Hi all,
I had yet another exciting needle filled day over at DUMC today.
We got to Duke on time at 8:30 this morning. Bart and I were armed with our books and iPads in anticipation of the wait that you always have at Duke, affectionally know as DukeTime.
I was able to catch up on emails and my calendar which is a huge task.
By this time, it was around 9:30 and I had not eaten yet. I sent Bart to get me something to snack on, he came back with nabs and a DMD. I was still eating when the RN came to get me. I had just put a cracker in my mouth, and made a joke about me talking to her with my mouth full, and that I was sorry. She immediately, asked "you are eating?"
(I am thinking, yeah can't you see the orange crumbs that are likely on my chin? Or the big ol DMD I am carrying, because I am never without one of those)
She then told me I was scheduled for surgery. I told her as far as I knew the only torture I was up for was my biopsies that day.
I then spoke to another RN...blah, blah, blah! So the misunderstanding was, that I was scheduled for my Power Port today, and that what I thought was my Power Port appointment on Tuesday is in fact my Muga scan. (The Muga scan evaluates heart damage. I have a healthy heart now, but I need to get a baseline Muga done, because the heart and the Chemo I am going to be doing are not very good friends. That Chemo biotch ain't called the Red Devil for nothing)
So moving on, I had my breast MRI with Biopsies done today around 1130. I was on that table for at least an hour and half if not more. Initially, the "kids" I mean the extremely young looking doctors told me that they thought they were going to potentially be taking at least 36 biopsies today. I will let you fill in the blank, what I was think. HOLY------------!
I asked for Valium for the MRI, the baby docs were hesitant, I quickly told them that I was not the kind of girl that can sit/lay still for 8 mins which is the time span of some of the pics/views they have to get.
I had at least six 5 minute scans today, which they are OFTEN telling you not move.
It is so hard to lay still. Everything itches, your nose suddenly has a bat in the cave, hair that was securely up in a ponytail now is falling out and tickling your cheek, your neck, you have to pee so bad even if you had just gone right before the scan, etc etc.
Keep in mind they are squishing the hell out of me, and also inserting 6 inch needles into me multiply times.
If they could tell you not to breathe they would. (I dare you to try it at home, it ain't easy. I am not really a complainer, but I think the Valium helped calm my mind down.)
I am uncomfortable to say the least after today. They only took 5 biopsies, they think what they are seeing is a fibercystic mass on my right side.
So I am back home, just got in from Tao Kwon Do with Chaser, as soon as Bart gets home. I am going to find some really comfy jammies to put on. And fall out for the day.
Side note funnies,
I am not suppose to take a shower or a bath for 48 hrs. For real people? The PTA bath does not work!
I now have more "metal" in my body. I can't wait to go thru airport security. The count is up to 2 Titanium clips and a Copper IUD that I had to get switched over yesterday. (If that is too much information, SORRY) But as Sara K, Chad and Jeff B were discussing last night, we think it will be quite a show the first time I get "wanded" thru security...lol
Thanks to Donna and Tui for carting my kids to school and back for me! It really is a HUGE help. A big thank you to Linda and Beth for bring grub over tonight for us.
So things on the agenda next week
Monday the 31st, I will be having surgery to get the Power Port in. (I may actually have Chemo this day, I will know then.)
Tuesday the 1st, I will be having a Muga Scan, and I am thinking Chemo this day, too.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
So is ONE a lucky number?
I have a chemo date of
11/1/11 at 11am.....I really cannot make this stuff up. (I really am a RainWoman sort of girl, think Dustin Hoffman, I wonder if Duke is messing with me?)
So earlier that morning at 8:30, I will be having my "Power Port" put in...(but with a date like this to start my chemo, I think I need to play the PowerBall, instead....)
I wonder if 2 is a lucky number as well? Remember, I am scheduling my surgeries on 2/21/12 at 12:15...(I am slightly disappointed that my appointment is not at 12 :)
(I guess I need to clarify, my surgeries should be in March sometime. This date is just to get me on the books) I have to wait 4 weeks post chemo to have any kind of surgery....
Good night all!
