Surgery’s over, now what?

Update: I am officially cancer free as of my surgery!! So, everything from here on out is preventative.

Surgery was actually way easier than I thought it would be. I was very well drugged (shoutout to my anesthesiologist) and woke up like, really? It’s over? And then the same day I was walking around a little bit. By day 3 or so, I was up and walking daily, and by the end of the first week I was tapering down my pain meds and going on pretty decently long walks. And now at 4weeks, I’ve got full range of motion in both arms and there’s only a little bit of numbness under my arm, which may unfortunately stay that way. Still better than chemo.

So now, since my cancer type feeds on estrogen, the plan is to essentially rid my body of estrogen entirely. The way to do that is kick me into early menopause, with a monthly shot that stops ovulation and takes my estrogen down extremely low. There is still a bit of estrogen left at this point. No more kids for me (THIS IS A VERY GOOD THING).

I start the shots next week on Friday, and then while my body is getting accustomed to that, I will start radiation. My first consult is Aug 2, which is basically the planning session — mark the area that it will go, what position will I need to hang out in while I am being radiated, etc. Then shortly after that I’ll start going every day 5 days a week, with weekends for a break — all for 6 weeks.

At the end of radiation, then I will start a daily pill which will take my estrogen to zero. The monthly shots and the daily pill will continue for 5 to 10 years, or basically until I enter menopause age (45-50ish).

I’m not suuuuuper excited about getting hot flashes and night sweats, but hey, I still have my hair and I didn’t have to do chemo. I’ll take it!