The bandage is off

Well, I have mixed feelings about the bandage coming off. First of all - it feels so much BETTER! Second of all - the drains are more annoying. The sight doesn't bother me too much, but I didn't think about how my appearance will affect others. Sorry. It is obvious, so, I'm stuffing for the mean time. I seem to be more achy than I was before - I guess my body is rebelling about having to sleep in one position all night and guard my right side 24/7. BUT, the pain pills help and I'm only taking 3 or 4 per day. Kent continues to be my wonderful help in emptying the drains - bless him! Bedtime is a bit harder than other times of day - I'm tired. And thoughts of upcoming chemo make me very discouraged and afraid. I know there is much more of that kind of feeling lying ahead - I will rely heavily on your faith and prayers in addition to my own, to get me through! Time to go rest. Love you all~

Kindnesses continue!

Well, today is Saturday, April 16 and I am continually amazed at how good I actually feel. I'm taking very little pain medication and I'm sleeping well at night! I've received visits, cards, and donated movies to watch during recovery. Lunches, dinners, treats [especially "anti" cancer ones!] have been so delicious and appreciated. Visits from my family fills my cup!
Kara, from "Sister survivors", came to visit and brought me some gifts and info on cancer. I feel I am in such good hands. Kent and I took a short walk around Nelson's Grove after dinner. It felt so good to breathe fresh air and not be laying on the couch!! :)

Tomorrow I am removing the bandage. I'm a little nervous as to how I'll REALLY feel about the surgery once I look at it. But . . . .

Surgery

Well, I'm home. All went very well. The doctor was happy. She removed my right breast and several lymph nodes from under my arm. 3 were cancerous - they already knew that - and the rest looked healthy to her. The pathology tests will tell us for certain. I'm wrapped up tight and have 2 drains coming out of my right chest. Kent has learned how to take care of those until they come out. I also have a port under my left collar bone through which they will administer the chemo.
When I had my knee replacement surgery I was SO nervous going in and still get sick to my stomach when I think about going through it again. But, I felt nothing but calm and peace going into this one. I am so grateful for that!
We arrived at the Same Day Surgery at the American Fork Hospital at 9:00 am Wednesday morning. I signed in on this kiosk that works just like a wedding registry. After you check in you get this "restaurant" beeper that goes off when it is your turn. Much more efficient. I have noticed, however, that every office has you fill out lots of forms - some of them a repeat of the previous office visit. Then, when the nurse meets with you, she doesn't look at what you wrote - she just asks you the questions over again. Why don't they just fill out the forms as they ask you the questions? :):)
Even the IV insertion was the best I've ever had. She actually numbed the sight before putting in the IV. At one point there were quite a few people in the little dressing/gerny room - 2 anesthesiologists, 3 O.R. nurses and the surgeon. "How do you do?" "Nice to meet you". "See you in the O.R." Hah, I never even SAW the O.R. Next thing I know I'm waking up in recovery, in considerable pain. It didn't last too long, however - they pumped me full of morphine and took me up to my room.
Kent stayed with me until dinner time and then he went and had dinner with a good friend and I ate dinner while visiting with Becky, Sarah and the Tuomisto kids. Very fun. The rest of the evening, however, was not so fun. I got a terrible headache which eventually caused me to throw up. I waited quite a long time before a nurse could come and help me because there was a cardiac patient having lots of trouble on our floor. [If I were the cardiac patient I would want them to take care of me over some sick lady!] They did finally get me something for my headache but then the rest of the night was spent waking up to my machine or someone else's beeping, nurses coming in to take my blood pressure and check my oxygen level, trying to change some tubing on my IV that actually caused the antibiotic to pool at the sight and require another IV to be put in. Pretty typical night in the hospital. :)
Morning came, they gave me more headache medicine and restricted my breakfast intake. My sweet nurses aide gave me a bath and washed my hair. I felt 100% better from then on. I even walked up and down the hall a couple of times by myself. Best of all, I have been able to lengthen the time between pain meds because the pain isn't too bad. I continue to feel very blessed.
It is good to be home, in my own bed.
What comes next? The pathology results should be done in a few days and Dr. Tittensor [yes, that is the surgeon's name!] will call me with the results. I have an appointment with her for one week from today, at which time she will, hopefully, be able to remove one of the drains and give me some simple exercises to get the use of my right arm back. After another week or so I will meet with the oncologist and set up the next stage of treatment!
I'm looking forward to a night of no beeping, throwing up, or tests! YAY!
Love to all

