A friend suggested a journal each day to help cope with my breast cancer diagnosis. I thought a blog would help me and allow my family and friends to keep up with what is and will be happening with myself and my family during this next year.
About a month ago I received a routine call from my Doctor telling me I needed to have a baseline mammogram since I was 43 and had not yet had one. I made the appt and went in had the mammogram and was on my way. About 2 weeks later the Women's Clinic called me and told me I would need to return for another mammogram because they saw something in my right breast. They told me not to worry that this was very normal. My girlfriends assured me this happens all the time. On 22 March 2012, I returned to the mammography dept for a second mammogram. The doctor informed me that an ultrasound needed to be done to take a better look. During the ultrasound he found an odd mass and recommended a punch biopsy be done immediately. He said let's do it today. I can assure the women readers that a punch biopsy is something that you do want to be well numbed up for, yeah for lidocaine. They took 4 samples. At this point I became a bit concerned but my friends assured me this is normal procedure.
On 29 March 2012, a week later the doctor called to inform me that they found Invasive Low Grade Ductal Carcinoma and Intermediate Grade Ductal Carcinoma in SITU. Woa....Cancer. All I heard was they found cancer growth. The doctor was then giving me lists of names and numbers and telling me I would receive several phone calls for further appts. I was in shock. I wanted my husband. I immediately Skyped him(thank goodness for technology). So unfortunately I had to tell him this news via Skype but the good news is Dr. Allen said they would get Eric home immediately so he can be here to help me with our children and my treatment. This was excellent news. I am also super grateful that we belong to Dixon United Methodist Church. God certainly knew what he was doing when we decided to make Dixon, CA our home.
On 30 March 2012, I had a meeting with Kristin Summerfelt, Breast Cancer Care Coordinator, who will be my care coordinator throughout this entire ordeal. Thankfully my friend from church, Johanna, who is a breast cancer survivor, said she would go with me to my meeting so she could be my second set of ears because they most definitly give you a lot of information in a 2 hour period. I am also grateful that it just so happens that the head nurse of Oncology at David Grant Med Center also goes to church with us and we sing in choir together. Michelle sat in on my meeting with us as well. I feel I am in very good hands.
The first thing they told me was that if you are going to get cancer breast cancer is the best kind because it is very treatable and since they are catching it early I have a 88%- 95% chance of survival. Shew...good news. Kristin then discussed my pathology report with me. At this point they are calling it Stage 1 Clinical Cancer, however they really need to perfrom MRI and lumpectomy to get a better diagnosis. So for the time being course of action will be MRI, Lumpectomy and 6 weeks of daily radiation. Depending on what the surgeon discovers will decide on whether or not I will need chemotherapy and/or mastectomy. Let's hope for best case scenario:0) Kristen gave me a form from The American Cancer Society and told me to fill it out because I am going to be a "Cancer Survivor." Dang right I am going to be a Cancer Survivor, I have 3 young boys, there is not another option.
31 March 2012, currently Eric is on a flight home and should be here within 2 days (Sweet)! Thankfully my mom will be here Tuesday, I am so happy. Even when you are over 40 you want your mom in a time of crises. My sister in-law and brother are coming out to see me(wow, all this cause of cancer.) I am overwhelmed with love and kindness from my friends and family. God is good! Kristen told me to make short term and long term goals. My number one goal is to get rid of this cancer and hope it never returns. I still gotta a lot of stuff to do. Thank goodness I inhereted my grandmother's spirit. I think my scense of humor, strong husband, family and friends will get me through this.
About a month ago I received a routine call from my Doctor telling me I needed to have a baseline mammogram since I was 43 and had not yet had one. I made the appt and went in had the mammogram and was on my way. About 2 weeks later the Women's Clinic called me and told me I would need to return for another mammogram because they saw something in my right breast. They told me not to worry that this was very normal. My girlfriends assured me this happens all the time. On 22 March 2012, I returned to the mammography dept for a second mammogram. The doctor informed me that an ultrasound needed to be done to take a better look. During the ultrasound he found an odd mass and recommended a punch biopsy be done immediately. He said let's do it today. I can assure the women readers that a punch biopsy is something that you do want to be well numbed up for, yeah for lidocaine. They took 4 samples. At this point I became a bit concerned but my friends assured me this is normal procedure.
