Yikes! It's been two weeks since the last blog…time goes by when you're having fun (or going to appointment after appointment). Since my last blog, I've had an MRI, bone scan, PET scan, and ultrasound. Awesome news first - bone scan was normal!! Thank you for the prayers and fasting. It works. The MRI showed a couple of questionable spots, but we were told MRI's are highly sensitive and tend to show areas that may not be of concern. The PET scan showed nothing new. We met with the nurse practitioner, Heidi, at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. She was very informative AND adorable. She's British with a heavy accent, and we loved it. After the test results came back, the doctors at SCCA wanted me to have a biopsy on the questionable spots revealed in the MRI. They did an ultrasound first and determined, due to the shape and coloring of the nodes, they were normal or clinically benign and didn't need to do the biopsy. Yay!! I think I reverted to an excited child when the doctor told me I may not have to have the biopsy. We are meeting with the specialists at SCCA today where they will give their findings and recommendations. Today is the day we hope to choose a definite treatment plan, understanding that things may change a little along the way. Oh, I also met with the radiologist in Yakima last week and he went into more detail and gave me an 80-85% cure rate with neoadjuvant chemo, lumpectomy, and radiation. Not that statistics matter. I have Faith, I Believe in miracles, and I Believe that God will heal me. I have no doubts. And Jim says I still have more Candy Crush to play. LOL!
Speaking of Jim, he's going to lead off the humor part of this blog. For those of you who don't know him, he's a warm-loving person but when he is worried or stressed about a situation, especially with those he loves, he tends to verbally snap. He's the kind of person that focuses on the solution, believes wholeheartedly in miracles, and could care less about the details in between. I think the details make him worry, so he'd rather not know. When I discovered the third lump, I came downstairs and Jim was sitting in his chair. I said, "Honey, I found another lump." And with frustration, he said, "Well, then QUIT looking for them!" We still laugh today when we talk about it. He couldn't remember saying it, and when we told him, he started laughing uncontrollably.
For this next story, we're going to leave the doctor's name out so as not to embarrass anyone. This story is entitled, "What Not To Say When Doing A Breast Examination." Needless to say, I've had numerous breast examinations over the last month. This one is definitely the funniest. The doctor examined my right breast first and, while he was covering that side and getting ready to look at the left side, he said, "Well, nothing lights me up over here." My husband better NEVER say that. As we're typing this up, Jim says, "I've never thought it and never said it." Good answer.
So when we were meeting with Heidi, we were talking about staying positive and upbeat. We told her about the "What Not To Say When Doing A Breast Examination" story and she thought it was hilarious, or unbelievable. She couldn't believe the doctor said that. We thought about not sharing it, but she said in her strong British accent, "Oh, you absolutely MUST share that one!" She then proceeded to tell her own funny story and gave permission to share it. She herself is a breast cancer survivor. After she found out, she grabbed a beer and sat on the couch sobbing and drinking her beer. Her husband felt bad and wanted to make her feel better, so he said (not being in the medical industry), "Don't be upset. Wait 'til we get the autopsy." She stopped crying, looked at him, and said, "Autopsy?! That's too bloody late! I'll be dead by then!" And then she started laughing hysterically, just as we were.
You have to keep laughing, smiling, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
New Findings
A friend told us about another oncologist in town so we asked for a referral to see him which the insurance company approved along with a visit to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). I went to have my second opinion with the local oncologist yesterday. We didn't bring the army this time. When we went to see the first oncologist, there were so many of us, the nurse looked at us like we were crazy and was worried we wouldn't fit in the room but we managed. When we first arrived, we ran into Katie, one of our Zumba® students and friends. She is a chemo nurse at this particular office. It's comforting to know people who may be taking care of and helping me through this process. Back to the oncologist - he found a couple more lumps, one kind of by my collar bone. He could not say if they were lymph nodes because of the location but felt they needed to be ultrasounded and maybe even biopsied. He said my case is complicated and wanted me to go to the UW Breast Clinic (SCCA). We told him my insurance approved a visit to SCCA, and that I would like to go. He got the ball rolling for several things that needed to be done: appointment with SCCA, muga scan, port, blood work and PET scan. Today, I had my pre-op for the port, which will be put in tomorrow, and a muga scan. I've had about 50 tubes of blood drawn - not really but it feels like it. Monday, I meet with the nurse practitioner at SCCA who will determine if they need additional tests before I meet with the team of specialists scheduled for the following week, but I am hoping (and hear from others) I may get in sooner. My PET scan is scheduled for Tuesday, so things are moving along. I also got a flu shot on Monday. I should note we really liked him. I forgot to mention in my first blog that, when we asked the first oncologist about a second opinion, she said my case was pretty straight forward and any doctor I saw would recommend the same treatment plan she did except for maybe the way chemo is distributed but she was flexible on that. We persisted on the second opinion...thankfully. We're grateful for everyone who encouraged us to get second and third opinions because we may not have discovered how complicated things were and time is of the essence.
