Radiation Oncologist Appointment - Check!

This morning Matt and I met with my Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Rachakonda and his lovely nurse, Linda. They were very helpful and provided us with more information about breast cancer and the journey I have ahead. I will not have radiation until after I have chemotherapy and surgery...so we left the appointment today with a "See you in 5-6 months!". It seems a little strange to think you set things up now for 5-6 months down the road, but I am a planner so this works for me!! Yes, us left brained people like to know the scoop (see all my scrapbooking friends, there are some advantages to being a left brainer!!)

The Grand River Cancer Centre has a plethora of information and services! Today they set me up with online access (so I can see my coming itinerary and what services they have available to me). They also offer several information sessions to help you through the coming unknown in a variety of subjects (from an intro to chemo to handling fatigue to looking good). I know some of these sessions will be very helpful and I'm again feeling so grateful that we have such a great facility right here in our own backyard.

Some good news today...it looks like the bone scan came back clean! Wahoo! I should get the results of my other tests on Tuesday when I meet with Dr. Califaretti. I'm also expecting to have an idea of the treatment plan after this meeting on Tuesday. At this point, it does look like chemo first, then surgery. I have no preference...just ready to get started.

I've been feeling a little sleepy this afternoon. I didn't sleep the greatest last night - probably a little anxious about the appointment today with Dr. Rachakonda. Thank goodness I'm a napper!! No problem curling up on the couch this afternoon for a nap with CSI on the TV (it's ok...I think I've seen them all anyway...).

I'm looking forward to seeing some of my favourite people tomorrow...and to take on some more loving!! I'd love to hear about what you are up to, so feel free to touch base and fill me in!!

Have a great long weekend everyone. Be safe and happy and enjoy feeling the sunshine on your face!!

xoxoxo

You may feel like you've wet your pants...

So, today I had my CT scan. This was another brand new experience for me, so I thought I'd share it with you, especially for those who have never had a CT scan before. I was not allowed to eat for four hours before the scheduled appointment time. Lucky me, my appointment was at 9:00 am...so it wasn't too big a deal (for someone like Matt who can't wait to jump out of bed in the morning so he can eat his breakfast, it would be a different story). Upon arrival I had to drink a VERY large glass of water. And half an hour after that, I had to drink another large glass of water. I was thirsty, so this part worked out good for me. And I was allowed to pee...so far I'm doing great! They put the wee IV in my arm so I'm ready to be injected when they are ready to scan me. It's not connected to anything yet (just me!!)...it's just there for when they're ready to go. They than start to explain how the scan works. "You will have a metal taste in your mouth, and feel a warm sensation through your body. It might feel like you've wet your pants, but you haven't." Ok...how smart is it really to tell someone who has had two very large glasses of water to drink that it'll feel like they've wet their pants...who comes up with these things??!! Of course, by the time Karen (the lovely and very kind person who did my scan) came to get me, I'd already peed once...and was pretty sure I needed to pee again. Because you know, if anyone is actually going to embarrass the hell out of themselves, it's going to be me.

So, Karen gets me all set up in the CT Scan machine. I had to lie down on a skinny bed (cot, board, metal plate) and they hooked up my IV to the dye (yes, they are going to inject me with dye so they can see what they need to see). At my feet, is the machine - that sort of looks like a thick bridge over the skinny bed. The bed moved and I was "scanned" by the bridge. There is a smiley face and a man's voice that told me when I can breath and when I have to hold my breath. The first couple of scans I was thinking, this is good...no metal taste, no warm feeling. I'm golden. Than my new friend Karen comes back and asks me how I'm doing. I tell her I'm great. She says "OK, now I'm going to start the dye into your IV". Ahhh...no wonder I'm golden. No dye yet. As soon as it started, I could taste the tinny taste...and feel the warm flood through my body and I really did feel like I might wet my pants (and did I mention I just had two large glasses of water and so actually needed to pee??)!! The scan did not take very long and Karen let me pee as soon as it was done (even before removing my wee IV). Bless her.

You know, for each of these scans so far, I've had to lie there with my arms over my head...which doesn't sound like a big deal...until you have to lie like that perfectly still for a long period of time. Today was the shortest time (about fifteen minutes) and it is definitely getting easier...it turns out you really don't hang out with your arms above your head much!!

