Recovery

When I first started this blog, I had full intentions of updating it weekly. That lasted for about two weeks. Between work, school starting, kid time and keeping on top of everything that this diagnosis has brought.....my head felt like it could explode. And I was given strict orders from the nurse to stay away from Social Media while on pain meds. No telling what I would have broadcasted!  

Since my surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago, I've been forced to unplug from from my normal daily routine.  It's been actually been the best medicine for healing. Dr. Cross, the Breast Surgeon, and Dr. Atwood, the Plastic Surgeon, were both involved in the surgery as the reconstruction began concurrently with the mastectomy.  I had been prepped by many women who've already gone through the process.  So far, everything has been just as they all described to me.  I spent one night in the hospital and was home by 11:00 am the next day.  I'm not going to lie....those first 4-5 days were pretty rough.  There was no bed in the house I could have easily got in and out of.  So, I've took up residence on a living room recliner.  I came home with four drains, which were nothing short of annoying.....but manageable.  I was able to get two out within 6 days.  The last two came out earlier this week, at day 14. This was a big day.....shower day. There is no spa treatment that could have possibly felt as good as that shower did.....even though I'm still unable to wash my hair.

Dr. Cross called me a couple of days after my surgery with my pathology report.  I received the most excellent report!  No additional malignant areas in the right breast outside of the original tumor site, which was less than 6mm.  AND....no cancer in the left breast!!  Less than 6mm. A tiny dot!  The size of a tick.  The size of a Fruity Pebble!  A BB Gun pellet!  I think I can live with that.  God is so good!!

I began to feel so much better last week.  So good, that I haven't realized my limitations.  I was scolded by the doctor last week for not resting enough and doing too much.

My sweet mother-in-law left on Sunday after a two week stay.  She has been a life saver for us and I don't know what we would have done without her.

What's next?  I have an appointment in two weeks with an Oncologist to discuss additional treatment. The focus now shifts to minimizing recurrence. I will keep y'all posted on that. 

I currently have expanders that were put into place on the day of the surgery.  As uncomfortable as they are, they give me a little shape.....and emotionally, that goes a long way. I'll go in biweekly to have saline added to the ports of the expanders. Once we are all satisfied with "projection", I'll have a final procedure to remove the expanders and they'll be replaced with implants. I am absolutely amazed at the progress that has been made with breast cancer research and treatment. Survivors now have hope of returning to a very normal life. 

I cannot thank everyone enough for all the prayers, flowers, food, gift cards, checking on us....and on and on and on.  I've been in very good hands as you can see by my charge nurse, who's decided to break dress code.

11 Years

I'll admit, when I first started this blog, it was to give updates to family and friends.  I have actually found it to be very therapeutic for me. 

Today marks 11 years since my mom passed away.  I was with several of my girlfriends when I got the call.  The Lord and my mother knew I needed to be surrounded by these lovely ladies.  My dad called telling me that mom had passed away peacefully.  He was surrounded by all of his brothers and sisters and naturally worried about my brother and me and how we would handle the news.  At that point, the most amazing thing happened.  All of my girlfriends, stood in a circle and held hands.  I don't think any of us were raised in the same faith.....but the most beautiful prayers went up from everyone in the circle.  I will never forget that moment as long as I live. 

Eleven years later, I still miss her like crazy.  This year has been harder than the past few.  I still want to pick up the phone and talk to her so bad.  However....at the same time, I've had an overwhelming sense of comfort.  My mother made friends with everyone.  It never mattered what their background or circumstances was....she was a true friend.  Because of this, I know she's up there making contact with multitudes of folks and having prayer meetings in my honor.  It's evident by all of the good reports that have come over the last few days. 

One of the last things she ever said to me was "Don't worry sugar.  The Lord makes a way where there seems to be no way."  I never thought I could go on without my best friend....but I didn't have too.  She still makes her presence known.  That saying has stood true to me as soon as I received my diagnosis....and I see the way.

Have a blessed night....and tell your mommas and dads how much you love them.