11/1/11 at 11am.....I really cannot make this stuff up. (I really am a RainWoman sort of girl, think Dustin Hoffman, I wonder if Duke is messing with me?)
So earlier that morning at 8:30, I will be having my "Power Port" put in...(but with a date like this to start my chemo, I think I need to play the PowerBall, instead....)
I wonder if 2 is a lucky number as well? Remember, I am scheduling my surgeries on 2/21/12 at 12:15...(I am slightly disappointed that my appointment is not at 12 :)
(I guess I need to clarify, my surgeries should be in March sometime. This date is just to get me on the books) I have to wait 4 weeks post chemo to have any kind of surgery....
Good night all!
Cancer the other PITA
Hi all,
I ran another 5k yesterday at Duke, ok not really but it sounded good. (most of my appointments were contained within a 4 block radius within the building)
I will keep it short and simple...
I had to get an ultrasound done, because my results from the MRI showed "something" on both the right and left side.
The US was unable to pick up anything, which is a good thing. But MRI gives a clearer picture of what is going on in the body. So basically, the MRI saw something that the US can't....
So this means, I am scheduled for more biopsies next Thursday. I will be having them done on both sides. I am dreading this because they are going to do the biopsies under MRI and really I can tell you how much NO fun those breast MRIs are....
I also swished around a little $4000 dollar bottle of Scope, so they could get a DNA sample from me. They are doing genetics testing to rule me out for the BRCA 1 and 2 gene. If I test positive for these genes, it puts me at a much greater risk for other cancers, such as ovarian.
This test will be a huge tool in what we decide for my surgery. I have a date to schedule my surgeries (hopefully, they can all be done at the same time) which is 2/21/12, the surgeon thought that because of the time it took to get all the biopsies back, and the genetics testing back (14 days), and then also having to wait 4 weeks after surgery to start chemo, that I would be better to start Chemo ASAP, and then get surgery done in March (?).
I am officially 6 weeks in as of today with this whole cancer crap.
So as of right now, I am waiting to hear about my power port appointment, which will be the start of my Chemo journey. I am really not looking forward to being bald by Thanksgiving.
I must get to shopping for fun hats, bandanas, and scarves......I can tell you tell you one thing, I am not canceling any of my hair appointments with my hair girl and friend Dana, until I am sure that it will be gone.
A few highlights from the day...The surgeon at Duke thought that my Wake Med surgeon did a great job with my lumpectomy, she said my scars looked "nice" :). Dr Hwang also kept thanking me for being such a nice patient and having such a great attitude.
Well really now, I can't be a total HOT MESS for a year, although I have my moments. Again, a big thank you to everyone for the SUPPORT, LOVE, AND BEING THERE for us! This whole cancer thing is a major PITA, but I know I will get thru it with the help of you guys!
I ran another 5k yesterday at Duke, ok not really but it sounded good. (most of my appointments were contained within a 4 block radius within the building)
I will keep it short and simple...
I had to get an ultrasound done, because my results from the MRI showed "something" on both the right and left side.
The US was unable to pick up anything, which is a good thing. But MRI gives a clearer picture of what is going on in the body. So basically, the MRI saw something that the US can't....
So this means, I am scheduled for more biopsies next Thursday. I will be having them done on both sides. I am dreading this because they are going to do the biopsies under MRI and really I can tell you how much NO fun those breast MRIs are....
I also swished around a little $4000 dollar bottle of Scope, so they could get a DNA sample from me. They are doing genetics testing to rule me out for the BRCA 1 and 2 gene. If I test positive for these genes, it puts me at a much greater risk for other cancers, such as ovarian.
This test will be a huge tool in what we decide for my surgery. I have a date to schedule my surgeries (hopefully, they can all be done at the same time) which is 2/21/12, the surgeon thought that because of the time it took to get all the biopsies back, and the genetics testing back (14 days), and then also having to wait 4 weeks after surgery to start chemo, that I would be better to start Chemo ASAP, and then get surgery done in March (?).
I am officially 6 weeks in as of today with this whole cancer crap.
So as of right now, I am waiting to hear about my power port appointment, which will be the start of my Chemo journey. I am really not looking forward to being bald by Thanksgiving.
