So Sorry! I am officially back from hiatus! I cannot believe it has been a month since I posted! Time flies when you are having fun! And it truly has been a wonderful month.
So many things have happened in the last month and yesterday's events were icing on the cake. I am afraid I will miss something, but here is the month in review...
Getting rid of that drain was the best thing that ever happened. I received almost immediate relief from the pain in my arm and every day kept getting better and better. I worked my first FULL week of work during the first week in February. I would like to say it felt great, but it was one of the saddest weeks for me because it was the last week of work for my boss at Heartland. She advanced her career and became the Vice President of Finance at Northwest Missouri State University. For the last 10+ years I have had the opportunity to report directly to her or up to her through the organizational chart and she truly is a class act. She is an invaluable mentor. We learned so much together and I was heartbroken to see her go. However, I am so excited for her and so PROUD of her!
The next week led to more doctor visits. I met with Dr. AJ and started the 5 years of Tamoxifen (hormone suppressor). Yes, I will take a pill a day for at least 5 years. We also had a conversation about an additional prescription that Dr. Silva suggested. The medicine is only offered to participants of a Clinical Trial Study. I was in turmoil for several days trying to decide whether or not to participate in the Study. Thanks to Dan and a wonderful friend that is a breast cancer survivor and lots of prayers, I chose NOT to participate. In the end, Dr. AJ discovered that there was a mix-up in the name of the prescription medicine that Dr. Silva wanted me to take. Dr. Silva wants me to take Zometa. Zometa is FDA approved and there is no need for me to participate in a Clinical Trial Study to receive the medicine, but Dr. AJ is validating coverage with my insurance company.
I also met Dr. Johnson, my radiation doctor, for the first time. He and the staff are amazing! I started radiation on February 15th. I go every day, Monday through Friday. I have a 1:30 PM daily appointment that is a 15 minute slot on the radiation schedule. I am scheduled for a total of 28 treatments PLUS 3-7 boosts. That equates to 7 weeks of treatments. Prior to my first treatment I received 7 tattoos. They are itty, bitty pin points that allow for consistent alignment of the radiation entry points every day. Now I know why I have NEVER had a tattoo...yikes! My reaction was to laugh hysterically because I had never felt anything like that. During the actual treatment, I cannot feel anything...it does not get warm or hot or does not cause pain of any kind. I simply lay perfectly still on a table for a few minutes and wait until they tell me I am finished. I do wear my boxing gloves during every treatment and one of the techs said to me that in the 20+ years he has been doing the same job and he never had a patient in boxing gloves. So far, I do not have any redness on the skin. My armpit did feel a little swollen for a couple days at the end of this week of treatment, but that is gone today. SO...2 weeks down and 5 weeks to go! So far, it is great! It merely takes time. Thank goodness it is convenient. It is actually a department in my hospital where I work, so I only have a couple minutes to drive across town to the Cancer Center. So far, they were truthful in the statement that radiation is a "walk in the park" compared to chemo.
I was able to attend the Alumni Reunion for the Women's Bearcat Basketball program and witnessed the Bearcats scoring 103 points against conference rival Missouri Western. There were several friends that came back to town and I truly enjoyed the event. I felt as if we had seen each other yesterday and had not missed out on the last 15+ years. It was such a blessing to reunite with such wonderful people.
I know several have asked and it truly is Fight Like a Girl MANIA around here. Hardly a day goes by that I do not see a Fight Like a Girl shirt. The awesome shirt that my ex-boss and co-worker designed is a popular item and I continue to get compliments and requests wherever I go. They sold 2,200 shirts! Overwhelming!
Due to the extra efforts from a long-time friend at Northwest, I was able to meet Jacob Soy. Remember, the wide receiver for the Bearcats that I absolutely adore?!? My friend arranged for me to meet him in person. He gave me a framed, autographed picture of him scoring the winning touchdown in the National Championship game and a message reading, "Mary, Congrats on the good news!" He really is a genuine kid and has a heart of gold. I was also able to spend some quality time with my friend and catch-up from lost time.
I do need to share that three of my "chemo buddies" passed away during the last month. That was extremely hard for Dan and I to handle. We believed every one in that room was going to survive just like me. I also found out that cancer has returned for a friend at work. I was also introduced to a co-worker at Heartland that is recently diagnosed. My aunt had surgery on her breast cancer and awaits additional testing results. It makes my heart ache!
