From Alvadeer Update: another spot of bother!

Hey, Hothouse.
Thanks, but surgery is over. I am flat and loving it. I hated being a "uni". Never knew whether to sling on a knitted knocker or just leave it be what it was--Amazon out shopping. I am hope I get to ENJOY flat a few seconds, as longed for it for some time.

So I am through the surgery now, and on 10th day post op. Out to Trader Joe looking for my Original Potato Chips and Love, Olivia wine. Out to Safeway today and to get a Haircut. This old RN wasn't clever enough to remember that electrolytes help a whole lot so I spent a few days with quite low blood pressure. That's over. I even gardened already, cutting back the scented geraniums which were threatening to make their way up the stairs and strangle us.

Will be, after I healed all up (drains come out Wednesday next), going to go through 16 days of radiation. Why? Well, this breast was FULL of invasive cancers everywhere, including what they call satellites (cute) out to the skin. NO ONE wants to get ulcerations on the skin because they are quite odious; they would make for the earliest of final exits. Radiation is the best way to kill those off the skin by burning those little eggs with Ripley's blow torch, better known as Radiation Therapy. The doctor, who has interviewed me, sounds like an A. I. machine, brilliant but without any humanity at all. I QUITE like him. He levels with you, and as one all into "brutal" honesty I appreciate it when leveled my way.

All goes well, kids. Carry on. Out @ REALYREAL................my daughter asks you if the emu oil is from Colorado? She got pure emu oil from there when she had a breast reduction years ago. She says it so healed the scarring that the scars are almost not noticeable at all. You may have a fan in your "recommendations " corner.

Just sending my love and support. I hope the surgery goes well. ((Hugs)).

Keep moving forward! Don't expect to be 100% yet. Recovery from any surgery is always a tad difficult. We aren't kids anymore.
Toast with some Gatorade! You got this!

Yes, I have definitely noticed, Alva 😊
I have also noticed your respect and acceptance of others. I hope and, yes, pray that we could all be as gracious.

MiaMoor,
I love your take. If you notice, I, as the ATHEIST on the page, am ever telling people that I often LIVE chanting the Serenity Prayer and I recommend it.
I have loved the poetry of the bible all my life and during my bro's illness, pain, fear I would speak to myself the psalms. We have ALL (or we WILL all) spent time in the Valley of the Shadow. Exquisite gentle and beautiful words bring exquisite comfort and courage. To me, anyway.

Even an atheist cannot live 82 years without seeing, hearing, being exposed to the liturgy of so many faiths, to their houses of worship, their music, the history they saved for the world from the first we could scratch in Runes on a stick.
Are there more beautiful works than The Messiah, which I blast out every Christmas season? (favorite part: "His yoke is easy and his burden is light"). The masses, the hymns of Great Britain and America? I think not. Nothing so beautiful.

To me the best of the faiths of our world are there to provide hope, comfort, beauty. I loathe those that threaten and cause fear in the teeny minds of men (burn the Catholics this year, the protestants next, and ALWAYS, whomever you have at the stake, throw in a Witch or two)
I DO so appreciate the beauty and fellowship and mental respite the faiths provide. And all my life have missed the sense of faith- based community I grew up in in the South of our states as a child.

Few people will discuss religion. They seem to get locked into their own particular brand, and it all goes wrong in discussion. I have seen many an ATHEIST get locked into THAT as though it were a religion; they are as angry and judgemental as the best of the Pastors of threats.

Anyway, the one thing I DO know is that caring people, being kind and good and caring from the most pure part of their spirit? THAT is a GIFT beyond measure. A gift I have been given freely and in ABUNDANCE. A gift I TREASURE and thank all for. I have had a very good life. Not without trials. No life is. But SO GOOD. And I am so grateful. When I say that, my friend Diane, who is very religious, says "To WHOM are you grateful." Hee hee.

Alva that happens to us all. We know how to take care of others but forget when it comes to our selves.

I am so glad your doing well. 🥰

As for Faith, I was actually a caregiver to a priest for a while, we were watching the Pope one day and the Pope asked for people to pray for him, and he said, those non believers, send me hope. Honestly it changed my think, isn't that really what prayers are sending love and hope to others. So here is my hope and prayers. 🙏🙏

Alva,

Thinking of you with quiet strength. I’m here, holding you in my thoughts.

