The results of all the recent tests have determined that I have no signs of cancer beyond my breasts. What a relief. The staging of my cancer will not be determined until after the surgery when the size of my mass is accurately measured and they test my lymph glads. That will also define the extent of chemo and if radiation will be needed.
Yesterday I met with a different plastic surgeon. I didn't really feel comfortable with Dr. N so, with the help from friends and my awesome Dr. S, I found DR. E. He was more of the perfectionist I am looking for and I really liked him. I'm all set now with my medical team and I'm very happy with each of them. I think I will be in good hands.
I'm glad to be at the point where we will actually get rid of this stuff but I'm scared. I will probably have the surgery the week of Feb 6th. I met with my surgeon (Dr S) on thursday and he described the procedure. The plastic surgeon will be a part of the surgery and will start the reconstruction then. However, it will ultimately take months to complete. I'm still trying to get my mind around the fact that my body will never be the same and the pleasure part of my breasts will be gone forever. I know that living is more important but I will still miss the other.
Thank you for all your prayers. Julie
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
1-24-12
I finished the last test today, bone scan to evaluate if cancer has spread. Will find out result's on Thursday when I meet with Dr. C/Oncologist , meet with Radiology Oncologist Dr.R very nice and glad to have her as apart of my treatment team. Also meet with Dr.N plastic surgeon very nice as well, now playing the waiting game and Praying to our heavenly father that he wraps his arms around me and carry's me through this and guide me to make the right treatment decision's. Julie
Monday, January 23, 2012
Scared tonight...1-23-12
I'm sitting at my desk crying.... thinking about everything going on in my mind. I'm so overwhelmed with feelings I cant seem to grasp them and put them in the right order??? I wish this was not my life right now. I'm trying so hard to deal with so much the shock of the diagnosis, the x5 Dr. providers involved the nurses,the office staff, the social workers etc.... the appointments I could go on and on.... How did this happen to my beautiful life....??? Please pray for me and see me through this I need some good new's tomorrow and hope that GOD HEARS MY PRAYER. Julie
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Wild Week
It has been a very challenging week. Trying to get to all the appointments through this bizarre weather and trying to get to the point when we are actually doing something to cure me.
It started with the breast MRI on monday that, after having the IV hooked up and put into the machine, the machine broke! Had to reschedule for thursday. On wednesday, we met with the oncologist (Dr C.). Seems like a very good dr and highly recommended by Dr S (surgeon). He told me that I had a slightly elevated tumor marker in my latest blood test so he wants a whole bunch of body scans and mri's to determine if it has spread anywhere else.
On friday, Dr S reviewed my breast mri from thursday and determined that my other breast shows involvement and with the assistance from his nurse, wanted to expedite the other tests. The bad weather was a bit of a blessing in that a lot of people canceled their appointments and I was able to have 3 of the 4 test on friday. The last is scheduled for this tuesday. I hope and pray that I get some good news from these tests.
Tuesday we will also meet with the radiology oncologist and plastic surgeon. I think that will complete my medical team associated with my treatment and the testing necessary to determine my treatment plan. I hope so, I really want to get rid of this disease from my body!
The week has been challenging but I feel I have made progress. I want to send special "thank you's" to my neighbors and friends Rhonda and Karolyn and mother in-law for their help watching Gabby during all the doctor appointments last week and the staff at TRA Medical Imaging in Tacoma (especially Gene and Jim). Dr S' nurse Kara really knows how to make things happen and I'm really thankful for her too.
Now off to cleaning my house......
It started with the breast MRI on monday that, after having the IV hooked up and put into the machine, the machine broke! Had to reschedule for thursday. On wednesday, we met with the oncologist (Dr C.). Seems like a very good dr and highly recommended by Dr S (surgeon). He told me that I had a slightly elevated tumor marker in my latest blood test so he wants a whole bunch of body scans and mri's to determine if it has spread anywhere else.
On friday, Dr S reviewed my breast mri from thursday and determined that my other breast shows involvement and with the assistance from his nurse, wanted to expedite the other tests. The bad weather was a bit of a blessing in that a lot of people canceled their appointments and I was able to have 3 of the 4 test on friday. The last is scheduled for this tuesday. I hope and pray that I get some good news from these tests.
Tuesday we will also meet with the radiology oncologist and plastic surgeon. I think that will complete my medical team associated with my treatment and the testing necessary to determine my treatment plan. I hope so, I really want to get rid of this disease from my body!
The week has been challenging but I feel I have made progress. I want to send special "thank you's" to my neighbors and friends Rhonda and Karolyn and mother in-law for their help watching Gabby during all the doctor appointments last week and the staff at TRA Medical Imaging in Tacoma (especially Gene and Jim). Dr S' nurse Kara really knows how to make things happen and I'm really thankful for her too.
Now off to cleaning my house......
Friday, January 13, 2012
01-13-2012 Surgeon Visit
Today I met with Dr.S he seem's wonderful... He is a breast care specialist in Tacoma WA and his nurse Kara is very sweet, thumbs up to both of them. We met with them for over three hours and really felt that we were in the right place with the right people.
We have more testing to do to determine the ultimate surgical plan and meet with an oncologist to determine if pre-surgical chemo is recommended, but we do know more. First, the cancerous mass we know about is in a location that will most likely require a mastectomy and chemo therapy afterwards will be a given. If all the additional tests determine there is not medical reason to have a double mastectomy, I will still need to figure out if I want to keep one breast that will be so different from the other. This is not as simple of a decision as some might expect. We are also going to meet with a plastic surgeon to understand that part of the treatment.
I also know now that this is going to make 2012 a year full of doctors appointments, medical procedures, wig shopping but ultimately end with a new lease on life. I'm still freaking out by all this that has been put on me and my family's plate but the more I learn and the more time that I have to process it all, the more determined I'm getting. I'm soooooo glad I found this now and not years from now. love you all and I'll keep you posted Julz
We have more testing to do to determine the ultimate surgical plan and meet with an oncologist to determine if pre-surgical chemo is recommended, but we do know more. First, the cancerous mass we know about is in a location that will most likely require a mastectomy and chemo therapy afterwards will be a given. If all the additional tests determine there is not medical reason to have a double mastectomy, I will still need to figure out if I want to keep one breast that will be so different from the other. This is not as simple of a decision as some might expect. We are also going to meet with a plastic surgeon to understand that part of the treatment.
I also know now that this is going to make 2012 a year full of doctors appointments, medical procedures, wig shopping but ultimately end with a new lease on life. I'm still freaking out by all this that has been put on me and my family's plate but the more I learn and the more time that I have to process it all, the more determined I'm getting. I'm soooooo glad I found this now and not years from now. love you all and I'll keep you posted Julz
Monday, January 9, 2012
1-9-12 update
I was trying to think of a way to let everyone whom I care about know what's going on and so let it be said before I get started I've never blogged before so bare with me. In fact I'm sure to make some mistakes, so I want to first thank Judy @ Dr. W's for creating this wonderful gift for me. Thank you so very much, and I love you... What a gift you've given me,my friend's and family. Then I want to update you on my journey today I met with Dr.D and discussed my initial finding's she is my primary Dr. who I have a lot of faith and trust in. We finished discussing the issue and decided that I will be meeting with a Surgeon on Friday 1-13-12 at 2pm so again keep me in mind and know that I am grateful for your love and support. At this up and coming appointment I'm sure to learn more on what my treatment plan will be. Goodnight for now it's late and I need some rest. Love Julz
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