The past week and a half of healing hasn't been horribly filled with pain.  I've had to be careful bending over or to the side because the stitches inside would pull and believe me - that HURT!  The side effects from the Oxycodone were probably the worst thing I dealt with.  The incisions where the lymph nodes were removed have begun to swell as soon as I get up each day until there is an area about the size of a softball there by the end of the day.  It's really annoying but I've never felt like I lost any strength or flexibility in the arm.  There is a slightly numb spot at the upper back of my arm that may or may not go away.  I read somewhere I'll have to be really careful with that arm from now on - not carrying a heavy purse on that side, getting blood drawn, etc.  Good thing I already have my tattoo there!  I guess certain things can cause lymphedema and that it could happen any time, even years down the road.  Great.  Just great.  I have to understand the difference between using my arm and being careful with it now.

Did not get the greatest news today.  Dr. Eddie said the margins were not found to be clear on two sides of the section they took out.  He was really sorry, but I know there was no way to really see what to take out and why I had to go through all the pain in the butt mapping out the area in the radiology lab with the wires.  They did the best they could and I knew all along it was going to be an educated guess at best.  So next Wed, March 16, 2011 I go back for another try to get it all.  I wondered how they would segregate it from what I saw on the mamograms and MRI.  The calcifications were all over, kind of like the stars in the sky on a clear night.  But you know, if it doesn't work out next time, I'm OK with a mastectomy.  Even though the healing time will take longer, I won't have to go through radiation!  Yes, I do believe in glass half full!

The good news is, the lymph nodes were clear so the cancer has not spread beyond the breast.  And Dr. Jordan said I could start doing yoga now and even running with the dogs if I feel like it.  So, the next few days while the weather is pretty and I'm waiting around to go fight with a knife again I'll just go hiking with my dogs and husband and enjoy myself.

Saw the BEST movie yesterday - My Name is Kahn.  It was about an autistic Indian Muslim man who moved to the U.S., fell in love with and married a beautiful Hindu hairdresser.  Their lives were bliss until 9/11 happened.  Then many Americans became paranoid about all Muslims being terrorists.  Oh the torture this poor family went through.  Even with mostly subtitles it was riveting and I'm notorious for falling asleep during movies!  It ends happily so do pick it up if you want a lift sometime.

Till I blog again......