How I'm feeling: It's been stressful and draining making phone call after phone call, waiting for calls back, waiting for approvals, trying to get appointments scheduled, getting poked and prodded on top of dealing with daily life issues like getting my car repaired from an accident a month ago (yes, it's taken that long), dealing with the car rental company, covering the office at the studio (thanks to Jim for stepping in with this), finding subs to cover me while I'm recovering from my port surgery, etc. etc. As we're preparing this blog, I'm laying on the couch, physically drained from the events over the last few days, realizing that I can't stay on the same schedule I've been operating on. If I'm tired now, I can't imagine how it's going to be when I'm going through treatment. I better get things lined up now. I feel positive that things will smooth out and calm down as we progress with the doctors, decision making, and treatment plan. I feel strong. A note to my daughters - you are going to have your ups and downs, but that's what will pull us together.
Jamie's point of view: Mom and I decided, since I'm helping her with this blog, I get to put my two cents in. My Mom is a ROCK!!! As the doctor was examining her, he confirmed the finding of a couple more lumps. He stood up, took a deep breath, and then sighed heavily shoulders dropping and everything. If there was a thought bubble by my head, it would have said, "Ohhhh crap." Then my body started shaking involuntarily, and I wanted to cry but I was trying to be strong, because I am, darn it! I had my laptop on my lap and it was hard to type because my knees were shaking. I didn't want Mom to see so I was trying really hard to tighten my muscles to stop them from shaking. Mom came over to me after the doctor left and hugged me and said, "It's going to be ok. I'm going to be ok." Epic fail on my part. Ugh. She is SO strong. When the doctor came back in, he gave us a run down on everything that needed to be done. Once I had the list and knew he was "on it," I felt so much better. Later that night, Mom and I laughed as we discussed the events at the doctor's office. She told me she saw my eyes watering, and I was like, "Dang it!" And then I asked, "Did you see my knees shaking?" and she was like, "Yes (giggle giggle)." She is my hero! Jamie
How I'm feeling: It's been stressful and draining making phone call after phone call, waiting for calls back, waiting for approvals, trying to get appointments scheduled, getting poked and prodded on top of dealing with daily life issues like getting my car repaired from an accident a month ago (yes, it's taken that long), dealing with the car rental company, covering the office at the studio (thanks to Jim for stepping in with this), finding subs to cover me while I'm recovering from my port surgery, etc. etc. As we're preparing this blog, I'm laying on the couch, physically drained from the events over the last few days, realizing that I can't stay on the same schedule I've been operating on. If I'm tired now, I can't imagine how it's going to be when I'm going through treatment. I better get things lined up now. I feel positive that things will smooth out and calm down as we progress with the doctors, decision making, and treatment plan. I feel strong. A note to my daughters - you are going to have your ups and downs, but that's what will pull us together.
Jamie's point of view: Mom and I decided, since I'm helping her with this blog, I get to put my two cents in. My Mom is a ROCK!!! As the doctor was examining her, he confirmed the finding of a couple more lumps. He stood up, took a deep breath, and then sighed heavily shoulders dropping and everything. If there was a thought bubble by my head, it would have said, "Ohhhh crap." Then my body started shaking involuntarily, and I wanted to cry but I was trying to be strong, because I am, darn it! I had my laptop on my lap and it was hard to type because my knees were shaking. I didn't want Mom to see so I was trying really hard to tighten my muscles to stop them from shaking. Mom came over to me after the doctor left and hugged me and said, "It's going to be ok. I'm going to be ok." Epic fail on my part. Ugh. She is SO strong. When the doctor came back in, he gave us a run down on everything that needed to be done. Once I had the list and knew he was "on it," I felt so much better. Later that night, Mom and I laughed as we discussed the events at the doctor's office. She told me she saw my eyes watering, and I was like, "Dang it!" And then I asked, "Did you see my knees shaking?" and she was like, "Yes (giggle giggle)." She is my hero! Jamie
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Life's Refining Moments
Doctrine & Covenants 121:7 "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;"
Life is but a fleeting moment in the realm of eternity. Small moments, my term for adversity and affliction in this blog, in life can give us proper perspective and a sense of priority which, for me is family, friends, and relationships, as we journey through life.
