Category Archives: Breast Cancer

June 16, 2009 · 9:01 pm

Counselors and Mentors

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Yesterday I met with Judy Welch, RN and MSW, an experienced and compassionate Breast Cancer Counselor. She gave me wise and valuable advice, support, and encouragement, a tote bag full of resources, and a list of Breast Cancer Support Groups.

I also met yesterday with Dr. Patricia Hogan, my Family Practitioner. We looked at my breast biopsy pathology report, which she interpreted for me. The cancer is “hormone receptive,” which means that I can take an anti-hormone Rx. We also looked at the results of my recent blood panel and discussed the few “abnormal” readings. The most problematic of these was the elevated bilirubin count, so she arranged for me to have a liver scan on Thursday morning.

Wendy Mathews-Wheeless, also a Breast Cancer Counselor, called me, because her daughter is a friend of Haley’s and she wanted to encourage me to call her if I need her at any time.

Late last night, I received a text message from my cousin in Texas, full of encouraging words. I was re-reading her message early this morning, when she called me and our visit filled me with strength and resolve. She is a hero of mine.

Around noon, I met Laura at the pool for her swim lesson. At the end of the hour, I sat on the side of the pool and, with amazement, watched her swim her final lap for the day. For the first time, she swam across the 50 yards of the pool, without stopping, and she swam with grace, elegance, and strength. When she reached the other side, she grinned and I cheered and gave her the thumbs up.

. . . And so it is with you who read this blog: Some of you will be down in the water with me, teaching me the difficult lessons, borne from your own very costly experience with breast cancer. Others of you will remain on the side of the pool, cheering me on, until I reach the other side. I hope I can endure the lessons with as much courage, grace, and dignity as the generous and compassionate women who are my teachers and mentors. I am grateful for each of you, who impart to me the strength to endure.

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June 13, 2009 · 3:50 pm

Difficult Decisions

Yesterday, I received a telephone call from Karen, Dr. Croom’s nurse.  She told me that Dr. Croom reviewed my patient files [mammogram/ultrasound/biopsy/MRI] and concluded that my “best bet” would be a mastectomy.  The reason for this is the position of the tumor, near the center of the breast and toward the chest wall/bone.  The surgeon must obtain a “clean margin” after removing the tumor and must have enough room to do this.  [“Clean margins” are tissues that are free of cancer cells.]  Karen will make an appointment for me to consult with the radiation oncologist, in preparation for the possibility of radiology after surgery.  We have not yet discussed chemotherapy but, remember, this depends on the condition of the lymph nodes, which the pathologist will examine during surgery.

On Monday, I have an appointment with Judy Welch, RN, a Breast Cancer Treatment Counselor, and an appointment with Dr. Patricia Hogan, my Family Practitioner.  I have many questions re: surgery and post-op.

Now, the question that remains is:  Is there a health benefit to a double mastectomy?  My reading tells me that any woman in my situation would like to avoid a future recurrence of cancer [and future surgery, radiation, possible chemo, etc.] and would consider a double in order to put this whole nightmare behind her.  So, as radical as this may sound, I must consider this.

Next, there is the issue of reconstructive surgery, which I do not plan at this time, but it will be wise not to close the door on that forever.  So, I will consult with a plastic surgeon, who will guide the surgery, so that the option will remain open for me.  In the meantime, I will consult with someone re: prostheses.

This is rather a longer blog than usual and will suffice for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  I will write again on Monday night.  Thanks again for all your communication, care, and concern for me — and for your prayers.

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June 12, 2009 · 12:04 am

Navigating

This afternoon, I called the Sharon Ewing Walker Breast Health Center at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare.  They offer “breast cancer counseling” and “patient navigation.”  Boy, do I need help navigating!  I need someone to help me figure out what questions to ask my medical team!  I am reading steadily in my “Breast Book” but I dread looking at the [surgery] illustrations — but it must be borne!  I need courage!  Did you know 1 out of 8 women will have breast cancer? Many women have come before me and I will learn from them.  Many women will come after me and I hope to help them.

Remembering the words of a favorite hymn:  “Be Thou My Vision.”

I am sleeping well, with help from some nutritional supplements and my swimming.  I hope to swim laps every other day and would love to have a swimming buddy.  So, call me!

Thank you for your comments.  I read them eagerly each evening.  I am thankful for each of you. You honor me by taking the time to read this, so I will try to keep the entries short.

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June 10, 2009 · 10:32 pm

MRI Results

Karen, Dr. Croom’s nurse, called today:   She received the MRI report and  it  indicated nothing unusual.  I chose a tentative date for surgery:  June 29th.

Today, I swam laps and also taught my friend, Laura, Lesson 3 on how to swim; it is very gratifying to see her progress.

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June 10, 2009 · 1:30 am

Appointments

Dear Family & Friends,

Dr. Croom’s office called this AM and said they had not yet received results of Friday’s MRI.  This AM, I had my routine annual check-up [Dee, Nurse] at the office of my Dr. Hogan, my Family Practitioner.  I made an appointment to consult with Dr. Hogan, whom I did not see today.  Dr. Crooms recommended that Stephen & I read the book, “The Breast Book,” by Dr. Susan Love; it has been extremely informative.  Phone calls, comments on this blog, emails, etc. are a huge comfort to me.   Swimming also has been therapeutic to me.  [During sleepless hours, I review words of ancient hymns and of Messiah by Handel.]

Coram Deo, 

Margo

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June 9, 2009 · 1:35 am

The Journey Begins

Dear Family & Friends,

This will be repeat information for some of you; for others, it will be an introduction to the events that have transpired over the past two weeks:  On May 26, I had a routine mammogram, which indicated a dark spot on my right breast.  Two days later, I had an ultrasound and both reports were sent to my Family Practitioner, Dr. Patricia Hogan.  She referred me to Dr. Jeffrey Crooms, Surgeon, for a core needle biopsy, which he performed on June 2.  Stephen drove me to this appointment, drove me home, and was with me when Dr. Crooms called, two hours later,  to inform me that the I had a cancerous tumor in the right breast.  Stephen and I immediately returned to Dr. Crooms’ office and he ordered an  MRI, which I had on June 5.  I have not yet received results from this test.

Specifically, I have Stage One Invasive Ductal Carcinoma [IDC]. This is a common type of breast cancer:  Among all the women who have breast cancer, 70% of these women have this type.  Stage One refers to the size of the tumor, which is between 1 and 2 cm.  Invasive does not necessarily mean that the cancer is aggressive; it means that it travels outside of the milk duct.

What are the next steps for us?  We are preparing for surgery in June to remove the tumor — a lumpectomy.  While I am on the operating table, the surgeon will remove a few lymph nodes and a pathologist will examine them.  Following the lumpectomy, I will recuperate and receive radiation.  Until we receive the results of the post-operative biopsy of the tumor and the lymph nodes, we will not know what further treatment will be required.

Please pray for us.

Coram Deo,

Margo

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