I must get to shopping for fun hats, bandanas, and scarves......I can tell you tell you one thing, I am not canceling any of my hair appointments with my hair girl and friend Dana, until I am sure that it will be gone.
A few highlights from the day...The surgeon at Duke thought that my Wake Med surgeon did a great job with my lumpectomy, she said my scars looked "nice" :). Dr Hwang also kept thanking me for being such a nice patient and having such a great attitude.
Well really now, I can't be a total HOT MESS for a year, although I have my moments. Again, a big thank you to everyone for the SUPPORT, LOVE, AND BEING THERE for us! This whole cancer thing is a major PITA, but I know I will get thru it with the help of you guys!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
My first of many DUMC appointments
So from start to finish today I was at Duke for six very long hours. The first 2 and a 1/2 were boring, we were just sitting there waiting. Mental note to self, I need to start packing my Kindle, no matter how big or small my purse is. And also a phone charger, sorry for all of the non returned texts....
So the long of the short of today....(I am tired and my humor is thin at the moment.)
I met with my Medical Oncologist today, Dr Kimmick. She will be handling my Chemo part of this hellish ride I am on. She seems very nice and she has twins as well, whats not to love?
She ordered a slew of testing for me today.
And between the hours of 4pm and 5pm. Bart and I ran a 5k trying to get from clinics 1A to 2J (ekg) to 1E (Chest xray) back to 3W (Lab work), and then had to run our butts over to the main hospital for the MRI that was thrown into the mix today and was scheduled for 5. (I would like my 5k sticker for my car, because he and I did some major hustling)
I had to leave the lab before they got a chance to draw blood, so I could make my MRI appointment. But no worries people, I got poked today for an IV and also suffered thru the most uncomfortable Breast MRI (google a picture of that position)....Disclaimer: these are not the true clinic number's for you Duker's, I just can't remember, and I refuse to go to my handy notebook and actually look up the real clinic numbers. I think you get the pic...
So the highlights from today.....She is ready to start Chemo with me anytime, she is going to wait until I have my consult with Surgery tomorrow and decide if they want to do the Chemo first or wait until after surgery.
I need two different surgeries (Inferior Margin and the Axilliary node dissection) at this point according to her, but I will know for sure what my surgeon thinks tomorrow morning.
Also of note, she is going to do genetics testing on me to make sure I don't have markers for any other kind of cancer. If this is the case, this brings up the point of doing a mastectomy. Genetic testing takes 10 to 14 days to find out the results. So surgery is definitely put off for a few weeks, if not longer.
I found out the name of one of my Chemo drugs, it is called Adriamycin...or in the cancer world it is also known as the Red Devil....sounds fantastic.
I will be getting a 'power port" put in next week, so they will be able to get access without sticking me a million times. She also is going to put me on a 4 month chemo plan vs the typical 6 month plan. She plans on increasing the dose of chemo, she said it would make me sicker, but this way I would be done with it quicker. I will be having Chemo every other week. And she asked alot about our support system, how the kids are, Bart's work schedule, etc. She says this kind of regimen will put me out for 3 to 4 days after I get "poisoned".
I will give you a few of the side effects, (I had to stop reading them). Nausea and vomiting, fatigue, mouth sores, (gross me out), and hair loss. I read the hair loss can happen within 2 weeks of my first treatment. This makes me sad in so many ways, but I have to keep LOOKING at the BIGGER picture.
So upcoming tomorrow is
Surgery consult, radiation consult, lab work. I have also been in contact with Genetics that will hopefully be tomorrow as well.
Next week, it looks like I have the power port to look forward to, and after that is in the Chemo will begin I assume, as long as my surgeon Dr Hwang gives the go ahead.
Much love,
M
Also a big thank you today to Tui, Denys and Steve. All 3 of them had to step in and take care of the boys for us while we were gone. Big thank you to Donna for taking my kids to school in the morning....
So the long of the short of today....(I am tired and my humor is thin at the moment.)
I met with my Medical Oncologist today, Dr Kimmick. She will be handling my Chemo part of this hellish ride I am on. She seems very nice and she has twins as well, whats not to love?
She ordered a slew of testing for me today.
