Christmas Day plus One

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas! We celebrated on Tuesday with our four children and their families. It was a delightful day!  Christmas Day was laid back and relaxing and included a long nap.

Thanks to my stepson, Mitch, for coming up with the name for "my machine".....it was christened Sunbeam.  One of my friends commented that it looked like a big mixer.  Mitch suggested Sunbeam without being privy to that comment.  I found the Sunbeam logo, printed it on photo paper and took it to the center.  Each day when I walk in for my treatment, the sign is taped to the machine.  Thanks to my team of radiation technicians.  They are the best!!  I asked one to take a picture of me with Sunbeam. The girls, of course, made me smile.  I told them that I didn't want folks to think I am enjoying myself. In my left hand is the pocket-sized prayer shawl that I hold each day along with a scripture verse: Phillippians 4:19 "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" .  For Christmas, my friend, Phyllis, gave me a pocket card that she found with the verse.  So, I was able to upgrade from the Post-it note!  Thanks, Phyllis!!  I also wear my bracelets and my mother's diamond heart pendant flanked by a pink ribbon charm, also a gift from Phyllis, and a Pandora bead representing inner strength, a Christmas gift from Anne & Jason.

Good news: My anxiety finally subsided.  I can't tell you what a relief that was! Even "my team" commented that I'm a different person.  My therapist explained that since I was unable to avoid what was causing the anxiety, I acclimated to it.

Today was treatment #24.  WOW! Here's a picture of the chart on the front of our refrigerator.  The progress is evident when you look at the checked boxes.

To summarize, I've had 24 of 28 full breast treatments.  My skin is holding up really well.  I give a lot of credit to the pure emu oil that I apply faithfully three times per day.  I have some itching in my décolleté but Aveeno anti-itch has helped.  I've had no burning, although I have tanned beneath my axilla. Occasionally, I have a twinge of pain.  After the 28th, then I will have seven (7) boosts.  Originally, the doctor indicated five, but when I started, it was up in the air.  The decision has been made for seven, so that's what the +1 and +2 represent on the chart.  Those radiation treatments will target only the cavity where the tissue containing the cancer was removed. 

On Saturday evening, I plan to attend my 40th high school reunion.  I've not missed any of our reunions and I was hoping that my treatments would not prevent me from attending.   

 

Please know that all of your kind words and support mean the world to me.  I enjoy each moment that I spend with you over a cup of coffee, dessert, a meal or on the phone.  I look forward to your responses to my posts. Knowing that so many people are pulling for me is heartwarming.  Thank you!!

In case I don't publish a post between now and next Wednesday....Happy New Year!! I wish you  happiness and good health.  I am definitely looking forward to 2014!!



Dear Friends,

Friday was treatment #11, which tells me it has been a while since I've posted to Pink Ink.  Please forgive me.  I'm struggling to write.  My breast cancer journey has taken a lot of twists and turns and the latest twist surprised even me. 

Anxiety has been ruling my life since my first treatment.  I can't really explain it.  The procedure itself freaks me out.  The fear of the effects on my skin worries me.  And more.....

I'm trying to rein it in and I feel better, thanks in part to meds, but I'm still struggling.  My therapist has been working with me.  My radiation oncologist and the radiation technicians have been trying to help.  My friends and family are encouraging me, some texting me daily.  I have a friend's Miraculous Medal.  I have several prayers and verses from scripture.  A college friend, who is a 5-year "thriver" sent me a lovely pocket-sized prayer shawl and a book "Praying Through Cancer".  Last night, I picked it up and started reading through it.  In the acknowledgement section, the author wrote: The God of the universe wants you to "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7)  I felt as though she was talking to me as those words jumped off the page.  

After 11 treatments, my skin is doing OK.  I am grateful and give much credit to the Pure Emu Oil that I am using multiple times per day on the entire area being radiated...direct from Australia!  

As for the procedure itself, that one is hard to explain.  It is a lonely endeavor.  My fight or flight response kicks in.  But...I haven't run out of the room yet.  This is the machine that delivers the beam. The machine rotates around.  First it's to my left shooting the beam and then rotates to my right where I can't even see it.  I've thought about giving the monstrosity a name.  Perhaps Sunshine or Sunny, since it is giving off healing rays.  I'd be open to your help in helping to name it!
 

