Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Busy Times
Update as of Sunday, September 25th, 2011
The facts:
9-21-11 I got to go to the Pink Door boutique to be fitted for my post-surgery bras. They are aloe infused and have pockets that Velcro to them to hold the drains that will be attached to my chest.
They deliver the bras to my friend while I am in surgery for the nurse to put on my after surgery.
9-22-11 I went to Freeman admissions for my pre-op. It was very well organized. I talked with someone that discussed the surgery procedure with me. I was given a notebook of information. It tells me what I need to do before and after surgery. They took blood, checked my blood pressure and answered my questions.
I found out that I don’t get to shower or bathe after surgery until the drains are removed. It could be up to 2 weeks. Sponge bathes only. Wow….I’m gonna stink! Foam shampoo and sponge baths. It’s funny, before this I would have loved to have an excuse to not shave my legs for 2 weeks.
9-30-11 Surgery day - I will ask a friend to post on the blog and my Facebook account how things go Friday.
How I feel:
Wow, the last couple of weeks have been so busy and I am thankful. I am still thankful and still believe that everything will be okay, but I have started to weaken. As of Friday night, Sept 16th I started to become extra sensitive and weepy. I am assuming it is because I am mentally becoming more and more tired. I feel very overwhelmed with everything. My body is weak by 3pm every day and it is all I can do get through the evening. It is as if I spent all my energy for the day by 2 or 3 pm.
I feel like I have a lot to get done before surgery. I have a lot of work prep and prep at home to get done. I get to pick up my Aunt Betty on Wednesday. She is coming in from San Jose. It is a huge relief that she will be at my house for 2 weeks. She will take care of my mom and help me as well.
I just feel like I can’t keep up. I know it will all get better; I just don’t have the spunk I have had in the past. I am trying to stay above water.
I am very thankful for all the support. I appreciate all the prayer, thoughts, letters, cards, emails, Facebook posts and calls. The love and concern is very comforting. Thank you.
I feel safe in God's hands.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Upcoming Event - November 5, 2011
Many of my friends have joined together to create the following:
Chili Feed Benefit and Silent Auction for
Betty Whitney
Saturday, November 5 at 11:00amLocation: First Baptist Church of Joplin
633 S. Pearl Ave
Joplin, MO
This is a fundraising event, with 100% of the proceeds going to help offset Betty's medical expenses.
Tickets will be on sale for $10 each for adults.
Kids age 12-6 tickets are $5
Kids age 5 and under are free.
If you are interested in purchasing or selling tickets, volunteering at the dinner, or donating food or silent auction items please let us know on the event wall.
All checks can be made out to Betty Whitney.
Link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chili-Feed-Benefit-and-Silent-Auction-for-Betty-Whitney/268010053223196
Sponsors so far include:
The Brush and Blade Grooming Parlour
www.thebrushandblade.com
Ameristar Hotel and Casino Kansas City
www.ameristar.com
Derma-Tech
www.derma-tech.com
Club Tan Joplin
www.clubtaninc.com
Instant Karma Gourmet Hot Dogs
Judy's Ballroom Dance
www.judysballroomdancelessons.com
L.L. Sayers Joplin
I feel odd and selfish by posting this, but please know that I am not trying to be greedy or selfish. My friends have put a lot of time and work into this to help out Tony and me with the expenses of this situation. Please do not feel obligated in any way. Being my friend and caring for me is enough. I appreciate all my family and friends. Thank you!
Waiting for the next step...
Nothing new to report as far as doctors and appointments.
As of now I am just waiting for the surgery day. To sum it up I am scheduled to have surgery September 30th. I am having a bilateral mastectomy, a sentinel lymph node biopsy and reconstructive surgery that day. I am told the recovery time is 4-6 weeks, but the surgeon has seen patients return to work in 2 weeks to a desk job.
I do have to have chemo treatments after the surgery, but I won’t find out the schedule for that until a week after the surgery. I meet with the oncologist on the 6th of October.
I am told that chemo will have the side effects of being tired, etc., but my oncologist said I should still be able to work when going through chemo treatments.
My employer has been informed and they are still very supportive and have approved my time off from work. As of now I have only scheduled to be off 3 weeks with the hopes of getting to return to work sooner than that, but will see how it all goes. I have enough vacation saved for the surgery recovery of 3 weeks, but am not sure how much time off I will need, if any, for chemo.
