I Got it Done

I had my implants put in yesterday.  I am very glad that it is over with.  My skin was still a little broken out so I went by Dr. Tierney's (my plastic surgeon) office first thing yesterday morning and he left the decision up to us if wanted to proceed with the surgery.  He would have preferred that I was completely clear but I felt like I was as clear as I was going to get.  I will have to start back on the medicine that made me break out in about a week.  Dr. Raefsky's research nurse, Beth, felt like the folliculitis was caused by the initial starting of the medicine and hopefully when I start back, I won't break out again.

But I have my implants in AND I no longer have my port so it is official there will be no more chemo!  I am pretty sore and wrapped up so I haven't got to admire them too much.  I was told by a few nurses that Dr. Tierney does good work.  I was impressed that he took the time to talk to me on Friday morning before surgery.  He was quite busy that day with other surgeries. 

The kids are at my parent's house again for the weekend.  I am so thankful that they live nearby so they can take the kids so I can have a day to recover at home quietly.   So right now, I am sore and a little tired.  I got up this morning and moved to the recliner and have not gotten up except to brush my teeth and go to the bathroom.

Also, I have a wonderful church family who is still praying for me.  Nobody should have to go through this alone.

Going to Try Again

So I have scheduled my exchange surgery for this Friday, March 26.  Yipee!!!  I have called my oncologist and I have permission to not take the lapatinib that was causing my skin to break out.  Now I will take the antibiotic that I have to clear up my skin and hope for the best.  Already my skin is looking better so I will keep hoping that it continues to clear up and when Dr. Tierney sees me on Friday, he is willing to do the surgery.

Yesterday (March 19)  I had scheduled surgery to have my tissue expanders removed and have my implants put in.  I was also going to have my port removed and have my ovaries removed.

My previous post talked about the pills that I was taking.  The only major side effect that I had experienced was that my skin broke out in little red bumps all over my face, arms and chest.  I told my oncologist about it and he gave my antibotic to clear it up but unfortunately I didn't start taking the medicine soon enough to clear up the rash.  So when Dr. Tierney took one look at my chest, he did not want to do his part of the surgery because he feared that I might get an infection so we had to put his surgery for another day.

I did go ahead and get my ovaries removed since the rash was not on my stomach.  That part of the surgery went well and I am at home right now recovering.  I feel pretty good just sore where the incisions are.


I am hoping that my rash will clear up soon so I can get other surgery done.  I am hoping that I can get it done before the end of March.  Kevin had changed jobs at the beginning of the month and had to switch insurances.  We had to pay for Cobra this month and was trying to get as much done as possible before we started a new deductible.

A Handful of Pills

I went back to Dr. Raefsky yesterday for a quick check up and to get me started on the next part of my treatment for the clinical trial that I signed up for.  I will be taking a drug called Laptinib.   Laptinib is already FDA approved for women whose cancer has came back so know they are testing it on women who are going cancer the first time.  This drug is used to combat the HER2 protein.  I have to take SIX of these pills every morning on an empty stomach.   As you can see by the pictures they are not small pills.  I can take them an hour before breakfast or an hour after breakfast.  After one morning, I have decided to take them an hour after breakfast.  Taking SIX of these pills first thing when I wake up was not the best thing for my system.



On March 19th I will be having surgery again.  I having two surgeries in at one time.  First, I will be doing the exchange surgery.  I will be getting rid of these rock hard tissue expanders and receiving my implants.  Dr. Tierney will also remove my port that I used for receiving my chemo medication.  The second part is I am having my ovaries removed.  Dr. Cathy Deppen will be doing this part of my surgery.  Dr. Raefsky recommended having my ovaries removed since my cancer was also estrogen and progestern fueled.  Having my ovaries removed will put me into menopause and will give Dr. Raefsky better options for treatment. 

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,  for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."to the one who seeks him; The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,(Lamentations 3:22-25)