I am tiring faster and am listening to my body, trying to give it the rest that it needs to aid in the healing process.  Christmas is coming and I'm pacing myself.  Some things will not get done and I need to be okay with that fact.  

That's about all I have today.  Although, I just got a message from my friend that had her bilateral mastectomy three weeks ago....no chemo!  In her words "the best Christmas present ever".

Enjoy the days leading up to Christmas.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support.  I appreciate each gesture, be it a text, call, email, card, visit, flower arrangement.  I don't know what I would do without you!!!!  Love you all!!!

Here we go.....

A couple significant happenings recently.....

I learned that a neighbor's 48 year old daughter was diagnosed last week with early stage breast cancer.  And, I learned on Monday night, that a young woman that I met while in JLY 20+ years ago underwent a bilateral mastectomy on Friday.  Please join me in praying for these two lovely, young women, as they endure their treatments and travel their individual journeys. 

Yesterday, I went for the dry run for my radiation therapy.  My friend arrived early to lend her support which was very sweet of her to do. The experience was daunting!  I cannot begin to explain the complexity of the process.  As I walked through the hallways of the inner workings of the center, it didn't feel like I was in a medical facility. I survived.  As a result of the drawings made on my body, I am aware of the area that will be "hit" with the beam.  The area includes my entire right breast and extends into and past my axilla (a medical term for arm pit.  Sounds so much nicer!  I will never say arm pit again!!) to include the lymph nodes since the microscopic cancer cells showed up on my pathology.  The importance of knowing this area is to enable me to treat my skin multiple times per day to minimize the effects of the radiation.  As some of you know, I am super worried about dermatitis and burning.  It seems to be what is freaking me out the most!   Plus, I learned that I could end up having 35 treatments, but the extra two will not be determined until later. 

I had a bit of a meltdown with the nurse following the dry run.  My emotions have not stabilized yet....

Today, I had a hard time getting out of bed.  Poor Lily.  I didn't get up until 10:00, which also meant Lily did not get out for a walk until then.  Spent the morning crying, until no more tears would flow. 

At 11:00 sharp, the telephone rang.  I peeked at the caller ID and it was Cancer Care.  Dr. Tabatabai was calling.  My heart began to race.  Now what?  He explained that the lab made a second attempt at the Oncotype DX Assay since a second sample was not available to send to them for study.  This time it was successful.  And....MY SCORE WAS 6!!!!  Dr. Tabatabai was pleased that it not only confirmed his decision to not recommend chemotherapy but it was a VERY low score.  The score is on a scale of 100 and scores of 18 and under are considered great and there is definitely no need for chemo.  Recall that this is a study that predicts the likelihood of recurrence.  He said "it is icing on the cake".  I couldn't talk, because I was crying.  He inquired to make sure I was OK and he asked if they were happy tears.  This time they were!

I headed to the center this afternoon for my first treatment.  My friend arrived shortly thereafter.  I was so excited to give her my gift to mark the end of her treatments, complete with tissue paper that had the word "CELEBRATE" all over it.  We sat in the Women's Waiting Room in our blue robes chatting away, only to be interrupted by Mike who came to escort her back for her treatment.  Soon after, Bryan summoned me.  I took one look at him....he had a Steelers' scrub top on! Of course, I had to comment.  He said "Please tell me that you aren't a Ravens' fan".  I laughed and said "I bleed purple!!".  But, I told him that some of my very good friends are Steelers' fans and that I have done one or two kind gestures including making one a Steelers' Birthday Cake.  I suspect he and I will get along.  When leaving, I told him that tomorrow I would wear purple for Purple Friday and he said he would wear a Steelers' Jersey just for me.  I learned from a 27 year old woman today that having a sense of humor there will go a long way.  It is serious business, and some folks being treated are quite possibly in a life and death situation, which I respect with my entire being.  However, if a little humor helps me cope with the treatment, I will call on it!

My friend and I chatted for quite a while by the front door of the Cancer Center.  It is heartbreaking seeing some of the folks entering through those doors.  Most folks would not believe that I have/had cancer and I'm there to be treated. I look healthy, because I am healthy.  I just need to take this extra step to be sure that any remaining cancer cells are obliterated and I can continue to live a long and healthy life. 

