July 8, 2019 · from Lesley’s original CaringBridge journal
If I were to summarize the last few months in simple words I would probably say – Busy – Tired – Anxious. April, May, and June have flown by. We finished up school, had four birthdays in one week, took a birthday trip to Atlanta for some Braves games, Gus had his second surgery of the year, a good friend (part of my cancer family) passed away, lots of doctors’ appointments, big July 4th fun, and now we are ready for my big surgery tomorrow. Whew – that was a lot in one sentence.
Busy – I have stayed busy which has been good. The one year anniversary of ringing the chemo bell came and went and I almost missed it! It wasn’t until I was settling down for the night that night that I actually remembered what day it was. I had spent the day picking blueberries with my boys, baking cookies, playing games – enjoying my life. It was good to remember, and not to remember. I look back at the pictures from that day and two of my friends in those pictures have gone to be with Jesus. It was bittersweet to celebrate that day without them.
Tired – man have I been tired! So the medicine I take now (to help prevent my cancer from coming back) has the side effect of fatigue and also is pushing me back into menopause, which also messes with my hormones and causes more fatigue. I’ve been working with my doctors to combat this and we have some strategies that are helping some.
Anxious – my anxiety was about to overtake me. It was getting bad. Real bad. My doctors are helping me with that too. The last couple of weeks have been better. I am hoping I keep trending this way. Please friends, if you are struggling with anxiety and/or depression (because they are like fraternal twins), talk to your doctor, talk to a friend – there are lots of things to try to help.
Medical stuff – so I had a bunch of scans a few weeks ago – lots of good news to report there! My liver was all clear which means we can stop monitoring it for now! The spots on my lung remained unchanged which supports our reasonable assumption that it’s a little inflammation from radiation that will eventually subside. The scans of my right breast were completely clean as well. Absolutely nothing worrisome to see!
Surgery – My big surgery is tomorrow, July 9. To say I’m nervous is an understatement. I feel like I am starting to gain traction and get back to more and more of “normal.” It is very hard to voluntarily knock my feet back out from under me for a while. Here is what’s going down…. I will have a mastectomy of my right side – we did not do this last summer because my surgery was right after I finished chemo. My body was weak and we wanted the smallest amount of wound healing possible to have less chance of infection/complications. Because my genetic testing came back with a funky gene (not the BRCA ones, an odd one called “ATM” – of course I can’t be normal), having a mastectomy of the non-cancerous side is a good option. If I choose not to do that I would have to have scans every six months for the rest of my life – circle back to that anxiety discussion….I don’t wanna have to do that! After my breast surgeon completes the mastectomy, the plastic surgeon will come in and do his part. He will be beginning the reconstruction process with some skin grafts and the insertion of tissue expanders. This will be a 4-5 hour surgery most likely. He told me the other day that he wants me to pretty much not move my arms, keep them by my side, and sleep only in a recliner for 2-3 weeks. I’ll have multiple drains (which honestly freak me out) and will have lifting restrictions for quite some time. This means no picking up Gus for a couple of months and probably not rocking him to sleep for at least a few weeks. Ya’ll, pray for us! That is going to be a bit of misery for all of us!!! I’ll be back at the plastic surgeon’s office pretty much once a week for a month and then every other week for several more months – burning up I-20 again! Chick-Fil-A, get ready for me! Once the expansion process is complete there will be more surgeries to come but none as big as this one.
Again, we covet your prayers. We are so thankful that the Lord has brought us this far. We appreciate everyone who still checks in on us. God has been so good – we are surrounded by so many supportive friends. I have said it a bunch and I’ll say it again – this is so humbling in such a good way! Until next time…..
Lesley
Comments from CaringBridge
Becki Jones — 7/8/19
My prayers are becoming more frequent for you my dear sweet, strong friend. You are my ever popular Wonder Woman, and I plan for that to continue! Much love and many prayers to you and your sweet family, Beccki
Lisa Cronic — 7/8/19
Love you sister. We are all praying
Gerry Brooks — 7/8/19
Dick and I are sending you and your family prayers, prayers for the Doctors and that God will guide their hands, and that you will have a speedy recovery.
Liz Brodmann — 7/8/19
Praying for you, Leslie. Thanks for the update. 😘
Erica Segars — 7/8/19
Big prayers from the Segars fam! You’re so strong and thoughtful! God will bring you through better than new! ❤
Nancy Sullivan — 7/8/19
We pray for you daily, Lesley, but will be specific about your surgery, now! Read psalm 121 for comfort!
Joanna Norvell — 7/8/19
We are lifting you up tomorrow and over the next few weeks as your gain strength and recover 🙏🏻
Carey McCaslin-Murns — 7/8/19
Continued prayers for you and your family, Lesley! You’ve got this…God’s got you! ❤
Erica Lamar — 7/8/19
I will be praying for you and the hands of the doctors ❣️❣️
Melanie Arias — 7/8/19
Thank you for taking time for the update. We will pray for the big surgery and recovery!
Cancermamma 