We attended the PINK OUT basketball game between Jefferson and DeKalb. It is wonderful to see the kids, school and community get involved in such a great cause. Cancer sucks and there have been too many lives impacted by it. But, I truly believe that the CURE is closer than ever.
I am completely honored to have been selected as the Honorary Coach for the Northwest Women's Basketball game yesterday. At the alumni reunion a few weeks ago, I had the chance to meet Coach Steinmeyer for the first time. I played for Coach Winstead at Northwest who lost his life to cancer, so I had never officially met Coach Steinmeyer. Coach Steinmeyer and his staff chose to use the Northwest Women's Basketball Program and a Survivor Alumnus to promote Breast Cancer Awareness. They went to a ton of work in a short time and sponsored Mary's Fight Night! It was a dream come true. The girls basketball team wore pink warm-up shirts with my fist-pumping picture from my Bearcat playing days. They autographed the shirts and then set them out for silent auction. The event raised $1,000 that will be donated to the Northwest Women's Basketball program. Coach Steinmeyer allowed ME to give the pre-game motivation speech! So, with my boxing gloves on (if you don't know by now, I don't go anywhere without them), I shared with the team how blessed I am to say I am a Bearcat and so many of the values and qualities I hold today were strengthened through my participation in that program. I advised them to prepare themselves for anything...position themselves to be ready to put up a fight. I shared that I have a couple mottos in life. One is to BELIEVE! I asked them to believe in themselves, in their teammates, in their coaching staff, and in their program. The other is Once a Bearcat...ALWAYS a Bearcat! I was introduced with the starting line-up and enjoyed some fist bumps and chest bumps with the girls. The Bearcats won the game and will play in the conference tournament on Tuesday. After the game, I thanked the girls and congratulated them with their own Fight Like A Girl shirt. I was able to take a group picture with them, so hopefully I will get a copy of those pictures to share with you. Coach Steinmeyer is a genuine guy and I am truly grateful to him, his staff, and the girls for allowing me the chance to help them promote Breast Cancer Awareness.
We ended the night with an annual outing with friends and memories that will last a life-time for me!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Drain Free
Hallelujah, the damn drain is out! Finally! Dr. Silva and crew were able to remove the drain tube that I have had since surgery 2 weeks ago. I am so happy to get rid of that thing and hoping to get some restful sleep tonight. YowZaa...thank goodness the burning and stinging did not last but a few seconds during the removal of the drain tube. My labor and deliver relaxation method did not get me through the removal, but I was able to grit my teeth and made it without screaming. Wow, that stung!
The back of my left arm from my elbow to my armpit has been very sensitive since surgery. It already feels much better and I can finally handle some bumps from the kids. It is not great, but MUCH better. I can easily raise my arm to a 45 degree angle in a couple directions, so getting that drain out helped a bunch.
The girls went to Omaha with us and were able to stay with cousins last night and we loved every minute of it. We did not get much sleep for a "school night", but the kids do enjoy playing together. The girls met Dr. Silva and his nurses today and they liked "Mommy's Breast Cancer Doctor". Maggie sat on the exam table when we first arrived and I asked her if she was going to let Dr. Silva look at her boobs. She looked at me like I was from a different planet. I am not sure what goes through the mind of a 4 year old, but I still do not think she understands why Dr. Silva looks at my boobs. She is too funny!
The back of my left arm from my elbow to my armpit has been very sensitive since surgery. It already feels much better and I can finally handle some bumps from the kids. It is not great, but MUCH better. I can easily raise my arm to a 45 degree angle in a couple directions, so getting that drain out helped a bunch.