As for Pink Ink, I opted to change up the format.  The format doesn't quite scream PINK INK, but it is more easily readable.

Hugs to my family and friends for all of your wonderful support.  Here are a few pictures:

This is the beautiful bouquet that Bob sent to me to wish me well on my first day of treatments. 

 

This one is the calendar that I made for on the refrigerator to help me keep track of my treatments.

 

This is my Westie, Lily, in case you've never seen her. Lily is a Therapy Dog and with that face and her sweet personality, you can understand why the folks at Autumn House love her!  Woof!

 

 

Ready, Set, Go!

I took a walk this morning before Lily and I went for our weekly visit to Autumn House.  Now, I am sitting at my desk looking out over the lake.  What a gorgeous day!  The temperature is 63, there is not a cloud in the sky and it is quite windy. 

So, where am I now in my journey?  Last Tuesday, I had my simulation at the radiation therapy center which included a CT scan, application of a lot of dots and lines with markers and the application of my three target tattoos.  Yep.  I have tattoos.  They are very small and will provide assurance that I am in the correct position each treatment.   At the end of the appointment, I was told that it would take about a week for the doctor to design my plan.  It's rather scientific, and I can't begin to tell you all that goes into it.  Suffice it to say that the beam needs to hit the right area and not anything else! 

On Wednesday, I have an appointment for my "dry run".  On Thursday, my treatments begin.  Finally.  Coincidentally, that is the day for my friend's last treatment.  Our appointments are at the exact same time.  She will be there for moral support.  I'm glad.

The waiting has been nerve-wracking.  I've been grumpy.  I'm sorry.  I just need to get going with the treatments and find out first-hand what to expect.  Hoping that my mood improves.

The center will give me a schedule, but I believe my appointments are at 3:15 each day.  I will have off weekends and also Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.  My tentative end date is January 9th.  I'm going to put a calendar on the refrigerator and start the countdown.  33...32...31...

May I please ask for your prayers as I begin this next phase of treatment? 

Around the World in 80 Days

Why the title? I haven't read Jules Verne's classic novel, but I am vaguely familiar with the adventures of the rich Englishman, Phileas Fogg.  Although my adventures differ from those of Phileas, it has been 80 days of ups and downs, twists and turns and a lot of stress, much like his!

Today marked 80 days since I had my routine mammogram!  This morning, I went to the Women's Center and had another mammogram...the most stress-free mammogram I've ever had.  The happenings of the past 80 days were fresh in my mind as I walked across the parking lot into the center. If I am counting correctly, it was my seventh trip into the Women's Center since August 20th and my 16th or 17th trip to the Apple Hill Health Campus.  All of my docs, my surgical center and my radiation therapy center are located on the campus. Located slightly less than three miles from our home, it takes about seven minutes to drive there.  That will be convenient when I begin my radiation treatments (rads) because I am slated to have 33 of them!

As you know from the Retraction post, we were awaiting the results of the Oncotype DX Assay.  On Tuesday, Bob and I met with Dr. Tabatabai, my medical oncologist.  During that appointment, the doctor explained that my cancer was very small and the cancer in the lymph nodes was microscopic and unless the Oncotype shows something extraordinary, I will not need chemo.  Bob and I could both feel the weight of the world floating off of our shoulders.  Of course, the pragmatic Charlene said "I've defied the odds before, what are the chances?"  The doctor responded with 5%. 

That evening, I spoke with Dr. Richard Jones, director of bone marrow transplants and a professor at Johns Hopkins.  Rick was one of Dave's roommates at Bucknell, whom I've known for more than 35 years.  I am certain that Dave would have called him following my diagnosis if he were living, so I decided to reach out to him.  Rick graciously took my pathology reports and the additional information that I relayed to him, as noted in the following paragraphs, and discussed my case with the breast cancer experts at JH. He wrote to me yesterday and said the docs concur with the treatment plan.  