Hi Alva,
I'm really glad that you have come through this recent fight with some good battle scars and a plan for the next charge of attack!

I wanted to share my ideas of how and why faith gives people strength. I'm not religious, but I do believe in the power of prayer. I think that when we pray for strength, help or guidance, we tap into our own strength and brainpower. And I think that faith and prayer help to build resilience.

I see prayer almost like a form of meditation and that, while in that state, our minds find peace and we come up with our own solutions - without realising we were even working on the problem. A bit like how our brains work on understanding and problem solving while we are asleep.

So, when you prayed about Jesus enduring pain on the cross, you tapped into your own resilience to bear the pain you were experiencing.

After all, religions are created from and are about shared human experience. So, it's not that strange that even those of us who don't have faith can still find comfort in some aspects of religion.

A very good friend of mine is spiritual; she chants runes and creates rituals at certain times, such as midsummer and the winter solstice, or just when she feels a need for it. (She is quite happy with the term, witch, btw 😉).
She's not sure whether her rituals help her find peace of mind and healing because of how her brain works or because there is a spiritual being. She says it doesn't matter, as long as it works.

So, keep doing whatever it is that works. Not that you need me or anyone else telling you that. But even the wisest of us needs a little reminder to look after ourselves every now and then. And you, Alva, are indeed a Wise Woman.

@Lea, I am doing well. I can't get my BP up to normal so a tad weak. Not wanting yet to run a marathon! Leaving my atenolol in it's container for now the third day in a row. So I am talking with a friend and she says "Did they not tell you to throw back a few bottles of electrolytes?" And BINGO. It hit the old nurse's brain! ELECTROLYTES. So Amazon bringing them here sometime before 6. Never crossed my mind at all. Told her she's my new Private Duty RN, though she was never in Medical field at all, hee hee.
I see doc for post op check in--the surgeon--Tuesday a.m.
Will update after that.

HI Alva, how are you feeling today? Thinking of you and sending you a virtual hug.

Alva, thank you for the updates. You've made good decisions and importantly, you chose them for yourself. And it's encouraging that your unique spirit remains strong, day to day.

Alva, I am not evangelizing in the least, I know that you do not believe but you chose to bring that up, so I wanted to clarify why that was said, because there are a lot of posters that weren't here during that time frame.

I judge no person for their personal beliefs, that is not my intention and never has been.

Best of luck with your journey.

Driving no, not emu lotion. Straight up emu oil.

I know you are talking about something like blue emu pain relief but that is not what I was referencing.

Hey, RR.
Fortune telling is a JOKE, RR. At least to me it is.
Because no one can tell anyone else's fortune. Unfortunately.
Nor do Wiccans seem to have any more success of their religion or lack of same than the rest of us do with ours, IMHO. I do not believe in nor practice ANY religion, including Wiccan. And I leave to each man his right to his own decision for himself (women as well, by the way).
It's fun for me, however, the crow deck. Often gives food for thought, almost like those booklets of positive verses from the bible might. And the cards are beautiful, especially M. J. Cullihane's crow decks. As a poor single mom her beautiful art has transformed her family's life.
So not to worry, RR. I don't believe in Crows OR Gods. But you are kind to worry re all of that. Your faith apparently demands you evangelize? If so I can be forgiving of your doing so here. If not, I suggest, and would respectfully ask at this "trying" time, that Faith is best kept sacred to one's self, and is not the business of others. Especially I would appreciate that on my thread. Again, you are an adult and will make your own decisions.

Apparently the good Dr Song wants his OWN miracle oil on any burns. Go figure and wouldn't you know it. Perhaps they get paid to recommend it? He says bad choices DURING radiation can be very dangerous, but I appreciate the advice and your help and I love Emus a lot! He also is a proponent of Vitamin D. I know you like your supplements, so score one for Dr. S.

If playing with cards doth make of me a witch, get those fires started NOW. It may save me the radiation burns.
Or perhaps we could do it the old way. Throw me in the water. If I float or swim I am a witch and should be burned. If I sink I am not, but alas..........................
Hee hee.

You do now, and you always have, provided me with more than a few giggles, RR. We are FINE!

@ Isthisrealllyreal, good to know about the emu lotion. I bought it once, someone said that it could help knee pain, it didn't help at all, but I will say , I had the softest knee in the north east . Anyways good to know about burns and where to buy it! Thanks

Alva, I feel led to encourage you to buy some Emu Oil. It is amazing beyond description for healing burns.