My feelings:
I really feel like I don’t have cancer. It is always on my mind and I dream about it, but God has given me a peace about it. I am ready to do the surgery and recover and get passed all this. I still seem to be more tired than normal, but that could be my bad eating habits, etc.
I want to express how blessed and thankful I am for all my friends and family. Prayers are working. All the emails, calls, text messages and Facebook contact showing the love and support is so healing. I don’t have a chance to feel alone and scared. I am so blessed. Thank you!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Another HAPPY DANCE!!! 9-9-11
God is amazing! I am so excited. I got the results of my PET Scan and I have GREAT NEWS!
No signs of cancer anywhere else in my body. WHOOP!! WHOOP!!
God has his hands around me and is taking care of me. Thank you sooooo much for all the prayers. They are working. I really feel we are going to beat this!
Surgery is set for September 30th. I will get more details Monday as to the prep work and times.
I am ready!
I have told my oncologist when the surgery is and I will get an appointment set with her a week after the surgery. We will have the pathology reports back by then and she will give me my direction on chemo.
I need to report all this to my employer (which has been VERY understanding and supportive) and then I need to visit the Pink Door Boutique to get "fitted" for my special bra for after surgery.
I can't express enough how happy and thankful I am that things are going so well.
Again, I want to thank everyone for the prayers, thoughts, concerns, support and love.
I am sooooo blessed!!!!!
WHOOP WHOOP!
No signs of cancer anywhere else in my body. WHOOP!! WHOOP!!
God has his hands around me and is taking care of me. Thank you sooooo much for all the prayers. They are working. I really feel we are going to beat this!
Surgery is set for September 30th. I will get more details Monday as to the prep work and times.
I am ready!
I have told my oncologist when the surgery is and I will get an appointment set with her a week after the surgery. We will have the pathology reports back by then and she will give me my direction on chemo.
I need to report all this to my employer (which has been VERY understanding and supportive) and then I need to visit the Pink Door Boutique to get "fitted" for my special bra for after surgery.
I can't express enough how happy and thankful I am that things are going so well.
Again, I want to thank everyone for the prayers, thoughts, concerns, support and love.
I am sooooo blessed!!!!!
WHOOP WHOOP!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Plastic Surgeon visit 9-8-11
Another great visit! Today a friend and I went to Springfield to meet with the plastic surgeon about reconstructive surgery. It was a very positive environment. I received a lot of information and a lot of questions were answered.
There was some preliminary preparation.
The visit helped me feel more comfortable with the direction I am going with treatment.
I am ready to take this on and beat it!
I find out today when surgery will be. As of now, the surgery will be Sept 30th or Oct 7th.
Whoop..Let's get the show on the road.
I am ready to recover.
How I feel:
I feel great. I am receiving so much love and support from everyone. I REALLY appreciate it.
I am blessed. Things are really going well for the situation.
I am loved. God is amazing and seeing me through all this.
Thank you!!!
There was some preliminary preparation.
The visit helped me feel more comfortable with the direction I am going with treatment.
I am ready to take this on and beat it!
I find out today when surgery will be. As of now, the surgery will be Sept 30th or Oct 7th.
Whoop..Let's get the show on the road.
I am ready to recover.
How I feel:
I feel great. I am receiving so much love and support from everyone. I REALLY appreciate it.
I am blessed. Things are really going well for the situation.
I am loved. God is amazing and seeing me through all this.
Thank you!!!
PET Scan 9-7-11
Today I had a PET Scan. At the bottom of this post is an explanation of a PET Scan.
It went really well. I didn't even have to pay a co-pay!!! :-)
I basically got a nap--it was about an hour nap. It was great.
I should get the results Friday or Monday. I will post the results as soon as I can.
Oh, GOOD NEWS--I got the results on the HER2 factor and I am NEGATIVE!!
One less treatment after surgery for me!
HER2 is human epidermal growth factor receptor-2
It is something that can feed cancer.
WHOOOP!
Below is information on a PET Scan.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) imaging have become essential diagnostic tools physicians use to reveal the presence and severity of cancers. PET/CT imaging helps physicians detect cancer, evaluate the extent of disease, select the most appropriate treatments, determine if the therapy is working, and detect any recurrent tumors.
