Medical Oncology Appt

I had my appt with Dr. Kreisle today. First impression - I really like him.I don't have time to give all the medical terms and explanations since I am back at work, but I know some people are anxiously waiting so here's the short story.

I will need to take a drug that blocks estrogen for at least the next 5 years. Don't ask me the name, I'll have to replay the recording later. Even though I don't have ovaries, something in your fat (glands, cells, cannot remember - that's why I recorded it) and your adrenal glands produce estrogen. My hot flashes could get worse or they may not change at all. It can also weaken my bones so I will need regular tests to make sure I am not getting osteoporosis. If I show signs of osteoporosis I will need to take fosamax. The last time I had a bone scan I had no signs of osteoporosis.

He also ordered 2 more tests on the tumor. No poking, prodding, imaging or anything on me -- pathology will do the tests on the tumor. They will be back in 2 weeks. If the results of the tests turn out good (low risk for recurrence) then the only chemo I will have is the estrogen blocker. If one or both come back high risk then I will be a candidate for chemo. I have an appt to review the results of those tests with Dr. Kreisle on Tuesday afternoon March 15th. If I am high risk for recurrence we will discuss options at that time.

I see Dr. Dorn (radiation oncologist) tomorrow afternoon. That is when I find out the plan for radiation.

I have rehearsal tonight so won't have time to post details for a day or two.

Friday and Saturday

Friday I worked from home again. Busy work day but still gave me a little more rest than going into the office. Friday night was Women's Winter Gathering. As always it was a very worthwhile event. The church did stream it. I'm sorry I didn't know ahead of time or I would have let everyone know. If you are interested in watching, it is in the church archive (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/12942259).  The music turned out fabulously. Mir.i.am (the all women band) decided to wear all black with scarves. So I wore my rainbow scarf Kris gave me - one of the many rainbow gifts she sent me to make sure I was surrounded by rainbows. I also wore the pink tile necklace my niece Michelle made. It was perfect since I was in all black with my rainbow scarf. I received many complements and remarks on how beautiful and unique it is - some mentioned it would be a good product to market and sell on-line.

Today I got up early and went snowboarding at Bogus Basin (http://www.bogusbasin.org/). It was a beautiful day and it felt so good to be moving. I only lasted about 2 hours before my underarm started burning a little and my breast got a little sore. I forgot to take any Tylenol with me, either way, I felt it was time to head for home.

I'm home doing normal stuff like any other weekend. I am anxious for Monday and Tuesday to be here to find out what the oncologists have to say. Being anxious won't make it come any quicker -- so I'll enjoy the weekend and the break from work.

Still doing good and healing

I am more tired than I'd like to be but can tell I'm feeling better each day. I would like to sleep a full 8 hours sometime soon. I'd be happy with 6 and work myself up to 8. I think I'm rolling over onto my right side at night and it wakes me up. I'm also getting more hot flashes in the middle of the night which isn't helping. It's all part of the process and healing so it won't last forever.

I haven't had any hormone replacement (HRT) since December 22. Dr. Livingston told me that even if I was on HRT or had ovaries, part of the chemo (medical oncology) treatment is giving you something to block estrogen. Estrogen helps the cancer grow. Either way, I was going through menopause so I stopped my HRT as soon as I found out I had cancer.

I am working from home on Thursday and Friday which will give me a little more rest than when I go to the office. It's been great being at the office this week, but I'm wearing down a little. Since most of my day on Thursday will be meetings on the phone, I might as well be home. Friday I have a dentist appointment in the morning and Women's Winter Gathering in the evening so thought it best I work from home. I'll get my rest and be ready for the evening and also have more time to work than if I took time to go to the office on Friday.

Sehara loves it when I work from home. She thinks I should be here all the time, just ask her. Good night everyone.

Yesterday was a long day

Yesterday was a very long day. I did a very light upper body work out with Rusty. I had to start sometime and yesterday seemed like a good day to start. It did feel good to use those muscles I've been favoring for the last couple of weeks. Dr. Livingston said to just let pain be my guide.