Tonight I had a visit with my friends Firmina and Noemia. It was wonderful to see them both. I am finding great inspiration from Noemia, who is the same age as me and was diagnosed in January 2008. She had some great thoughts for me tonight and having been part of her journey makes me feel so much better prepared for my own. I thank you immensely for that my friend.

I continue to be inspired and strengthened by the support and love that you are all sending my way. Thank you!! I am so happy you are enjoying the blog and willing to join me on my journey!! All the tests that had been scheduled are completed. Tomorrow morning we meet with the Radiation Oncologist...let's get this party started!!

xoxox

A Day Free of Poking!

It's true...I wasn't poked once today. In fact, not only was it a day free of being poked (or prodded or injected or scanned), I didn't have one medical appointment today. Wahooey...a regular boring normal day!! I actually worked my full hours at work!! Yes, I know some of you have been wondering if I'm working right now. The answer is "Of course I am!!". I can't imagine sitting at home doing nothing and just waiting...I think I'd go bonkers! Work has been a fantastic distraction and I work with very supportive and understanding people, which is a definite plus!!

This photo was taken when my Dad, Marleen, Alyssa and Olivia came to see me on Sunday. Look at how beautiful these girls are! It's amazing the positive energy that waves out at you from kids. Of course, these two beautiful girls (inside and out) are a pure pleasure to have around!! Next time they have to bring their sister!!

I have my CT scan tomorrow morning at 9:00 am. I'm so happy it's first thing in the morning since I can't have anything to eat for four hours prior...it sure would stink if it was at noon or something!! This is the last of the tests before I meet with my medical oncologist on Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed that I find out the scoop and some answers to my never ending list of questions at that appointment!!

I have been receiving some wonderful emails and notes from people checking in and I can't stress enough how much that contact means to me. I'm sucking up all your best wishes, prayers and positive energies and putting it all to good use. Today I got an email from my step-brother Dave. He is a paramedic in the Ottawa area. And he had these very wise words for me that I've been waiting all day to share with you...

"I spend a lot of time on the roads and in the streets where my boots are on the asphalt. Every city and every person on the roads are connected. So think of me next time you step off the curb and onto the asphalt (watch out for traffic first). Because there are warm thoughts of love and wishes for peace of mind and strength of body for you from me and my family."

Now Dave broke the rule and made me get all teary, and he's forgiven because I really love this idea. Not everyone is right here in K-W with me. You're out there...wherever you live...and we truly are connected by the roads and the streets that lead from one house to the next and one city to the next, etc. I love the idea that everytime I hit the asphalt I can connect to each of you and the positive vibes you are sending my way. Thanks, Dave. I love the perspective you provided for me today. And thanks for looking out for my safety with the smart ass comment about looking both ways!!

A special thank you tonight to the Glass Girls for the support and special token that I will definitely carry with me.

'Til tomorrow my friends!

xoxo

I've been MUGA'd!

So, today I had to go for a MUGA scan. Back to nuclear medicine at GRH (Grand River Hospital) to have some more radioactive material injected. Wait for fifteen minutes and than have some blood drawn. I had a little wee IV in my arm so they could just keep going in and out. How nice for them!! And I guess for me too since it meant I only got poked once! Once they drew the blood, I waited another ten minutes and then they were ready to do the scan. I went back to the same machine where I had my skeletal scan on Friday, and now the camera was interested in taking pictures of my heart. My understanding of the purpose of this scan is to determine whether my heart will be able to handle the treatment (i.e. chemo). Listen, I'm pretty sure my heart can handle anything, so I'm thinking this would have been a whole lot easier if someone would have just asked me the question!!

The whole thing took less than an hour and a half. Sweet. And the worse part was when the lovely lady (her name was Jennifer) ripped the tape off my arm that was holding the wee IV in place. Holy Mother! Under my control, I'd have taken all afternoon to carefully and, oh so slowly, peel that tape off nicely. And painlessly. I figure if that's all I have to complain about so far, I'm doing pretty good!!

I've added a new section to the right listing my upcoming appointments. I have had many inquiries, so I thought I'd just put it here in case you were wondering.

