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 September 1, 2007

I had a fairly good night's sleep, but kept awakening, not due to pain, but because of pure happiness. I kept praising God and thanking Him for all of you and your prayers and well wishes. The power He gives to us all constantly amazes me.

I was a little ambitious with breakfast - had cereal, a luscious pear that Erik and Nicole sent from Harry & David and milk. Tummy got a little queasy a bit later, but it's settled down since. I plan on staying in bed most of today. And thankfully I've not had to take any pain pills today!

The bandages will come off later today and I'll venture a shower and see how that goes. There are no stitches, just those sterie strips which will peel off in 4-5 days. Next Thursday I see the radiologist at Edward and we'll plan for my treatment. I'm praying that the Mammo Site will be a viable option and that I'll be able to conclude my treatment in 5 days. What miracles are occurring every day in medicine!

Thank you all for the posts and prayers. They really buoy my spirits :).

 September 2, 2007 

Sunday morning...and I miss not being able to go to church with Justin. Ice paks and continued rest are the best medicine for me right now.

I had a pretty good night's sleep. I did relent and take a Vicodin and IBU so I could settle in easier for the night. We took the bandages off yesterday and there is considerable bruising. I couldn't have imagined so much.

I have limited mobility of my right arm and being right handed, that's a problem. Typing works well because I can keep my arm close to my side. But reaching for the mouse can bring a twinge of pain. I can see why one breast cancer survivor suggested that I ask for physical therapy afterwards. She had not, and ended up with mobility problems in her arm. That's something I'll ask about when I speak with my doctor this week.

Justin is being a dear and taking the load off of me now and being so helpful. And the flowers that everyone has sent have been beautiful and really brighten up my rooms.

Thank you all for your positiveness and support. It makes these days more endurable.  

 September 6, 2007

This has been an eventful day and one that really has my spirits soaring! Today I met not only with my surgeon for my follow up visit, but also with my radiologist oncologist from Edward. I can't tell you how impressed I've been with them. Dr. Lingareddy from Edward and Dr. Michelle Kosik from Consulting Surgeons have been very responsive to me and all of my questions.

The final pathology came back today with nearly all the info we need to proceed with treatment. The tumor was totally removed and the second mass was a benign cyst. Actually two lymph nodes were taken out and both were clean. Basically they classified me at a "0 - 1 stage" which means they caught it so very early. Hurray!

We are still awaiting the genetic marker info (estrogen and progesterone markers and the Her2Neu factor). My radiologist believes fairly certainly and she'd be very surprised if they came back differently, that all I should need would be radiation treatment for 6 1/2 weeks. We will begin radiation more than likely within the next 10 days. And I should be done with it by the first week in November.

With their regiment for whole breast radiation with an extra boost to the tumor's site the last week of treatment, she says my risk for a repeat occurrence falls to 1%! Yes...that's right 1%! I can certainly live with that.

I can't emphasize how important mammograms are, ladies. Fortunately my cancer was a very slow grower and it was caught at the earliest stage.

The arm is still pretty sore, but the bruising is diminishing. Justin joked today with the surgeon and told her it looked like somebody hit me with a ball bat. She laughed back saying that would be her.

I go for at least one more follow up with the surgeon on Monday because there is still redness and swelling of the breast and we want to make sure that no infection is setting in.

I want to return to school on Monday and will see how the weekend plays out and what the discomfort level is. I miss my team and students and am frankly bored nearly out of my wits. But I want to make sure that I can cope with the strain of teaching a full day. I have a great principal, Mary Kelly, who has been so supportive and I know that if I need the time I can take it.

That's it for now...I have a consultation next week with Dr. Hantel, my oncologist at Edward and we'll finalize the treatment regiment based upon the final keys to this puzzle. I feel strongly I'm in the best place I could be for my cancer treatment and with the support of all of you, how could I go wrong :).

One last thing...I had a lovely filet for dinner tonight! I haven't had red meat in a month and boy was it good. I jokingly kidded with my radiologist that I haven't had red meat in so long and she says...go out and get it! That was a turning point for me. Everything in moderation. It was nice to splurge at Ted Montana's at the Bolingbrook Promenade. If you haven't visited our mall on Boughton Rd. in Bolingbrook, you must! The restaurants are incredible and the shopping is delightful :).
 

 September 10, 2007

Today I returned to school and was met by some very appreciative students and peers. It was the best medicine I could have asked for. It was a long day, but I made it! I'm going to shoot for some extra z'sss tonight plus an ice pak or two :).

Also today, I met with my surgeon again and all is healing well. Still some swelling which she believes is atributable to a hemotobin (sp). It will take some more time to settle in.

We also received the final pathology report with the three missing parts to my puzzle. Thank heaven my Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors came in positive! That's what we were hoping for. From what I recall from Dr. Hantel's earlier assessment, I'll be on some pill for the rest of my life that will inhibit the estrogen and progesterone growth. Bone density may be an issue and will have to be watched.