The immediate future is looking much brighter and clearer. The next morning, I phoned the radiation oncologist's office to inquire if I could change my appointment from Nov. 15th to something sooner, as I am anxious to get started on the rads so that I can finish up before Christmas.  Yes!  11:00 the following day.  So, yesterday, Bob and I met with Dr. Fortier for our second visit.  He understood my sense of urgency to get started.  Not that he "burst my bubble", but he said "let's make sure every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted. The Oncotype is not back yet. You need to have a mammogram, a CT scan, simulation..." and I could see more days flying off of the calendar.  He phoned to check on the status of the Oncotype only to find that the lab where the tissue was sent was unable to complete the test due to an insufficient specimen.  So, he called Dr. Tabatabai and discussed with him how to proceed.  The local pathology lab would be contacted to learn if another tissue sample of mine was available to send out. (Oh great, here goes another 2 weeks waiting for results and more stress!)  Before I left the appointment, I was scheduled for today's mammogram and the simulation next Tuesday. 

I called my friend to update her on my visit and then drove to Giant to pick up a few groceries. I threw the groceries in the trunk and hopped in my car and before pushing the ignition, I listened to a voicemail from Dr. Tabatabai on our home phone. He was calling to report that none of my tissue samples at the lab had any cancer cells and therefore, there will be no Oncotype DX Assay test.  He mentioned it was a good problem to have.  We will proceed with rads and 10 years of anti-estrogen drug. 

So....no chemo, 33 rads and 10 yrs of meds. I won't be finished before Christmas, however.  It will likely extend into early January. 

We've come full circle, a bit like Phileas Fogg.  That's the course of treatment the doctor told me to expect the morning I had my DCIS diagnosis delivered.  In the interim, the scare with the 2mm spot of invasive lobular cancer, the nixing of the brachytherapy, the MRI, the lymph node surgery, the positive results, and the Oncotype Assay. The best part...my prognosis has not changed!

I'm grateful beyond words.  I know that you were able to sense my fears and my stress.  Thank you for your words of kindness, encouragement and compassion.  Please know that each gift, note, card, email, text and phone call mean the world to me.  "Team Char" is amazing!  Thank you!

A quick note about my friend.  She had her seventh treatment today.  Her comments to me are always positive and encouraging, citing that 'this is the easiest part yet'!  I don't know how I would have gotten to this point without her.  Our friendship is a blessing.  Thanks, my dear friend.

Boo

Not expecting any tricks, but I am looking forward to at least one treat today.  I'm meeting my friend for gelato this afternoon. All good wishes as she begins her radiation treatments today. 

I slept last night, thankfully.  Today's a new day.  I'm OK.  All of the changes that have occurred in the past three weeks are overwhelming and my head is spinning but I will get through this. 

I am grateful for YOUR support!  Thank you for traveling this journey with me.  Your encouragement, your steadfastness, your kindness....all mean the world to me.   

[Several followers have commented about having difficulty reading the posts with all the pinks that I am using.  This morning, I tried and failed multiple times to change the background of the post area and also the background of the blog itself. The blogger indicated acceptance, but when I viewed the blog, it didn't change.  If it continues to be an issue, please send an email and I will be happy to send you the posts in black and white.]

Retraction

Today was supposed to be a great day filled with fun activities....I stopped by YAA to see how my friend, Phyllis, was feeling.  At 9:30, I met a friend for breakfast.....we talked and talked and talked.  From there, I went to OLLI to share my love of Mah Jongg.  On my way home to pick up Lily for her 3:30 grooming appointment, I checked my phone for messages.  I noticed one from Leader Surgical (I have that number memorized!) but I came upon a string of green lights.  Please, I need a red light!  Finally, I was almost home, and hit a red light at the intersection of Richland and Country Club and listened to my voicemail.  "Charlene...this is Dr. Mudge.  Please call me when you get this message."

Well....it's been nearly a week since my lymph node surgery.  I knew she wasn't calling to chat.  I am scheduled to see her tomorrow and if the appointment needed to be changed, certainly the doctor would not be calling.  This had to be about my lymph nodes. OMG.

I called and within seconds, Dr. Mudge was on the phone.  "How are you?" she asked.  I told her that I would reserve that response until after she told me why she was calling.  I knew. 

"The lymph nodes showed a few micrometastatic cells."  She was very disappointed, and that, my friends is an understatement.  On the day of my lymph node surgery, she told me she would eat her shoe leather if something showed up, that's how confident she was that my nodes were clear.  I got the "all clear" on the preliminary testing, as reported in "Clear".  But, what I failed to mention on that post was that the nodes would be sent out for additional pathology. 

