Improving :)

Went to see reconstructive surgeon today...everything looks to be improving and the culture from the fluid showed no signs of infection.  No fever last night for the first time in weeks.  Today has been my best day so far...hoping I am on the upswing of things!!

I have my CT scan tomorrow and will receive results on Tuesday.  Prayers please for a clean scan :)

BTW...how is it already May 31st? I feel like I just had surgery last week...sometimes literally!

I will update again on Tuesday!!

Can I catch a break?

I had my drainage tubes removed last Thursday.  On Friday and Saturday, I noticed size and shape changes as well as pressure and heaviness on my left side.  Yesterday, I began to have redness.  I knew I was retaining fluid.  I went to the hospital today for an ultrasound guided needle aspiration to remove the fluid.  They were able to drain 70 cc's and placed a new drainage tube back in....ughhh.  Hopefully this will ease some of the pain/pressure.  I also had my first fill. She put 60 cc's in on the right and 40 cc's in on the left.  She doesn't plan to "fill" the right side much more.  She feels there is enough elasticity and skin there to do an implant now. She will continue to stretch the left side slowly.  She wants me back in on Thursday to check the redness. She will also give me the results of the fluid they extracted and had tested for infection.  I am still running fevers daily...typically 99.9-101.  We are not quite sure why that keeps happening.  It is a side effect of the antibiotic, so hopefully that is why.  I don't see how I could possibly have an infection considering the antibiotic is very strong and is used to treat MRSA...it is the same drug that Zoe was put on last year when she was hospitalized for staff after no other antibiotic worked.  Maybe my body is just fighting the pain I am having by elevating my temperature.  It just sucks because I also feel like I have the flu in addition to all this crap.  Did I mention my thrush is back?  I know right?

Soooo...I revisit the surgeon Thursday...Ct scan of chest and lungs on Friday (keep fingers crossed)... appointment with my oncologist Tuesday for a follow up, blood work, and CT results (clean one I know!).  AND...I think I have to see my surgeon again next week.  What a crappy beginning to my summer. It will get better though...I know it!!   I'm ready to go to KI, hang pool side, and go to the lake!!  Soon I hope :)

Will update you all when I learn more :)

Hair Update

Okay seriously,..this hair of mine is OOC!!  It is getting long and so curly...I am sure once it is longer I will be thankful for the curls...BUT NOT NOW!

  

Upcoming scan

I have my next CT Scan on June 1st to check the lung nodules again and for any other cancer critters.  I get the results June 5th when I meet with my oncologist!  Praying for a clean scan...know it will be...but please pray anyways!!

DOUBLE YAY!!

Well.....I FINALLY got the rest of those pain in the butt drainage tubes removed today (YAY #1)!!  She made a deal with me since my numbers have been decreasing daily, but aren't really below 30 cc's...SO...I am not allowed any activity all weekend...no walking around a lot, shopping, vacuuming,  cleaning, yard work, etc.  I agreed even though it will be hard for me to sit still and relax...especially knowing I am having the family over Monday for Chase's birthday!!  Guess Junior will have to pick up my slack...poor guy is probably ready to be done with this too.

Junior's dad will FINALLY be home Saturday after a loooong 3 months working in D.C....we miss him terribly...especially the kids!!! (YAY #2!)

Looking forward to a nice, but HOT weekend with the family...and Chase has a soccer tournament in this heat...UGH!!

Cancer, cancer go away...DON'T come back another day!

A friend of mine from high school, Katie Reker-Crane, was diagnosed several months ago with a similar type of breast cancer as myself.  Hers was a little more progressed than mine.  She just finished 8 rounds of the exact same chemo I had and suffered pretty badly from the nerve pain of Taxol (like I did...but hers was MUCH worse).  Well... it paid off...her recent PET Scan showed NO SIGNS of cancer!!!! WHOO HOO!!  Another survivor kicking cancer to the curb!!  Keep her on your prayer list ...she still has a long road ahead of her...surgery, radiation, reconstruction!!  BUT...she is strong, empowered and has every intention on beating this thing for her and her family!!  FLAG...as Katie and her army of supporters would say ("Fight Like A Girl")

As many of you know...my bff, Melissa Luken-Trenkamp, was diagnosed last year with thyroid cancer while her mom was battling triple negative breast cancer. Seriously?? Then her mom passed last fall. Good news is, she had a full body scan last week and she is CANCER FREE!!  BAM!...another survivor kicking some cancer a**! Pray for continued good health!

Unfortunately I just received news that my babysitter, who took great care of my babies from the time Zoe was 6 weeks old until she was the age of 6, was recently diagnosed with cancer.  She had a very large tumor removed, but has a lot of upcoming treatments.  Please keep her in your prayers!

Can some one please tell me why very time I turn around, someone is being diagnosed with cancer?? I feel like it's all around me and occupies my world!  I HATE CANCER!!!  It has to be something in the environment...in the foods we eat...the air we breathe!  It just seems to be running rampant and out of control these days. The only good thing is... people are discovering better ways to battle it everyday!