 I had my doctor's  appt first thing in the morning then worked in the office until 5pm. We had a work related dinner after work. I ran home, changed my clothes and got everything ready (lunch, clothes etc) for the next day. I then went to rehearsal.

Sehara was at Tom's all day since I know it would be very late before I got home. I picked up Sehara after rehearsal and fell into bed last night. I was very tired and I am sore today but it is manageable.

 

This morning Mel and I walked the dogs. I will work in the office again today, but will go straight home tonight and take it easy. Hopefully I'll be in bed early since I have a 7am meeting on Wednesday morning. Still doing good and progressing which is great. It will continue to get better.

Post-op appointment with Dr. Livingston

I had my post-op appointment with Dr. Livingston this morning. The incisions are healing quickly. I still have swelling which I can manage as long as I use ice packs. That helps with aches/pain and swelling.

I did come to the office today. It is good to be around people at work. I have figured out a way to apply ice packs for periods of time which is key to me working at the office. So far so good.

I will have follow-up mammograms, images and/or MRI's but those will come after I am healed and after I complete radiation/chemo. I'll know more about that plan next week.

Back to work :)

A Girl Could Get Used to This

I've been getting the royal treatment all week. Sehara's loving all the attention and new friends as well. Friday Lori E. came over for a visit and a very nice walk.  Cindy C. also came by on Friday and did a much needed poop patrol for me. Friday evening I had rehearsal with our women's band (mir.i.am) in preparation for Women's Winter Gathering on February 25 at the Cathedral of the Rockies.

February 25 Women’s Winter Gathering with Kelly Bankard presenting “Remember the Sabbath.”  Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door with limited seating.  The event begins at 7pm with open seating at 6:30 — in the Emmaus Center.  Contact: Jenny Willison

This morning Mel and I met for a nice long walk with the dogs. Today I'm going to putter around the house and run a few errands. Try to lay low as best I can and recharge before next week. My plan next week is to go to the office every morning. If I start getting achy (since I will be away from my ice) then I'll go home and work from there. Each day it is getting better so I am hopeful I will be in the office full days most of the week.

 Karin is bringing me dinner this evening and I think I should be good on my own after that. I am going to play it by ear and see how the week goes. It helped so much this week having people bring me very healthy wonderful meals and taking the time to visit. A special thanks to Starr for coordinating for me. Since I was working from home and more tired than I anticipated, it was nice not to worry about fixing dinner and also have company.

Tough but good day

I decided to work part of the day at the office. It is great I have the option to work at home but it is also beneficial to be at the office. My first meeting was at 7am with TCS offshore.

I made it until about noon then packed everything up and headed home. I am very lucky I'm only about 20 minutes from the office on a bad day.

I do not like taking drugs. I would prefer to manage the pain with ice packs. Today I did not have an ice pack from approx 6am until noon. That was too long. When I came home I loaded up with ice and took a pain pill (the prescription says 2 pills but I take 1). I did get behind the pain today but I will learn from that and do better tomorrow

Kat and Lori brought me a wonderful dinner tonight. Kat, Lori, Tom, Sehara and Hailey all went for a wonderful walk before dinner. The weather is so great and it was nice to be outside. :)

Oncology appointments

I received my call from MSTI today to schedule my oncology appointments. I meet with Dr. Kreisle (medical oncologist) on Feb 28th. I meet with Dr. Dorn (radiation oncologist) on March 1st.

Bron suggested I get a tape recorder or digital voice recorder to take with me to my appointments. I am going to take her advice and pick one up this weekend. Then I can listen and ask questions instead of trying to take copious notes. I can also playback the information later which will be helpful.

I also asked them about nutrition and supplements. I was told MSTI has a class I can attend. The doctors will give me that information when I meet with them in a couple of weeks.

I did go to the office for a few hours this morning. I will go into the office tomorrow for 1/2 day and then work from home in the afternoon. I'm still a little tired in the afternoon but I do continue to feel better each day.

