Robin's Breast Cancer Blog

This collection of messages was written as we've been dealing with Robin's breast cancer for several reasons: (1) To keep our friends ("extended family") up-to-date. (2) To educate folks about "the cancer trip". (3) To help us absorb what was happening, and purge any negativity that might affect Robin. Robin must maintain a positive, hopeful attitude, but with realistic understanding. We follow the mantra, "One day at a time", and trust that God will make good come from difficulty.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Robin is a Sick Girl      8~(       09/29/09


Just a short message to let Robin’s friends and family know that she is in the hospital. Over the last few days, she developed several problems. First, she started getting a red patch on her back, close to her left shoulder blade. It grew worse and worse, eventually developing into a boil-like sore with a head over the weekend. It opened up on Saturday and continued to look very bad, but Robin wanted to wait for her appointment for chemo before seeing a doctor. Friday, she also started to develop a patchy, bumpy rash on her right arm which also grew worse through the weekend. Over the weekend and all day Monday, the rash got worse and became excruciatingly painful. By Monday, she had blisters on her finger tips and between her fingers. On Saturday, in addition to the rash and the boil, she showed me an ugly continuous rash on her waistline. We have seen these before when her immune system gets low.

So, when Robin’s oncologist saw her condition, she sent Robin to the hospital. Her favorite surgeon, Dr. Mason, is trying to get her into surgery tonight. He will need to do a procedure similar to her last surgery (in June) to open and clean the sore, including any “trails” that might exist. The bumpy rash on her right arm and hand appears to be “Shingles,” an excruciatingly painful disease caused by the virus that causes chicken pox. The virus becomes active again, possibly when a person is under stress, and it attacks the nerves. So that’s where we are. Waiting for surgery and planning to spend her birthday in the hospital.

FYI, Robin’s wound from the last surgery is doing pretty well, but she developed a bedsore nearby, and it “connected” to her existing wound. It has been getting better, and shows no sign of infection.

I’ll try to send an update after surgery. It may not happen until tomorrow. I have brought all her birthday cards with us to the hospital, so if she’s able tomorrow, I’ll surprise her with them. Thanks to all who were willing and able to respond. I’ll give you a report soon.

Please continue your prayers. She needs all the help she can get!

Love from us both,

                  --- Larry and Robin

posted by Larry Burns @ 11:23 PM