Before a PET/CT scan, the patient receives an intravenous injection of radioactive glucose. Many cancer cells are highly metabolic and rapidly synthesize the radioactive glucose. Information regarding the location of abnormal levels of radioactive glucose obtained from the whole-body PET/CT scan helps physicians effectively pinpoint the source of cancer and detect whether cancer is isolated to one specific area or has spread to other organs.
From this information physicians can plan an effective treatment strategy. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, systemic therapy, or a combination therapy where one or more of these options are combined.
During the course of treatment, the information from the PET/CT scan allows physicians to monitor the effectiveness of cancer therapies and provides physicians with the opportunity to change the treatment strategy if it is not working, avoiding the cost and discomfort of ineffective therapeutic procedures.
After completing the treatment regimen, a follow-up whole-body PET/CT scan can provide information to assess if the treatment was successful and if areas that were previously abnormally metabolically active have responded. Often, scar tissue at the site of surgical resection or radiation treatment may appear as an abnormality on the CT scan. The PET portion of the PET/CT scan can detect residual disease within the scar tissue and indicate if the treatment was successful or if the tumor has returned.
PET/CT scans provide information to help physicians:
It went really well. I didn't even have to pay a co-pay!!! :-)
I basically got a nap--it was about an hour nap. It was great.
I should get the results Friday or Monday. I will post the results as soon as I can.
Oh, GOOD NEWS--I got the results on the HER2 factor and I am NEGATIVE!!
One less treatment after surgery for me!
HER2 is human epidermal growth factor receptor-2
It is something that can feed cancer.
WHOOOP!
Below is information on a PET Scan.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) imaging have become essential diagnostic tools physicians use to reveal the presence and severity of cancers. PET/CT imaging helps physicians detect cancer, evaluate the extent of disease, select the most appropriate treatments, determine if the therapy is working, and detect any recurrent tumors.
Before a PET/CT scan, the patient receives an intravenous injection of radioactive glucose. Many cancer cells are highly metabolic and rapidly synthesize the radioactive glucose. Information regarding the location of abnormal levels of radioactive glucose obtained from the whole-body PET/CT scan helps physicians effectively pinpoint the source of cancer and detect whether cancer is isolated to one specific area or has spread to other organs.
From this information physicians can plan an effective treatment strategy. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, systemic therapy, or a combination therapy where one or more of these options are combined.
During the course of treatment, the information from the PET/CT scan allows physicians to monitor the effectiveness of cancer therapies and provides physicians with the opportunity to change the treatment strategy if it is not working, avoiding the cost and discomfort of ineffective therapeutic procedures.
After completing the treatment regimen, a follow-up whole-body PET/CT scan can provide information to assess if the treatment was successful and if areas that were previously abnormally metabolically active have responded. Often, scar tissue at the site of surgical resection or radiation treatment may appear as an abnormality on the CT scan. The PET portion of the PET/CT scan can detect residual disease within the scar tissue and indicate if the treatment was successful or if the tumor has returned.
PET/CT scans provide information to help physicians:
- Locate the site of the cancer
- Determine the size of the tumor
- Differentiate benign from malignant growths
- Discover if the cancer has spread
- Select treatments that are likely to be appropriate
- Monitor the success of therapy
- Detect any recurrent tumors
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
How I am feeling - September 6, 2011
Over the weekend I realized that:
I pray that I do what I am supposed to do to glorify God through all this.
I feel like I have so much to do and so little time. Not that I think I am running out of time, I just feel like I have a lot to do. I am not doing well at balancing my time. I have things at home I need to do, paperwork, bills, etc. I feel very unorganized. I think it is because I am not a 100% right now and I am falling behind on things in life.
I really think that the mental aspect of this is getting to me. I wasn't so tired before Monday, August 29th. My body gets physically exhausted. I forget a lot of things. I am assuming it is because my mind is elsewhere.
I have had crazy dreams. One dream was about me checking the mirror throughout the day to see my hairline as it diminished. Weird. Last night I had a dream that all my friends had to take a test to see if they had cancer or not and I couldn't keep track of when results would be in for each friend.
Every time I have a pain in my body I automatically associate it with cancer. I am so scared that it has spread all ready.
I also don't want others to think I feel sorry for myself. And I really hope I don't start feeling sorry for myself.