Day 23

I am off of my pain meds and am only taking 800 mg Ibuprofen every 8 hours and Valium at night to help me sleep and relax my muscles.  On Monday, the doctor said that that everything looked great!  The symptoms and pain I am experiencing on the radiated side is "normal".   I may experience the tightness and pressure off and on through the entire expansion process, but the pain should begin to subside.

I am still having the low grade fevers and times of intense pain when the meds wear off, but I have to say that it is definitely improving.  I did not have my first fill as planned, nor did they remove my drainage tubes. This will happen next Tuesday.  My drainage amounts have been decreasing everyday.  She said if it continues...to call her...and she will take them out tomorrow!!  I only had 35 cc's on each side yesterday and not much this morning.  I am going to call her this afternoon and hopefully get them out before the weekend.  That would be awesome b/c I am very limited on what I can wear. I always look like a slob b/c I have to wear baggy clothes to hide the tubes.

Like I have always said....Cancer is an U-G-L-Y disease.  Just want to feel and look like "Danielle".  I want a pony tail SO BAD (I know that sounds weird), and I want to wear normal clothes!  I know...soon Danielle...soon!

Until later...

Hi to all my NCH Kiddos

Several of you have located my blog and have been leaving very loving, sweet, and encouraging messages.  I have read every single one and I thank you for that.  Some of them even made me a little teary!  It's a great feeling to know how much you care! Also, remember to sign your name after your comment so I know who you are.

I am soooo sorry I could not come in to school this week for the talent show or any other day to say good bye.  Please understand I have had a very difficult time with this surgery including infection, fever and a great deal of pain.  Please also know that if I could have been there this week...I would have!!  I am getting better every day, so please DO NOT worry!  Remember... you all are always in my thoughts and I care deeply about every single one of you, even though I haven't been there for you for the past 3 weeks.

I will see you all in a couple months!!  Have a great summer, stay safe, and STAY OUT OF TROUBLE!  Feel free to leave me messages anytime and I will write back.

Love,
Mrs. Lintz

Day 20

I can't believe it has been 20 days since my surgery...time flew!  Too bad it doesn't feel like 20 days :(  Still having a rough time.  The redness and hotness is gone.. I have also had a normal temperature for about a week...until last night and today.  Started creeping late last night because I had the chills when I went to bed.  I woke up this morning at 5:30 am with some bad stiffness and pain...and unfortunately I had almost a 100 degree temp.AGAIN!  I do believe the infection is gone, and the rise in temperature is my body's response to the pain.  BUT I mean seriously ...can a girl catch a break...heck I will buy one at this point!!

On Monday I go back to see the doctor.  I am hoping I improve drastically over the weekend.  I am suppose to have a fill and get my drainage tubes removed.  I doubt either will happen due to the complications I have had.  PLEASE keep the prayers coming and your fingers crossed.

On the bright side, Angie Woolum came over yesterday and gave me a deep tissue massage!  OMG...absolutely amazing.  She is coming back next week too!!  I can't wait!! She is awesome.  We also had a fun time catching up and she made me laugh a couple times so hard it hurt!!

I will update Monday after I see the doctor...have a nice weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather!!

FINALLY!!

Late yesterday afternoon, my insurance company FINALLY approved my Zyvox prescription.  It is an $80 co-pay....WOWZER!!  It is well worth it if it heals and I don't have to have surgery again.  I still have periods of great pain.  I had another crying episode last night and again this morning from the intense pain and aggravation from it all.  My kids babied me...god love them...they are so compassionate.  Junior and I did something right with those 2!!

In pain now, but took some meds, so it is easing up a little.  I go back Monday to have it checked.  If everything is on the up and up, I will have my first fill and my drains removed (I am so sick of those things)!!

Thanks for the continued thoughts and prayers...I will check in later!!

Jumping through hoops

Anthem denied my Zyvox prescription.  My doctor called and requested a 1:1 request meeting via phone.  Unfortunately, Anthem did not return the call today.  So...no new antibiotic to take care of the issue yet.  Hopefully it doesn't continue to worsen.  I am very annoyed and frustrated at this point with the situation. I just want to get on with it already!

2 Weeks Post Surgery

OK....so some not so good news!

As many of you have read, I have been experiencing A LOT of pain...especially on the left side.  Unfortunately it did not get any better over the weekend...but instead it got worse.  My fever spiked to over a 101 and the pain was as bad as the day of surgery.  Last night I noticed inflammation and redness in that area and it also felt warm to the touch.

