Pathology Results

ALL GOOD!!! CLEAR MARGINS!!! NO LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT!!!

Can you see me doing the happy dance?

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!

I'm still numb and I can't stop smiling. Thanks for all the prayers guys, I know that made the difference. I still have to go through the radiation (as a precaution) so don't stop praying, but I'm sure that will go smooth too.

I see the Oncologist tomorrow to be enrolled in the TailoRX study, this will determine if my tumor was a type that could likely come back somewhere else in my body and the percentage chance of that.

I could go on and on but I know several of you are waiting to hear the news.

Recovery Update - 3 days post-op

I'm having a wonderfully smooth recovery, Thank You Lord!

Yesterday I went over to the library to say Hi to all my co-workers, they were pretty surprised to see me. I even did a little grocery shopping on the way home (no I didn't lift anything too heavy). I didn't get my mile walk in, but I think I got plenty of exercise anyway.

A few friends stopped by to visit and have a cup of tea. I went back to the library last night for the guest appearance of author Jodi Thomas, I had just read her newest book and didn't want to miss meeting her, it was fun.

Today I feel even better, I got the best night's sleep so far last night, got up early to take my Grandkids to school, drove out to Boulder City to pick up my new glasses, came home and did some laundry, went for a walk (over a mile), dropped the cleaning off, filled my car up, returned something at Penneys and came home. That's my normal Friday kind of a day.

No more nausea and NO PAIN!! The bruising around my incision has gotten a little more vivid, but I think that's normal. I didn't get the results of my pathology report yet, when I called they told me I'd have to wait until my appointment on Monday as Dr. Gardner likes to give results face to face.

I'm hoping no news is good news, I can't imagine if it were bad that they wouldn't let me know. I'm not going to worry about it... GOD IS IN CONTROL!!

You'll all know as soon as I do!

Feeling Great!

I can't believe how great I feel, I didn't take any pain meds all day today, didn't need them and I think that was what was making me so dizzy and nauseous. I just kept the ice pack on most of the day and that seems to be controlling any swelling. I can't wait until I can take the bandages off tomorrow morning and get a good look at my incision, I can't imagine that it is very big as I have no pain.

After my long walk this afternoon (over a mile) in the wonderful fresh air and 70 something degree weather the dizziness seemed to subside also. Friends brought wonderful food, so I didn't have to worry about cooking, that was very nice. I think I shocked a few people when they called and I answered sounding like my normal?? self... not sure I'm ever really normal!

All in all I've had a great day! I promised Bill I'd get this sent and come to bed, he's way more exhausted than I am but I'm sure I need the rest too.

The Other side of Tuesday

I'm still coming out of the fog, as anesthetic is one of the worse parts of surgery for me, still feeling queasy. I'm on pain medication and ice packs for the first 48 hours... I am basically in no pain, ice is wonderful!!

Jerry is coming over to take me for a walk in a little while, hopefully I can make it a mile (that's my Dr's rule about the wonderful white surgical stockings... can't take them off until you walk a mile a day.) I am physically OK to do it, just a bit dizzy... I think the fresh air will help that.

My neighbor just came over to check on me and while she was here I got very queasy, I had taken one of the meds. at 9 o'clock to reduce swelling, however, a side effect is nausea... sure enough I lost my breakfast at 10:15. But I'm not complaining, I'm still pain free!

We'll know by Friday whether we got clear margins and also about the lymph nodes, I think he took 2 or 3 to sample.

All in all the experience was a positive one, everyone at the Breast Center and at Sunrise Hospital were wonderful. I did not feel apprehensive for even one second, I had my clinging cross (they even let me take it into surgery!) and the dear Lord held my hand the whole time. I went into surgery humming "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" because I know that God is in control.

Roller coaster of a week

I was sitting here journaling about the last week, all the Dr. visit's, consultations, tests..etc. It been a very "roller coaster" week with each day bringing more information about what I'm facing.

Every time I think I have everything handled another unexpected aspect of my journey with cancer rears it's head, the devil has been working overtime on me. I am determined to keep clinging to my faith and continuing to focus on the Great Physician... He is the one who will heal me!

My niece, Lara sent me a beautiful "clinging cross" I'd never seen one before and it sure made me cry when it arrived, what a wonderful thing for her to send. It fits perfectly in your clenched hand and she recommended I carry it with me to all my appointments, procedures etc. I know it will help me to stay focused on the One who is and always will be my Savior. Someone had given her one of these wonderful crosses when she was first diagnosed and she said it has gotten her through so much.

I took it with me to the Radiation Oncologist today and I'm sure glad I had it as what she had to say was pretty scary. I think I'm ready for Tuesday, I have just one more event scheduled... an orientation at the Breast Center on Monday explaining what to expect on surgery day. It's the day before so I guess it will probably be good to go and get my last minute questions answered.

