In and Out...

It's Good Friday, and the 2nd day of Spring (although you wouldn't know it looking out the window). My family is all looking forward to celebrating the Resurrection of Christ this Sunday! And, I think I'll feel well enough to participate.

My surgery was at 7:00 yesterday morning, and I was home by 9:30. Dr. Koeplin said the surgery went well and that we should have the pathology report by Monday. He said not to be surprised if they don't find any cancer - that doesn't mean it was missed, it would mean the "positive margin" was such a small area. I am also scheduled with him for a follow-up next Friday, and then with Dr. Hartung on Monday the 31st. It sounds like I might have my chemotherapy class that next day (April Fool's Day). So, the ball will continue to roll.

I am scheduled to visit "A Fitting Place" in Hastings on Tuesday for a hair replacement (?) consultation. I may try other places as well, depending on the outcome of this visit. Many new experiences.

I rested all day yesterday and was looking very pale. I really didn't take any pain meds, but just controlled the pain with cold packs. I did manage to read a book and listen to lots of healing music CDs my sister brought over. My sister and mom cooked up some recipes to eat and/or freeze. Right now there is a big crock pot of Cindy's spaghetti sauce simmering.....does it ever smell wonderful! It's nice to be cozy inside while the snow is flying outside. I'm feeling quite a bit better and stronger today, but obviously still need to take it slow.

Interesting Surgical Note: A surgeon is required to mark the "spot" where the surgery is to be performed with a permanent marker on your body (his/her initials) prior to surgery. He said if you ever see one coming with a ballpoint pen, direct them to a sharpie! This is a good thing, as I'm guessing it was implemented to avoid those unfortunate accidents of removing the wrong thing.

Once again, thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for our family. I don't know how people go through things like this without a "support" group and a faith in God. He is walking along beside me every step of the way, as I get better every day!

I wish you all a very blessed and happy Easter!

Onward....and still waiting.....

So, I have some new information today, but "everything" is still not quite clarified.

Yesterday, I met with Dr. Hartung to discuss the additional surgery, and she felt it was reasonable to go forward with an additional excision, with the knowledge that if there are any more positive margins, it would then be a mastectomy. She realized the pathology report was missing some important information regarding Estrogen/Progesterone/Her-Neu positive or negative. She'll be calling me after speaking with the pathologist. These are necessary for determining the type and course of chemotherapy. With all else that was determined, this cancer is considered early stage 2, aka stage 2A, primarily because of the size.

We also talked about the options for chemo, including a possible clinical trial. I'd have a 50/50 chance of getting either of the two treatments - one that would have a side effect profile ~5% worse than the standard treatment, and one that would be ~5% better than standard. I'll have to study the paperwork they send me and make a decision. However, can't make that decision without the missing information from above.... Chemo will start about 2 weeks following the final surgery.

Side effects will include, of course, hair loss. She gave me the name of a place in Hastings, "A Fitting Place," which is a full service place for wigs, etc. I'm still looking at others, too. She looked at me and said, "It will take a long time to grow back hair like that." Then she looked at Mike and said, "It would take 3-4 months to grow hair like that." Hmmm....his style is not my style!

Also had blood work and a chest X-ray to establish a baseline.

I scheduled an appointment with their nutritionist for this Friday to ensure I'm eating the best possible things to maintain the greatest health. Low Glycemic Index foods are my friends! Maybe not always to the taste buds, but at least to the healthy cells in my body. Organic is also becoming "standard" around here.

This morning I met with Dr. Koeplin. He is very confidant we can get that remaining positive margin removed with an additional excision and that this can be an outpatient procedure, which will go over well with my sons - they did NOT like that I was in the hospital overnight. He said it looked like my other incisions were healing just fine (okay, how about not using deodorant under one arm - you are all glad I haven't been in to work! Sorry if that was TMI!). I always feel better after meeting with him.

The scheduler will hopefully call this afternoon to schedule the surgery for next week. I'd like it ASAP! I imagine I'll need a pre-op physical again. This is seriously a full time job, trying to get a handle on all this.