Dr. Mudge called Dr. Fortier, my radiation oncologist, before calling me.  I wish I could have heard that conversation!!!    

I reminded Dr. Mudge that she was wearing her navy blue loafers that day and that I hoped they taste good and told her that I would see her tomorrow.

Bob was golfing with his friend, Shel, so I knew I couldn't reach him.  My first call was to my friend that is walking this journey with me.  She was shocked.  My second call was to my friend, Christy.  I knew she would deliver the words that I needed to hear to "center myself".  Thank you, thank you, Christy!

On my way home from Lily's appointment, I finally reached Bob.  I asked if he was seated.  He was.  Told him what I knew.  Then I called Anne.  Her question: "why did they give you results in the OR if those results could change with further pathology?"  Good question. 

Bottom line....Dr. Mudge is ordering the Oncotype DX test.  From the Oncotype DX website: http://www.oncotypedx.com/enUS/Breast/HealthcareProfessionalsInvasive/Overview/Overview
"Because not all women benefit from chemotherapy equally, the Oncotype DX assay is a 21-gene assay that provides an individualized prediction of chemotherapy benefit and 10-year distant recurrence to inform adjuvant treatment decisions in certain women with early-stage invasive breast cancer^1,2. The Oncotype DX Recurrence Score^® result cannot be predicted by traditional clinicopathologic variables¹, and provides critical information that changes treatment decisions approximately 37% of the time³.

The results should be available in about a week.  So, buckle up.  This ride gets bumpier by the week.  Will I have to have chemotherapy?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  What I do know is that Dr. Mudge and Dr. Fortier discussed my case and have determined that I do not need additional surgery and my radiation treatment will be as recommended. 

Bob and I went out for a relaxing dinner this evening.  I'm OK.  I need to be OK.  I will do what is needed to be OK for the long haul.  Stay tuned.

For those of you wishing to comment.....please simply click on the word comments at the bottom of this post.  A box will appear for you to enter your comments.  Thanks! 

Clear

Today was the surgery to remove the sentinel lymph nodes under my right arm.  Admittedly, I was nervous, but, I tried not to allow my thoughts to wonder too far.  Dr. Mudge was extremely confident from the beginning and while that was a comfort, it did not allay all of my fears.  Remember, the spot of invasive lobular carcinoma was a surprise in my pathology.  The unexpected can happen.  Everything went well....experienced some discomfort during injection of the radioactive fluid and when the sedation hit my IV, but fortunately neither were long-lasting. I awoke in the OR and within a short amount of time, heard the call that the nodes were clear, bringing a feeling of relief and a few tears! 

My sincere thanks to the staff at Leader Surgical Center -- an amazing group of capable and compassionate individuals.  Most were on my case three weeks ago, and it was comforting to be in their care again.

After eating an early dinner, in response to feeling physically and emotionally drained, I napped for several hours. Soon after I arose, I saw lights in the driveway.  Anne was home!!  Love, love, love having her in my midst. Thanks to Beth for picking her up at the Amtrak station! 

Thanks for stopping by Pink Ink.  I am grateful for your support.  It is from that support that I derive added strength to walk this journey.  Several of my followers are cancer survivors and several others are living with serious chronic health conditions.  You are truly inspirational to me and I draw courage from you to meet this challenge head-on.  Thank you!!

Thanks to my many family members for all your loving support.  Thanks, too, to my friend that I walk hand-in-hand down this road.  You are a blessing! 


Our family is deeply saddened by the unexpected passing on Tuesday of my niece, Pam. The cause of her death remains unknown.  Pam was my sister's eldest child and was four years younger than me.  In addition to her parents, she leaves a sister, a brother, their families, her husband Mike, and children Amanda, Emlyn, Bryce and Katie, as well as Amanda's four children.  Please keep the family in your prayers.

Rabbit Ears

Thank you!  I am grateful for the overwhelming response to Pink Ink. Last week was a lesson on how quickly the picture can change and the blog affords me the ability to update my family and friends a little more efficiently. Your outpouring of care and concern and positive energy means the world to me.  I derive great comfort from your comments and I hope you will take the opportunity to comment directly on the blog!   

