Wednesday, December 14, 2011

From seroma to hematoma...

Unless I have run into you at HEB (our local grocery store) - you probably haven't heard about my Dr.'s appointment yesterday.


So the "bump"/"lump"/"boob" on my back was not a seroma it was a hematoma.  


I did not have a fine needle aspiration.  I got an early Christmas present...a drain!!!!  That's what I told Dr. Skoracki and he told me that he really thought that it would come out before Christmas.  


Gordon (PA) and Dr. Skoracki couldn't believe how big the "bump" was yesterday.  Gordon couldn't believe how much it had grown since last Thursday.  


It was decided the "bump" was big enough that it would require a drain.  


First some numbing, then in goes the drain and out comes about a 1/4 cup of blood.  My blood is maroon (Jim went to Texas A&M - that's their color).  I bleed maroon!  Dr. Skoracki said my blood was blue - like royalty, lol!!


Jim came down from work via train to drive me back home!  It's so nice that his office is close to MD Anderson.


Dr. Skoracki is going on vacation next Tuesday but he gave me his email address so I could let him know when the blood starts draining a straw color.


Last night Jim emptied 10 cc's out of the drain and this morning it was also 10 cc's and still maroon in color.


I'm so happy it was nothing serious!  I just have to take it easy for a few days - no heavy lifting, vacuuming, sweeping - you know the stuff that I did last week to celebrate my 2nd Survivorversary?!?!!!  


Very glad we didn't wait till after Christmas to have the "bump" drained - I do wonder how big it would have gotten?


Thank you for your prayers!!!  One more miracle on this journey!!!


Love and Blessings From the Top of My Heart,


Moni


www.monkmoni.blogspot.com www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk/journal 

Monday, December 12, 2011

A bump in the...road? No, on the back...

The day after my 2nd Survivorversary Kelli was rubbing my back and she asked, "what's that bump on your back?".  She showed me in the mirror where it was.  It was the exact spot I was trying to get Jim to scratch for me the night before.  He had noticed it the night before but didn't say anything. 

So the good thing about Kelli finding it that morning is that I already happened to have my regularly scheduled appointment with my Breast Oncologist, Dr. Green that afternoon.

Dr. Green checked me over and all looks great!  Nothing unusual except for my "bump".
She really wasn't sure what it was.  She thought maybe it was muscle bulking up that was overcompensating for the Latissimus Dorsi that was missing because of my reconstruction. 

Dr. Green walked over to the Reconstruction clinic to see if she could flag down my Plastic Surgeon.  He wasn't available but Gordon, his PA was. 

Talk about service...I didn't have to go to him to have him look at my "bump".  He came to me in Dr. Green's clinic.

Gordon's theory was different than Dr. Green's.  He thought that the muscle was slipping and it would eventually atrophy. Dr. Green thought that made sense.

They told me to watch it and if it became bothersome or bigger then they would order some imaging to be done on it.  I asked, "so no ultrasound today?".  Dr. Green told me the same thing "watch and wait".  I guess I made an unhappy face because she said, "you don't like that idea???".  I told her, "yesterday was my 2nd Survivorversary and I would like to continue to enjoy this time but with this thing on my back...I'll be wondering".  Gordon said, "let's go ahead and order an ultrasound".  Dr. Green wrote up the orders :).

There were no openings on the 8th for an ultrasound but I did get to have one on the 9th.

The preliminary findings on the ultrasound report from the Radiologist were that I have a probable seroma. 

Here's the definition of seroma - "A mass or swelling caused by the localized accumulation of serum within a tissue or organ". 

My understanding is that it is fluid build up.  Kind of like a blister.  The "bump" is just above, on and under the incision on my back from my reconstruction donor site.

Gordon called me Friday afternoon to give me the preliminary report.  He said it was big enough to warrant draining it.  Most times they reabsorb into your body.

Originally I had planned to have it drained the week after Christmas when my Plastic Surgeon would be back from vacation.

Over the weekend the seroma became bigger and now uncomfortable.  Not really painful, then again maybe a little painful.  There is a lot of pressure.  What I don't know is if it only swells out towards the skin or if it swells the other direction also.  That may be the reason for the pain plus the skin is stretching.

My Plastic Surgeon's clinic was able to work me into the schedule tomorrow afternoon.  Gordon told me it's an in office procedure.  It's kind of like a fine needle biopsy on your breast.  They will also take a sample of the fluid to make sure there is no infection or anything else going on. 

The "bump" on my back honestly looks like a little boob.  My new saying is "you can cut the breasts off of me but they'll grow back somewhere else". 

Laughter is good medicine!

Please pray for my procedure tomorrow afternoon and pray that it truly is nothing more than a seroma. 

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers!!!

Love and Blessings From the Top of My Heart,

Moni
www.monkmoni.blogspot.com
www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk/journal






Wednesday, December 7, 2011

2nd Survivorversary!!!

God has blessed me with another Survivorversary!  I pray that I have many more to celebrate!!!