The final piece was the Her2Neu factor and that came in negative. This is what we were also hoping for :). Based on my oncologist and radiologist's initial projection this should indicate radiation only. No chemo "should" be needed. There were two other indicators on the pathology report which have me at a marginal level. I didn't get a happy face nor a sad face. Those two indicators may play a role that could sway the treatment. I'll know for sure on Thursday after I see Dr. Hantel. But I'm really guardedly elated that this will be over really soon.

Your prayers and messages of hope and support have surely played a key role in my recovery. God is listening to you all and for that I'm most grateful. Each day is so precious to me and having you as a friend makes it all the better.

Hope all of you are well and thank you again for your continued prayers and support!
 

 September 13, 2007

Can't believe the weekend is nearly here and I've made it to work all week! I'm tired, but just happy to have another day. Tomorrow I'm wearing PINK and have asked my friends at school to do the same. We hope to create a new awareness for Breast Cancer. It will be fun seeing us all in PINK and everyone wondering why! I'm sure the rest will guess :).

Today I saw Dr. Hantel and we began to scope out my treatment. There is one final pathology test he wants to run before he gives the definitive treatment plan. Right now he believes strongly it will only be radiation.

He's ordered the hospitals who have my stored "masses" to send them to a CA firm that does a test called Oncotype. I think the lab is called Geuonic Health, if I'm reading his writing correctly. This will help determine my life-span and the possibility of recurrence of the cancer. If the number comes back low, radiation. If the number is high - I'll need chemo/radiation. If I'm in the middle, it's a coin toss. It's remarkable the number of studies out there. He's very on top of his game and Justin and I feel very lucky to have him in our corner. Justin's finally believing that all I'll need is radiation...at least he says he's 99% sure!

They also drew blood today...and I have to tell you...I've been asking for an IV nurse everytime I have to have a needle stuck in me! They are so good! No blown vein this time! :) The test was to determine where I am in the menopausal phase. I hope I'm past it, but could be somewhere in the middle or down side of it. This will determine what medication I'll be taking for a few years to turn off my estrogen and progesterone production.

All is well, as my loving sister Suzanne tells me everytime I hear from her. I truly believe it. All is well :).

God Bless you all for your heartfelt wishes...they keep me going :).
 

September 17, 2007

I'm home today with a horrible cold and going through a thoughtful process of which road to take with treatment.

I've decided against the Oncotype test and will begin hormone therapy with Arimidex. I'm post-menopausal and this is the drug of choice to shut down all estrogen and progesterone supplies. One side effect I'm reading about are hot flashes! I can't wait for those to start and weight gain. I will definitely become more active and my diet has already shifted to the better. More fruits and veggies :).

On Wednesday, I have another consult with Dr. Lingareddy, my radiation oncologist, and we'll begin the radiation scheduling. A CT scan will be done and I'm not sure what all else at this point. They'll map me out and I'll probably get my tatoos in anticipation of radiation. I'm hoping I can just have indelible markers used. I can't tell you how tired I am of poking and proddings. That's my only whine, I promise :).

I really want to have radiation completed by the first of November so we can go out to New Jersey and be with our Jersey girls over Thanksgiving. Now it's looking like that will be possible. All of my granddaughters bring me such joy and being near my sons and their families is a treat. I want to take full advantage whenever I can.

Looking to the future, we're planning and have locked in a lovely new home on Lake Michigan up around Manistee for a family vacation next summer! The house is under construction and we're the first official renters. It will be a time of joy to have all of my chicks under one roof along with their chicks :).

Family and friends are what keep me going. And now to get over this cold so I can return to school tomorrow. Naps have evaded me today because of my medical fact finding missions, so it has worked out pretty well being able to make these decisions. A good night's sleep should put me in good stead for the 'morrow.

September 19, 2007

Today I went into school for just the morning. Still battling my cold and my voice is nearly gone at this point. Oh the joy :) Because of my cold and severe cough, my radiologist thought it best to wait a couple of days before beginning the radiation set up. That involves a CT scan and coughing definitely would hamper the results. So my next appointment is on Friday at 9 a.m. I'll be resting a lot over the next couple of days so I can get through the simulation.

That's it for now :) Be well all...

September 21, 2007

I'm back from Edward and the first phase of the radiation treatment has been completed. All went smoothly and my cough didn't interfere with the CT scan. Today I had a very special fitting :)...not the usual like with my clothes. Something called an Aqua Net was formed fitted to my breasts. What a cool way to have the nip and tuck without the nip! Its purpose is to eliminate any creases which could cause additional skin reactions. It also allows for more even radiation and protection of areas that are not needed to be radiated. It was like a contour fitting bra. Very cool.

Dr. Lingareddy also put me on an antibiotic - Levaquin - to knock out this bronchitis and remaining breast swelling. It's a 10 day regiment. During that time, she'll be preparing my radiation plan. We will begin treatment on Wednesday, October 3rd, providing all the swelling has subsided.

My three markers have been placed with permanent marker and waterproof tape. I plan on just using the marker and not opting for the tatoo. "X" marks the spot :).

Time for a nap. Enjoy your weekend and more soon!

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