The girls went to Omaha with us and were able to stay with cousins last night and we loved every minute of it. We did not get much sleep for a "school night", but the kids do enjoy playing together. The girls met Dr. Silva and his nurses today and they liked "Mommy's Breast Cancer Doctor". Maggie sat on the exam table when we first arrived and I asked her if she was going to let Dr. Silva look at her boobs. She looked at me like I was from a different planet. I am not sure what goes through the mind of a 4 year old, but I still do not think she understands why Dr. Silva looks at my boobs. She is too funny!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Dr. is Impressed
I saw Dr. AJ on Monday. I think I wrote that Dr. Silva was thrilled with the results of chemo and surgery. WELL, Dr. AJ is ECSTATIC! He is elated with the results of the chemo and the shrinkage of the invasive cancer and excited that Dr. Silva was able to perform a lumpectomy! The man was nearly doing cartwheels. Then he asked to see my incisions. The look on his face was priceless. Prior to surgery we saw Dr. AJ nearly every week and we had several conversations with him regarding mastectomy vs. lumpectomy. He was upfront and honest with us in preparing us for a mastectomy due to the size of the cluster. One look at my incision and he could not believe his eyes. He stammered and stuttered and finally said, "That Man (Dr. Silva) is a genius! I cannot believe he salvaged your nipple too!" He immediately picked up the pathology report and re-read the surgery outcomes. Dr. AJ is thoroughly impressed with the expertise and surgical lumpectomy that Dr. Silva performed!
The bummer of the situation is I still have the damn JP drain. I was not able to get rid of it yesterday due to output volume and they rescheduled my appointment for Thursday morning. I have an appointment at 8AM in Omaha and Malia has her first dental/orthodontic prep procedure at 12:20PM in Maryville. I am sure that is exactly what Dan had envisioned for his 43rd birthday...toting his girls to doctors. Simply praying that all goes well and the healing continues!
The bummer of the situation is I still have the damn JP drain. I was not able to get rid of it yesterday due to output volume and they rescheduled my appointment for Thursday morning. I have an appointment at 8AM in Omaha and Malia has her first dental/orthodontic prep procedure at 12:20PM in Maryville. I am sure that is exactly what Dan had envisioned for his 43rd birthday...toting his girls to doctors. Simply praying that all goes well and the healing continues!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Our God is an Awesome GOD!
Oh Yeah! Our God is an Awesome GOD! Thank You Prayer Warriors! Thank You Emil Kapaun! Thank You Saint Padre Pio, Saint Peregrine, Saint Jude! Thank You Miraculous Mother! Thank You Family! Thank You everyone! Thanks for standing ringside and rooting me on to a Victory! We did it! The cancer is OUT of my body! Chemo was a success! Surgery was a success!
The invasive cancer had shrunk to 0.7 cm and was contained in the lump that was removed from my left breast and the Dr. Silva obtained SUPERIOR margins (he removed enough healthy cells surrounding the damaged cells). The original non-mass like enhancement was estimated by MRI back in July to be a 5.5 x 6.1 x 7.3 area. The area contained DCIS (cancer inside the milk ducts that is not impacted by chemotherapy and does not reduce in size), Invasive Cancer, and cells my body produced in defense. So, they really do not know the original size of the invasive cancer. But, what we do know is the non-mass like enhancement that was removed during surgery was 8.0 x 7.0 x 3.5 in size. There was ONLY one lymph node that contained cancer of the nearly 20 nodes they removed. The size of the cancer in the one lymph node was 0.3 cm. Needless to say, Dr. Silva was proud and we are elated! I cannot even describe what the tears streaming down my face mean...what a bottled mix of emotions! I did ask Dr. Silva what the risk of NOT doing radiation is. He quickly put his forehead on my forehead and stared into my eyes and demanded, "THAT is NOT negotiable! Get those gloves on and finish this FIGHT!"
So, off I go! Just as the doctor ordered...I will wait to heal completely from surgery and then I will wear my boxing gloves and fight my way through radiation. Dr. Silva estimated that I would have 5 weeks of radiation, but I will be under the Radiation Oncologist at Heartland so they will conduct the final radiation plan.
I did not get my drain tube removed because the output is too bloody and there is still too much output daily. I have an appointment scheduled next Tuesday to remove the drain tube, but we may have to wait until Thursday depending on how the output progresses the next few days.
Prayers of Thankfulness and Praise!
