Just When You Think You've Got Things Under Control ...
 

So, I have the appointment to get the teeth pulled, the antibiotic is working, and life is moving on ...

Did I mention that last week momwolf had this weird under-boob rash?

So, we have this appointment set up for her PCP, and then, just before we leave, she confesses something to me ... while she was itching the rash, she found a lump.

Yeah. Great.

There was an amusing interlude where we were menaced by an angry Canada Goose whose girlfriend had set up a nest at the PCP's front door. I wanted to get pictures of the receptionist holding the goose off with a broom, but she wouldn't repeat the performance once I had my camera out. I did think there was probably a good joke involving the Canadian National Health System in there, but I've been too distracted to work it out.

So, anyway, two days later momwolf is having her boobies squished and shot.

Today, the phone call comes from the PCP.

"Yes, I tried to call your mom's phone but she didn't answer, so I called your cell."

"The phone never rang, doc. I've been right here."

"Oh. Well, I just called (gives number that is 1.5 yrs old, from before the move)."

"That's the old number. The current one is (mumble)"

"Oh here it is."

(enough with the phone number already!!) "Why are you calling."

"Well, it's not good. Your mom needs to see a breast oncologist, the sooner the better."

"Could you please call her and tell her that?"

(yes, I am in the same house. Yes, I am more than capable of telling people things they'd rather not hear, but in this instance, it's the doctor's job to do that. It always sounds better from a doctor.)

So, the doc calls and tells my mom what's up, but slightly less directly than I was told. My version included words like "irregular" and "suggestive of malignancy."

Momwolf was, of course, stunned by the news, but took it well.

So ... I get on the phone with one of my girlfriends, not just to vent.

I just happen to have exactly the right girlfriends for this situation.

The first girlfriend I called is an office manager for a physician, who happens to be the second girlfriend.

What kind of physician you might wonder? Breast Oncologist. And she had a cancellation this afternoon.

How about that shit? I actually know the right kind of specialist.

Momwolf is scheduled for surgery on Thursday, not sure of the time yet, we'll be getting that info probably tomorrow. Instead of putting her through a biopsy and then another surgery to remove the whatsis, she's having a lumpectomy, and then they'll have the entire mass to biopsy.

So far the toughest part has been finding a front closure cotton sports style bra (getting several of these is actually part of the post-surgical care instructions. Apparently they're to keep the girls from swinging around too much and disrupting the stitches). That adventure took trips to several stores, and putting up with momwolf who is generally not a good shopper.

Sorry to hear that kind of shit, she, and you, certainly don't need it. :(

Sorry to hear that wolf. The rash makes it sound invasive, I hope not. Good vibes your way.

I hope, through all this, you can still appreciate how great it is that 'lumpectomy' is a technical term.

Thinking of you and your mom, wolf.

My mom is a long-time breast cancer survivor, a lumpectomy as well.

I'll keep you both in my thoughts.

I am sending good thoughts your way for you and your Mom.

Good thoughts and wishes from here as well.

As one who just had a root canal last Thursday, and a lumpectomy last fall, I feel both of your pain, but the good thing is I survived both, and know you will too! The force is strong with you Wolf, and I know you'll both perservere.

Prayers to you and Momwolf. I hope everything works out for the best.

you know I'm on board with this. Add my best well wishes to the soup and congrats on being a supportive, resourceful daughter.

take care. BOTH of you.

Best wishes to you both from wa-a-ay over here too! And hugs'n'stuff ...

Wold I'm really sorry for this. You are awesome for taking charge of it right away. My thoughts and prayers go out to both of you.

Tell momWolf we're all rooting for her to have a safe and easy recovery.

Best wises to both of you. Damn, why are so many Dwellars in medical straits these days?

I couldn't find a pink wolf ribbon...but my thoughts are with you...

Good luck to both of you wolf. My thoughts are with you.

Prayers for momwolf on the way.

Thanks, gang.

Today I had to pick up the boob-o-vision films and deliver them to the surgeon. The surgeon's secretary worked some magic and got the women's center to have them ready sooner than they're supposed to provide such thing (they say 24 hours minimum), but it worked out.