I am also having a hard time determining who I need to tell and how to tell him/her. There are long time friends that I want to tell because I would want to know if the situation was reversed. I have friends that we don't keep in constant contact with each other, but we are still very good friends.
And I don't want to tell the story. I really just want to send an email and say please read the blog if you are interested. I hope that isn't shallow or lazy.
- I am so thankful.
- I am overwhelmed.
- I am forgetful.
- I am tired.
- I am scared.
I pray that I do what I am supposed to do to glorify God through all this.
I feel like I have so much to do and so little time. Not that I think I am running out of time, I just feel like I have a lot to do. I am not doing well at balancing my time. I have things at home I need to do, paperwork, bills, etc. I feel very unorganized. I think it is because I am not a 100% right now and I am falling behind on things in life.
I really think that the mental aspect of this is getting to me. I wasn't so tired before Monday, August 29th. My body gets physically exhausted. I forget a lot of things. I am assuming it is because my mind is elsewhere.
I have had crazy dreams. One dream was about me checking the mirror throughout the day to see my hairline as it diminished. Weird. Last night I had a dream that all my friends had to take a test to see if they had cancer or not and I couldn't keep track of when results would be in for each friend.
Every time I have a pain in my body I automatically associate it with cancer. I am so scared that it has spread all ready.
I also don't want others to think I feel sorry for myself. And I really hope I don't start feeling sorry for myself.
I am also having a hard time determining who I need to tell and how to tell him/her. There are long time friends that I want to tell because I would want to know if the situation was reversed. I have friends that we don't keep in constant contact with each other, but we are still very good friends.
And I don't want to tell the story. I really just want to send an email and say please read the blog if you are interested. I hope that isn't shallow or lazy.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
September 1, 2011 Meeting with Oncology
Today I met with Dr. Kent. She is in oncology.
The facts:
She confirmed that the size is about 1.9cm. It could be bigger, but they are pretty certain of the size. It is hard to tell for sure.
I am Estrogen and Progesterone positive so I will need to have hormonal therapy at the end of everything. She said being positive for these 2 is a good thing.
I will need chemotherapy after surgery. The specifics on that will be determined after surgery.
She was AMAZING. She was very thorough and patient. She spent a lot of time with me explaining everything and answering questions.
I am a candidate for a lumpectomy or mastectomy. She said both procedures are just effective as the other.
Basically it is totally up to me as to what to have done.
Now I have an appointment to have a PET scan Wednesday the 7th at 11:45. This will help see if I have cancer anywhere else in my body. The results are usually in the next day or so. That is awesome.
How I feel after the appointment:
First of all, I am VERY THANKFUL that things are going so well. I appreciate all my friends and family and the support group that surrounds me. God has blessed me with the love and support. It is so comforting.
The appointment today solidified the fact in my head that I have cancer. I am still processing it. I have been on such a "happy high" since I found out that I have such a good chance to beat this that I think I forgot about what I have. I am not dwelling on it, but it is sinking in more. It is now the evening time and I already feel better, but I was pretty cranky after the appointment. I am scared of the chemo. I am scared to lose my hair. Yes, I am afraid of what I will look like, but even more, losing my hair is the one thing that solidifies what I have.
I guess before thinking about the situation-having surgery was just that: having surgery. But surgery and chemo means it is more than just a surgery.
BUT, I am okay now. I do feel better. I think I just needed to process it. There is so much to learn about this. There are decisions to be made and research to be done.
The facts:
She confirmed that the size is about 1.9cm. It could be bigger, but they are pretty certain of the size. It is hard to tell for sure.
I am Estrogen and Progesterone positive so I will need to have hormonal therapy at the end of everything. She said being positive for these 2 is a good thing.
I will need chemotherapy after surgery. The specifics on that will be determined after surgery.
She was AMAZING. She was very thorough and patient. She spent a lot of time with me explaining everything and answering questions.
I am a candidate for a lumpectomy or mastectomy. She said both procedures are just effective as the other.
Basically it is totally up to me as to what to have done.
Now I have an appointment to have a PET scan Wednesday the 7th at 11:45. This will help see if I have cancer anywhere else in my body. The results are usually in the next day or so. That is awesome.
