Wow! Time goes way too quickly. But I guess that's a testament to how well things went with the surgery. So let me begin with that.

BREAST CANCER See Pam's Story Her Struggle From Her Husband's Perspective Pam's Last Chemo Treatment E-Mail Pam Spread Word Survival Stories Myths and Facts Cancer Quiz Risk Factors SELF-EXAM How To Do It Diagrams How Do You Check? How Often? ARTICLES: Fitness Center For Patients WEB RESOURCES: Susan. G. Komen Foundation National Alliance Of Breast Cancer Organizations Breast Cancer Info National Breast Cancer Organization National Breast Cancer Coalition

For those of you who don't know, I tested positive for a breast cancer gene that predisposes me to a high risk of recurrent breast cancer. I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy to significantly reduce my risk. I went to the hospital Monday morning, April 14. Everything ran right on schedule.

Because I elected to do chemotherapy first, a sentinel node biopsy was also scheduled to see if any cancer cells would be found in my lymph nodes. (More on that later) For that biopsy, a dye was injected into my bloodstream. After waiting two hours for the dye to do its thing, at 2 p.m., my mom and sister wished me well as I was carted off to the operating room. Once there, about all I remember was a swarm of people hovering over me.

The next thing I knew, I was being taken down a hall to my room. Just like I was told, the entire procedure took a total of three hours. One surgeon performed the mastectomy and lymph node dissection, while a second surgeon fell in behind to do immediate reconstruction.

I was pretty groggy for the next couple of hours. Because I couldn't eat or drink (even water!) since midnight the night before, I was pretty thirsty. Anesthesia can make you sick to your stomach, so I was given only ice chips. I had LOTS of them! Then I got crackers. Having no trouble with either of those, I was cleared to get back to a normal diet the next day.

An IV remained in my wrist so that I could get fluids, and of course, pain medication. How painful was it? Well, I can't really even answer that because I was given pain medication immediately. I never got a chance to feel pain! I even had a hookup that I could administer my own doses with the press of a button! I pushed it twice during that first night for what I thought was pain, and then once more for a pounding headache that mysteriously descended upon me during the night.

The next day, the liquid pain killer was removed, and I was given a pill called Percocet. I really wasn't in what I would call pain, but I was told that it's easier to control pain than try to relieve it. So I took a couple for that day and the next. I hate taking medications! So when I got home I took a couple of Tylenol the first day, but that was it. I can't really say I had a lot of pain. It was uncomfortable, but not really painful. Okay, yes I have a high tolerance for pain. But considering what was done, I think God spared me the worst of it!

My first day in the hospital was spent mostly sleeping, although I did have a physical therapist come in once and help me get out of bed to get to the bathroom. Yes, that hurt. But it was good to know that I could do it. And since I'm not one to hide the gory details when I know you have questions, I will tell you that I had a foley catheter in for the first few days so I wouldn't have to transfer onto the toilet every time I had to pee too. As much as I dreaded it at first, I was so thankful to have it in.

I was in the hospital two nights, and left around 5 p.m. Wednesday. It was so good to be home! I was sent home with three other tubes sticking out from under my arms; two on the left side where the lymph nodes were taken, and one on my right. These tubes empty into drains which take fluid out of the body from the surgical sites. They're about the size of a grenade (and look like one too!), but I call them my leeches, although I'm not getting too attached! One was taken out last week, and I expect to get the others out some time in the next few days. It will make sleeping a whole lot easier.

The big question before surgery was whether or not any cancer cells remained. And I am thrilled to say that I am footloose and CANCER-FREE! My oncologist was the first to call with the wonderful news while I was still in the hospital. I was never really concerned that there would be more, but I am quite relieved, especially since this means I won't have to have any radiation.

So a big thank you to all of you who have written or sent cards. And especially thanks for your prayers. I was so at peace going into surgery knowing that people were praying for me. I had all the confidence in the world that God would answer the prayers and I would come out just fine.

So now, I'm getting used to my new look in the mirror. But I'll wait to expound on that until next time. Until then, keep getting to know your breasts!

Pam Daale
The Happy EX-Cancer Patient

P.S. For those of you who have so diligently prayed for me, I have a request. My sister had to leave to go back to Iowa the day after my surgery because her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He begins radiation this week, and will also be taking a chemotherapy pill. I would so appreciate it if you could offer up prayers for Vince's healing. Thank you, and may God bless you all!

You can e-mail Pam Daale at Pam_Daale@TheDenverChannel.com.