Journal entry by Heather McWilliams —
Its been a bit since my last post. I've been walking through a few complications. My seroma has improved a great deal. I have a nonhealing wound (due to a very thin skin area) and it is making good progress. My latest episode was popping a suture that bled causing some severe rib pain. It feels like my ribs are broken ..but the X-ray looks fine. I will continue to work with physicial therapy.
I'm trying to walk 1-2 miles per day and doing PT daily. I am driving primarily one-handed with my good right side. My right side is doing amazing - about 90% back! My left side is still painful and weaker (the cancer, lymph node removal side) .
I have so much gratitude for my excellent prognosis! Stage 1a Breast Cancer, no lymph node involvement and do not need chemo or radtation. I am now on a pill, Tamoxifen, for 5-10 years. This will cut the risk of recurrence in half. It is possible that I will have 1-2 more surgeries for reconstruction called fat grafting. To be determined. The recovery should be much less. Possibly 1-2 weeks.
I was able to spend a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. My sister, Sally, managed it all and was such a blessing. I'm getting ton of time at home with my husband and kids which brings me peace and joy. God bless Mark for managing my ups and downs as I walk through each new complications. I continue to process and mourn the passing of my mom one week before my diagnosis. My father also had a life-changing stroke the day after my diagnosis and I am thankful he is home with his wife and doing well.
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