The few days before surgery

It has actually been a lovely couple of days! Sweet sisters from the ward came on Monday and cleaned my house! Angels. Today, another angel came and helped me begin unpacking the storage area and catch up on all the news I've missed while in Jerusalem. I had lunch with several MORE angels who wanted to listen to and cry and laugh with me. This evening I get to spend time with 2 of my angel-daughters! Thank you to all of those angels and to all of you other angels that I know are praying for us and exercising your faith in our behalf. I had my blood work and EKG today, I have my arrival time for surgery tomorrow - 9:00 am, and I've received a healing blessing by my sweet husband and a dear friend and neighbor! I am ready. I'll let you know how things go. love you all SO much!!! - and if you know of someone who hasn't got this blog address - give it to them, please.

Glorious News!

I never thought I would be so excited to face surgery and chemo! Funny how life can change your perspective!! Kent and I met with the surgeon this morning and found that the cancer has NOT spread beyond the breast/lymph nodes. I am scheduled for surgery next Wednesday, March 13. I love the surgeon - she makes me feel very comfortable and she was about as happy with the scan results as we were! Doctor Rich, my oncologist, called me after the surgeon's visit and told me that the biopsy tests also came back. What they showed: How fast the cells are growing - stage 2 (low is 1 and high is 3); Her2neu - negative, which is really good. However, the doctor said that it was "completely" negative and they want to run another test on the tissue they remove in surgery to make sure. Hormone receptors: estrogen + -- so estrogen stimulates cancer growth - I will have some kind of treatment for that. Surgery: lumpectomy and axillary dissection [remove the lymph nodes], followed by 6 weeks of radiation. 5% chance of local recurrence mastectomy and axillary dissection, followed by radiation. 2% chance of local recurrence I'm still pondering that one insert a port to administer the chemo through possibly begin some reconstructive surgery I will spend overnight in the hospital [American Fork Hospital] and then come home with 1 or 2 drains in. After about 2 weeks I will meet with the oncologist to set up the next stage of treatment. Prayers have already been answered - thank you SO much. I love you all.

PET & CT scan

Ever had a PET scan? Me either, until this morning! Basically, they injected radioactive glucose into me veins and had me wait for 90 minutes to make sure I was nice and "glowing". While I waited I had to drink about 24 oz. of diet Sprite with some kind of chemical in it, so they could do the CT. A CT takes a picture of all the organs and where they are in the body. The PET scan shows where the cancer is. Hopefully, it won't be anywhere besides where they've already found it! :( Note to self - bring a book to read or an Ipod to entertain oneself.This has nothing to do with today but I love this picture from Egypt. We passed this family on the highway. They loved it as much as we did.You can't see it real well - but there are SEVEN people on this little motorbike!

Back home in Utah

Dear all, Most of you probably already know that Kent and I have had to end our 2 years in Jerusalem after only 8 months. I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Yesterday we met with the oncologist and he set up an appointment for me to have a PETscan tomorrow morning. Thursday morning we meet with the surgeon, so by Thursday we will know what comes next. I will do my best to keep people updated through the blog. Of course, I ask all of you to keep me in your prayers and hope for the best!!! I have already felt such strength and love from all of those we love! I have been overwhelmed by it, in fact. When we first got the news that I did, indeed, have cancer we were in Galillee. The doctor did not feel that it was necessary for me to return immediately to Jerusalem so kent and I had a working vacation for the next week. I found myself enjoying the beauty more than usual, loving the students and the time spent with them and Kent and I did a lot of praying and soul searching about what lies ahead for us. These are a few of the beautiful sights we were blessed with while in Galillee.

Neither of us understands why the events of this past year have occurred as they have - but we know that God knows and we trust Him. I love you all and ask for your continued prayers in our behalf.