I'm back at my folks...I was released from Sloan-K this afternoon. While I was there I had to go to a PT class to make sure to get full range of motion in my arm. I have a few exercises to do daily and I have to get over the fear of moving my arm. The Incision in my armpit from the lymph node surgery is what hurts; not the breast. And that incision looks small. I am pleased.
There was a volunteer there today to speak to any of us on the breast cancer floor: a survivor who had been diagnosed 27 years ago at the age of 35! What perfect timing for us to intersect. It was the first "support group" thing I've done and there was another young woman there (33) who'd had a double mastectomy. I immediately felt bad for this woman; Christine was scared and exhausted and the news was more recent for her. My 4+ months since diagnosis have allowed me to find some comfort and confidence. It was a small support group, I cried, too, and we all 3 helped one another.
On a MUCH lighter note I went to the "Look Good Feel Better" meeting at 1 where we learned about applying makeup and the importance of cleansing and moisturizing and we were given some serious goody bags full of cosmetics. A little Aveda, Shisheido and Chanel. My first Chanel. This is a good habit to start! As the only woman who had done chemo already and lost her hair I got to be the head-wrap model at the end of make-up play time. It was actually FUN.
Kevin was waiting for me afterward, I got my discharge instructions and we left. It was easy. I feel good - slight discomfort in my left armpit is all. I am so satisfied with my decisions so far and I am so glad that Dr. Heerdt feels good about what she saw. More on that later (we get the pathology in about a week).
Thank you all for the white light, the prayers, the help, and the love that got me here today as strong as I feel.
4 comments:
welcome back, chemo chic!
oh my stars! FANTASTIC news!
thank you ever so much for yet another post that has elicited tears from places of joyousness and gratitude and relief within my soul that resonate to your intoxicating, formidable spirit.
watching the lance armstrong first-ever presidential forum on cancer monday and tuesday will be that much more rewarding after your success!
this "pink" sorority will continue to provide you with much needed healing laughter, comfort and confidence for while i can empathize and lend succor, THEY truly KNOW what it "is" and has been like for you.
to digress, here's a quick story as to how you have radically altered my life and former perspective.
yesterday, i went in for a trim to rid myself of the dreaded middle "v" in the back of my long flowing locks while i grow out yet another disastrous "layering" from an alleged hairstylist who cannot comprehend instructions.
it seems she measured my hair from the front to the back, thus, lopped off 6 - 8 inches from the back thinking this would match, not simply trimming the 2 inches from both front and back as i had explicitly instructed.
as i looked at my hair on the floor and viewed what little length remained in the mirror while noting my hair was longer in the front than the back, YOU flooded my vision just like a storm induced raging river.
immediately, i envisioned you at the end of the day on Tuesday, May 15th, exhausted from it all, facing on friday the 3rd treatment of the worse of the four, sequestered in your bathroom and, yet, still imbued with the self-determination to take kevin's clippers to your beautiful salt and pepper mane to preclude your watching it come out in hands full and go down the drain not to mention the chance to model martin's look!
pre-jenn, i.e., engaging daily in thinking pink, i would have pitched a holy conniption as well as flat out hissy fit.
with vivid images of you in your stylish scarves, i quietly requested she cease and desist, told her not to worry, that it would grow back; it is just hair.
my PURPOSE (thank you Dr. Wayne Dyer) in conveying this inconsequential tale of what i previously would have labeled, 'woe,' is to express how truly grateful i am to you for fearlessly sharing so intrinsically lyrically, with vast quantities of "jenn"-tle humor, your story of inimitable and BEYOND awesome courage.
you, the lovely and ever-so-talented in a myriad of arenas, jennifer diana webb, have vastly altered and, best of all, enriched my life, inspiring me to be a better person with improved priorities.
congratulations for having brilliantly turned yet another page in this chapter in the story of your life that you versus the vast majority who merely exist from cradle to grave, are choosing to consciously create and design.
a 1,000 profuse "thank you's" for the radiant colored threads you weave in the tapestry of my soul.
love,
cherie
YEAH JENN!!!
I'm so glad to hear that it all went well! And you sound great too! You always make things seem so easy. You breeze through even the toughest of times with style and grace. Jacqueline and Bailey are lucky to have such a role model in life, (I'm lucky too.)
The "Look good feel better" meeting sounds like something I could learn from, and all mommies could use. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Another step of this recovery done!
I think you greatly deserve some yummy-yummy treats!
I Love You! -Molly :)
Jenn,
I'm very thankful surgery went well and you are are feeling good after the surgery. I'm so happy for you and your family! Thank you so much for keeping us posted. I know it requires alot to take time from your family and your recovery to log on and post, and I can't tell you how much we all appreciate your dedication to those of us who can't be there. Please focus on your rest and recovery and we'll all have to celebrate together soon!
Love you,
Gwen
good morning jenn --
welcome home!
in tidying up loose ends prior to my flight today, i ran across the song, 'i won't back down' on youtube.com that you referenced 08/03, the day you mailed the ta-ta's cd to the good doctor H.
it has even more meaning & i thought you/we should play it over and over again while dancing with very happy feet now that you have evicted the "C" squatter!
since you had the pleasure of sticking your toes into the atlantic ocean at fire island on monday and gathering shells, i shall do it for you in the pacific in malibu today! kismet sounds like the place for THE party!
please have an insanely sensational weekend with your family while imbibing vast quantities of champagne and nibbling on oodles of chocolate cake!
is it BEYOND obvious that i am sooooooooo deliriously happy for you and all of us ?!?!
take it easy AND permit others to do for you while you heal! undoubtedly, you will note that i deliberately left off the "please" (teasing smile).
"xos" to you & always,
love,
~ c
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