Why Rabbit Ears for my title today? Many of you will understand.  But, for those too young, televisions once had antennae that we called rabbit ears.  They were used to improve the reception and make the picture clearer on the TV set. It was long before cable, remote controls, satellite TV, digital and HDTV but sometime after dinosaurs roamed the earth.

As I wrote in Fast Forward, complications arose following the additional diagnosis of invasive lobular cancer in my surgery pathology.  All of a sudden, that which seemed fairly clear to me, became very fuzzy....MRI to rule out additional cancer, sentinel lymph node surgery to rule out spread of cancer, the radiation regimen that I elected (brachytherapy) hanging in limbo, and the possibility of additional surgery for better margins. 

Happy to report that the picture is becoming clearer! 

• The MRI that I had on Tuesday evening was negative for additional cancer.  YAY! 
• The precertification for coverage of the brachytherapy was denied by my insurance company, based upon the second diagnosis. :'(
• There is no need to reopen the original surgery site.

The surgeon, the radiation oncologist, and I are disappointed that the brachytherapy option has been removed from consideration in my treatment plan.  As a result, I will now not need the additional surgery on the original site, which is good.  However, I am now forced  to have the external beam radiation which will require 33 treatments, each weekday, over a 7 week period.  [OK....I'm not forced, per se. I could pay for it out-of-pocket.....$$$$$.] External beam carries additional potential side effects but the brachytherapy had a few risks, too.  My radiation oncologist assured the same prognosis with either method of radiation delivery. I am grateful that I live minutes from Apple Hill, where those treatments will be delivered.  It should take less than an hour of my day.

The lymph node surgery is next Thursday.  Following the pathology on that, which I should know by the time I leave to come home, the picture will be clearer. 

I had an opportunity to spend time with several lovely friends over coffee this week.  Played my weekly game of Mah Jongg.  Also spent a few hours with Logan, our second youngest grandson, on Tuesday.  What a delight he is!  Saturday morning, I am having breakfast with a friend who is visiting after moving away from York and is on her own breast cancer journey. That visit will be followed by attendance at the Inauguration of Dr. Pamela Gunther Smith as the 4th President of York College.  Tomorrow afternoon, Mitchell and his family are planning to visit.  Next Thursday night, Anne arrives for the long weekend.  What better comfort can a mom and grandma ask for??? 

I know that my emotions and moods are erratic. A friend, gratefully celebrating her first anniversary being cancer-free, assured me that the ups and downs are normal and I should be easy with myself. [My apologies to those that have witnessed my wrath, my impatience, my crying.....]  What a roller coaster!

 

 So, as the announcer once said on TV....stay tuned!  Enjoy the weekend!

I wanted to show you my bracelet made by my friend, Sheila Bardol.  I commissioned her to create them for my daughters and daughters-in-law, our eldest granddaughter and my dear friend with whom I travel this journey. Sheila added the guardian angel to my bracelet.  The bracelets are intended to unify these women with me, as I traverse my journey, as well as show them there is HOPE.  Sheila's company is J2Originals.  Thanks, Sheila!

                   

PS  For those of you that are curious, the brachytherapy would have involved insertion of a device into my breast.  After insertion, it would be opened and would resemble a kitchen whisk.  There would be catheters on the outside of my body which would receive radioactive seeds that would travel into the device and deliver the radiation. It would have involved twice a day treatments for five days.  From insertion to removal of the device, it would likely have been only about 10 days.  Very high tech, but expensive.  I'm disappointed!

Fast Forward

Bob and I spent two weeks in Myrtle Beach driving back to York on September 24th.  My mind was preoccupied with the cancer diagnosis but the weather was great, we had good food, and I had an opportunity to spend time with several family members/friends, which was delightful. We met my sister-in-law, Pam and her husband, Keith, in Georgetown (SC) for lunch one day.  It is always wonderful to catch up with them!  [Pam is my late husband's younger sister who lives near Charleston]  Of course, I enjoyed a bit of retail therapy, too! 
 
Once home, my schedule was packed with appointments, meetings, a massage and time with friends.  I was afforded time to mentally prepare for the surgery. A little known fact is that I am traveling this road with a friend. We were diagnosed at almost the same time.  We ran into each other just before I left for my trip and discovered that our surgery was scheduled for the same day with the same doctor.  She and I talked for hours on the phone, met for gelato and spent the afternoon before surgery at Brown's. The camaraderie and the support that we were able to provide each other is priceless.  A bit surreal-- and a true blessing!  

