Meeting the Radiation Oncologist~

     Today's appointment was good and a bit scary.  We met the nurse (Pam) and doctor (Tharp) who I will be seeing while going through Radiation.  They gave us the pros and cons of different methods and a bit of what to expect.

     I am set to have a Lumpectomy on November 29th, and have four Lymph Nodes removed from the right breast.  The left breast will have another biopsy of the small mass that was undetectable in the ultrasound, but was biopsied in the MRI on November 3rd.  

The HIGHS & LOWS

     The scary part of the meeting today was when we learned that there is a possibility when a lymph node is removed you can end up with lymphedema.  That is very scary.  With this disease you have a lot to worry about, not just your cancer.  In reading the pamphlet it sounded like you would have to live in a bubble because your don't want to get a cut or burn or anything that could get infected fast.  You have to wash dishes with gloves.  A bug bite can be harsh.  Your immune system basically sucks.  Lymphedema is not curable.

While Going through Radiation

• Short Term:  5 days
• Long Term:  5 weeks or more

     During radiation I will not be able to wear a bra.  This is a first for me.  I have always been good about wearing one whether it was a good one or not, I had something for support.  This practice has reduced sagging.  Now I will set them free. 

     Treatment for radiation had two options.  There was the short term and the long term one.  I will opt for the long term one.  The short term one has many potential side affect.  The long term one you are not left with the ugly side effects of the shrinking breast (will be smaller than the other), the one treated will be firmer than the other (they don't treat the other), and you will also get a lump that they will have to biopsy even though they know it will not be cancer.  There were other details that we just too many to list.

     All in all, it was a good appointment and very informative.  Dr. Tharp could read my face when he was talking about the 5 day treatment of radiation.  He could tell that was not an option for me.  So I believe we will take it slow and long.

I've got a DATE~

My date is for surgery.  I will be having a Lumpectomy on Tuesday, November 29Th.  They have a bed for me in case I need to stay in the hospital.  Otherwise, I will go home the same day.  Is that crazy or what?  Thanksgiving will be over and the twins will be ten already.  After that the radiation and chemo start.  I am in God's hands so I am comforted by that.

In the mist of getting the surgery date, I screwed up my facebook account.  Then tried to send too many request out of the new account I set up and got band for two days.  Trippy eh?  So if you were on my first facebook as a friend send me a request again at pbvbrat@gmail.com and I will get my list going again.

November 29th is my surgery date.  Still find it hard to believe that I have Breast Cancer.  It still feels like it is something I am just talking about. Doesn't seem real yet.  It's a journey I will take with the Lord, here on earth.  I  know it is in his arms and I am strong.  I have a  lot of things to accomplish and he would not take me before I am done.  

Dalton's Food Pantry

Saturday mornings, even when I don't feel like getting up, I love going to hear the words for the week as preached by the non-preacher (as he says) J.R. Dalton.  Even if I don't pick up any food while I am there, it is all about the WORD I receive for the week.  I love it.  It is a wonderful ministry.  Big churches wonder how this saved man is so successful in his endeavors.  He just does it for JESUS.  That is everything.  His story is one that should be heard all over the world.  It goes to show, anyone can be saved.

God Bless you all.

MRI Biopsy

Today I had an MRI Biopsy.  It was a bit painful, but I did good.  I was prescribed Larazapan for the anxiety that I had with the last one.  Hopefully, I won't have to do that again.  Afterwards, I had yet another Mammogram to show the marker was in place from the biopsy.  Talk about exposing yourself to everyone.  Got to get used to it.  I have a long road ahead.  But I know I will be well afterwords.  So now we wait for the results and after that we can make a decision on which way to roll with it.

Love to all for your prayers.

Vicki

Made for me by my friend Melonie back in the 80's. 

Ultrasound with no success~

I had an Ultrasound done on the left breast being they found a suspicious mass on that side with the MRI.  Needless to say, they did not find anything in the ultrasound.  Now I have to wait yet again till next Thursday and have another MRI with a biopsy this time.  Orders something from the doctor so I wouldn't be so queasy in the tube this time.  So we wait.~

Continuing Journey~

Last week was filled with doctor appointments and education on my cancer.  It first started out with meeting the Oncologist, Dr. Bolla.  He did a great job explaining everything to us.  We left there hopeful and almost ready to decide what we were going to do.  Which route to take.  Whether I get a Lumpectomy or a Mastectomy with Chemo will give me the same results.  So we may as well do the Lumpectomy.

Wednesday was the meeting of all the doctors that will be involved in my case.  There was a new factor added to the qualifications of having the Genetic Testing done.  I was decidedly a low risk when leaving the Oncologists meeting.  Being I have all three or the receptors reading as negative that put me in the qualified pile.  This will tell if I carry a certain gene that will be a factor on whether I will get cancer again or if it were a gene that was passed down.  With this it would delay any surgery for a couple of weeks.  I just want that thing out of me

Thursday we met with the Genetics Specialist and it was all good information.  But we were not satisfied that it really is needed.  So we are going to pass on that.  Later that day I had my MRI.  Boy was that thing uncomfortable.  A friend suggested that the next (if ever) time I have to do that, ask for Xanax to calm me so I am not so fidgety in the tube.  

Friday I got a call from the Breast Coordinator, Cindy.  They found another mass in the left breast from the MRI.  sucks big time.  More delays.  I have to go for an Ultrasound on the left breast Wednesday.  She mentioned an MRI Biopsy.  I really don't want to go in that tube again.  If I must, we'll do the Xanax. 

I relaxed this weekend and kept busy with little things to do. 

God Bless those of you that care enough to pray for me.  I love you.  I am not crying, for I know it is all in God's hands.

Peace, Love and Bobby Sherman~