More good news - pathology report came back negative

Dr.Livingston's office just called with my pathology report from the surgery. The lymph nodes and the tissue margins around the area that was previously removed came back negative for cancer. The other area they removed in surgery that was close to the cancer was a papilloma - benign tumor. Another huge sigh of relief.

Next step - on to oncology. Dr. Livingston sent the referral to oncology and they will call me to make an appointment this week.

I have my post-op appointment with Dr. Livingston on Monday Feb 21.

Time for another celebration!!!

First Day Back at work

My first day back at work went fairly well. I had alot to catch up on. I worked in chunks. I was up pretty early, then took a break early morning, then worked until about 4:30 pm and called it a day. I did get a full day but I was tired. I took about a 40 minute nap. Most of you know I'm not much of a napper, but I was out as soon as I laid down. It is a good thing I set the alarm. I did go to rehearsal which I always enjoy. I'm going to relax for a bit then head for bed.

Mel and I will meet early tomorrow morning as usual. It will be a slow walk but good for me and Sehara to get out. I am anxious to get more vigorous exercise but happy I am well enough to at least walk. It will be awhile before I'm ready to run.

Another good day

I was in bed last night at 11pm, fell asleep right away and did not wake up until 4:45am this morning. That's the longest I've slept since the surgery. I was able to go back to sleep, but tossed and turned a little until I got up at 6:30 am.

I played bass in church this morning. Nancy and John were kind enough to pick me up and bring me home. It was great to be around people and always fun to be a part of the band. It makes me happy. I was very tired when I got home and ready for a nap.

Cindy C came over in the afternoon with black bean soup. We drove to a friend's house and all took a very nice walk in the wonderful warm weather and had a nice visit. Cindy help me with a few other things and now I'm doing my usual Sunday evening routine.

I am so fortunate I am allowed to work from home. I don't think I'd last a full day away from my ice packs or without a short nap sometime mid-day. I am feeling stronger every day. I am doing my best not to overdo it.

I am home

I came home today. I was starting to pace and look for things to do, so I was ready. Today is not my best day. The area where they took the lymph nodes out is hurting/stinging. They warned me that would hurt the most and of course they were right. The pain is manageable. I also woke up with a very annoying sty in my eye. Tom fixed me up with some eye drops that helped a bunch and I am also putting warm cloths on it. That's about all you can do with a sty except wait for it to go away.

Tom made me scrambled eggs for breakfast full of veggies before I came home, very yummy breakfast. I brought both dogs home with me and Tom went skiing. After I unpacked my stuff I iced everything up and  took a nap. I woke up feeling much better. I just got back from a 40 minute leash walk with the dogs. They were on their best behavior. We even had a couple of dogs follow us and bark. Usually Hailey and Sehara will pull at their leashes and bark back but they didn't today.

I have 3 beautiful bouquets of flowers in my house. They really cheer things up.

Just wanted everyone to know I am home and doing quite well.

Requesting meals/visit/or walk the week of Feb 14th

Many of you have offered to cook meals for me next week. I am doing very well, but thought since I'd be working from home the week of the 14th (which means I'll be alone in my own head most of the day) and will more than likely be more tired than I'd like to think, I would love to take you up on your offer.

If you have time to visit for 15 or 20 minutes when you stop by, that would be great too.
The days I have open for meals are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. If someone is willing to join me for a walk on Wednesday or Friday that would be great too.


Starr Johnson offered to coordinate for me. If you are interested, you may contact her at starr.johnson@supervalu.com

Thanks  to Starr for coordinating. I appreciate everyone else helping out as well.

Phases in my recovery

I want to share some advice with you that my doctor gave me. She wanted me to focus on one part or phase of my journey to recovery at a time. The word "phase" is my term, but I think you'll get the idea when I explain.

I am currently in Phase I. 