What have I done to celebrate today?  I've done laundry, swept the floor, wrapped some Christmas presents, cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed, picked kids up, dropped kids off. Isn't that special?  YES!!!!  You know why - what would normally seem like an ordinary day to most -- to me it shows me that I'm still here.  And ordinary days are great!!! 

I think back to 2 years ago.  The day that I heard, "you have cancer in your breast".  There was no laundry done that day, no sweeping, no present wrapping, no kitchen cleaning, no vacuuming, no picking kids up, no dropping kids off. 

It was a day that would forever change me.  A day of Jim holding me up.  A day of friends crying with me, praying for me.  An evening of telling Jakob, Kelli and Joey that their mommy had cancer.  An evening of Jim calling Papa and Omi and Mom and Dad to tell them that their little girl had cancer (a task I couldn't do myself).  An evening filled with fellowship with friends at our church's Ladies' Christmas Dinner.

So many thoughts ran through our heads that day and many more ahead.  Questions, information, change of plans (our plans).  But most importantly the Blessing - we looked up to Jesus to help us, guide us, comfort us. 

As I'm writing this I'm thinking - how fitting actually...we looked to Christ in our time of need and it was during the Christmas season.  We became Christ-centred again during the time of His beautiful birthday celebration.  Christmas is a time to celebrate the Perfect Gift - every day is a gift!!!

So while you are busy during this special time of year -- take the time to remember what Christmas truly means...the birth and celebration of Jesus. 

When ordinary and normal seems boring to you -- instead be thankful that you have been blessed with the tasks you are given.

Enjoy time with your loved ones and I wish you all a very Happy and Merry Christmas!!!

Joyful today on my 2nd Survivorversary!!


Love and Blessings from the Top of My Heart,

Moni

www.monkmoni.blogspot.com
www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk


Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Sorry for the delay. Moni's surgery went great! She feels well. We got home late this afternoon. Thanks for your continued prayers. -Jim

Monday, October 3, 2011

Happenings and surgery...

Wow!  I can't believe it's already October.  And I can't believe that it's been since June that I've posted an update!! 

Here are a few of our highlights from the summer.

First off I went to Canada to "surprise" Papa, Omi and the rest of my family.  Only Jason (my bro) and Amanda (sister-in-law) knew that I was coming and were kind enough to pick me up from the airport.  A very generous friend of mine gave me a buddy pass so I could fly home.  I ended up staying up there for 10 days.  It was so nice to spend time with family. 
Guelph, Canada


San Antonio
Next vacation was a few days in San Antonio to attend our great-niece's 1st birthday party.  We spent time with family there, our niece and her fiancee as well as my cousin from Michigan.  We also went to Sea World.  We had a blast!!!  We ran into some friends of ours from Kingwood at Sea World.

After that we had visitors from Canada.  My brother, Jason and my sister-in-law, Amanda and our 2 nieces came to visit for a week.  Quality family time!!!
The kids with their Canadian cousins


Celebrating our 40th Birthdays
Off to Vegas next for Jim and I.  We met up with some of our dear friends from Austin.  Jim and I were celebrating our 40th birthdays along with a few of the others.  Vegas is always fun!!!

Florida
Our next vacation was the last week and a half of the summer.  We first went to Pensacola Beach, Florida then to Treasure Island, Florida.  It was amazing!  We went in-shore fishing (in Tampa Bay), hung out at the beach, the pool, collected treasures (seashells), rented a boat, watched dolphins swim right by the condo we stayed in.  All this thanks to some of our close friends.  It was definitely paradise - I would move down there for sure!!!

Kids are back into the routine of school.  Jakob is a Freshman in high school now, Kelli is in 7th grade and Joey is in 5th grade.  Jakob tried out for the High School golf team and made it!!  Kelli really enjoyed swim team this summer and got "high point" winner for her age group at All-Stars!  Joey loves going to the ponds just down the road from our house to fish!! 

Jim is busy at work.  He just returned from a short trip to Kuwait.  This was his 3rd trip to Kuwait this year.

Me - well I'm feeling great!!!  I have started running again.  I only run about 3-4 miles, I'm running for me. 

This past weekend we participated in Houston's Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure.  A 5K.  There were over 35,000 registered participants.  This was my 3rd time participating, 2nd time as a Survivor!!!  I had lots of friends and family on my team - Moni's Bosom Buddies this year.

Tomorrow, I have a day filled with appointments at MD Anderson.  Pre-op appointments.  I'm having surgery on Wednesday.  This is my reconstruction surgery on my non-cancer side.  It should be my final surgery.  Dr. Skoracki will be removing my tissue expander (a.k.a. the rock).  It's called an exchange surgery because the tissue expander is exchanged for an implant.

This time I won't even be spending the night in the hospital.  I will most likely have 2 drains.  Jim will be taking a couple of days off to take care of me and the kids.  I most likely won't be able to drive for about 2 weeks.  Should be the easiest surgery to date.
 I will have Jim update the blog on Wednesday as soon as he gets word that I am out of surgery. 

Thank you once again for your prayers. Please pray for the Dr.'s and medical staff caring for me before, during and after surgery.  Also for Jim and the kids as they wait for me to get out of surgery. 

