Pathology Results, and other fun….

We have had a lot of excitement since my last post.  First off, for those that don’t have time for the fun and fluff--the pathology results.  The good, the bad, and thankfully, there’s no ugly.  Dr. Goulet called me Sunday morning as soon as he received the results, which we really appreciated.  The good--the tumor had clear margins, so all of it was removed.  The tumor still had some remaining cancer cells as was expected, but since the margins were clear, it is now gone.  The good, bad, and not ugly— good, 14 lymph nodes were removed; bad, five of the 14 still had cancer in them but the cancer was contained within each lymph node and had not burst out into other tissue.  They had hoped to find no cancer in the lymph nodes following chemo, but it is less concerning now than it would have been a few years ago.  Five lymph nodes with cancer classifies it as N2, which means that 5-9 lymph nodes are involved.  Dr. Goulet did a beautiful job in surgery.  My tumor incision does not hurt at all (or is outweighed by the underarm soreness), and it was done strategically so when healed it will not be noticeable.  Radiation will now target a bit more lymph node area and it should kill any cancer that might still remain.  They will also watch me very closely from here on out, with check-ups about every 2-3 months and mammograms/ultrasounds/whatever every 6 months.  My arm pit looks ugly and is tender.  The surgeon removed the drain on Monday so I am now clear to do what ever I feel up to doing, which includes driving since I’ve now stopped the prescription pain pills.  I decided I’d rather hurt a little and drive over being pain free and not able to drive.  So far, over the counter pain meds are working fine.  I'm running out of time and excuses to be lazy!  

Oh, I forgot to mention a wonderful silver lining to all of this excitement.  I have a temporary handicapped parking tag, good until March!  It took me a long time to think about asking for one, and then it took a month before I had the energy to go and get it, but it has been WONDERFUL!  I feel special every time we drive somewhere, like queen for the day!  So this year for Christmas shopping, I will be the envy of everyone around.  I just try to walk slowly and show that I'm tired, or look like I hurt so people won't get mad at me.  If anyone says anything, I can always pull my wig off and then they will understand.  I'm mainly shopping online and don't go to a lot of places besides medical visits--and those special parking spots are always full, of course.

Now, on to more fun!  On Saturday, we were visited by a group of angels called Savior’s Serenade.  It’s an outreach ministry group through my neighbor’s church.  Tracy coordinated the event and they surprised me Saturday afternoon.  It was sort of like Christmas caroling, but instead they prayed for me and performed uplifting religious songs, while holding inspirational signs and radiating love with their smiles.  They made a slide show and posted additional photos in a facebook album under their facebook page.   They go around and sing to people who are facing medical challenges.  It was a really fun surprise and made our entire family feel so loved.  I borrowed these photos off of their facebook page, so thank you and credits to the wonderful woman that was taking photos of the event.  I can post your name once I have it!  

My mom has been here with us for almost two weeks.  She’s here for another week.  It has been so fun having her here and she’s been so helpful with accomplishing lots of projects in areas that have been neglected for some time (sadly, more than the 7 months of cancer—but I’ll use that as my excuse for accumulating disorganization my entire life).   

And finally, I saved the best for last……drum roll……Heath has been called to serve a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Buenos Aires Argentina North Mission!!  He reports to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah on Wednesday, February 27^th.  We are sooo excited for him.  He will be a great missionary.  He has been diligently preparing for this mission his entire life.  He is full of goodness and spends time daily on the things that matter most--serving others and learning about Christ.  This past October, in our church’s semi-annual General Conference, they announced a change in mission age that young men could now choose to serve at age 18 if they were graduated from high school and felt that they were ready (and women can now serve at age 19 if they would like to).  Heath graduated a year early and had been diligently preparing, so it worked out beautifully for him.  He turns 18 on December 6^th!  What an exciting early birthday present for him!  Here’s a video of the big event a friend put on facebook, there's also a video with a different angle at the bottom of the photos below.  We were all together as a family through Google chat, so it was great sharing in the joy with him.   

 Heath's friends took these photos I swiped from FB.

Surgery Complete

Surgery was Monday, November 19th.  It went well.  Thankfully, I don’t remember much about it.  They used something that blocks short term memory in addition to general anesthetic.   I kept asking the same questions over and over again, and was told the same stories over and over again, like Dori in Finding Nemo.  The surgeon removed the area of tissue where the tumor once existed and around 12 to 15 lymph nodes.  The tumor was gone, but the titanium clip and a series of mammograms helped the doctors mark where it had been.  We are still awaiting the pathology report.  Since it wasn’t back on Wednesday, we won’t hear results until Monday.   

My friend Jill sent this shirt.  It seemed perfect for wearing on surgery day.

My #1 Fan and Coach

My E.T. Finger, "Phone Home."

Another great fan & t-shirt.