How I feel after the appointment:
First of all, I am VERY THANKFUL that things are going so well. I appreciate all my friends and family and the support group that surrounds me. God has blessed me with the love and support. It is so comforting.
The appointment today solidified the fact in my head that I have cancer. I am still processing it. I have been on such a "happy high" since I found out that I have such a good chance to beat this that I think I forgot about what I have. I am not dwelling on it, but it is sinking in more. It is now the evening time and I already feel better, but I was pretty cranky after the appointment. I am scared of the chemo. I am scared to lose my hair. Yes, I am afraid of what I will look like, but even more, losing my hair is the one thing that solidifies what I have.
I guess before thinking about the situation-having surgery was just that: having surgery. But surgery and chemo means it is more than just a surgery.
BUT, I am okay now. I do feel better. I think I just needed to process it. There is so much to learn about this. There are decisions to be made and research to be done.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Doctors and appointments
Surgery date: September 30th_
Dr. Kent 347-4000
Oncology
10-6-11 10:15 follow up appt from surgery.
9-1-11 12:00
Call Dr. Kent's office once I have surgery scheduled. I will
then see Dr. Kent about a week after the surgery.
PET Scan
9-7-11 11:45am. Be there an hour early. Will take awhile
Dr. Hughes 417-820-9330
Plastic Surgeon
9-8-11 8:30am (Springfield)
Dr. Monroe 417-455-4200
General Dr
8-17-11 2:15pm
no future appointments at this time
Dr. Coy
Surgeon
347-7272
Crystal (scheduler) 347-8511
Suzanne (nurse) 347-8508
8-30-11 10:00am
no future appointments at this time
Dr. Kent 347-4000
Oncology
10-6-11 10:15 follow up appt from surgery.
PET Scan
Dr. Hughes 417-820-9330
Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Monroe 417-455-4200
General Dr
no future appointments at this time
Dr. Coy
Surgeon
347-7272
Crystal (scheduler) 347-8511
Suzanne (nurse) 347-8508
no future appointments at this time
THANK YOU
I want to thank everyone. I have received so many prayers, thoughts, hugs, encouraging words, help, etc. from so many people. God has blessed me with a very large supportive group of family and friends.
I really don't know how to thank everyone. Each person means so much to me. Each thought and prayer mean so much to me. The love I am receiving is so comforting. I truly helps me.
I really hope everyone knows that I love them and am thankful for them.
I really don't know how to thank everyone. Each person means so much to me. Each thought and prayer mean so much to me. The love I am receiving is so comforting. I truly helps me.
I really hope everyone knows that I love them and am thankful for them.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I think after the emotions of the good news my body was worn out again. I was very tired and exhausted last night. I feel emotionally good today. I didn't cry all day Tuesday and haven't yet today. It is 12:30pm.
I have an appointment with oncology//Dr. Kent tomorrow at 12:00. I pray this appointment goes well like yesterday's appt. I pray she says the same thing the surgeon does. If she does then I meet with the plastic surgeon Thursday the 8th. If he is on the same path as Dr. Coy and Dr. Kent then he will then determine when my surgery is and I will move forward.
As of now, I will have surgery on a Friday. I will have a bilateral mastectomy. I will have reconstructive surgery as soon as my breast are removed. It approx a 2 hour surgery total. It is a recovery time of 4-6 weeks. At the time of surgery they will remove the lymph nodes that are associated with the cancer cells and will find out in a few days if I will need chemo or radiation.
I can handle all this. If things go as planned I get to live and be with Tony. Thank you Lord!
I have an appointment with oncology//Dr. Kent tomorrow at 12:00. I pray this appointment goes well like yesterday's appt. I pray she says the same thing the surgeon does. If she does then I meet with the plastic surgeon Thursday the 8th. If he is on the same path as Dr. Coy and Dr. Kent then he will then determine when my surgery is and I will move forward.
As of now, I will have surgery on a Friday. I will have a bilateral mastectomy. I will have reconstructive surgery as soon as my breast are removed. It approx a 2 hour surgery total. It is a recovery time of 4-6 weeks. At the time of surgery they will remove the lymph nodes that are associated with the cancer cells and will find out in a few days if I will need chemo or radiation.
I can handle all this. If things go as planned I get to live and be with Tony. Thank you Lord!