I recommend, from loads of research, Montana Emu Ranch brand. It is purified and I have NEVER had any go rancid on me, not something I can say about other brands. The price does reflect the quality, just a heads up.

I keep it in my 1st aid kits as a burn treatment, have personally used it as such when I have had chemical burns, cooking burns and sun burns. Works great on all of my mishaps.

Oh, I would like to tell you, based on your other post accusing me of hating you. Nope, I don't hate anyone, not even you and not even a little, I hate things you do and say but, not you. If you are saying that based on a certain someone telling you that, consider the source. And, you are a practicing witch. Fortune telling is witchcraft, you openly admit you do fortune telling with taro cards, so yeah, I own that and I still believe it if you are still doing that. If you have stopped practicing witchcraft, my apologies.

Alva,

So glad you have encouraging news and a viable option .
I knew you would , because you have plenty still to say and to stick around here.

I'll always give you a thought, Alva and a prayer too for what it's worth. You know I admire you very much and your no-nonsense advice is an asset to anyone who is caregiving.

So you just take it easy. You know best for yourself and as a nurse. Now you are your own patient.

Dawn, we think SO alike.

Everyone, thanks for standing in my corner as I negotiate this.
I took my first walk of any consequence (but still a very SHORT one), came home, sat in the sun on the deck with Frieda Dog, then stood up and almost collapsed. Ha ha. Yes, BP of at first "cannot measure" to 56/over not much.
I think a tad shocky but should not have been dehydrated. After I slugged down a tea, a water, a broth and got myself up to 94/60 I said to Neil "Oh, GREAT. Me on the floor of the veggie stand on the corner with a head wound and my stitches busted open and then calling an AMBULANCE and you driving me home from the ER at 9 p.m."
Oh!
Perish the thought!
I go too fast, and I know I do. Just that I feel so good. I will behave because not worth my life with N. and the kids if I don't. And am holding the atenolol. When I was an RN my first question for the collapsers was always "Do you take any beta blockers?" Hee .
This is all making my answers on AC ever so much shorter and sweeter. Well, maybe not the latter. You will all appreciate that.

Good results, we are in your corner...you've got this! Hugs!

So glad that PET came up empty! Woo hoo!
Now you knew the two other concerns...the possible spread, and get it OUT.

It is OUT. Removed, The Dr. has a solid, workable game plan. If you weren't a nurse, the spread would have gotten past rescue stage. Timing is everything!

The rest will be easy...you bought some more years. Now the travel and recovery (and related discomfort) will be the hassle. Great numbers, too! 85% is huge!Take the time off to focus on yourself. You have a great Dr, who has scientific determination. Show him he's met his match!

Yesterday the Bay Area was covered with white, fluffy clouds...after some short showers. It was glorious outside. I had a feeling you'd be OK. Everything has been laid out. I'm sure your Dr. is thrilled to have a nurse patient, who gets it.

He can focus on his expertise in problem solving. You will make it easy!

This is a reminder for all of us out there to get our mammograms, we aren't too old for them. I did mine in December, it came up empty. Radiation focuses on precise, specific areas, whereas chemo is similar to drinking nuclear waste.

YOU GOT THIS! So does your Dr. and arrogant ones don't play. They succeed.

(((((Alva))))) Great results and great choice to proceed with radiation treatment. It's localized so the chances of eradicating it are high. It's wonderful that you are so active still gardening and so on. More power to you. Prayers are being answered. I have an total peace about this. The results didn't surprise me. God has plans for you and I believe he is not done with you yet. Miracles do happen. The immediate road ahead may be a bit bumpy, but I believe it will even out. Prayers for fast healing, and a smooth ride.

Alva, I believe you are doing the right thing here. A month of discomfort, you can take!! We will be your cheerleader 🤸📢💪 ☺️ ❤️

I'm glad to hear that you opted for some treatments anyway, and we all look forward to taking this journey with you and cheering you on from afar.
Praying for God's peace and comfort as you travel this road that you didn't necessarily want to travel. But you've got this girl!!!

UPDATE FROM ALVA:
Here's the skivvy. Healing amazingly well. Post op appt with surgeon is on Tuesday. I LOVE LOVE LOVE flat.