The invasive cancer had shrunk to 0.7 cm and was contained in the lump that was removed from my left breast and the Dr. Silva obtained SUPERIOR margins (he removed enough healthy cells surrounding the damaged cells). The original non-mass like enhancement was estimated by MRI back in July to be a 5.5 x 6.1 x 7.3 area. The area contained DCIS (cancer inside the milk ducts that is not impacted by chemotherapy and does not reduce in size), Invasive Cancer, and cells my body produced in defense. So, they really do not know the original size of the invasive cancer. But, what we do know is the non-mass like enhancement that was removed during surgery was 8.0 x 7.0 x 3.5 in size. There was ONLY one lymph node that contained cancer of the nearly 20 nodes they removed. The size of the cancer in the one lymph node was 0.3 cm. Needless to say, Dr. Silva was proud and we are elated! I cannot even describe what the tears streaming down my face mean...what a bottled mix of emotions! I did ask Dr. Silva what the risk of NOT doing radiation is. He quickly put his forehead on my forehead and stared into my eyes and demanded, "THAT is NOT negotiable! Get those gloves on and finish this FIGHT!"
So, off I go! Just as the doctor ordered...I will wait to heal completely from surgery and then I will wear my boxing gloves and fight my way through radiation. Dr. Silva estimated that I would have 5 weeks of radiation, but I will be under the Radiation Oncologist at Heartland so they will conduct the final radiation plan.
I did not get my drain tube removed because the output is too bloody and there is still too much output daily. I have an appointment scheduled next Tuesday to remove the drain tube, but we may have to wait until Thursday depending on how the output progresses the next few days.
Prayers of Thankfulness and Praise!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Prayerful Healing
This waiting game is full of prayers and more prayers! I have a follow-up appointment on Thursday to get test results and remove the drain tube and another appointment on Monday to get the next steps started. I am sure you have experienced the craziness of time...time is so precious. I complain about waiting so long for these results and then realize that Thursday is ONLY a couple days away...wow, where did the week go?
I went through the same thing on Monday...it was the 11th anniversary of my Daddy's death (and the 53rd anniversary of my Biggest Sister's birthday as Mother reminded me). Sometimes it seems like Dad has missed EVERYTHING and been gone FOREVER, then in an instant I can re-live Monday, January 18, 1999. I know where I was sitting on the couch with Dan when the phone rang and I know we were watching Melrose Place (haven't watched it since). I remember waiting in the ER at the hospital because we lived in Maryville and beat the ambulance to the hospital...nothing about that wait went quick. But, one thing is for certain...the existence of prayer. The waiting game for me is always full of prayers and more prayers!
I think my healing process is going great. The pain has subsided and I get yelled at a lot for "doing too much". I have two incisions...one is about 3 inches long and about an inch above my nipple on the left breast (kind of curved around the nipple) and the other is under my armpit (I cannot see much to know the details of it). That incision has been the source of all the pain I experienced. If it wasn't for that incision, I may not have known that anything happened. There is also a drain tube in the armpit and Dan gets to measure and rid the gunk twice a day. Dan helped me with my first bath yesterday. I am laughing as I think of it because it was basically a circus and took entirely too long, but it felt good to finally be refreshed. I do have lots of help from family, but Dan has been amazing. This is really not his calling and we both lose our tempers, but he is mastering the extra duties and responsibilities. The first night we were all home after surgery (remember, I was basically helpless and as needy as one of the kids) and Dan finally had everyone in bed, he sighed and slumped into his favorite chair and said, "Damn, I feel like I have just been in a bar fight!"
I will continue my fight. I am prayerfully awaiting the test results. I was so saddened yesterday when I heard my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. She, too, is awaiting results. It makes me so sick to think of my loved ones fighting through this, but I do know that my aunt has a lot of fight in her and she will put up a strong fight. Sending Hugs and Kisses from MO. We will surround my aunt with prayers!
I went through the same thing on Monday...it was the 11th anniversary of my Daddy's death (and the 53rd anniversary of my Biggest Sister's birthday as Mother reminded me). Sometimes it seems like Dad has missed EVERYTHING and been gone FOREVER, then in an instant I can re-live Monday, January 18, 1999. I know where I was sitting on the couch with Dan when the phone rang and I know we were watching Melrose Place (haven't watched it since). I remember waiting in the ER at the hospital because we lived in Maryville and beat the ambulance to the hospital...nothing about that wait went quick. But, one thing is for certain...the existence of prayer. The waiting game for me is always full of prayers and more prayers!
