AGAIN WITH THE DRAIN?????

Yep, again with the drain.  My body seems to like creating extra fluid where it doesn't belong.  I am still having an issue with a constant build up of fluid that should have stopped a week after surgery.  So, this week they put in one more drain and will leave it in for at least a week.  I'll have it checked on Tuesday and if they want they will leave it in for another week as long as there is no sign of infection.  Right now I'm holding steady at 20-25 cc a day.  It doesn't matter if I'm still and don't do anything or if I'm busy doing all my normal stuff.  I can't not use my left hand or arm nor can I not be stretching it and working the skin and muscles in the area(carefully) that need to be worked so they don't become too hard and too much scar tissue develops.  I don't do any heavy lifting because I do feel the pull and ouch that comes with that.  However I've past the point where they know what to do with me.  So we'll see what they think on Tuesday and go from there.  If they decide to try one more week, OK.  The other option is to take the drain out and let me fill up.  Maybe if I just let myself fill up as much as it wants there will be a point where the body will say "the space is full we can stop now".  Then hopefully all by itself it will begin to absorb all the fluid back into myself and go away gradually.  So I have the main scar which has healed great.  It looks like a very thin pink pencil line.  Then I have (2) soon to be (3) 1/2" long brown spots from the other drains.  Then I have little pink & brown spots from every needle they have stuck in me to drain off the lovely fluid.  I've got quite the collection of little scars.  I bet if I tried connecting the dots I could come up with some interesting artwork.  It amazes me though how the body works.  For all the needle sticks and poking around I don't feel a thing.  They numb me just to make sure i don't feel anything when they put the drains in.  But otherwise it is an amazing thing to watch them stick a 2-3" needle in you all the way and move it around trying to find a pocket of fluid to drain and not feel a thing.  This body that we have all been given really is a work that only heavenly powers could have created.  And the marvels of modern medicine that are daily still figuring out how it all works are nothing short of God given miracles and blessings.  So I'll do what I need to do and trust that I'll continue to be blessed and when the time is right my daily routine of "draining" will come to an end.  That will be another happy day to remember.

Low numbers are great blessings!!

So, it's all good news!  My results from the big test came in and my number ws a 10 out of 100.  Which means AMAZING.....With all the factors mixed in, it means that I have a 7% chance over the next 10 years of the cancer coming back.  Or as my Oncologist said a 93% chance that it won't.  I like looking at it that way.  So this means NO CHEMO...lots of smiles today.  I do have to take an estrogen blocker drug called Arimidex once a day for the next five years along with some extra calcium and vitaminD.  This Monday the 7th I'll be having a bone density test to get a base reading.  One side affect is lose of bone mass, hence extra calcium & vit. D to keep the bones strong.  Once again I have nothing to comlpain about.   Just like when we were waiting to get the official notice that I had cancer, I had the same feelings yesterday waiting for the official news on my scores and what they mean.  You have a knowledge of what is coming so you think you have your head wrapped around the situation but when you hear the words, all of the sudden the emotions come screaming in and you loose control for a bit.  To realize how blessed I have been is humbling.  There have been times that I have felt a bit guilty in a way that I havn't suffered as much as others.  Then I realize that this is MY journey and there are things that I have learned tailor made for me alone.  Everyone has their own journy with things tailor made for them.  I can only be absolutely grateful for my outcome and do what I can with it.  I know that the congratulations and support from everyone is genuine and real and it does give me strength.  I have felt the many prayers on my behalf. I can go back to work, I can teach my Primary class, I can help my kids and play with my beautiful grand kids.  I can use this time to get my life in order and just enjoy life more.  I can spend more time with my amazing husband who has been my anchor.  I really can't describe how he has helped me.  I know that whatever it is on my mind I can share with him and trust him with my most inner thoughts and fears.  So, tomorrow I'll go get the my new pills and add them to the ones I take now and begin a new daily routine.  I have nothing to complain about and everything to be thankful for.