I'm here!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all my neighborhood friends for the prayers and positive vibes!!!!!

Everything went great yesterday.  The first thing done was the Needle Localization, this involved inserting a wire in my breast along with some sort of contrast so that Dr. M would know exactly what to remove during the surgery.  Other than the needle used for the local anesthesia it was painless, although the wire sticking out of my breast was rather strange.

After that I was prepped for surgery, IV put in (ouch!) and signed final consent forms.  It was so comforting to have my family and friends waiting with me - we actually had fun talking and laughing.  So much so, the patient in the room next to me complained that we were too loud!  Guess we were having too much fun.

The Anesthesiologist came in - Dr. Axmann (what a name!) and explained how he was going to administer my "happy juice" and then a few minutes later my Surgeon, Dr. M came in to meet the family and friends.  Shortly thereafter, I was wheeled off to the OR.

Why did I try to throw up when the techs told me to move onto the table in the OR?  I think it was nerves :)  I have no other explanation for my weirdness.  Dr. A must have started the "happy juice" at some point after that because I remember absolutely nothing from that point until I woke up in the recovery room.

I am happy to report that I have had hardly any pain!  I'm poppin Darvocet ever four hours which has worked wonderfully well.  There is a drain from the breast that has to be emptied a couple of times a day.  C has been wonderful in owning that gross task :).  My main complaint has been the side effects of the breathing tube that was inserted during the surgery - a sore throat, hoarseness and chest cold like symptoms. 

I'm so happy this part of the process is over.  Dr. M will contact me in a couple of days to discuss the Pathology report.  And the drain should be removed in the next few days.  Next will be to meet with a Medical Oncologist to discuss Chemotherapy and to start Radiation Therapy.

Getting sleepy ~ peace!