeding. The smell was awful!
I'm not in terrible pain right now, but then again, I do have some pretty good drugs :) I could feel the local wearing off a while ago. You know how it stings when you cut yourself, well, that's what it feel like...but it stings a lot.
We should know tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday morning if they were able to get all of the cancer. If so, then I will go for plastics on Wednesday. If not, then I will go back for this procedure again on Wednesday and plastics on Friday. They are going to actually put me under for plastics!Labels: cancer, surgery |
| posted by Stephanie @ 4:24 PM |
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| It's Just a CYST! |
| Friday, November 2, 2007 |
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. This week has definitely been a roller coaster ride for me. I went to the doctor for an ultrasound yesterday, and the lump on my breast is nothing more than a cyst. We aren't going to do anything about it for now...we'll revisit it in 3 months.
In the mean time, I finally got my other surgery scheduled. I will have the skin cancer removed on Monday, November 12th. If they get it all, then I will have plastic surgery on Wednesday, November 14th. If not, they will go back in on Wednesday instead, and go for a second round.
By doing it this way, we do run the risk of not getting it all the first time, but it is the least invasive procedure available, which means in the process of cutting out the skin cancer, they will cut out the least amount of healthy tissue in the process. Considering I am not one of those girls whose breast are large, I prefer they leave me with as much as they can! :)
So, great news yesterday! If anything, this has woken me up to paying attention to the changes in my body. 6 months ago I probably wouldn't have given that cyst a second thought, and the skin cancer has been there for years.
So in my honor...if you have any lumps, skin lesions, or anything that just doesn't look or feel right...go get it checked out! If it's nothing, we the blog world will celebrate with you!Labels: cancer |
| posted by Stephanie @ 8:15 AM |
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| Please Pray |
| Monday, October 29, 2007 |
As most of you know I have skin cancer on my breast which will have to be removed soon (still waiting on a surgery date from the doctor). Last night as I was getting into the shower I found another lump on the same breast. The doctor has said my skin cancer has not spread, but has done no tests to confirm this. Now I am worried. I am trying to get an appt for a sonagram or mammogram or whatever I can get today, so I will keep you posted. Skin cancer I can deal with...breast cancer, I'm not ready for. Please pray that this lump is nothing.
Oh, and Mandy, I haven't told mom yet, so please don't. I'll call her this afternoon probably.
//Edit//
I went to the doctor today. There is definately an addition to my breast (in the words of the Diva). I have an appointment on Thursday for an ultrasound. Because of its location it is quite possible that the skin cancer has spread through a milk duct, but also just as likely it is nothing more than a cyst. I'll just be happy to know. Though apparently Damian was right before, and I must be in denial, because this still doesn't bother me like it is my family.Labels: cancer |
| posted by Stephanie @ 9:59 PM |
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| A Stitch in Time |
| Wednesday, October 24, 2007 |
I got a call from my doctor's office today. The second biopsy came back as expected & confirmed that I indeed have skin cancer. Now they will go ahead and set up the surgery & plastic surgery to follow. She asked if I had a preference in plastic surgeons. I told her, "Dr. 90210" Unfortunately, he is unavailable. I'll be happy with anyone who will slip a nice C cup in each breast while he is working in that general region.
Then the following dialoge takes place:
Me: "What about my stitches?"
Nurse: "Well, you will have to talk to the plastic surgeon about that."
Me: "Huh?"
Nurse: "Well, he's the one who will be putting them in."
Me: "No! The ones in my breast right now!"
Nurse: "Oh! Hold on."
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Nurse: "Oh, you can take those out tomorrow."
Me: "Um, okay...thanks."
Did I mention I almost pass out everytime I have stitches taken out? Ugh, makes me nauses. It's something about that thread passing under my skin; it makes me stomach do flips.
So I get home tonight & tell Damian that I am going to need him to take my stitches out. PAUSE This is where I fill you in on our relationship. Damian and I have chosen not to have sex until we are married. No, neither of us are virgins...far from it. But prior to meeting each other, both of us reached a point in our lives where we decided to abstain from sex for spiritual reasons, as well as realizing just what we had made of sex. But we also aren't like many couples who choose not to have sex, but do everything but....nope. We kiss. That's about it. Of course, we have failed at this before (though still never had sex), but we do stay pretty strong.Play Okay, so back to the stitches. This means I have to find a way to expose my breast enough for Damian to remove my stitches, without exposing my breast. Ha! Easier said that done!
So 20 minutes later, I have a band-aid over my nipple, a bathrobe on, and Damian standing over me with fingernail clippers and tweezers. It was quite a site I'm sure. And after 10 minutes of him succeeding at NOTHING, I man up, grab the clippers & tweezers and clip my own stitches! And I only got a little queesy when I pulled them out. But yep, the plastic surgeon is definately taking the next ones out!Labels: cancer, sex, Stitches |
| posted by Stephanie @ 8:14 PM |
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| Quick update |
| Thursday, October 11, 2007 |
I swear to each of you, I will soon rejoin the blogging world. Oh, I can only imagine what I have missed!
I had a second biopsy this morning. Apparently the diagnosis and the actual appearance just don't match...so my doctor wanted to get a second diagnosis. He said he's pretty sure he is just confirming the first, but we'll see.
Diagnosis as it stands for now: Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans, Morphea
Which means "Slow spreading rare cancer with roots"
I'm really okay. My mom feels better after going with me today & talking with the doctor herself, and I'm sure Damian will feel better when he gets here.
My sister was worried that I might have IBC, which is a rare but most often deadly form of breast cancer. Though my "lesion" somewhat looks like a symptom of IBC this was ruled out immediately...so no need to worry!
Thanks for all the well-wishes, prayers and support!Labels: cancer |
| posted by Stephanie @ 9:58 AM |
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| Crazy, Sexy |
| Tuesday, October 9, 2007 |
I thought I would be gone, but plans change. Not always for the best, not always for the worse.
Going to take Madi to the fair tomorrow, so no update tomorrow. Not sure how much commenting I will be doing either.
Got my results back on my biopsy. I have skin cancer. Sucks huh? They want to go ahead and take it out, then plastic surgery. I always wanted a plastic surgeon working on my breast, but really this wasn't what I had envisioned.
But hey, there is always a bright side, and Damian will be home ASAP now.Labels: cancer |
| posted by Stephanie @ 9:31 PM |
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| About Me |
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Name: Stephanie
Home: Macon, Georgia, United States
About Me: Holy Crap I will be 29 soon! My friends and I are creating a before we turn 30 bucket list...hmmm what to add?
See my complete profile
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