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