And between the hours of 4pm and 5pm. Bart and I ran a 5k trying to get from clinics 1A to 2J (ekg) to 1E (Chest xray) back to 3W (Lab work), and then had to run our butts over to the main hospital for the MRI that was thrown into the mix today and was scheduled for 5. (I would like my 5k sticker for my car, because he and I did some major hustling)
I had to leave the lab before they got a chance to draw blood, so I could make my MRI appointment. But no worries people, I got poked today for an IV and also suffered thru the most uncomfortable Breast MRI (google a picture of that position)....Disclaimer: these are not the true clinic number's for you Duker's, I just can't remember, and I refuse to go to my handy notebook and actually look up the real clinic numbers. I think you get the pic...
So the highlights from today.....She is ready to start Chemo with me anytime, she is going to wait until I have my consult with Surgery tomorrow and decide if they want to do the Chemo first or wait until after surgery.
I need two different surgeries (Inferior Margin and the Axilliary node dissection) at this point according to her, but I will know for sure what my surgeon thinks tomorrow morning.
Also of note, she is going to do genetics testing on me to make sure I don't have markers for any other kind of cancer. If this is the case, this brings up the point of doing a mastectomy. Genetic testing takes 10 to 14 days to find out the results. So surgery is definitely put off for a few weeks, if not longer.
I found out the name of one of my Chemo drugs, it is called Adriamycin...or in the cancer world it is also known as the Red Devil....sounds fantastic.
I will be getting a 'power port" put in next week, so they will be able to get access without sticking me a million times. She also is going to put me on a 4 month chemo plan vs the typical 6 month plan. She plans on increasing the dose of chemo, she said it would make me sicker, but this way I would be done with it quicker. I will be having Chemo every other week. And she asked alot about our support system, how the kids are, Bart's work schedule, etc. She says this kind of regimen will put me out for 3 to 4 days after I get "poisoned".
I will give you a few of the side effects, (I had to stop reading them). Nausea and vomiting, fatigue, mouth sores, (gross me out), and hair loss. I read the hair loss can happen within 2 weeks of my first treatment. This makes me sad in so many ways, but I have to keep LOOKING at the BIGGER picture.
So upcoming tomorrow is
Surgery consult, radiation consult, lab work. I have also been in contact with Genetics that will hopefully be tomorrow as well.
Next week, it looks like I have the power port to look forward to, and after that is in the Chemo will begin I assume, as long as my surgeon Dr Hwang gives the go ahead.
Much love,
M
Also a big thank you today to Tui, Denys and Steve. All 3 of them had to step in and take care of the boys for us while we were gone. Big thank you to Donna for taking my kids to school in the morning....
Monday, October 10, 2011
Duke fan in the future?
Hi all,
I will update more this afternoon, once I get back from my Wake Med surgeon appointment, which will go over the rest of my pathology reports from last weeks surgery.
Since hearing the Chemo and Stage II news and the unexpected news of a completely different surgery news on Friday, I have decided to move over to Duke.
I have had a huge help in doing this from my very awesome and longtime friends Taft and Shannon Howell.
Short history of our friendship. They both were in my wedding, I cherish them both. Although, I am not sure if Taft has ever forgiven me for trying to make him wear an eggplant Bridesman get-up :)
Shannon and I went to HS together.
Taft and I were Respiratory Therapists together in Rocky Mount, and he has worked over at Duke for years. He has put me in touch with the right people, to get my case a moving along. I have an appointment next week with the Surgeon Oncologist.
I am still very comfortable with what my Plan A was. It was the right decision for me at the time when I made it. Now onward to Plan B.
And please, don't buy me any Duke t-shirts just yet.
I will update more this afternoon, once I get back from my Wake Med surgeon appointment, which will go over the rest of my pathology reports from last weeks surgery.
Since hearing the Chemo and Stage II news and the unexpected news of a completely different surgery news on Friday, I have decided to move over to Duke.
I have had a huge help in doing this from my very awesome and longtime friends Taft and Shannon Howell.
Short history of our friendship. They both were in my wedding, I cherish them both. Although, I am not sure if Taft has ever forgiven me for trying to make him wear an eggplant Bridesman get-up :)
Shannon and I went to HS together.
