The news we wanted!

We got the results of the pathology back and they were outstanding!  There was no cancer found in either of her lymph nodes and her margins were clear.  This means NO CHEMO and only a chance of radiation.  We will find out definitely during our appointment with the radiation oncologist.  We couldn't be happier, over the moon.

Mom is healing well.  Tomorrow will be a big day though.  She has a follow up appointment with Dr. Henderson and afterwards another appointment with Dr. Movassaghi, plastic surgeon, and will be getting one drain removed from either side.

Cheers!

 

 

 

 To be continued tomorrow...  xxxooo

Now the healing can begin

The waiting is over and the recovery has begun.  Mom's double mastectomy is complete. 

I’ve been timid to write this blog post because I know that anything I’m able to write with my current brain can’t give justice to the incredible grace, beauty, compassion and true golden spirit that is mom.   But I do know that it’s unfair to keep you waiting over 24 hours post-procedure for good news so here we go:

Some Facts:

-We decided to do a double mastectomy instead of a single.  Thanks to everyone, especially Marcie, for advice on this.  Mom felt that it was the best decision and we all support this.

-Dr. Henderson said the breast came off the chest wall very easily and the tissue was smooth, not sticky.  This is very good news because it means that there is less likelihood that the cancer has spread anywhere else.

-The nuke shot stained two lymph nodes.  Dr. H removed both of those as well as a third that was joined with them.  It will take 4-5 days to get the pathology results back from these.

-To begin the reconstruction process, expanders were put under the chest muscle that will gradually stretch the muscle in order to create space for an eventual silicone implant.

- It was outpatient surgery due to the high risk of infection involved.  I was really surprised about this, but also happy that she gets to be home - the La Quinta Hotel, home, sweet home for a while.  The less time spent in a hospital, the better.

-She has four drains, two on each side.  These will be in for 1-2 weeks.

-We have a follow up appointment with Dr. Movassaghi (Plastic Surgeon) at noon on Friday.  This will be the first time we’ll get to see what’s under her dressings.

-The expansion will start about two weeks after surgery.  They expand once per week until it’s as large as mom wants.  …Pamela or Twiggy?  What’s it gonna be Mama?

- If she doesn’t have to get radiation, then the follow up surgery will be in January.  If mom does have to get radiation, then everything will change.  We’ll find out more next week.

Some Feelings:

This is hard.  The surgery was much bigger, in every sense, than I had mentally prepared for.  Part of this was probably a way to protect myself from over-thinking the specific details of recovery, until the time came that I would actually need to know them.  Post surgery was a bit overwhelming but things are calm now and I am confident.  She is a joy to care for – I don’t think there could be an easier patient.

One important step checked off the list for this cancer warrior.  Mom is a survivor. Thanks so much to our amazing friends and family who have surrounded us with love and support.  We are so grateful.

Love to each of you,

M

A New Day

It was fantastic to talk with Mom today.  She is full of sparkle.  Cancer is not something that happened to her.  It is a tool that she has been gifted with to create a tidal wave of positive life change.  This experience will be full of high and low but today I am going to enjoy the high.  Mom is strong, beautiful and couldn't have a better mindset.

***************

The MRI Mom took on 6/20 has revealed several other malignant tumors in the left breast.  After examining the findings, Dr. Henderson said that they were multifocal and multicentric in nature.  She doesn't feel comfortable doing multiple lumpectomies and suggests a mastectomy in order to be as certain as possible that all the cancerous areas are totally removed.

The really good news is that the MRI also showed that her lymph nodes were not suspicious, however they will still have to be biopsied at the time of surgery.  She has the option of having a mastectomy in conjunction with reconstruction done by a plastic surgeon, or living with a no breast.  Mom thinks the decision is a no brainer -- especially when they told her that the plastic surgeon can make both breasts look similar, even if he has to take a bit from the "good" one and give it a little lift!

 So next step is to have another appointment with Dr. Winnie to discuss the surgery and have an initial appointment with the plastic surgeon, Dr. Movassaghi.  We have both of these scheduled for Tuesday.  It's fantastic news that she will only have to have one surgery since the mastectomy and reconstruction can be done at the same time.