• I now know I have breast cancer
• I had the tests/procedures to determine what tissue is cancerous
• I  had the surgery to remove all known cancerous tissue
• Now I need to completely heal from the surgeries and stay healthy physically, mentally and spiritually
• She asked me:
• not to change my diet at this time. To keep the proteins, not change any supplements and keep doing what I'm doing.
• follow the recommendations for lifting weight and aerobic excercise for the first week, but after that let pain be my guide as I heal
• Not to worry or discuss oncology until we get all results back and I am healing
• Although they did test the lymph nodes during surgery, I still need to wait until pathology does a more thorough test to determine if there was any cancer present
• My next appt. with Dr. Livingston is Monday Feb 21

Phase II - Oncology

Phase III - Follow-up every 6 months for a period of time yet to be determined

My focus today is Phase I. There is a part of me that wants to know it all, especially what is to come when I meet with oncology. I would appreciate your help and support with keeping me focused on Phase I. if you feel I am getting ahead of myself or getting anxious about things that are not focused on Phase I, please give me a gentle nudge or reminder.

Awake in the middle of the night

I was going to say I was "wide awake" but that's not completely true since I am still taking pain pains. However I've been tossing and turning for the last couple of hours with many things running through my head so I decided to get up. From other surgeries I've had I know my sleep patterns will be off for a few days but will get back to normal in time. There are logical reasons for the odd sleep patterns: I am sleeping during the day, I like to sleep on my stomach and side which isn't the best option right now and I have not been able to get the vigorous aerobic exercise I'm used to. This is all temporary so nothing to be concerned about. I'll just enjoy the quiet and peace of the evening and catching up on some reading and posting on the blog.

Update

4:10 Mountain Time - I just received a phone call from my sister.  Suzan is awake and doing really well.  She's in good spirits and Tom is on his way to pick her up.  The staff and the hospital were all wonderful, especially Dr. Livingston.  They are sure that the lymph nodes are clear.  Yay!!!  She will have to have MRI's done every 6  mos. for a while, but everyone was upbeat and happy.

I will start calling Suzan tomorrow.  Privilege as a sister.  She can yell at me if she isn't in a "receiving" frame of mind. 

It all sounds so good.

Thank you again, everyone.  It's hard to be so far away.  I appreciate all you are doing for my sister.

Surgery

2:44 mountain time.  Suzan is out of surgery and in recovery.  The only news I have at the moment is that they removed 4 lymph nodes and they didn't appear to be cancerous.  They also removed tissue around the area where they found the cancer on her previous surgery.  It is all being sent to pathology.

That's all I have for now.  When I get more news, I will post here.

Thanks to everyone for their care, concern and prayers.

My surgery time changed to noon MT

I found out yesterday the time of my surgery is shifted to noon on Thursday. That means I may not be at Tom's until 5 or 6. I will be out of surgery around 2pm and Dr. Livingston will talk to Janice (sister), my mom and Tom. After Dr. Livingston talks to my family, Janice will call Kris (sister) and she will post an update.

Details of my day below:

• Admitting at 7:30am
• 8:00 am to imaging to tag a cyst close to the one they already removed
• Then to pre-op
• Surgery scheduled for noon
• General anesthesia this time
• Remove the cancerous tissue around the lump they already removed and the cyst
• Remove 3 or 4 lymph nodes on right
• Check the lymph nodes for cancer while I am in surgery
• If no cancer in lymph nodes - done
• If there is cancer, depending on the extent they may remove more lymph nodes
• After surgery is complete Dr. Livingston will talk to my family (approx 2pm)
• Then to recovery for 1 to 1 1/2 hours (3 - 3:30)
• Then to post op - I will be here approx 1 hour (4-4:30)
• Then I will be released and Tom will take me home
• I will stay at Tom's Thursday and Friday. Depending on how I feel I will go home late on Friday or Saturday morning. 

I will post sometime on Friday. I'm looking forward to a long rest tomorrow :)

Good Luck!!!

Suzan, you know that many, many people will be sending you prayers, good wishes and positive vibrations.  You have a huuuuuuuuuge support group.  If our wishes work, you will be whole again in no time.

