It’s officially Fall and about 6 weeks since my lumpectomies. I have permission from my surgeon “without going gang busters” to use my arms. It was important for me to use them as little as possible to heal faster with less pain, and to minimize the risk of lymphedema. To be honest, she gave me that permission a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been delaying to update this blog due to some lollygagging and to some delightful visits from friends.
The quick update and next steps
The surgery was a success, no cancer was discovered in any of the margins of the tissues removed. Yay! A sliver of muscle, a ridiculously large lump, and 29 lymph nodes were removed from the right side. A small, well behaved tumor, and one lymph node were removed from the left side.
The next steps are occupational therapy, and then 6 weeks of daily (Monday through Friday) radiation. I have limited the range of motion, especially in my right arm, from the incisions and the muscle removed from my right pectoralis. I need to be able to raise my arms to about 100° for the radiation to hit the precise locations where the tumors were. It is meant to destroy any cancer cells that might remain in those areas.
After radiation, I’ll receive immunotherapy every three weeks and begin a tablet form of chemotherapy called, capecitabine. These treatments are meant to eliminate any stray cancer cells that may be floating around the rest of my body. The ridiculously large tumor on the right was aggressive and needs to be addressed accordingly. Take that, you bully!
The following recounts the surgery details to the best of my memory
The surgery was scheduled for 12:50 on Wednesday, August 9. It was predicted to take about 3 hours. Dutifully, I stopped eating prior to midnight on Tuesday, August 8, scrubbed myself clean with special antibacterial soap that night, and again the morning of the surgery. Then I got to my 8 a.m. nuclear medicine appointment on time, even a bit early. There, they injected a teeny, tiny bit of radioactive material, with a short half life (as in it would leave my body in a of couple days) into the base of my left nipple. This was used to identify the lymph nodes on my left axilla (armpit) area.
That was a quick procedure, so I checked in for the surgery. After a short wait, a nurse brought me back to the pre operating room, she asked a bunch of health history questions and gave me cleaning wipes with precise instructions on how to once again clean my body. The anesthesiologist visited, explained the process, what drugs would be used, and the possible side affects 👀. Those are foreshadowing eyes.
The surgery time came and went. Thankfully, my people-friendly sister asked the nurses at their station for an update. We learned that the patient’s surgery prior to mine was more complicated than at first believed. Hours passed. My sister and husband left to forage for food. I dozed off and had a good nap. They returned to find that I was right where they’d left me, dreaming of food. Again, my sister asked for more information from the nurses. The surgery for the previous patient was a lot more complicated than they first thought. At this point they the patient who was scheduled for surgery after mine, was sent home. A kind nurse took gave me a paper cup with water and a sponge so that I could have some moisture. With a long, hungry wait in front of me, my family left and I got busy sleeping.
At some point someone said something, waking me. It was my surgeon cheerily announcing herself! I think it was around 11 p.m. We chatted a bit. I made sure that she was up for working on me. Yup! She would have time to refuel while the OR was cleaned. After a short bit, off I went to have the offending bumps removed from lady lumps.
After the surgery
It’s around 6 a.m., I was back in my room and a person from the hospital food service asked what I’d like to eat. Sadly I was feeling nauseated, a side effect that the anesthesiologist had mentioned. Wah! I tried to think of food my body might tolerate. Nope. Nothing stayed down and I was vomiting off and on for most of the morning. The nurses gave me all the anti nausea medications they could. I was only allowed to leave the hospital once I could hold down food. This took me to about noon. A day and an half after arriving at the hospital, I was free to go home and begin the healing process.
Thank you for your patience with my delayed post.
Love,
D’Arcy
This is a wonderful news! I’m looking forward to see your complete recovery, sending you more positive energy 🙏❤️🙏
☺️ Thank you kind Minh!
Wow! Quite a story and gangbuster’s conclusion. Oh Happy Day.
So amazing to witness the twists and turns of this healing journey. And what a heroine – unstoppable to say the least. My vote is to have a tattoo of Wonder Woman somewhere on your body!
So auspicious to have travelled this far and have the signs all point in the correct direction. Deep bows and may Blessings continue to rain down on you.
😁 I’d go for one of those rub on tattoos of Wonder Woman. Thank you my dear Carmen.
Girl, you’re a total bad ass. I’m so proud of you for being a warrior and fighting through all of this. You are an inspiration to anyone who has to overcome a challenge in life. Stay strong and keep your spirit up!
Likewise on all counts my good sir! ⭐️
Deep bows and may blessing continue to rain down on you, indeed. Well said, @Carmen. Thanks for the update, Darcy. I’ve been wondering how you were doing and, of course, missing you in class. 🙂
Thank you, Anne! Hugs from afar to you. Carmen is a dear friend here on Whidbey. She’s a gem with words and as a person.
Thank you for sharing such a personal and profound journey. Delightful news on the lumpectomy findings! I can’t wait until you are well and healed enough to visit Utah sometime in the future. Loves to you and Matt
Thank you my dear Utah Carmen. Yes! A visit is in order. If you need a break from sunshine, Matt and I welcome you here too. 😄
You are a tough cookie with a strong heart! Nice to have surgery behind you and beginning the conclusion of treatment. Blessings D’Arcy. 1
Thank you for warming my heart, Karen. 100% yes that the surgery is behind me. 🍪 ✨❤️✨
Well, from the whooping and hollering and laughing I heard from next door and across the street, I wanted to think the news was pretty good. Nice to have that confirmed. wishing you much peace and serenity for this next leg of the long strange trip.💕 oh, and wine!
Haha! Right? They are a celebratory bunch over there. We’re more of an internal celebratory and small bunch of two over here, emojis over whoop whoops. 😄
Hi D’Arcy!
This is Leslie from Tai Chi. I’m so glad your surgery went well! You give that bully the what for!
Hello Leslie! Will do! Best wishes in all ways to you and your family. ✨ D’Arcy
D’Arcy,
Carol from Tai Chi. Thank you so much for sharing this. I have (and will continue) kept you in my prayers. It was good to see you last night on our Zoom Tai Chi session. Continue…God Speed! 🙂
Thank you, Carol, kind lady! 😊
So happy all went well with the surgery, D’Arcy! Thinking of you and sending you much love and healing energy 🌈 Glad to hear your sister was able to be with you! Hugs to you and Matt!
🥰 Thank you my dear Nancy. Best wishes to you and Merla 😘
All I can say is WOW. Thank you for the update. Sounds like you are feeling better. It was so nice to talk with you and Kirsten when she was in town. I hope you aren’t having any pain. Continue to do well you have a lot of people praying and cheering for you. Hug to you and your family
Hello Rose! Yes, I am feeling much better and am ready to begin occupational therapy. Besides keeping a watchful eye on my arm movement, Kirsten helped in many different ways. Thank you for your caring support and I wish the same for you and your family. Love, D’Arcy
p.s. happy knees!
Sending you big love and all the healing energy I have across the water to your island. 💜
Thank you, Tonia! 🥰