Happy Dance
Tuesday, August 30, 2011. I slept in that morning. I was so physically, emotionally and mentally tired from Monday. My friend and I went to my 10am appt. After the appointment this is how I felt:
God is amazing and prayers are being answered. Mountains are moving!!! I met with the surgeon today and feel 100% better. He confirmed that it is invasive ductal carcinoma. We don't know the stage and won't know until I have surgery and have the lymph nodes that are associated with cancer removed and tested. But the surgeon is confident that it should be stage one. Iit is 1.9cm and anything under 2 is the best. I was a new woman after that appt. and i felt so much better.
I was ready to do a happy dance.
God is amazing and prayers are being answered. Mountains are moving!!! I met with the surgeon today and feel 100% better. He confirmed that it is invasive ductal carcinoma. We don't know the stage and won't know until I have surgery and have the lymph nodes that are associated with cancer removed and tested. But the surgeon is confident that it should be stage one. Iit is 1.9cm and anything under 2 is the best. I was a new woman after that appt. and i felt so much better.
I was ready to do a happy dance.
The results are in - Monday, August 29, 2011
I received a call from my general Dr. at 9:16am.
She gave me a plethora of information. What I basically heard was: I have breast cancer.
I cried, I got dizzy, I got sweaty, I got hot, and I cried even more. I couldn't believe it.
I wanted to know what I did wrong and why me. After "freaking out" I collected myself and called my Dr. back. I wanted the details again. I wanted to pay attention and learn. Once I got a hold of her I asked her to fax me the information. She said she was waiting on information from Dr. Cox and then would fax. it. She said that I have an appt with the surgeon 9-8-11 and that they were working on getting me into oncology.
I then went home and took a nap. All I could think was I didn't want Tony to grow up without a mom. I wanted him to know how much I love him and I wanted him to grow up with God and be a good man.
I also didn't want to hurt my friends and family. This was going to hurt them. But it was out of my control. I needed that nap.
I woke up to a call from a friend. He got me an appt with Dr. Coy for the next day at 10:00 am. That was helpful. I didn't want to wait until the 8th of Sept. I called Dr. Cox's office to see if they had any updated information. I was told that they hadn't received the written paperwork and they would know more in the morning. They were doing all they could to get me into oncology as that was the next step.
I then called a friend. She found out 9-2-10 that she had breast cancer. She didn't have a history of it in her family either and she is younger than me. She talked to me and gave me the step by step process she went through. I asked questions and felt so much better after that call.
It was then time to pick up Tony from school. I picked him up (still very weepy) and had a great evening with him. It was a quiet night for me. I kept to myself and cried myself to sleep.
She gave me a plethora of information. What I basically heard was: I have breast cancer.
I cried, I got dizzy, I got sweaty, I got hot, and I cried even more. I couldn't believe it.
I wanted to know what I did wrong and why me. After "freaking out" I collected myself and called my Dr. back. I wanted the details again. I wanted to pay attention and learn. Once I got a hold of her I asked her to fax me the information. She said she was waiting on information from Dr. Cox and then would fax. it. She said that I have an appt with the surgeon 9-8-11 and that they were working on getting me into oncology.
I then went home and took a nap. All I could think was I didn't want Tony to grow up without a mom. I wanted him to know how much I love him and I wanted him to grow up with God and be a good man.
I also didn't want to hurt my friends and family. This was going to hurt them. But it was out of my control. I needed that nap.
I woke up to a call from a friend. He got me an appt with Dr. Coy for the next day at 10:00 am. That was helpful. I didn't want to wait until the 8th of Sept. I called Dr. Cox's office to see if they had any updated information. I was told that they hadn't received the written paperwork and they would know more in the morning. They were doing all they could to get me into oncology as that was the next step.
I then called a friend. She found out 9-2-10 that she had breast cancer. She didn't have a history of it in her family either and she is younger than me. She talked to me and gave me the step by step process she went through. I asked questions and felt so much better after that call.
It was then time to pick up Tony from school. I picked him up (still very weepy) and had a great evening with him. It was a quiet night for me. I kept to myself and cried myself to sleep.
The 3 days of waiting
Friday, August 26th: I woke up very tired. The cut that was made for the biopsy never stopped bleeding.