I did read a wonderful book "There's No Place Like Hope: A Guide to Fighting Cancer in Mind-Sized Bites" (Amazon.com is also my friend!) It was very encouraging and made me feel I'm not "crazy" for having certain fears or questions or feelings. I did so much "cancer" yesterday, however, that I didn't sleep too well, so I'm going to try and do some "Wendee the person" things today instead.

Again, I can't say enough how I appreciate the positive thoughts, good wishes, prayers, cards, gifts, and offers of help you are sending our way! The support is amazing and humbling. I truly believe I'll be a changed person, in many ways, when this journey is complete. God does keep placing the right people/books/information, etc. in my path right when I need them. For this I am so grateful.

One step down, one step forward...

Yesterday's surgery went well. Dr. Koeplin removed the lump and the one sentinel lymph node. The lymph node contained only benign cells, so they didn't have to remove any more than just that one. That was the good news! Mike, my mom, sister, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law were all there during the surgery as a great support team. My sister, Sonja, stayed over night with me, which was extremely helpful. The spiritual support provided by all your prayers was, again, invaluable during this first scary step.

Mike brought Alec & Kevin to visit me last night as well. They were very happy to take turns snuggling beside me (on my right side!) in the hospital bed watching some TV. I think it was very reassuring to them that I was still just "Mom."

I was home by 10:00 this morning. One major step is done & overwith. Now I just keep stepping forward, one day at a time. I'm scheduled for a follow-up with the surgeon on Friday the 7th, and then the oncologist again on the 11th.

We are so thankful for your thoughts, prayers, cards, sincere offers to help our family, and notes of encouragement on this blog!

The first step...

The first physical step toward healing will be this Thursday, the 28th. I am scheduled for surgery at 10:00 @ Woodwinds. My sister, husband, and mother will be with me. The surgeon is going to keep me overnight for one night to allow for a better transition home.

The emotional and spiritual healing has been/is on-going with the many positive thoughts and prayers that are happening on behalf of me and my family. For this, I am so thankful.

I'm not sure how many days I will be off work for this first procedure, but I'll try to update here if possible.

We talked to the boys about this upcoming surgery for the first time tonight - no "C" word at this point. It was still very difficult and emotional, with many tears. I could see the fear in their eyes. We did our best to reassure them. We will tell them more details as the next treatment plans to in place.

Thanks to all who are praying! The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective!

The journey begins...

Hello dear family and friends,



I've started this blog to hopefully keep everyone updated as to my health situation and specific prayer requests. This was a great recommendation from a fellow survivor (I fully intend to join those ranks!).



Timeline:

January 28th - annual exam, suspicious "fibrous" lump discovered

Februrary 1st - mammogram, showed nothing - the same as in September, ultrasound completed as well - radiologist still couldn't determine for sure

February 6th - core needle biopsy performed - should have results 48-72 hours

Feburary 12th - finally got the call (15 minutes before school conferences) with the not good news - Ductal Carcinoman In Situ - decent prognosis

February 20th - met Dr. Nicole Hartung, Oncologist, found out there was another, invasive ductal carcinoma as well - shocking news. She is very good...

February 21st - MRI to see if there were any other "missed" areas since the mammogram doesn't show anything

February 22nd - met with Dr. Michael Koeplin, surgeon. MRI results were as good as they could be, from what we started with. Plan to schedule a lumpectomy and lymp node excision (?) for next week...I am very comfortable with this surgeon - I just felt better after meeting with him - at least there is a plan. There will almost definitely be chemotherapy following the surgery, and there will absolutely be radiation after that (it's a package deal with the lumpectomy). It will be a long road.



So, here it is, Sunday evening, and I'm waiting for the surgery (my first ever) to be scheduled. As the title of this blog suggests, and as a wise friend sent in a note to me early on, every day that goes by is one day that I am closer to being healed. My two dear sons are motivation enough to press on & do whatever I need to do to facilitate that happening. And your prayers couldn't be more important and appreciated!