1 year check-up - Good results!

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I had my one-year MRI and a spot mammogram, and results were good! The mammogram said "Probably benign", which they expect after surgery, and there were no changes since 6 months ago. And the MRI showed no issues. So I remain in the status of "No evidence of Disease" and am thrilled. My feet and hands look and feel good again, which is exciting! My fingerprints are back and I'm delighted to be able to open my own jars and bottles! My main remaining symptoms are inability to focus and accomplish complicated tasks, low endurance, low arm strength, and lower breathing ability. They mostly don't bother me much and are all improving. Frank came back from a FIRST Robotics convention and tested positive for Covid a couple days later, and although we'd stayed apart since he got home, I tested positive the next day. We isolated a lot, but didn't have terrible symptoms. Mostly sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, and fever for a couple of days. I'm thankful th...
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surgery is on Monday 6/6

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I have had a good month since my last chemotherapy. Getting stronger, doing more physically challenging things, doing more chores, having better mental focus.

Yesterday, I got my Covid test that I needed before the surgery. My surgery will be Monday afternoon and will be a lumpectomy. I'll have a radioactive seed implanted a few hours beforehand, then have the surgery. Dr Rhei will inject a radiative marker and a blue dye into the area of the lump and follow it to the sentinel lymph nodes, then remove those. Usually there are 1 to 5 of those. Then she'll remove the lump with an area around it to try to get clear margins around it. 

The surgery should take 1 to 2 hours, with a 2 hour recovery, then head home for the evening. I will have some restrictions, like no swimming, lifting heavy things, repetitive arm movements, or doing activities that would jiggle my breast for several weeks. So all the walking, running, and bike riding that I've built up to will come to a halt. Only short gentle gliding walks, I guess! I'll have stretches to do after 2 days, and am supposed to try to gently use my arm. 

It will be 1 to 2 weeks before the report is done on what they have found during the operation. That will determine my next steps, but I will probably start radiation treatments next month.

Thanks to all of you who have read my blog, commented on a post, sent me positive thoughts, sent cards, called, run errands, given gifts, etc. I feel very well supported by all of you and I really appreciate the love you've sent my way!

Yesterday we visited with Suzi and Jenny and Jon, and it was great to see them all! I gave them overdue gifts. I'd promised Jon and Jenny some art glass flowers back at Christmas time, and just got them finished, so we installed those, and I had told Suzi I'd be making her a bowl for an overdue birthday gift. It turned into half a bowl, but I delivered that too!

We have a phoebe nest next to our garage, and a cowbird laid an egg in it. Frank hooked up a game camera for us to watch the nest, which has been fun.

Before the cowbird invaded. 

Jenny helping to install the flowers.


Jon and Jenny's house with the new glass flowers in front. They are on copper stems, and each of us helped make one or more of the flowers back at our Christmas gathering. Just finished them!

Posing with Jon and Jenny and the new flowers.


Jenny and I during yesterday's visit.
Suzi and I sharing a glass "smile"

Suzi and I during yesterday's visit.

Suzi's gift as a backdrop in front of a welded bird I'd previously made for her.












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I had my one-year MRI and a spot mammogram, and results were good! The mammogram said "Probably benign", which they expect after surgery, and there were no changes since 6 months ago. And the MRI showed no issues. So I remain in the status of "No evidence of Disease" and am thrilled. My feet and hands look and feel good again, which is exciting! My fingerprints are back and I'm delighted to be able to open my own jars and bottles! My main remaining symptoms are inability to focus and accomplish complicated tasks, low endurance, low arm strength, and lower breathing ability. They mostly don't bother me much and are all improving. Frank came back from a FIRST Robotics convention and tested positive for Covid a couple days later, and although we'd stayed apart since he got home, I tested positive the next day. We isolated a lot, but didn't have terrible symptoms. Mostly sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, and fever for a couple of days. I'm thankful th...
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