No matter what medical issues you are facing, the number one thing to be sure of is that you trust your doctor 100%. Remember, they are your employee; you are paying them to find and treat your condition. If you don’t have a warm and fuzzy feeling about your doctor, get a new one! This is your life and you have the power to hire a doctor that will listen to you.

Lynne, you need to get a second opinion immediately. Or if you really like your doctor, insist on a biopsy. Do not wait six months. My doctor said six months would be devastating since I had a very aggressive form of cancer. Your doctor should not “think” that it is benign. It should be a medical fact that it is benign, which I think can only be proven by a biopsy. Most of the time, the biopsy is almost painless. I would recommend a biopsy as soon as possible. Stay persistent until you know that it is not cancer.

Hang in there. Let me know if I can help.

As for me this week, I had two doctor’s appointments. Tuesday, I went to see Dr. Deutsch. My belly incision broke Friday night, so I was really worried. The gap is about 2 ½ inches by ¾ inch and you can see the cadaver skin that he had to put there. He said he could not sew it back up because it may be a harbor for infection. It has to heal from the inside out. I put hydrogen peroxide and antibiotic cream on it several times a day to prevent infection. It’s still holding its own and appears to be healing. I’m staying positive that it will heal with no problems. He said we could deal with the visual aspect later once I am completely healed. My breasts are healing great! Their color is normal! I look like the “bride of Frankenstein” with stitches and cuts everywhere on my body, but it will all be over with soon!

Wednesday, I had my appointment with Dr. Ballard. He is no longer coming to Fayetteville every week, so I have to make the trek to Howell Mill every three weeks now. But he is worth it. Like my first paragraph indicates, you must trust your doctor 100%. I had the choice of staying with the group in Fayetteville or staying with Dr. Ballard. That was a no-brainer. He is the best!! He is impressed with my recovery. My blood results were good, so I was able to take the Herceptin. I was really pleased with the nurses in the infusion room. The nurses in Fayetteville were all so good, that I was unsure of what to expect there. But I was extremely pleased.

I’m still not able to stand up straight, but that should come after about 4 ½ weeks according to Dr. Deutsch. I’m walking to the mailbox several times a day (yippee!). I’ll be glad when I can walk around the block.

I have found that the key to recovery is to stay positive and happy. I thank God every day that I have the opportunity to live! I hope that I can be an inspiration to others once this is over. Being diagnosed is not the end of the world. I have proven to myself that I am strong and have courage and determination to win any battle put in front of me. Thank you for giving me the encouragement to be motivated to get over this.

- Ann