I ended up with hematoma under the cut. It was hard under it. When I called the Dr. about it I was told that it was okay. I had to press 10 min. on the area as hard as I could and that would stop the bleeding. It worked. I kept ice on it all weekend. I bruised up Sunday. I wore my sports bra until Wed. morning because it wasn't as sore when I wore it.
I went to work Friday morning hoping to work, but I was tired and my mind was elsewhere. I did a few things and then went home and took a nap. I woke up and went back to work around noon. I couldn't focus so I stayed at the office and worked on personal items. I needed to call people, work on bills, etc. So many things to do.
I left work around 4pm and picked up Tony from his grandma's house. He and I had a good evening.
I really thought it was going to be a long weekend of waiting. It was a very busy weekend. I also didn't want the weekend to end because I got the results on Monday. As far as I was concerned, I didn't have breast cancer. For the weekend, ignorance was bliss.
I ended up with hematoma under the cut. It was hard under it. When I called the Dr. about it I was told that it was okay. I had to press 10 min. on the area as hard as I could and that would stop the bleeding. It worked. I kept ice on it all weekend. I bruised up Sunday. I wore my sports bra until Wed. morning because it wasn't as sore when I wore it.
I went to work Friday morning hoping to work, but I was tired and my mind was elsewhere. I did a few things and then went home and took a nap. I woke up and went back to work around noon. I couldn't focus so I stayed at the office and worked on personal items. I needed to call people, work on bills, etc. So many things to do.
I left work around 4pm and picked up Tony from his grandma's house. He and I had a good evening.
I really thought it was going to be a long weekend of waiting. It was a very busy weekend. I also didn't want the weekend to end because I got the results on Monday. As far as I was concerned, I didn't have breast cancer. For the weekend, ignorance was bliss.
Finding Out - Thursday, August 25, 2011
Thursday, August 11th I was in bed watching TV with Tony. I had an itch on my right breast. While scratching it I felt a bump. I hadn't felt a bump in my breast before so I was a little worried, but really thought it would be nothing. I talked with several friends about it and all of them encouraged me to get to the Dr. just to be safe. There isn't history of breast cancer in my family so I wasn't too worried, but did want to be safe.
Monday, August 15th I called my Dr and I got an appointment for Wednesday, the 17th at 2:15. I went to that appointment and my Dr. confirmed that the lump was there and should be further investigated. She said I have dense breast and most likely it is just "lumpy breasts" but you just can never be too sure.
I was given an appointment to have a mammogram at the Women's Center on Thursday, August 25th at 9:40.
Thursday, August 25th. I arrived at the Women's Center at 9:10 as requested to fill out paperwork. Still at this time pretty sure that I have "lumpy breast" and was going to leave within the hour to go back to work and talk about how bad it hurt when they squished my breast between the plates to check it out. It was my first mammogram and all I heard was how much it hurt.
The process was amazing. The mammogram tech (Patsy) was very informative, gentle and very nice. She explained everything so well. She gave me information on breast exams..the works. I had several mammograms done. She took so many pics of my right breast. I was getting concerned. She told me the lump was for sure something. She showed me how it had a definite line around it. She thought it was a cyst.
I was a little concerned, but had heard that most cysts aren't malignant. Once the pictures of my breast were taken she would take them to the Dr. and he would review them to see if more pictures were needed. He spotted white dots on my left breast. I had to get more pictures of that side so they could get a closer look to see if the dots were clustered. I guess if they were clustered it would be a concern for cancer. Wow. I was on an emotional roller coaster. After taking a closer look, the dots were not clustered and I was relieved.
We now were back to checking the lump on my right side. They moved me on to get an ultra sound done. Approximately 60 pictures were captured during the ultrasound. The ultrasound tech (Ellen) told me that if there was anything to be concerned about that I would hear from them today otherwise to be sure that I call my doctor's office Tuesday if I hadn't heard anything.
I left a bit concerned, but really thought it was just a cyst and it would all be okay. It was 11:29am when I was on my way back to the office I received a call from my Dr. She told me that I needed to get a biopsy done. The Dr. reviewed the ultrasound pics and was concerned. She assured me that they just like to be thorough as this isn't something to take seriously. As I was talking to her I received the call from the Women's Center. I clicked over and talked to the lady. She told me that I needed to be back at the Women's Center by 1:30 and that I needed a list of my medications and to plan to be there awhile.