I'm also trying to figure out how to send out email notifications to those that might want them when I have an update/new post. This does not seem to be an easy thing to do, unless you choose to be a "Follower" (also to the right). I'll keep working on this, but in the mean time, feel free to check back frequently. My hope is I'll have something to say every day ... or every other day. (No comments from the peanut gallery required).

I continue to feel strong and optimistic and a little anxious to get these tests done and the treatment (whatever it may be) started. Remind me I said this in a few months when I'm cursing the treatment, OK!!

Thank you to everyone for the amazing outpouring of support and love. I am basking in it all and feeling it right down to my toes!!

xoxox

Parental Visits!!!

On Saturday, Matt & I drove to Trenton to see my Mom & Ian. They are super busy right now getting ready to move, sell their house and have an auction! Thank goodness I can provide a distraction (hee hee)!! It was wonderful to see where Mom & Ian will be moving and also to see how organized my Mom is!! She still has some work to do, but she has made some huge progress. They move this Friday!!

On Sunday, Dad & Marleen (along with two of my beautiful nieces - Alyssa and Olivia) came to K-W for lunch. It was awesome to see them and to fill them in on what we know so far.

I am truly blessed to have such loving parents!! I was so happy to see their faces this weekend and let them see that I am doing really good, feel very positive and am really truly ready to fight!

The Skeletal Scan!!

So, on Friday I went for my first test. Besides some lab work (i.e. blood), I had some radioactive material injected into me (via a needle into my right arm). We went home, hung out for a couple of hours and than went back to Grand River for a skeletal scan. They scanned my whole body and I could see my skeletan on the screen as it scanned that section of my body. Very cool. I had extra scans done of my skull, ribs and pelvis/hip area.

Matt says I should tell people I had a "Boner". He also felt the need to play "Radioactive" by KISS...he's quite proud that there is a KISS song for every occassion!!

The scan was not scary in any way and it did not hurt. Hazel and Dan were awesome!!

Our understanding of the reason for the scan is to provide a benchmark (for later) and also to detect any cancer cells that may have packed their bags and moved on. Any possible spread will help determine the treatment plan.

I don't know any results...but Matt was wondering what Hazel had to say when she did the skull part and found it empty...

The Diagnosis...

Sometime mid-April, I found a small lump in my left breast. I went to my doctor and we had an ultrasound done at the end of April. The ultrasound showed a cyst. I was not worried about it and my doctor was not worried about it. We did decide it would be best to have the cyst aspirated (i.e. stick a needle in and pull the fluid out), and so a request was submitted for an appointment. We did not hear back from the surgeon and a month or so later when I started to have some discharge from that breast, my doctor pushed harder and got me into the Breast Clinic at Freeport Hospital in Kitchener. My appointment was for July 8th, for an aspiration. Know that at this point I was not worried...I didn't think anything was wrong...I just had a cyst and once we took the fluid out, I would be fine. The fluid would be tested just to be sure.

On July 8th when I went to my appointment, they discovered (via ultrasound) that it was no ordinary cyst. Instead of doing an aspiration, they did a biopsy. The radiologist was very clear to Matt and I at that time that she was pretty sure it was cancer and she would make sure her report stressed this. She did not want there to be doubt that could cause any delays. And she told me to call my doctor's office and let her know that the Radiologists was sending her report that day and that my doctor should make sure I had an appointment with the surgeon for when the pathology report (results from the biopsy) were available.

I am truly grateful for my family doctor for keeping the ball rolling on this, especially when we thought it was nothing. And I am grateful to the Radiologist for the conversation she had with Matt and I after my biopsy on July 8th. She gave us a great heads up and put me (and Matt) in a better position to deal with the news. At this point we knew it wasn't for sure...and only the pathology report would be able to confirm it.

My doctor's office received the pathology report late in the day on Thursday, July 15th. I had an appointment with the surgeon scheduled for Monday, July 19th. It will be one week tomorrow since I first met with the surgeon.

The surgeon confirmed that I do, in fact, have breast cancer. We know it's an invasive cancer and we know it's a large tumour. We don't know much else at this point. I have some tests to do over the next week to help with the staging and determine the treatment stategy.

I feel strong and confident that I will beat this thing. I am asking for lots of positive energy, thoughts and prayers. I am not sad and I am not afraid. I will admit to being a little nervous.

I say "Bring It"!! It has no idea who it's dealing with.