I didn't have to deliver them to the office, could have dropped them off at the secretary's house tonight, but this got me out of the house for a bit, and I got a chance to talk to the doc for a while. She made me some very yummy tea with blueberry flavor.

I don't think I've ever had a doc do that for me before. Actually, I know I haven't. She also makes a mean fruit dip.

Tomorrow is the visit with the endocrinologist, and then I have to call the surgical center to get the details on Thursday's surgery.

MMmmm....It seems she has an awesome daughter. ;) I'm glad.

I'm starting to put together my bag of things to keep me amused for 5 hours, which is how long I've been told that I'll be at the hospital tomorrow.

We report at noon, go-time is supposed to be around 1330.

So far I have:

Crackberry
Kindle
Nintendo GameBoy Advance SP
Snacks

Going back and forth on whether to take a craft project.

Go ahead and bring it, cuz you know if you don't you'll wish you did. And good luck. Happy thoughts happy thoughts happy thoughts.....to you and mom!

I'd bring the craft project, too. you never know how fidgety you're gonna be. Your hands might need to do it. Plus, you can post pics of it later!

perhaps a book to read or a soduko...
My best to you and momwolf.

Book ... check (actually, I have at least 10 unread books on the Kindle, so I should be good for a while. I was just recommended John Scalzi's Android Dreams by a friend, so that's what I'm most likely to read, although since I may not be in a position to retain what I'm reading, I do have The Complete Sherlock Holmes and The Complete Lovecraft at my disposal as well.

Sudoku ... check (have sudoku game on the Crackberry, since it came with it. Also have downloaded two games (God of War: Betrayal and Watchmen) that may be pretty much unplayable given the Crackberry keyboard layout.

I kind of have a tradition of taking a craft project along to momwolf's surgeries ... usually a cross stitch. I was rummaging around in a messenger bag and found a "counted needlepoint" I'd forgotten about.

It is of a ladybug, which is momwolf's favorite insect (in retrospect, only favorite insect), so much so that I and my sister have been placed on "ladybug bans" as far as buying her things that have ladybugs on them, as the collection has a tendency to get out of control. I regularly violate the ban and get away with it because whatever I find is just so gosh-darn cute.

Momwolf is out of surgery. The doc said she is doing well!

Good!

Woo Hoo!!! How are you feeling?

Thank Everbody! Great news wolf, so glad to hear it.

I am feeling very much more relaxed. Momwolf is happily watching Who Wants to Be a Millionaire on the Game Show Channel.

The staff at Lansdale Hospital couldn't have been nicer and more professional, which made the experience that much better (I never had much good to say about the two previous incarnations, but I hear that Abington Hospital, which bought them out, is really the new broom sweeping clean over there).

I'm very happy to hear that!

:thumb:

Great news wolf, glad to hear it.

I'm glad to hear momwolf is doing well, and that you are too!

Today momwolf is cranky, irritable, and demanding.

In other words, back to herself.

I will cater to this at least partway through the weekend.

Oh, what the heck. It's Easter. She gets through Sunday midnight, after that, no more Miss Nice Wolf.

All right then, Monday everything will be back to normal. Excellent! :thumb:

Good reminder that I'm overdue for a mammogram.

Glad to hear things are going well!

Glad to hear that things are going well!

Healing energy to momwolf. Patience energy to wolf. :D

great news!

How's momwolf? And your teefeuses?

Thanks for bumping that Qotr. I missed the whole thing. I'm glad the hospital measured up. Good luck to Mom-Wolf.

Gotta take care of the pack. ;)

momwolf update:

Had the follow up with the breast surgeon this past Wednesday. Healing is proceeding well, and the pathology report was as encouraging as the pathology report on a malignant breast cancer can be.

No radiation, no chemo. Momwolf just has to take Tamoxifen.

So, despite it being one of the most awful things that can happen, it's gone pretty smoothly.

gentle hugs to momwolf.

Whoa, missed this whole thread. Wishing momwolf a speedy recovery! Glad to hear things have turned out (relatively) well.