I would like to share with you an article that was in last week's local newspaper http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/kingwood/news/survivor-credits-breast-cancer-with-changing-her-life-for-the/article_a06a1e5a-d8f9-55b9-b95a-d1ab566fb7df.html

Love and Blessings from the Top of my Heart,

Moni

www.monkmoni.blogspot.com
www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk/journal

And if you'd like to sponsor me in the Race for the Cure (it's not too late)
http://rfch.convio.net/site/TR?px=1664564&pg=personal&fr_id=1130&s_tafId=39220

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Don't Know Why...

I don't know why "bad" things happen but I do know that God uses those "bad" things to bring people to Him, closer to Him.  

This past year and 3/4's has been filled with so much good.  The fact that I'm healed of cancer is amazing in itself.  The most amazing thing though is the outlook on life I have been given.  Moni is not in control - GOD is!!!  What comfort and joy that brings.  I have eternal life because of Jesus!!!  Can I get an AMEN?!!?!!!

I have friends and family that are hurting right now.  Newly diagnosed with cancer, endless surgeries and trials after cancer, dealing with the loss of child, dealing with the loss of a spouse, dealing with the loss of a friend, dealing with physical hurt, dealing with emotional hurt, dealing with loneliness...  Things that are just out of our control.  Bring your hurts to God.  HE is in control!

Pray for those loved ones around you that are hurting.  Prayer does bring comfort!

(an update on what's going on in our family will be coming soon)

Love and Blessings from the Top of my Heart,

Moni


www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk
www.monkmoni.blogspot.com

Monday, June 20, 2011

Still attached...

Good morning!

Hope everyone is doing well.

Summer is being enjoyed by all in this home.  Jakob, Kelli and Joey are still at it with swim team.  Practices are early in the morning so we still haven't gotten to sleep in but that's okay.  That'll come soon enough.  The boys have also been enjoying fishing at a local pond (about the only place around that there still is water).  We are in a major drought, please pray for us to get some rain.

Jakob has been playing golf, sort of.  He actually hurt his back a couple of weeks ago so we took him to a chiropractor to have him checked out.  It turns out his hips were tilted.  We got him pretty much straightened out and as I type he is playing in his 2nd golf tournament of the summer.  Jakob is planning on trying out for the high school team in August.

Jim has been busy at work and taking over all the "mom" stuff.  Such as taxiing kids around, helping Jakob with golf and running to the grocery store and other errands.

I'm so happy with the way the kids are really stepping up and helping out around the house.  They are even doing their own laundry and helping me with mine.

We've also had some great friends bring in meals for us which has been such an incredible blessing!!!  Thank you!!!

So I'm healing well.  I still have 2 drains in.  One in my left breast (reconstructed side) and one in the scar on the left back where the muscle was removed.  It's uncomfortable to be attached to these drains but definitely not unbearable.

Last Tuesday when I saw Dr. Skoracki he decided I was too close to the minimum number of cc's to have my drains removed.  I have to be less than 30 cc's per day for 48 consecutive hours.  I'm less than 30 cc's now and have my weekly appointment to see him tomorrow.  I'll have been attached to these drains for 1 day shy of 4 weeks and I can honestly say I'm not going to miss them!!!

Other than going to MD Anderson for my weekly appointments I haven't been out much.  A couple of Dr.'s appointments for the kids and a couple of small trips to the grocery store and a few minutes at Saturday's swim meet.  That's it.  I'm ready to go out to a restaurant for lunch or dinner :)!

Unfortunately on one of my trips to the grocery store I did something silly.  Normally when I have gone to the store one of the kids is with me to help me.  This time I dropped Jakob off to a friend's on the way home.  I only had a few things in the back of my car (SUV), light bags.  I opened up the back to carry the bags into the house then I went back outside to close the back.  Forgetting that I'm not supposed to lift anything heavy.  I reached up, pulled down on the back to close it and I felt something pop and was in pain.  I didn't know what happened.

It looked to me like maybe my tissue expander had slipped out of place.  I asked Jim to look when he got home and he thought that it appeared normal.  This happened on Wednesday.  Then on Saturday he told me now that he was looking at me again it looked like the tissue expander may have moved.

I've googled, looked all over the internet and can't really find much on a breast tissue expander shifting.  I'm not too worried about it but I would like to ask for your prayers.  Please pray that it is not a big deal, that it is an easy fix.

Like I said I've got an appointment with Dr. Skoracki tomorrow to have my drains removed and to have my tissue expander expanded.  I'll let you know what he says about the expander moving.  I won't be pulling like that again for a while.  I'm being a good girl now and taking things slow.  Which is hard when you feel so good!!

Also if you have the time please pray for Jakob and his golf tournament today.  For his nerves and that his back doesn't bother him.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers for our family.  You really have no idea how much you all mean to us!!

God Bless you all and please remember to find your JOY every day!!!

Love and Blessings from the Top of my Heart,

Moni

www.caringbridge.org/visit/monimonk
www.monkmoni.blogspot.com