On September 30, Dr. KimberLee Mudge performed a lumpectomy/partial mastectomy and I was home resting late that afternoon.  Except for some lingering tenderness, the healing is progressing well.

This past Monday, Bob and I met with Dr. Mudge for the Post-Op follow up.  She was pleased with the surgery site.  While going over my pathology report, she was quick to point out that the ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) likely saved my life.  A small (2 mm) spot of invasive lobular carcinoma was found in my tissue.  The doctor explained that it likely would not have appeared on a mammogram for several years and the situation would be very different.  It's surreal being grateful for cancer, but I am grateful for the DCIS.  As an aside, the DCIS shows up as little white specks (micro calcifications) on the mammogram.  As a result of the invasive diagnosis, I am scheduled for a breast MRI on the 15th and additional surgery to remove the sentinel lymph nodes on the 24th.  Please pray that both tests are negative.

On Thursday, Bob and I met with Dr. Fortier, a radiation oncologist for my initial consultation to discuss radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is used to destroy any cancer cells remaining in my breast and is used to lessen the likelihood of recurrence of the cancer.  I am likely a candidate for two options: brachytherapy or external beam radiation.  For now, allow me to just say that the brachytherapy is more intense but a shorter duration than the external beam.  I'll explain more when the determination is made which method we move forward with.   

Thursday afternoon and most of Friday, we had rain that came down in bucketsful.  The lake behind our home overflowed its banks encroaching about half way up the side of the tee box that we overlook.  In addition, it flooded the boulevard, which is the main artery into our development. All told, I believe we had about 10" of rain.  Today we had intermittent sunshine. 

Tomorrow we're heading to Baltimore to watch the Ravens take on the visiting Green Bay Packers.  I was a Packers' fan for many years and have been a Ravens' fan for the past 10 years.  Go Ravens!! 

Welcome to Pink Ink.....I'm glad you are here!

The past few weeks are somewhat of a blur...... Here is a peek at the first week: 
It started on the 20th of August when I had my annual mammogram.  Always a stressful day.... I have had breast issues intermittently for the past 35 years.  But, the last 12 years have been stable.

The next morning, I got the dreaded call "We'd like you to come in for more pictures".  Rushed in the same day with Bob by my side. What did we learn?  I have a small area of micro calcifications.  I Googled "micro calcifications of the breast" on my iPhone while I waited to see the radiologist. 'Could be early stage of breast cancer.'  The doctor said the area is very small.  4 mm.  But....somewhat suspicious....recommend biopsy. 

The afternoon of the 22nd, I made my third trip to the Women's Center, this time for needle biopsies. I was comfortable in the care of the staff at the center. All are kind, compassionate, individuals. Everything went well. Now the serious, nerve-wracking waiting begins. This was my eighth biopsy since 1978 or 1979.  The first seven were benign.  I can honestly say that I never took those diagnoses for granted. I was scared. The weekend was soon upon us and Bob agreed to help keep my attention diverted.  He, too, was worried, but didn't show it. I was getting grumpy.  My apologies to Bob and to my friend, Phyllis, and anyone else who bore the brunt of my grumpiness. 


Tuesday evening, the 27th, my family doctor called.  She didn't want to deliver the news over the phone but it was 8:30 at night and my appointment to officially be given the results was at 9:00 the next morning.  She wanted me to be prepared....have the ability to focus, rather than sit there stunned by the news.  Thank you, Dr. S. for the "heads up". 

I was home alone trying to process the words just spoken to me by my doctor. I cried.  Bob was enjoying the camaraderie of the guys on the last night of Tuesday Night Golf League. I texted him "Please come home."  He walked in the door just minutes later.  One look at me and he knew.  I tried to allay his concerns, as well as my own.  "The doctor said it is early."

I called my daughter, Anne.....she was still at the office at 9:20.  I lost my courage to tell her.  Assured her I would call in the morning after finding out the results.  Hindsight, that wasn't fair to her or to me. 

I texted three friends, who are as close as sisters, to see if they were still up.  I then called each of them.  They were shocked. 

Amazingly, I got about four hours of sleep.  I was no longer anticipating the answer that I would receive the next day.  I knew.