We stayed over night at the surgery center because I have a drain tube for the lymph node area.   Monday night Garrett, Scott Jr., Courtney, and my mom came for a visit.  I was still affected by the general anesthetic, so they made some memories from my loopiness (which I don’t remember well).  Scott stayed the night with me in a recliner.  It was the best hospital overnight stay I’ve ever had, with minimal interruptions and quiet surroundings.  I was home at 11:00 Tuesday morning.  I came home with a “pain ball,” about the size of a softball that slowly released a numbing nerve blocker for my left shoulder and chest area.  It was really helpful.  By Wednesday night, it had shrunken away to the size of an apple core.  The doctor showed Scott how to remove it, so I now only have the drain tube. 

My underarm area is sore and tender, but pain meds keep it manageable.  I’ll have the drain tube for 7-10 days, until it is draining a minimal amount within a 24 hour period.  I’m feeling way better than I’d expected to feel at this point.  I can’t drive or jog until the drain tube is removed.  I can walk as much as I’m up to now.  

Tuesday night around midnight, we had a knock at our back patio door.  Garrett had invited me out of my room “to see something on the computer.”  When we looked up to see who was knocking, HEATH walks in!  He flew in to surprise us for Thanksgiving!  Garrett helped him in the planning weeks ago, and our neighbors picked him up from the airport.  It was such a fun, total surprise.  A week ago Wednesday, my mom arrived to be with us for three weeks.  Wednesday night, my sister Krista arrived.  We’ve been having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! 

Scott with his masterpiece.

Smoked with bacon in the Big Green Egg.

Finished Smoked Turkey.

Garrett & Heath preparing the turkey fryer.  

I enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner.  We were treated to two delicious turkeys.  Scott smoked a turkey, wrapped in bacon, and Garrett fried a turkey.  We had all kinds of sides and lots of pies—all for the smallest Thanksgiving crowd we’ve ever hosted--eight.  I think a group went out for midnight shopping, but I opted out for this year.  I think I could have done one store, but there were not any steals that couldn’t wait until morning before the door busters ended.  It’s nice laying low for a change. 

As I reflect on the things I’m thankful for this year, my list is deeper and fuller than previous Thanksgivings.  I’m thankful for my wonderful husband and best friend.  He has been “one” with me through this entire process.  My kids have been amazing in their love and support.  Our extended family has kept in close touch though they all live far away.  Our church family has embraced us with such love and support.  Our extended network of friends and family from all over the country has provided such uplift and encouragement.  Facebook has provided access to so many that we love from living in so many different places.  The prayers, kind words of 

encouragement, inspired moments, and countless ways of reaching out and sharing support have made such a difference.  My family and I are very blessed and very thankful for the important part each individual has had in helping us through this journey.  I am so thankful for prayer and the power and strength we have felt through the continuous prayers offered by so many.  I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ.  I have grown closer to them through this process.  When you find yourself in a situation where God is in control of the outcome, you do all you can to research and make the best decisions possible, and then rely on Christ who knows how we feel in every trial we go through.  He is there to comfort us and guide us.  He is always there for us, we just need to turn to Him.  He has provided our family with peace throughout this journey.  I am so thankful for God’s love and the strength and power He gives us when we try to put Him at the center of our lives.   

Oh Happy Day!

Last day of chemo!!

My niece & nephews celebrating.

Oh Happy Day...Oh happy day...Oh happy day....Oh happy day....I’ve been singing my favorite gospel song since Monday!  It  is sooo exciting to be finished with chemo!  Garrett is working out of  Indy until after the election (reporting in Ohio,  Illinois, and Indiana), so he and Courtney were my chemo partners, since Scott had to leave town Sunday night.  The oncologist met with me for the 3^rd time in this process (my first visit was the consultation, my second was the first day of Taxol, and then Monday, the final dose of Taxol).  He was amazed at my response to the chemo.  He had hoped for some shrinkage, and had mentioned early on that 50% reduction would be a good response.  On Monday, by physical exam, he could not find the tumor.  He said with my type of cancer (progesterone & estrogen positive), it was the best response he’s ever seen.  It was exciting to hear.  The tumor area was marked with a titanium clip in May when they did the biopsy, so the surgeon will know where to remove the tissue. 

Smile!  Chemo complete!!

Monday’s final chemo day included friends delivering a huge “Congratulations” balloon bouquet, several “thinking of you” texts from friends, over 200 Facebook “likes,” and a delicious enchilada dinner ready to eat upon our arrival home!  It was a great day! 

Halloween night was fun.  We dressed up to pass out candy.  Courtney painted a blue arrow on my fuzz head so I could be Avatar the last air bender.  We had hot chocolate by the fire pit after the trick or treating stopped. 

It was amazing watching hurricane Sandy’s far reaching destruction.  No matter what storms come our way, putting our faith and trust in God gives us the peace and power needed to carry us through whatever recovery we have to face.   I feel and appreciate the power of group prayer.  I’m so thankful for all of the prayers offered for my health and for my family.  We have felt the peace and comfort, and we deeply thank you for your support.  Our prayers continue for everyone affected by hurricane Sandy.