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C'est la vie (That's Life)

By Debie Jeffrey Monday, July 02, 2007
My last journal entry was titled "Things that Go Wrong".  I'm afraid nothing has gotten better.  I am writing this from the hospital.  I had an expander placed where my right breast used to be.  The incision was not healing and the surgeon when back in last Friday and excised the area and resutured.  I developed a fever and was admitted Sunday.  They have two theories.  One, I have a surgical infection or my body is rejecting the expander.  I am being treated with IV antibiotics but I get the feeling that the breast surgeon and infectious disease docs. think it's the expander.  The plastic surgeon, of course, thinks its the surgical infection.  I am praying that he is right and that the antibiotics will work.  If not, they will remove it and will have to wait until chemo is finished (six months). I am trying to be strong but I am not happy with the continued challenges that God is putting in front of me.  I am having to reach deep within my soul to find the strength and I have found it.  I will meet this challenge and I will go on.  My best wishes and prayers for all of you.
7/19/07 12:28am

   I am sorry to hear that you are going through that.  I had the same thing happen to me.  My suture sight opened up and they had to leave it that way because of the infections.  They finally healed and I received my implants and have not had the infections again.  I wish you the best of luck and keep looking forward for the day that all that is behind you.  Remember that this is just a little part of your life and things do get better.

 

 

7/19/07 12:29am

   I am sorry to hear that you are going through that.  I had the same thing happen to me.  My suture sight opened up and they had to leave it that way because of the infections.  They finally healed and I received my implants and have not had the infections again.  I wish you the best of luck and keep looking forward for the day that all that is behind you.  Remember that this is just a little part of your life and things do get better.

 

   Good luck and keep your head up because there are people out there that care.

  Michele

  
7/21/07 2:40pm
Thank you for your kind words.  You are right.  It's always the darkest before the dawn.  Everything is healing well now and I've started chemo.  Thanks for sharing you story with me.  Please keep in touch.  How are you doing?  How many years post mastectomy are you?
7/22/07 7:06am

I am just 1 year post mastectomy.  I am back to doing most of what I did before the surgery.  I even have a full head of hair again.  It feels good that I can style my hair every day. lol

Just keep in mind that everything does get back to almost normal and it doesnt take very long.  I thought that since my mom and sister died because of this that I wasnt going to survive but I fought anyway.  Now I am cancer free as of April of this year and doing all I can to enjoy life.

It does happen, and you just got to keep thinking that when days look bleak.  I did and am doing good now.

 Good luck and know there is always someone to talk to here because we all care about you.  I will keep you in my prayers at night and please keep me updated on how it is going

 

with all best wishes

michele

 

 

Anonymous
Cheryl
8/15/07 8:57am

I just found out yesterday that i have invasive ductal carcinoma and will be going to discuss everything this Thursday.  He mentioned a masectomy.  I am so scared.  Not sure yet of course, until surgery, if it is in any lymph nodes or if it has spread anywhere else.  Did either of you have it spread anywhere else?  Were lymph nodes involved?  I am trying to think positive.  I need to keep working through this.  Is that even possible?  My insurance is through my job.  Please respond with any information at all that could help me or encouragement.  I would be forever grateful for your support.

Cheryl ( 51 years old and a grandmother, wife and mother to the best!) 

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By Debie Jeffrey— Last Modified: 12/20/10, First Published: 07/02/07