I went to the doctor this evening.  Diagnosis....CELLULITIS!!  This is either  a non-contagious form of strep OR staph. They need to get it under control or it can be extremely dangerous. The doc put me on a stronger antibiotic called Zyvox/Linezolid that needs approval from my insurance due to its  extremely high cost...so I can't start it until tomorrow...RIDICULOUS!  She wants me back in at 7:45 am on Thursday.  If I show no marked improvement or it worsens, she will most likely admit me into to the hospital for IV antibiotics.  This could then lead to me starting reconstruction on my left side all over again.  ERRRRRRR!

Please pray that this gets taken care of one way or another because I DO NOT want them to have to remove the tissue expander on one side and start allllll over...nor do I want this to cause me to be very ill. My kids' summer last year was already ruined...they don't need a recap of that :(

I am also VERY disappointed because I want to got to school on Wednesday to see the talent show our 5th-8th graders are performing from 1:00-3:00. It was totally awesome last year! I told them that I would come say goodbye to them. If I don't, they will be disappointed...and I really will too!! :(  If I feel well enough to travel then I just need to find a ride...can't drive on pain meds.

So please add that to your prayer list also!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED LOVE AND SUPPORT!!!!!

NCH 2nd Annual 5K For the Cure

The fifth and sixth grade students at North College Hill Middle School completed their 2nd Annual 5K for the Cure on Friday, April 27, 2012. The students worked extremely hard to raise an astounding $2355. This entire amount was donated to Cancer Family Care.  CFC is a non-profit agency that serves the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area and provides services and support to family and friends of those afflicted with cancer.


The kids had a great time!  It is such a rewarding experience as their teacher to see their interest and commitment to the cause.  I am so proud of them all!!  This is something we hope to continue each year.  We hope to expand  and add an additional grade level so that my last year's 5th graders who went through my diagnosis with me will always be involved.   Next year it will include the 2013 5th, 6th, and 7th grade classes!!  Eventually, our 5K will include grades 5-12.  WOW...how amazing!!

Anonymous

There are many of you who are not official followers and do not "sign in." When you leave me a message it just shows as "anonymous."  Will you PLEASE leave your name at the end so I know who you are???  As many of you know I am a very nosey person.  This causes me to lose sleep guessing who you are...which prolongs my healing time.  I know none of you would want that weight on your shoulders....now would you?!  Jokes...but please do sign your name!!

THANK YOU!!

Day 8

I visited the doctor yesterday.  She said things are healing very nicely.  She removed the bandages covering the sutures as well as 2 drains...one on each side.  Hopefully I will get the other 2 drains out next week...if not then it will be on Tuesday, May 22.  I will also get "fills" on both sides to expand them further. I pray that it doesn't hurt after.  I am very pleased with the progress so far.  If the expander stage looks this good...I am confident the final product will be awesome!!!!

Also wanted to say thank you to Smithsons, Schneiders, and Hoskins for feeding us this week!!  You all are awesome :)

Have a good week!!

One Week Later...

It has been a pretty rough week so far.  The pain is better at times, while at other times it is excruciating. I am very tired all the time.  I started with BAAAD heartburn Friday, stomach pains from all the meds because its causing my bowels not to move, and a sore throat.  Last night when I went to brush my teeth, I noticed a white coating and lesions on my tongue and on the roof of my mouth.  I believe I now have thrush.  This could be the culprit for the other ailments I have been experiencing.  From what I have  read, antibiotics can cause an overgrowth of yeast causing thrush. I see my doctor tomorrow so I will have her check it out.  Hopefully I will be on the mend sooner than later!!

I am suppose to see the big reveal tomorrow after she removes the water proof bandages from my suture line.  Hopefully she will also remove at least 2 of the 4 drains since I am barely getting any fluid in a 24 hour period.  The other 2 are still getting approximately 55-70 mL per day.  I think they need to be < 30 per 24 hour period.  I should be there rather quickly considering I was at 80 mL per side daily just a few days ago.

I will let you know what my surgeon says tomorrow.

Post Surgery: Day 2

We are back home and glad to be here!  I am still suffering from a lot of pain and am taking pain meds around the clock.  The doctor said I will need to continue this regimen for 1-2 weeks.  I just lay in my recliner all day and watch television.

Thanks to Melissa for dinner tonight.

Post Surgery: Day 1

Sorry it took me so long to post, but I have been in a great deal of pain.  I have been on a lot of pain meds and sleeping quite a bit.  I have never experienced pain quite like this.  Hopefully it gets better quickly.  The doctor showed me what it looks like so far....looking pretty good.  The sutures are still covered so I could only see the shape of the new breast mound.  The best  news is...the doctor asked me just before surgery if I would be interested in skipping the flap portion of the surgery on the radiated side and just doing the tissue expander,  She said it seemed like I had plenty of tissue remaining to work with.  I told her to go for it and it worked.  The only negative is that if it fails, I have to go back in for another surgery.  She is confident that it was successful.  Also, the pain is greater without the flap.  The positive is...no scar on my back and less scarring on my breast...and the scars on both breasts will match.

Well that is all for now...