I am officiallly radioactive

I completed my pre-admission this morning. Then I went to imaging for the procedure to find my first lymph node. It was an interesting process. Dr. Ball and Nate (CNA?) did the procedure. Dr. Ball first deadened an area around my nipple. Then he injected a radioactive tracer into the tissue. The tracer works its way through your system to the lymph nodes. This part of the procedure took about 30-40 min. It was interesting to watch on the screen. It was somewhat like looking at stars at night. What eventually happens is one of the stars gets very big. That is the tracer collected in the first lymph node. The tracer also made it to my second lymph node. That area on the screen also started growing bigger. They take a few images for Dr Livingston. Then they use something like a Geiger counter - it makes noise like a Geiger counter - and mark a spot on my skin where the first lymph node is. It gives Dr. Livingston a place to start in surgery. She will also have similar equipment in surgery to make sure she identifies the first lymph node.

I am told there was an article in the Statesman this morning and also on one of the morning shows today  where they discussed this procedure in detail.

Wednesday

Wow - I am so happy about the news today. I did not realize how heavy that was weighing on my mind until I talked to Dr. Macey. So now on to the next thing :)

I already knew I had to get dye in my lymph nodes tomorrow to map them. Dr. Livingston's nurse called today and let me know I need a blood test and a chest x-ray before surgery.
 The blood test and x-ray are now scheduled Wed morning before my procedure to put dye in my lymph nodes. It is not a big deal, I just worry sometimes about my time away from work.

That being said, I have an incredible support system at work. People are offering help everywhere so I can focus on healing. I am so lucky. All I have to do is ask --- which is very hard for me. I think one of the hardest things about this journey is asking for help. I like being independent but this is a great reminder of how I need everyone in all my communities and how my faith in God will carry me through.

My surgery schedule changed a bit. I will post that later. Also, I will post about help with meals next week. I will be working from home all week. I am very fortunate I have the option to work from home so I can use ice packs rather than drugs if I am uncomfortable. However I do know that means I will be alone and in my head all day. If people have the time, it would be great to get a meal that I do not have to fix myself and get a short visit when it is delivered. More to come on that. Many people have offered but I am somewhat of a picky eater . . . I will let you know what that means and my wonderful friend Starr offered to coordinate the schedule.

Blessings to all -- I am a very lucky and loved person.

No Cancer on the left side -- YEA!!!!

I just heard from Dr. Macey. The pathology report from the needle biopsy I had last Thursday came back negative for cancer. Oh gosh, that is such a relief. She said a bunch of medical terms I cannot remember but all I needed to hear was NO CANCEROUS TISSUE. There is no reason to remove the cyst either.

Tomorrow they will only inject dye in my lymph nodes on the right side. The surgery on Thursday will only be on the right. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Health Fitness Tip of the Day

I receive a Health Fitness Tip of the Day via a company benefit program. Below is the tip I received today. I thought is was appropriate to post and a great reminder to everyone.

*** Today's Tip:  PREVENTING YOUR RISK FOR CANCER                  

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S. The American Cancer Society estimates that roughly one-third of all cancer deaths can be attributed to poor nutrition, physical inactivity, or being overweight/obese. It doesn’t have to be this way. Prevention and early detection can save lives and help those who develop cancer to survive. Lower your cancer risk with timely screening tests, good food choices and an active lifestyle. If you’re a smoker, commit to quitting today!

No pathology results today

They told me the pathology results would be back Monday or Tuesday. I was hoping for Monday but I did not get the phone call today so I will get it sometime tomorrow. Patience, patience, patience . . .I'll let you all know when I know.

Who can you tell?

Out of respect for my privacy, I've had many people ask if they can let someone know that I've been diagnosed with breast cancer.

I am trusting everyone to use their judgment when passing this information on. As much as I'd like to talk or tell everyone in person, it's just not possible and the conversations make me weary. It's a constant reminder of how scary this disease can be when I need to focus on living, healing and knowing that this is just a blip in my happy, healthy and long life.

I know you all care very much and have my best interests in mind. If you feel you know someone that should know, please tell them. Thanks to those of you that asked the question.

Posting

I don't know if any of you are having trouble posting.  I have found that if I hit the preview button first and then post, it seems to work (and I usually have a typo anyway).  It does take a few seconds for it to pop up (however my computer is old and takes longer for most things).  Let us know if your comments don't show up.  Thanks!

