MY PURPLE HEART

Today I got my port removed.  It was a quick surgical procedure with many stitches.  It's hard to believe that this was in my body for thirteen months.  My doctor gave it to me to keep....said it was like my own purple heart medal.  I served in the war of cancer and came out victorious...I am a warrior!

See how small it is?  The tube went up through an artery below my collarbone and the base sat snugly in my chest.  Every three weeks for the past year, this little receptacle gave me my chemo that killed the cancer.

Here it is, up close and personal.  The three raised bumps could be felt through my skin and gave the nurses the boundaries for where to insert the needle that led to the tubing that they hooked up to my IV meds.

Kind of looks like a computer mouse!

 

This is the bottom of the port.  See...it looks like a heart.

It has quite a thickness to it and I now see how deeply embedded it must have been in my chest.  No wonder the area where it once resided is feeling really sore.  I guess the anesthesia is wearing off.  Oh well, the soreness won't last forever.  Praise God this journey is over.

THUMBS UP OR DOWN?

What's up with this?  My chronic sore thumb has been diagnosed as tendinitis.  But wait, not just tendinitis.  Oh no, it has to include a trigger finger response from the damaged tendon.  So what does that mean?  Well, according to my doctor, it means possible surgery.

Surgery?  You've got to be kidding.

Really?

Perhaps it's just been overused do to so much computer work I do....

Or maybe it's all that texting and Facebook posting........

Possibly the crafting, bird toy making, and other projects?.....

Or, the constant changing of channels I do while watching TV?

Well, whatever the cause...it is what it is.  You would think that my body has been through enough this past year, what with the cancer and all.  But injuries don't discriminate.  They just happen.  So, hopefully this will heal on its own.  But if it doesn't, then the good Lord above will once again comfort me and guide me through yet another medical adventure.  I was just hoping for a little reprieve, that's all.

SURGERY DAY

Here I am trying to act all calm and together as I wait to be called back to short stay surgery.  My friend, Claudia, sitting next to me, has been a pillar of strength throughout this journey.  Years earlier, she went through similar treatment for her breast cancer.

All set and ready to go to the Breast Center to get poked and prodded for the umpteenth time.  Actually, I had a wire placed directly into the breast and through the tumor, to the clip that was placed when I had my stereotactic biopsy.  Then I had blue dye injected into the breast tissue...not so fun (ouch!)

 

These two guy are VERY near and dear to my heart.  On the left is Glenn, a family friend for twenty years (he is just like a surrogate daddy to me).  And on the right is Ralph, my pastor and buddy.  These guys were there through everything, supporting me, encouraging me, and sending lots of prayers upward for me.

Back from the Breast Center and all wired up, I am ready to go into surgery soon.  Sherri, my beloved big sister (not to mention best friend) took this photo of me and my support team guys.  I was going to post some after surgery pictures along with these, but Sherri advised that they are not the most flattering pictures around....so she hasn't sent them to me yet.  When I get them I will see if they are postable or not.  I'm guessing she is right and that they are just for family to see.