Delays

{{{{JULIE}}}} Now take a deep breath like Lorrie recommended. You have a lot to deal with right now. When is the biopsy scheduled? You will at least be able to plan after that. Maybe your son could come out early and sit with Dick while you get away? I know he just started a new job, but I am sure he would want to help. I wish I could be there to help. Remember that you will not know until after the biopsy and family history is on your side. Your sisters were benign right? I wish there was more comfort and help I could give, remember that I am always here to talk to.

Charlotte

Take a deep breath Julie- you have so much on your plate right now- my hat is off to you. Get that needle biopsy ASAP- you will feel better knowing either way. Can you get someone to sit with Dick & maybe get out for an evening with friends? I know in our case, too much togetherness is rough. I escape for a few hours every couple of weeks- it helps a lot.
You are in my thoughts- Lorrie

I am so frustrated with trying to get some help for Dick. It takes so long to get an appointment meanwhile I have stumble around trying to figure out what might help. Dick has severe lymphedema that makes it difficult to bend his knees. I asked the Primary Dr. for a referral for massage therapy and she wrote one out but due to that specific program closing Dick wound up with a referral to a Lymphedema specialist who wasn't available for a 3 weeks. We saw him yesterday and he referred Dick for massage at the right clinic just as I had wanted several weeks ago. Today I find out the first appointment available is October 16. So it will 2 months of needless delay.

Everything we do is dominated by his bladder. I wanted to stop for a meal on our way home this evening and we couldn't do that as he had to go home because he was feeling some urgency. I asked him why he didn't go before we left the clini and he said he didn't feel the need. I yelled you are supposed to go frequently even though you don't feel the need. That is suppose to help with urgency. We carry a urinal around everywhere we go so he can use it because the lymphedema has his scrotum so swollen he can't use the toilet standing or sitting.

I really wanted to stop for a sit down meal in a decent place. I had gotten some difficult news about my health and I did not want to just go home and throw something together. We drove through Burger King for hamburgers and brought them home. This was not what I wanted. I started feeling angry about having our whole lives controlled by his bladder.

I know some of this is displaced anger. I learned today I have a small mass in my left breast and will have to have a needle biopsy. I wanted to stop and process that news. I don't know how we would cope if I have to have surgery and treatment. This is not something I can deal with later I have to have it seen to now. I know I will not know for sure until after the biopsy. I don't know the statistics on how many breast lesions are benign. I suspect it is not many at my age. I had better go do something else before I ramp up to an anxiety attack. Julie