Beautiful Day at Brundage

It was a beautiful and fun day at Brundage on Saturday. We were there about the time they opened so got to ride on some fresh corduroy early in the day. The visibility and views were incredible especially in the afternoon. We finally headed for the car around 3:30 or 4:00 tired and very happy.

This morning I am meeting Mel and Kat for a walk in the hills with the dogs. Then I have a giant list of things I want to accomplish today in preparation for this week. You all know how I love my notebooks and my lists, especially when I get to check things off.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. With everyone keeping me busy and happy I am in great spirits.

Up Early to go to Brundage

I want it documented that I am up and getting ready to go to Brundage for the day. http://www.brundage.com/
Last week I either did not turn my alarm on, slept through it, was so tired it came on and I turned it off . . . . I am not sure. Regardless, my ride was here and I was still in bed. I was so embarrassed and felt terrible because I made two people wait on me.

I AM UP!!!

Have a wonderful day everyone. I need to take a quick shower and have some breakfast or I'll be late again.

Friday morning - Remember it is NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY

I am feeling great this morning. No real after affects like when I had surgery. I had a few people approach me and tell me they were very sore after the needle biopsy. I do have a little stinging and it is tender but not so bad. Using a small ice pack keeps the stinging down.

However I've been very good about wearing sports bra's pretty much 24X7 and keeping the ice packs on when needed. So unless something changes during the day, I am definitely going to Brundage tomorrow for the day to snowboard. It was so much fun last weekend and great for my spirit.

We will take the dogs too, so I will more than likely take a long lunch and get the dogs out to play for a while which will keep me from getting too tired.

Note below on National Wear Red Day

                           

“Heart disease doesn’t care what you wear—it’s the number 1 killer of women,” says the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute as part of their nationwide campaign to help deliver an urgent wake-up call to American women. If you still think heart disease is a “man’s disease,”

consider that women under the age of 50 are twice as likely as men to die after having a heart attack. Unfortunately, women also wait longer than men to go to an emergency room when having a heart attack.

Today's appt

The appointment today went very well. The technician did the ultrasound and took pictures of the area identified in the MRI. There is a cyst or papilloma or something. Since I've already been diagnosed with cancer they decided to do the needle biopsy. It was pretty easy really. They numb the area, then use some kind of needle (I don't watch her I just watch the screen so I can detach), stick it in the area they are testing, then you hear a click and they pull out a small amount of tissue. They do this several times to make sure they have good samples.

Dr. Macey said she got several good. samples. Then they put a very tiny piece of metal in the area so it is tagged. If they decide to remove it, it makes it easy for the surgeon to find. If they decide to leave it, they know it is an area that's already been biopsied. Then they do a mammogram (only two pictures) to make sure the metal tag is in the correct spot.

That's pretty much it. Then tape is put over the area and a little gauze to keep it covered. I got a new icepack to help keep the pain level down when it starts coming back to life.

Cindy picked me up and took me back to Tom's. Cindy and I had a nice visit and caught up on many things. We've talked but haven't spent much time together lately so that was a nice benefit and a great way to end the day.

I will not get the pathology report until next Monday or Tuesday. I will let you know when I do. I believe it is not cancer but just another one of those annoying cysts. :)

Tomorrow I will work from home and as long as I've feeling up to it we are heading to Brundage for a day of snowboarding on Saturday.

Thursday

Thursday will be a long day. I start with a 6am conference call. I will work until approx 1pm. Then Sehara and I will go to Tom's. I will leave Sehara with Tom. Cindy C will pick me up at Tom's at 1:20pm to take me to my appt at 1:45.

When they did the MRI last week they thought they saw a spot on the left side that should be checked out prior to surgery. They will do an ultrasound on the left side and check out the spot. If they see the same thing they saw in the MRI then they will do a needle biopsy and tag it. 

Then I wait for the pathology results. Even if it is not cancer they may decide to remove it.

It is also possible they will look at the images and decide it is nothing. I guess MRI's can show shadows that may turn out to be nothing.