I think my healing process is going great. The pain has subsided and I get yelled at a lot for "doing too much". I have two incisions...one is about 3 inches long and about an inch above my nipple on the left breast (kind of curved around the nipple) and the other is under my armpit (I cannot see much to know the details of it). That incision has been the source of all the pain I experienced. If it wasn't for that incision, I may not have known that anything happened. There is also a drain tube in the armpit and Dan gets to measure and rid the gunk twice a day. Dan helped me with my first bath yesterday. I am laughing as I think of it because it was basically a circus and took entirely too long, but it felt good to finally be refreshed. I do have lots of help from family, but Dan has been amazing. This is really not his calling and we both lose our tempers, but he is mastering the extra duties and responsibilities. The first night we were all home after surgery (remember, I was basically helpless and as needy as one of the kids) and Dan finally had everyone in bed, he sighed and slumped into his favorite chair and said, "Damn, I feel like I have just been in a bar fight!"
I will continue my fight. I am prayerfully awaiting the test results. I was so saddened yesterday when I heard my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. She, too, is awaiting results. It makes me so sick to think of my loved ones fighting through this, but I do know that my aunt has a lot of fight in her and she will put up a strong fight. Sending Hugs and Kisses from MO. We will surround my aunt with prayers!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Post Surgery!!!
Update from the waiting room: WOW, what a long day! We got here to the hospital at 6 this morning and they didn't really do anything til 8! She went for her dye test and Dr. Silva was there and she was all decked out for his birthday, with beads, horns, hat and a HAPPY BOOB day song for him; he absolutely LOVED it! She left for surgery at 10, they started at 10:30, and we didn't hear anything til 1 when they were closing. At 2 Dr. Silva came out and told us that everything went fine. He did find some cancer in a lymph node under her arm but they will do further testing on it and we will know the results next week, but this DOES NOT change any course of treatment. Next step is to get the pathology report, radiation and hormone blocker medicine. She will have a drain tube from her lympth nodes that will be removed in a week and we are anxiously waiting for her to wake so we can see her and know how she is getting along. If Dr. Silva says it's ok she can go home today. We are planning to stay at our Uncle Harv and Aunt Diane's tonight if she gets out today. Thanks so much for all the prayers and please keep them coming. Fr. Emil Kapaun, PLEASE KO THE BEAST AND HEAL MARY COMPLETELY, AMEN!!! Thanks again!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Power of Prayer
I hope that each of you have been able to witness the power of prayer in your life (hey, I guess you are a witness right here and now...my road from diagnosis to complete recovery is a true testament to the Power of Prayer). Not because I hope you have witnessed suffering, but because I wish that you have been blessed to be a part of something so special. The Power of Prayer is truly a life changing event. I am currently surrounded by several friends that need the support of prayers and I am asking that you join me in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers...
A special Bearcat fan is recovering and healing after heart valve surgery. My 'favortist' Kindergarten teacher is hopefully coming home from the hospital soon after falling on the ice and breaking her hip and having surgery. A wonderful father in the community needs prayers that his broken arm will heal on its own without the risks of surgery. An elderly gentleman in our parish also fell and broke his leg. And God called a precious 3 month old baby home last week. Please help me pray for his parents (they have faith that could move mountains), his Big Sisters, and his Daycare Provider and family.
I thank you for the continued support and the extra prayers heading into surgery tomorrow and I am sharing those prayers with my friends that are bearing their own crosses. We will try to get to a computer later tomorrow to share the surgical outcomes with you. I am thrilled the time has finally come to get this crud out of my system...a giant step on the road to complete recovery. Father Emil Kapaun, Servant of God, Pray For Us!!!
A special Bearcat fan is recovering and healing after heart valve surgery. My 'favortist' Kindergarten teacher is hopefully coming home from the hospital soon after falling on the ice and breaking her hip and having surgery. A wonderful father in the community needs prayers that his broken arm will heal on its own without the risks of surgery. An elderly gentleman in our parish also fell and broke his leg. And God called a precious 3 month old baby home last week. Please help me pray for his parents (they have faith that could move mountains), his Big Sisters, and his Daycare Provider and family.
I thank you for the continued support and the extra prayers heading into surgery tomorrow and I am sharing those prayers with my friends that are bearing their own crosses. We will try to get to a computer later tomorrow to share the surgical outcomes with you. I am thrilled the time has finally come to get this crud out of my system...a giant step on the road to complete recovery. Father Emil Kapaun, Servant of God, Pray For Us!!!
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