It was then that it hit me and I cried. I cried a lot. I wanted to stay positive, but I couldn't help but think of what was going to happen.
I went back to the office and tried to work. It was useless. My friend Starla and I went to the appointment. I got to see the Dr. at 2:30 and he said that the mass in my breast was hard and needed to be removed. It wasn't a cyst and I needed an biopsy.
They did the prep and I had an ultra sound core biopsy. It was very interesting to watch. They numbed my right breast and took out like 5 worm like pieces out of my breast. Everyone was so friendly and comforting. The incision was small enough that I didn't need a stitch. They applied 10 minutes of pressure and then put suture tape on it. They did another mammogram to be sure they cored out the right area. They had also placed a small piece of something into the area so it would show up on future mammograms to mark the area. I had another ultra sound done under my right arm checking the lymph nodes one more time.
I was sent home. The time was close to 5pm. I got Starla back to the office by 4:50 and I went to see Tony. I was told to take it easy all weekend and not to use my right arm.
I was given a card with Dr. Cox's number on it and told to call it Monday right before noon to get the results.
Monday, August 15th I called my Dr and I got an appointment for Wednesday, the 17th at 2:15. I went to that appointment and my Dr. confirmed that the lump was there and should be further investigated. She said I have dense breast and most likely it is just "lumpy breasts" but you just can never be too sure.
I was given an appointment to have a mammogram at the Women's Center on Thursday, August 25th at 9:40.
Thursday, August 25th. I arrived at the Women's Center at 9:10 as requested to fill out paperwork. Still at this time pretty sure that I have "lumpy breast" and was going to leave within the hour to go back to work and talk about how bad it hurt when they squished my breast between the plates to check it out. It was my first mammogram and all I heard was how much it hurt.
The process was amazing. The mammogram tech (Patsy) was very informative, gentle and very nice. She explained everything so well. She gave me information on breast exams..the works. I had several mammograms done. She took so many pics of my right breast. I was getting concerned. She told me the lump was for sure something. She showed me how it had a definite line around it. She thought it was a cyst.
I was a little concerned, but had heard that most cysts aren't malignant. Once the pictures of my breast were taken she would take them to the Dr. and he would review them to see if more pictures were needed. He spotted white dots on my left breast. I had to get more pictures of that side so they could get a closer look to see if the dots were clustered. I guess if they were clustered it would be a concern for cancer. Wow. I was on an emotional roller coaster. After taking a closer look, the dots were not clustered and I was relieved.
We now were back to checking the lump on my right side. They moved me on to get an ultra sound done. Approximately 60 pictures were captured during the ultrasound. The ultrasound tech (Ellen) told me that if there was anything to be concerned about that I would hear from them today otherwise to be sure that I call my doctor's office Tuesday if I hadn't heard anything.
I left a bit concerned, but really thought it was just a cyst and it would all be okay. It was 11:29am when I was on my way back to the office I received a call from my Dr. She told me that I needed to get a biopsy done. The Dr. reviewed the ultrasound pics and was concerned. She assured me that they just like to be thorough as this isn't something to take seriously. As I was talking to her I received the call from the Women's Center. I clicked over and talked to the lady. She told me that I needed to be back at the Women's Center by 1:30 and that I needed a list of my medications and to plan to be there awhile.
It was then that it hit me and I cried. I cried a lot. I wanted to stay positive, but I couldn't help but think of what was going to happen.
I went back to the office and tried to work. It was useless. My friend Starla and I went to the appointment. I got to see the Dr. at 2:30 and he said that the mass in my breast was hard and needed to be removed. It wasn't a cyst and I needed an biopsy.
They did the prep and I had an ultra sound core biopsy. It was very interesting to watch. They numbed my right breast and took out like 5 worm like pieces out of my breast. Everyone was so friendly and comforting. The incision was small enough that I didn't need a stitch. They applied 10 minutes of pressure and then put suture tape on it. They did another mammogram to be sure they cored out the right area. They had also placed a small piece of something into the area so it would show up on future mammograms to mark the area. I had another ultra sound done under my right arm checking the lymph nodes one more time.
I was sent home. The time was close to 5pm. I got Starla back to the office by 4:50 and I went to see Tony. I was told to take it easy all weekend and not to use my right arm.
I was given a card with Dr. Cox's number on it and told to call it Monday right before noon to get the results.
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