I endured an almost one hour call from a BRILLIANT doctor in Kaiser's new Oyster Point radiology center. I mean brilliant. With all the information and options flooding out of him. BUT he was like an A.I. machine--something almost entirely without humanity, and when he tried for it it came off a bit funny. ANYWAY, long and short of it is that you are truly at this point seen as a "CANCER", and they are ready to throw the flamethrowers into the fray. I understand that. A part of me even appreciates it. But they have no time for your long boring turn of who you are and what you want.

After working through that HERE IS THE PLAN: (I know, cut to the chase).
A) healing up the surgery.
B) Intake into the radiaology system with special scans and measurements and breath-holding instructions and etc. Tentatively scheduled for the week of 28th April.
C) Early may is a total of 16 sessions, three weeks on weekdays plus one day.

Reasons to do this given my not wanting to fight too hard?
Good question.
1. The PET scan is clear. Indicating while this GRASS FIRE was all OVER that breast including skin involvement, it is not YET in my system headed to its favorite nesting places of brain, bone, skin, lung, ovaries, et al.
2. It WAS in the skin. No one wants skin cancers on the breast. They cost a fortune in dressing and the wounds are something I have witnessed and you don't ever want to. Think of gangrenous let. That would lead to my early exit and I know all the exit doors. The BEST way to prevent spread to skin is to hire on Riley from The Alien and have her aim the blow torch at left chest wall and nodes under left arm. Takes up my stats (which of course mean not much) from 75% likelihood of return to 85% chance of NOT returning; that is just A.I. crap for certain; it will be what it will and every study says something different).
3. I am strong, hale, hearty, walking doing and etc. and in their minds I am a big baby if I won't take this one change for a few more quality years, etc etc but said in a very much nicer way. They aren't as brutal as Alva. And it is a sort of "If you won't DO this then you pretty much don't WANT to live and you're off our plate". I understand and I deal very well with ''truth" when it's leveled at me, because I level my own on so many others. A.I. Doc is all but "If you don't want ME I washing my hands of you, and good riddance". Ha ha.

So decision was mine. And with the sores on the breast the prime imperative to AVOID I will go for it, and take my cowardly little self in for those treatment. It is worth the try.

Side effects and fears:
1. 10% or less chance of lymphedema left arm; buy a pretty sleeve if you need it. Less likely with my height, weight, activity, and nodes not taken.
2. This is my LEFT breast. Yes, folks, we may be flaming out the Alien's spawn but that's right where my heart, lung and major vessels are. I already HAVE ASHD for many years (arteriosclerotic heart--read plaque, not on your teeth, but on your heart and vessels). And I am 82. So yes, this may be taxing. Unlikely but could.
3. Won't even bother you with the miniscule other littles, from burns to blisters to he has this special formula, vitamin D and he believes. (He really IS quite something.)

So. That's the plan. More of a fight than I wanted to make, but if the breast breaks out it means an earlier cashing in of the chips. This is worth the time, the trouble, and taking my cowardly little heart off for 16 days out of my life. Given how fast time passes at my age it will be over with in 15 minutes.
And you know I will make YOU go through every SECOND of it.

Praying all goes as well as it possibly can for you. Praying for miracle.

Alca, good grief cancer sucks! There I said it, cancer sucks! I hope there is a way you can get some non-invasive treatment as I remember from your posts, and I don't blame you, the whole chemo/radiation is a no way thing. At least you are getting some surgery and hopefully that can clear most of it up

So, so, so happy for this update Alva! Truly amazing your surgeon got you in so quickly. I do hope you'll consider radiation if that's what is recommended. My step-daughter had lumpectomy in one breast, then another in the other one several years later. She did the recommended radiation, and did very well with it, albeit with some localized "sunburn" and systemic fatigue. Of course she is 20+ years younger than you, so that may make a big difference in terms of reactions.

Welcome back to the forum!

I waited up for you last night and now I see why we didn’t hear anything. So glad it is gone, gone, gone or at least off, off, off.

I agree with the idea to listen closely to those you have so much faith in.

Remember as women (I think we still have this right) we get to change our minds.

No need to rush the queue. I just heard that we boomers are passing at two a minute but there are many of us to process so take your time.
They will get to all of us soon enough.

Besides, I think you are still having fun.

I’m glad to see that update. It sounds like it went smoothly and you got some rest, which is good. You seem confident in what you want or don’t want, but it’s wise to listen to options, which you have chosen to do. The decision you make is the right one. Sending healing thoughts your way,