My grandson's are coming tomorrow to spend the day and overnight that will cheer me up and keep me real busy.

Sunday we have Church and then we'll get ready for our Bible study group Sunday night.

Monday I have that meeting at the Breast Center and I work half a day and then Tuesday will be here... I can hardly wait to get on the other side of Tuesday! Not that it will be the end of my treatment, probably only the beginning... but it will seem like I'm finally really addressing the problem instead of just spinning my wheels doing all the stuff you have to do to get ready!

All of my Dr.'s have been great... really patient and willing to answer all my questions, there is so much to absorb in order to make a wise decision. Each one has a little different slant on what they think is best, but ultimately you have to chose what your course of action will be. It's a heavy responsibility,

I'm sure glad God is in Control!! Thanks so much for all your wonderful emails, phone calls, cards and bountiful prayers!! Except for the very brief moments when I take my eyes off where they need to be, I feel the peace that passes all understanding and the Almighty Presence of God.

Genetic Counselor

Well, I had a long 75 minute session with Erica Ramos the genetic counselor that I was referred to by the Breast Center. It was very productive! I went extremely well prepared... she said no one ever comes this prepared. After much discussion about several members of the family she came to the determination that it would not be necessary for me to have the BRCA gene testing, she said she could almost be certain that I would test negative. She said our particular family patterns do not line up with what would normally be typical of BRCA gene positive persons. The fact that Lara tested negative just made her that much more convinced.

She encouraged me to have the tumor checked out by the study that the Oncologist recommended, the TailorRX study, that will check something like 28 genes and determine my pre disposition to cancer in other parts of my body, whether I would need Chemo and what type. If I have a defective gene that would be a better clue for the rest of my siblings if they ever need to know that information.

Her advise for my siblings based on our family history would be to insist on having an MRI as well as a Mammo, possibly alternating one each 6 months, and future females in the family as they become adults to start having a Mammo at age 30, instead of the typical age 40. She also gave me a link to a journal for Clinicians about the importance of having MRI's for persons with our family history. This is something you can print out and give to your Dr. as support for your request to have the MRI. copy and paste the following:http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/57/2/75

She also told me about another interesting study that proposes the value of taking Tamoxifen for Breast cancer prevention in women who have never had breast cancer. the link for that one is: http://www.nsabp.pitt.edu/STAR/Index.asp

I thought I had taped the whole interview and found at the end that my recorder wasn't working, I think the batteries were dead. UGHHH!!! It was so good and I wanted to share it with all of you. I think I've given you the highlights.

Tomorrow, the Radiation Oncologist... I'll make sure I have fresh batteries!

Genetic Testing

My Dr. is insisting that I see a Genetic expert, I have an appt. on Thurs. AM she wants me to bring as much info as I can about family history, they also asked me if anyone in the family had lost a child at a young age due to cancer, leukemia etc. I'm hoping in the long run this can help all of my siblings and our children as well as future generations.

The days are going pretty quickly as I'm being kept busy going from Dr. to Dr. and having all the pre op tests etc. I'll be glad when my surgery is behind me, I found out yesterday that I will probably have to have radiation... 33 treatments is what they are thinking. That sort of threw me as I was told previously that would be determined after my surgery. Seems I've gotten lots of what feels like conflicting information, it could be I'm just on overload! Thanks for all your prayers!

Lumpectomy Scheduled

It looks like we've got the ball rolling. I have my bloodwork this week, my MRI and all the other pre-op stuff on Monday April 7th and the lumpectomy on Tuesday April 15th, that was the earliest I could get it, so pray that the time goes quickly for me.

Visit with the Oncologist

Well, I have a much clearer picture of my options now that I've seen the Oncologist, I had a very lengthy and thorough consultation with Dr. Ann Weirman today, probably about 1 1/2 hours!

I now have a much different perspective of what I should do. I'm opting to move forward with a lumpectomy ASAP. I will have a MRI coil test to give the surgeon a better picture of what he's going after in the next couple of days and I will have genetic testing (probably not BRCA but P53 instead) as well as a few other tests after the surgery. Dr. Weirman feels confident that a lumpectomy will be the appropriate treatment.

The decision on whether or not I'll need Chemo etc. afterwards remains unknown. The miracle for today was that besides getting an appt. with the Oncologist so quickly, she is going to apply to be a provider for my insurance so when I go back I'll be covered. I went today even though she was not on my insurance and it was well worth it, I mentioned to her that this might be the only visit I'd have with her since she wasn't a provider, and was flabbergasted when she told me that was just a technicality that could be taken care of quickly. She walked to the front desk and told her receptionist to do the necessary paperwork so she would be able to accept my insurance by the time I came back for my follow up visit after my lumpectomy! God is really good!!

Bill is much relieved that I've decided to move forward with having the cancer removed, he didn't try to influence my decision but was very happy that I'd decided not to wait. I will keep you all updated as things progress