Welcome

My family set up this site so that everyone can easily keep track of my progress. I and my family are so grateful that so many people are concerned. Rather than me trying to keep up with all of the questions via email we set up this site so all can post questions and someone can answer as quickly as possible. Thank you all for caring.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Phases in my recovery

I want to share some advice with you that my doctor gave me. She wanted me to focus on one part or phase of my journey to recovery at a time. The word "phase" is my term, but I think you'll get the idea when I explain.

I am currently in Phase I. 
  • I now know I have breast cancer
  • I had the tests/procedures to determine what tissue is cancerous
  • I  had the surgery to remove all known cancerous tissue
  • Now I need to completely heal from the surgeries and stay healthy physically, mentally and spiritually
  • She asked me:
    • not to change my diet at this time. To keep the proteins, not change any supplements and keep doing what I'm doing.
    • follow the recommendations for lifting weight and aerobic excercise for the first week, but after that let pain be my guide as I heal
    • Not to worry or discuss oncology until we get all results back and I am healing
      • Although they did test the lymph nodes during surgery, I still need to wait until pathology does a more thorough test to determine if there was any cancer present
      • My next appt. with Dr. Livingston is Monday Feb 21
Phase II - Oncology
Phase III - Follow-up every 6 months for a period of time yet to be determined

My focus today is Phase I. There is a part of me that wants to know it all, especially what is to come when I meet with oncology. I would appreciate your help and support with keeping me focused on Phase I. if you feel I am getting ahead of myself or getting anxious about things that are not focused on Phase I, please give me a gentle nudge or reminder.
Posted by at

5 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    Suzan, you are doing great! Yesterday was a big milestone on your way to recovery (phases/milestones and tasks...your such a PM at heart). Thought of you several times yesterday and last night and we are missing you. Get some rest today!

    ReplyDelete
  2. KrisFebruary 11, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    Patience really, really isn't present in our family's gene pool. You are going to have to learn some. That struggle alone should keep you occupied while you focus on what you are supposed to do now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. idahokatFebruary 11, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    The GREAT news is you are on your way to recovery! We are sending all our positive energy your way....you probably won't need it since you are SO strong but we are sending it anyway! Get some rest and hopefully we can chat next week. Make Tom wait on you hand and foot!! AND just as he goes to sit down, ask him for something else...it will be good for him! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Starr MareaFebruary 11, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    To follow on what idahokat said... better yet, wait to ask Tom for something until RIGHT AFTER he sits down! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. SuzanFebruary 12, 2011 at 2:21 AM

    LOL about Tom. He's been awesome. He's cooked me great dinners and made sure all my needs were taken care of.

    He wanted me to post something that said the opposite (just for fun) but I did not have the heart to do that.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)