On 29 March 2012, a week later the doctor called to inform me that they found Invasive Low Grade Ductal Carcinoma and Intermediate Grade Ductal Carcinoma in SITU. Woa....Cancer. All I heard was they found cancer growth. The doctor was then giving me lists of names and numbers and telling me I would receive several phone calls for further appts. I was in shock. I wanted my husband. I immediately Skyped him(thank goodness for technology). So unfortunately I had to tell him this news via Skype but the good news is Dr. Allen said they would get Eric home immediately so he can be here to help me with our children and my treatment. This was excellent news. I am also super grateful that we belong to Dixon United Methodist Church. God certainly knew what he was doing when we decided to make Dixon, CA our home.
On 30 March 2012, I had a meeting with Kristin Summerfelt, Breast Cancer Care Coordinator, who will be my care coordinator throughout this entire ordeal. Thankfully my friend from church, Johanna, who is a breast cancer survivor, said she would go with me to my meeting so she could be my second set of ears because they most definitly give you a lot of information in a 2 hour period. I am also grateful that it just so happens that the head nurse of Oncology at David Grant Med Center also goes to church with us and we sing in choir together. Michelle sat in on my meeting with us as well. I feel I am in very good hands.
The first thing they told me was that if you are going to get cancer breast cancer is the best kind because it is very treatable and since they are catching it early I have a 88%- 95% chance of survival. Shew...good news. Kristin then discussed my pathology report with me. At this point they are calling it Stage 1 Clinical Cancer, however they really need to perfrom MRI and lumpectomy to get a better diagnosis. So for the time being course of action will be MRI, Lumpectomy and 6 weeks of daily radiation. Depending on what the surgeon discovers will decide on whether or not I will need chemotherapy and/or mastectomy. Let's hope for best case scenario:0) Kristen gave me a form from The American Cancer Society and told me to fill it out because I am going to be a "Cancer Survivor." Dang right I am going to be a Cancer Survivor, I have 3 young boys, there is not another option.
31 March 2012, currently Eric is on a flight home and should be here within 2 days (Sweet)! Thankfully my mom will be here Tuesday, I am so happy. Even when you are over 40 you want your mom in a time of crises. My sister in-law and brother are coming out to see me(wow, all this cause of cancer.) I am overwhelmed with love and kindness from my friends and family. God is good! Kristen told me to make short term and long term goals. My number one goal is to get rid of this cancer and hope it never returns. I still gotta a lot of stuff to do. Thank goodness I inhereted my grandmother's spirit. I think my scense of humor, strong husband, family and friends will get me through this.
Oh, Lisa, I am so sorry- this is never news that anyone wants to hear. But you, girl, are a fighter!!! You will beat this, and come out stronger on the other end! Praise God you have friends, family, and most importantly, your faith to lean on while you concentrate on getting cured. You will be in our prayers!
ReplyDeleteLauren
Thank you Lauren!
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this news and starting a blog. Blogging will help you express yourself and other will learn from your experiences as well. You are such a Super Woman Lisa. You are tenacious and fabulous and loved by so many. You know God loves you and you love Him. You have an awesome family and it sounds like you have great faith in your medical care too! So much to be thankful for during this trying time. I will keep you close in prayers during your fight and I can't wait to rejoice with you when you beat this thing!
ReplyDeleteWith Much Oki-Love!
Beth
Aww Beth,Thank you.
DeleteMy prayers go out to you, Eric and the boys. You are a strong women and you will over come. Love you Karl
ReplyDeleteKarl, Come on out. Eric is coming home:)
DeleteLisa, you are surrounded by love and resources! Add me to the list of whatever needs to be done, boys, gardening, dog washing etc. Besides Mom, my soon to be sister in law had the same basic cancer, treated with a lumpectomy and radiation. She is healthy and well 3 years later. Hugs!!!!
ReplyDelete