Taft and I were Respiratory Therapists together in Rocky Mount, and he has worked over at Duke for years. He has put me in touch with the right people, to get my case a moving along. I have an appointment next week with the Surgeon Oncologist.
I am still very comfortable with what my Plan A was. It was the right decision for me at the time when I made it. Now onward to Plan B.
And please, don't buy me any Duke t-shirts just yet.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Another surgery, siggghhhhhhh
Hi all,
I just got off the phone with the surgeon...here are a few highlights. I hope it doesn't give you a headache like it has given me.
I was rapidly writing what she was saying as I was listening, so this info as is true as I can get it...
"Given the extent of dissection done already, if your pathology report and or margins are positive, you will need a mastectomy.....I will let you know as soon as that pathology report is back, it is still unavailiable ."
........
I also tested positive for DCIS in my inferior margins, which means yes, indeed I have to have another surgery. That surgery will be done sometime in the next few weeks.
The doctor said this was a good thing, that it was DCIS, (DCIS=precursor to cancer cells).
I asked her if I needed to go ahead and get a M done, she said all the cancer is gone and it is not necessary.
She said, that having the cancer in my lymph nodes shouldn't/wouldn't have changed my decision to have a L vs a M, if I would have known they were positve.
I have 2 appointments next week, once I see my oncologist on Wednesday, I will get with my surgeon to schedule the newest surgery, after we coordinate with Dr W, my O.
Hang in there with me, it looks like I am in for a rollercoaster of ups and downs in the coming few months.
I just got off the phone with the surgeon...here are a few highlights. I hope it doesn't give you a headache like it has given me.
I was rapidly writing what she was saying as I was listening, so this info as is true as I can get it...
"Given the extent of dissection done already, if your pathology report and or margins are positive, you will need a mastectomy.....I will let you know as soon as that pathology report is back, it is still unavailiable ."
........
I also tested positive for DCIS in my inferior margins, which means yes, indeed I have to have another surgery. That surgery will be done sometime in the next few weeks.
The doctor said this was a good thing, that it was DCIS, (DCIS=precursor to cancer cells).
I asked her if I needed to go ahead and get a M done, she said all the cancer is gone and it is not necessary.
She said, that having the cancer in my lymph nodes shouldn't/wouldn't have changed my decision to have a L vs a M, if I would have known they were positve.
I have 2 appointments next week, once I see my oncologist on Wednesday, I will get with my surgeon to schedule the newest surgery, after we coordinate with Dr W, my O.
Hang in there with me, it looks like I am in for a rollercoaster of ups and downs in the coming few months.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
I can handle the physical pain, gotta get a handle of the emotional side of it
Hi all,
Its been a few days since surgery, and I am finally out of my bed. I even plan on wearing real clothes tomorrow.
Oh crap, who am I kidding, another new pair of pjs here I come.
Thank you friends, that have been supporting my " I gotta look good while sick and bring me a pair of pjs mission."
I have had a week full of wearing lovely new pjs and feeling hugged by the very ones that have gifted them to me.
Bart seriously has no clue now what to buy me for Christmas, because getting me pjs is always a winner :)
Eric blogged for me on Monday, about what happened during surgery. I wish I could tell you that I had more information about what exactly having a 'positive lymph node" means.
But in my mind, it means
Chemotherapy
Pet scan to see if the cancer has spread beyond my lymph nodes (which this part of it is causing my MIND to WORK overtime, I really need to stop overthinking it, wait for the doc to call me and figure out the gameplan from there on out)
The possibility of more surgery.
None of that is really official except the Chemo part. I hope to hear from my surgeon tomorrow with the biopsy results.
I have an official surgeon appointment, on Monday the 10th.
I have an oncology appt on Wednesday the 12th.
I had two days of discomfort with the surgery and then yesterday, I just took the meds so I could get good rest. Today was my first pain pill free day, but I really think I probably should have taken one or four :), so I wouldn't be driving myself crazy with all the "what if" thoughts.
Side note, the cards, food, gifts, flowers have all BEEN WONDERFUL! Thanks for being such great friends to me. I love you all!