Cindy will pick me up after the procedure then take me back to Tom's. I should be back to Tom's by 5pm. Depending on what they do I may stay at Tom's for the night or I may go home.

I need to hit the sack. Sleep well everyone.

My Surgery Schedule

Below is the email I sent to everyone with a few edits. I think it's a good place to start.  I will continue to provide updates as I learn more.

Hello all -

I am so lucky to have so many people praying for me and providing support. I am truly blessed. With all your help I will get through this. Below are the highlights of what is coming. You can openly share this information with others if you feel it is appropriate. Please don't post it on Facebook or any similar forum.

 

My sister and I are in the process of setting up a blog. We'll partner on that. I have so many people emailing me right now (not that many people know yet) it is not manageable. I cannot keep up with all of them. Once I get that going that will be the place to go for questions and information.

 

All the times below are Mountain Time (my time).

 

Below are the highlights of what's coming in the next couple of months. As I learn more, I will tell more.

 

Stage 1 Cancer -- that's a relief

 

There is a spot they saw from my MRI on the left side they want to needle biopsy and make sure it is not cancer. If it is cancer, they will remove that lump at the same time they do my right side.

 

Thursday February 3rd

• St Lukes imaging
• Ultrasound/image the left side
• Needle biopsy on left breast
• I will be a little sore, but not like surgery
• They will give me xanex
• Cindy C. will be my driver
• Be at imaging at 1:45
• Be done about 4ish
• They will call me with results when they have them

Wednesday February 9th

• St Lukes admitting to inject die in the lymph nodes on the right side
• If the left side is cancer as well, they will do right and left
• I will work from home in the morning
• Be at St Lukes at 9:45
• Procedure takes about 2 hours
• There are no side effects, no pain
• Go to work - I have a big kick-off meeting in the afternoon

Thursday February 10th - the big day :)

• Admitting at 7:30am
• 8:00 am to imaging to tag a cyst close to the one they already removed. They want to remove it since it is so close
• Then to pre-op
• Surgery scheduled for 10am
• General anesthesia this time
• Remove the cancerous tissue around the lump they already removed and the cyst
• Remove 3 or 4 lymph nodes on right (left if find cancer in left breast)
• Check the lymph nodes for cancer while I am in surgery
• If no cancer in lymph nodes - done
• If there is cancer, depending on the extent they may remove more lymph nodes
• Then to post-op
• I do not have expected time to be out of surgery yet. It was about 12:30pm before, probably longer. I'll let you know when I know.
• Go home to Tom's Thursday through sometime Friday evening Feb 11th. Depending on how I come off the anesthetic I may stay Friday night

Sunday February 13th

• I plan on playing bass. I did after the last surgery and there were no issues :)
• If you'd like to watch go to this link. I play at the 10am service. There is a link (picture) you click on to stream on your computer
• http://dev.cathedraloftherockies.org/cotr/

Monday Feb 14th-Feb 18th

• Will work at home a good part of the week. I will need to be close to ice. The removal of lymph nodes will make it more of a challenge. I'd rather have ice than Norco

Friday Feb 25th

• I will play bass at the Women's Winter Gathering
• I will miss the rehearsal on 11th but will be at the one on the 18th
• I am hoping Jenny or one of the main instrumentalists (Nancy?) can run me through the music before the 18th so I am ready.

I will plan to travel to MN the week of March 7th for SUPERVALU Leadership meetings

I will still be going on vacation March 22 - April 2nd.

  

Radiation will start after I return from vacation. Radiation will be for 6 weeks 5 days a week. She said it's like a 30 second x-ray. They will work around my work schedule.

  

I will not go to Oncology until after I am recovered from surgery. It is possible I may need chemo as well but we will figure that out after the surgery. I do not have an Oncologist yet. I do plan on going to MSTI in Boise. The doctor told me not to focus on this until I through my surgery.

  

I know all of this is overwhelming, but under the circumstances it is very good news. So keep thinking happy thoughts and prayers and with your help I will get through this.

  

I love you all - Suzan