Dr. Crooms came to see mom at 8:30 this morning. She will be discharged today at 12 noon. She’s off all pain meds, off catheter and IV, walking halls, eating solid foods — since yesterday evening.
Garrett
Update from Margo
Dr. Crooms, Surgeon, came to see me at 9 pm last night. He is waiting for the results of a second dissection of lymph nodes, which will take 2-3 days. The two test results rarely conflict but do pray that the results of this more permanent test show clear cells also, free of cancer, as did the first test.
Filed under Uncategorized
Surgery Day +1
Only good things to report. I just saw mom again today and she’s doing very well. She will spend one more night in hospital, probably going home tomorrow afternoon. She is off heavy medication which was making her nauseous.
Father Eric Dudley from St. Peter’s was visiting mom just as I got there. Before he left, we all gathered around mom, held hands, and Fr. Eric said a prayer and blessing for her.
Garrett
Filed under Uncategorized
Out Of Surgery
The Surgery went very well. Her lymph nodes are clean, which means it has NOT SPREAD! She went into OR at 9:30am and surgery was completed at 11:40am. She is now in recovery room. Dad and Aunt Amy will be able to see her very soon. I will be blogging all week, so check back often.
Garrett
Filed under Breast Cancer
Prayers & Heroines
I attended the Wednesday Noon Eucharist Service at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, which included portions of the “Ministration to the Sick,” from pages 453-461 of the Book of Common Prayer. In the quiet before the service began, I read the “Prayers for the Sick,” pages 458-461. I invite you to pray those prayers for me. Within pages 453-457, there are Scripture Readings. [I am sure you can Google the Book of Common Prayer, 1979 Version.]
Several of you who have contacted me are my heroines! You are the women who have taken this path ahead of me and you have reached out to me in compassion and generosity of spirit. I am trying very hard to keep all names and stories private but you know who you are and your words of comfort and reassurance give me strength!
My Tallahassee friend, Kim, came over last night. She gave me permission to explain that, two years ago, she had a bilateral masectomy AND elected not to have reconstructive surgery. She gave me wise counsel & encouragement, answered my many questions, and prayed with me. Thank you, Kim, for ministering to me!
My cousin, Teresa Van Hoy, whom I have mentioned in this blog, [see below] sent me a text message last week, which reads: “In answer to your question, I have never regretted not having reconstructive surgery. I have always felt beautiful and you will, too.”
As the surgery day approaches, I struggle to be brave so I must ask you to pray faithfully for me all weekend!
On Monday morning, I report to the hospital at 7 AM and the procedure begins at 9 AM.
I have been meditating on the words of this hymn:
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
In Light Inaccesible, Hid From Our Eyes,
Most Blessed, Most Glorious, The Ancient of Days
Almighty Victorious, Thy Great Name We Praise!
Margo
Filed under Breast Cancer, Prayer, Uncategorized
An Ancient Hymn
Today, I have no news to report, just thankfulness to express to my family & friends! Like “streams in a desert” are your prayers for me and your messages to me: comments on this blog, email, text messages, phone calls, voice mail, snail mail, stuffed animals, and little gift bags left at my kitchen door! These gestures of friendship, concern, and care are what keep my spirits buoyant as I approach the day of surgery. Please continue to pray!
Today, I am meditating on this ancient hymn, pondering the depth and richness of the theological truths. I wish you could also hear the tune, which is as beautiful as the words:
“Let all mortal flesh keep silent, and with fear and trembling stand, ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand, Christ our God to earth descended, our full homage to demand.”
“King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood, Lord of lord in human vesture, in the Body and the Blood, he will give to all the faithful, his own self for heavenly food.”
“Rank on rank the host of heaven, spreads its vanguard on the way, as the Light of light descendeth, from the realms of endless day, that the powers of hell may vanish, as the darkness clears away.”
“At his feet the six wing-ed seraph; cherubim with sleepless eye, veil their faces to the Presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry, ‘Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Lord Most High!’
Filed under Ancient Hymns
Pre-Surgery Prayer
Dear Faithful Praying Family & Friends,
Thank you for reading this blog and for praying! Here are some specific things to pray for, during the next 6 days before surgery on June 29. Our final decision is for a double mastectomy and for no reconstruction at this time.
Please pray for :
~lymph nodes: that the surgeon will be able to clearly identify the “sentinel” nodes and take only a minimum number of nodes, resulting in NO complications, [like lymphedema]; that the lymph nodes are free of cancer cells.
~surgery in general: that there would be no complications [blood clots come to mind] during and after surgery, protection from harm; wisdom, skill, discernment, judgement, stamina for the medical team.
~recuperation: that, in a reasonable amount of time, I would heal properly and completely, with no complications.
~further treatment: that there will be no future recurrence, that I will not require radiation or chemo, that the cancer cells will be completely contained within the breast.
~psychological/emotional: that I would grieve honestly but with courage and dignity; that I would bear the reality of this loss without becoming completely unglued.
AND please pray that I would offer myself in in glad obedience to the Triune God, whom I am to love with my WHOLE heart, soul, mind, and body. From the hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross:” “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Benedictus es, Domine.
Filed under Breast Cancer
Heroes of Courage
This morning I had a liver scan [ultra sound]. The official pathology report will not be available to me for 5 days. However, the technician [unofficially] said that she could find nothing irregular in the images of the liver. So, I think I am OK there.
Thank you, dear friends who write to me via comments on this blog. I will not publish/post any comments that have personal health histories contained within. However, I heartily thank you who write to me, assuring me that I am not alone!
I received permission from my cousin, Teresa Miriam Van Hoy, to publish this link to her story: “Life After Mastectomy: A Survivor’s Story.” http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301741,00.html Or, you can Google, “Teresa Van Hoy” and find the Fox News articles. Then, after you read the articles, you will know why she is my hero.
A friend wrote a comment on this blog, which encouraged me greatly. Here, I excerpt it: “Bill shared with me several days ago he is praying that God give you the same courage He gave your father while flying over Germany during WWII.” When Stephen read that comment aloud to me, we both wept.
Yes, dear family and friends, continue to pray for courage for me! And, also, specifically, pray that there would be no complications with the surgery. I am especially concerned about the removal of lymph nodes, as I do not want lymphedema.
Filed under Breast Cancer
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.
Filed under Breast Cancer
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.
Filed under Breast Cancer
Margot’s Corner 