Its been a few days since surgery, and I am finally out of my bed. I even plan on wearing real clothes tomorrow.
Oh crap, who am I kidding, another new pair of pjs here I come.
Thank you friends, that have been supporting my " I gotta look good while sick and bring me a pair of pjs mission."
I have had a week full of wearing lovely new pjs and feeling hugged by the very ones that have gifted them to me.
Bart seriously has no clue now what to buy me for Christmas, because getting me pjs is always a winner :)
Eric blogged for me on Monday, about what happened during surgery. I wish I could tell you that I had more information about what exactly having a 'positive lymph node" means.
But in my mind, it means
Chemotherapy
Pet scan to see if the cancer has spread beyond my lymph nodes (which this part of it is causing my MIND to WORK overtime, I really need to stop overthinking it, wait for the doc to call me and figure out the gameplan from there on out)
The possibility of more surgery.
None of that is really official except the Chemo part. I hope to hear from my surgeon tomorrow with the biopsy results.
I have an official surgeon appointment, on Monday the 10th.
I have an oncology appt on Wednesday the 12th.
I had two days of discomfort with the surgery and then yesterday, I just took the meds so I could get good rest. Today was my first pain pill free day, but I really think I probably should have taken one or four :), so I wouldn't be driving myself crazy with all the "what if" thoughts.
Side note, the cards, food, gifts, flowers have all BEEN WONDERFUL! Thanks for being such great friends to me. I love you all!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Warrior Woman! Surgery Update...
Okay folks, this is Eric, Marsha's brother. She asked me to post something regarding her surgery and to try to be comical. Apparently, my humor is not up to her standards. I guess what I am trying to say here is that...not only is Buffy a biotch, but sometimes also...well, I think you get my point.
Anyway, Marsha had surgery today and the results were not as expected. Buffy was near the chest wall and decided to hold on for all she was worth causing them to have to remove a significant portion of her chest wall. Buffy had also spread to her first lymphnode which tested positive, but the one behind it tested negative.
What is on the horizon...Marsha will most likely deliver Buffy a one-two punch with radiation AND chemo (not the news we were expecting to hear). A mastectomy, however, is still in the cards as a possibility. Being the Princess that she is, she is concerned about her hair. I told her not to fear. I could do a fantastic style for her with my creative talents. I am not so sure she was keen on the idea. Anyway, she will be the Diva I have always loved and admired when all is said and done. She will kick Buffy's ass soon enough.
One thing I do know about my sister...she is an amazing woman who is tough and can tackle anything that comes her way. I look at this as another opportunity for her to show the world exactly what she is made of, exactly what I have always known she has been capable of doing. Since I have this opportunity, I want to publically acknowledge that I love her more than words. She has always placed everyone's needs above her own, but now it is her turn. I told her to milk it for everything it is worth. I sure as heck would!
She is resting and will post as soon as she can. I can assure you of one thing...it will be a more comical post than mine.
Anyway, Marsha had surgery today and the results were not as expected. Buffy was near the chest wall and decided to hold on for all she was worth causing them to have to remove a significant portion of her chest wall. Buffy had also spread to her first lymphnode which tested positive, but the one behind it tested negative.
What is on the horizon...Marsha will most likely deliver Buffy a one-two punch with radiation AND chemo (not the news we were expecting to hear). A mastectomy, however, is still in the cards as a possibility. Being the Princess that she is, she is concerned about her hair. I told her not to fear. I could do a fantastic style for her with my creative talents. I am not so sure she was keen on the idea. Anyway, she will be the Diva I have always loved and admired when all is said and done. She will kick Buffy's ass soon enough.
One thing I do know about my sister...she is an amazing woman who is tough and can tackle anything that comes her way. I look at this as another opportunity for her to show the world exactly what she is made of, exactly what I have always known she has been capable of doing. Since I have this opportunity, I want to publically acknowledge that I love her more than words. She has always placed everyone's needs above her own, but now it is her turn. I told her to milk it for everything it is worth. I sure as heck would!
She is resting and will post as soon as she can. I can assure you of one thing...it will be a more comical post than mine.
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