April 27th to June 30th, 2023 - My Third Anniversary

 

Three Years Later

Three years ago, I went to the hospital to have a malignant lump removed from my right breast. I started writing this blog so I could remember what happened -- the triumphs and challenges. It was a different time. You can read about it here.

It was a time when Covid was ravaging our country. They had very strict Covid protocols and I was only allowed to have one person accompany me to the hospital. Bill and Liz agreed that Liz would be the one. 

With my history of surgeries, I knew what to expect and wasn't anticipating any problems. The surgery actually went quite well. Unfortunately, they discovered that it wasn't just a "lump" that needed to be removed. It was apparent that the cancer had spread to my chest wall. An additional, and much more extensive surgery was going to have to be scheduled.

I came home the next morning feeling great. It was Liz's 42nd birthday, and with the rest of my support system in place (Bill and our dog, Adie), Liz was able to head home.

So it has been an "exciting" three years. Here is list of what I've experienced:

• A second surgery on my chest wall with three outstanding surgeons. Details
• 30 radiation treatments
• Hospitalized with multiple blood clots
• Hospitalized with heart failure
• Frequent visits with my cardiologist and oncologist.
• Innumerable scans
• Treated for the most part with fulvestrant (monthly shot) and Ibrance (a life-saver).
• Had a TAVR procedure for aortic stenosis to replace a defective heart valve. (May 22, 2023)

The TAVR procedure went incredibly smoothly. It's like getting a stent placed in your heart by way of a vein in your groin. You spend the night so they can monitor you carefully. If all is well, you are discharged in the morning.

Five weeks later I've had my followup with the surgeon, including an echo. It's amazing how much my shortness of breath has improved post TAVR. They suggested that I follow up with 12 weeks of cardiac rehab, which I just began. 

I've also been able to take my bike out for a couple of rides -- once on the Little Miami Bike Trail and once to our Saturday meet up at the Italianette. It was great to feel "normal" once again.

If someone told me that I'd still be here three years later, I don't think I would have believed it. I doubt my doctors would have believed it either. But here I am, feeling strong and grateful. We'll see how long we can stretch this out.

Oh, and by the way, my lovely daughter turns 45 tomorrow. I am so blessed.

Kathy

Update:

I'm suffering from a terrible cold. A few days ago, Cincinnati was enveloped in smoke from forest fires in Canada. The air quality was horrendous. See below. I developed difficulty breathing (no surprise there) that has progressed into a pretty bad cough. Thankfully, rain has come through and cleaned up the air to an acceptable level. Hopefully, my breathing will be back to normal soon.