On October 9th, after several tests, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The surgeon and oncologist determined I have infiltrating ductal carcinoma, grade 3, stage 2, triple negative. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is the most common breast cancer type and is invasive, which means it can spread. Grade 3 means the cells are most abnormal and more aggressive out of a scale of 1-3. Stage 2 is still considered early. Triple negative does not respond to hormone therapies which means I will be going through chemotherapy. Once I have finished chemo, I will have surgery and, after surgery, radiation.
When I was first diagnosed, I was in denial. About a year and a half ago, I was attacked by a dog in the chest area and still have scar tissue from that incident. Even after I left the doctor's office, I was thinking, "It can't be. It has to be from the dog bite."
My appointment with the surgeon was eight days after the diagnosis. My daughter, Jamie, came over to go to the appointment with us and, before we left, we researched breast cancer diagnoses so we would be familiar with some of the terms the surgeon would be using. That's when I started thinking it might be real, because some of the facts we were reading related to me and my situation. When the surgeon explained the test results, I knew I really had breast cancer. At this point, my thoughts were, "I can get through this. I have been through rougher times and I was able to get through it and become the person I am today."
The surgeon offered his suggestions for the best treatment plan, which he felt would include chemo due to the findings. The nurse who gave me the diagnosis told me she didn't think I would need chemo but wasn't positive as some of the test results had not been received, and I was relieved because of the horror stories (and movies) I had seen and heard. So hearing I would probably need to go through chemo scared me.
After meeting with the oncologist today, I feel more at ease and in control. They have more options today than the movies I watched back in the 1990's. I felt comfortable with my oncologist. She was very thorough in explaining my diagnosis and treatment plan and she said my prognosis was excellent. I know I can get through this, even though I might be weak from chemo.
The plan: I had blood drawn today. We are waiting for insurance approval on a second opinion referral and PET scan. The surgeon will put the port in for chemo and I will be learning more about chemo from the nurses. Chemo should be completed by April or May and then we will determine my options for surgery.
Another small moment has begun...I will win this battle because I have the support of my family and many wonderful friends who have already eased my burdens with their hugs, prayers, kind and uplifting words, and offers to help. My children and grandchildren are a huge comfort and strength to me.
Life is but a fleeting moment in the realm of eternity. Small moments, my term for adversity and affliction in this blog, in life can give us proper perspective and a sense of priority which, for me is family, friends, and relationships, as we journey through life.
On October 9th, after several tests, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The surgeon and oncologist determined I have infiltrating ductal carcinoma, grade 3, stage 2, triple negative. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is the most common breast cancer type and is invasive, which means it can spread. Grade 3 means the cells are most abnormal and more aggressive out of a scale of 1-3. Stage 2 is still considered early. Triple negative does not respond to hormone therapies which means I will be going through chemotherapy. Once I have finished chemo, I will have surgery and, after surgery, radiation.
When I was first diagnosed, I was in denial. About a year and a half ago, I was attacked by a dog in the chest area and still have scar tissue from that incident. Even after I left the doctor's office, I was thinking, "It can't be. It has to be from the dog bite."
My appointment with the surgeon was eight days after the diagnosis. My daughter, Jamie, came over to go to the appointment with us and, before we left, we researched breast cancer diagnoses so we would be familiar with some of the terms the surgeon would be using. That's when I started thinking it might be real, because some of the facts we were reading related to me and my situation. When the surgeon explained the test results, I knew I really had breast cancer. At this point, my thoughts were, "I can get through this. I have been through rougher times and I was able to get through it and become the person I am today."
The surgeon offered his suggestions for the best treatment plan, which he felt would include chemo due to the findings. The nurse who gave me the diagnosis told me she didn't think I would need chemo but wasn't positive as some of the test results had not been received, and I was relieved because of the horror stories (and movies) I had seen and heard. So hearing I would probably need to go through chemo scared me.
After meeting with the oncologist today, I feel more at ease and in control. They have more options today than the movies I watched back in the 1990's. I felt comfortable with my oncologist. She was very thorough in explaining my diagnosis and treatment plan and she said my prognosis was excellent. I know I can get through this, even though I might be weak from chemo.
The plan: I had blood drawn today. We are waiting for insurance approval on a second opinion referral and PET scan. The surgeon will put the port in for chemo and I will be learning more about chemo from the nurses. Chemo should be completed by April or May and then we will determine my options for surgery.
Another small moment has begun...I will win this battle because I have the support of my family and many wonderful friends who have already eased my burdens with their hugs, prayers, kind and uplifting words, and offers to help. My children and grandchildren are a huge comfort and strength to me.
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