More good news - if the tumors are not too close to the skin or chest wall, she may not have to have radiation and the docs are not sure about chemo.  Mom has already made the decision against chemotherapy.  I fully support her.  At this point, I don't believe that there is reason to deconstruct her body while it is working so hard to heal itself.  It seems so intrinsically counter-intuitive to the healing process.

This is a good summary of some of the things I've been feeling: Questioning Chemotherapy, by Dr. Ralph Moss

Nutrition, mentality, loving surroundings, laughter, a support system and a true belief that the cancer will be eliminated from the body, are the fundamental pillars of healing.  Mom is fully embodying this and running with it.

"Even in the muck and mire of things, something sings"

Speaking of laughter.... The Party Pooper  (Dad, I think you'll enjoy this):

Meeting Dr. Winnie Henderson: 6/19/13

Today Mom, Dad and I met Dr. Winnie Henderson.  She is a surgeon at River Bend hospital (http://nwsurgicalspecialists.com/node/72).  It was a much more difficult day than I think any of us had in mind.  The first time that Mom had cancer (endometrial) she had a full hysterectomy but that was the extent; no chemo, no radiation.  All of us expected that to be the case today as well, but we were all a little surprised when the suggested treatment included surgery as well as radiation.

At this point, Dr. H's recommendation is a lumpectomy of the two spots followed by radiation.  Either Brachytherapy (internal radiation), which is radiation given every day for 5 consecutive days, or external radiation, which is given 5 consecutive days a week for 6 weeks total.  They both have positives and negatives.  Internal radiation may not be possible depending on the size of her breast after the surgery.  It needs to be large enough because there is a certain distance the radiation tube needs be placed away from the skin surface as not not burn the skin.  Google away.

--Mom has two tumors in her left breast.  They total 1.8cm in combined size.

One day at a time:

• Today (6/19/13) initial appt to talk about options, answer questions.
• Tomorrow (6/19/13) blood tests in morning; MRI with contrast in the afternoon.  No biggie - a little Xanax and this day will be smooth sailing.  So why is Mom the only one that gets to be prescribed Xanax???  
• Tuesday (6/25/13) follow up appointment with Dr. H to discuss the findings from the MRI.  Possibly we will meet with the anesthesiologist in the afternoon on Tuesday as well depending on scheduling availability.

--From the information gathered through the first mammogram and initial biopsy, there is good hope that there is no cancer in her lymph nodes.  This is super positive.  So basically the lymph nodes are like a bus stop on the way out of the breast.  Cancer cells can jump on the bus (lymphatic system) but then stop in the lymph nodes.  From that point they can either hop back on the bus and travel to other parts of the body or hang out in the bus station for awhile until they die.  We have our energy focused on them never jumping on the bus in the first place.  These buggers do not like to travel.  This is what's happening.

--The cutoff point for when doctors suggest getting chemotherapy is 1.5cm but it is also protocol that chemo happens before surgery to remove the tumors.  This was confusing and conflicting to us after we had time to process the information because Dr. H didn't suggest chemo.  This is something that we'll have to clarify at our next appointment.

Chemotherapy seems like such a destructive method and counter intuitive to healing one's body.  Not our desired option.

We were really lucky and able to get an MRI scheduled for tomorrow.  Mom, Dad and little Poppy girl are safe and sound at the LaQuinta in Eugene tonight, probably with Poppy spooned between them under the covers.

Sending each of you love, light and peace in your hearts.  Hard times are what make us stronger and appreciate the good times that much more.  Can you just imagine how much fun a celebration we'll have when we get the word that Mom is cancer-free?!!  Tequila in Mexico anyone?  Wine in Tuscany?  Chocolate in Brugge?  Massages on the beach in Bali?      But I digress..........

People bring about what they think about.  Think only positive, healing, healthy thoughts that don't involve the word "cancer".  We don't want to give any energy to that word.

"Mom is strong, healthy, and happy.  Her body is powerful and is in the process of complete physical and emotional healing."

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om; Namaste <3

This has to make you smile.... or we may have to check you for a pulse:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBGLEZCCH7U