A Blessed, Busy Week

What an extremely busy week this was.  I had a friend who has recently went through all of this ask me if my head felt like it was going to explode yet.  Between work, all of the appointments and getting  kids registered for fall activities, I had a minor meltdown mid-week.  It was a close the office door, keep the Kleenex by the desk and cry it out kind of meltdown.  Monday and Tuesday, we met with two different reconstruction surgeons. These appointments were all foreign to me as I've never had the privilege of meeting with a plastic surgeon.  And if I had, my interest would have been a procedure to remove excess from my backside or mid-section, not to enhance my chest area. All appointments so far have been discussing pathology reports, MRIs and treatment options. The reconstruction appointments have been completely opposite from previous ones. Picture this.... My husband and I are placed in a room. The nurse comes in with her iPad, sits down and says, "Cynthia, have you thought about what size you'd like the final product to be?"  Wait, what....final product?  Then she whipped out all the pictures.  Then there's my engineer husband who thinks to ask questions like what would happen if I were in an auto accident and one of the implants broke or burst. Then there's so many options....silicone, saline, shape, size, etc.  It all threw me completely off guard.  I found myself feeling a little guilty for "shopping" when there are so many other women who are so sick and do not have this option.  I've never really complained about my "barely Bs."  And if I had the choice, I'd keep them forever and forgo the next few months. Since that's not an option, I may "add a little" to Cindy's treasure chest...just maybe.

On Thursday, I had the sentinel node biopsy.  We were home by 2:00 and my husband shifted into care taking mode, which I've thoroughly enjoyed.  He even offered to blow dry and style my hair!  He's a keeper.  The pain hasn't been too bad other than figuring out which bra to wear.   My son's Ninja Turtle pillows have been life savers for keeping my arms from touching my incisions.....turtle power.  I didn't expect to get the results from the biopsy until potentially Monday.  However, on Friday evening, Dr. Cross called.  My heart sank slightly as my husband handed me the phone.  Guess what?  No cancer in the lymph nodes!!  This has been the best news yet!!!!!  Looks like my treatment will consist of bilateral mastectomy and hormone therapy.  No Chemo!!! God is good!

I've had five ladies schedule mammograms since I've told them my news. Keep it up, ladies. And if you aren't 40, but have an uneasy feeling....keep on your doctors. There's not another person in the world who knows your body better than you! You are your #1 advocate, so speak up if something doesn't feel right.

I have been overwhelmed with support from all of my friends and family.  Thanks to everyone of all your prayers.

I leave you with this verse tonight.  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.  Mark 11:24  

Have a blessed evening. 

The Beginning

First of all, I do not consider myself a professional blogger.  I have a hard enough time spelling and using proper grammar.  However, I have struggled with the best avenue of communication to friends and extended family.  So here it is, from the beginning.

In late June, everything was completely normal with me and my sweet family.  We were packed and walking out the door for our annual beach vacation when I noticed a piece of mail from The Breast Center.  I was certain that it was my letter notifying me that my mammogram was normal and they'd see me next year.  Instead, it said they needed me to come back in for some additional images.  So, I called, got it scheduled and we were off to Florida.  The Monday we returned from vacation, I went in for my appointment, had an ultrasound and was informed they'd like to take a biopsy of a small area.  Two days later, I went in for my breast biopsy....still not overly concerned.  I asked the doctor what percentage of the biopsies came back clean.....and her reply was 80%.  Surely, I had nothing to worry about.  She told me that I could expect a call that next day.  Now to July 3, which I do believe was the longest day of my life!  10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 4:00....no word.  We were packed and heading back out of town to spend the 4th at my in-laws cabin.  Finally, at 6:00....."Mrs. Paladino?  This is Dr. Smith-Foley.  Is this a good time for you to talk?" As if I was going to tell her to call back after the long weekend, right?  "Mrs. Paladino, unfortunately, the biopsy came back positive for breast cancer."  At that point, it was like I was talking to Charlie Brown's teacher, because I heard nothing else she had to say.  I was devastated and looked into my kids' futures without me around to see all of their special moments.  The next 24-48 hours were pretty much rock bottom.  Over the weekend, I did lots of research on breast cancer and realized that it was not the death sentence that originally entered my mind.

The next week we began to get some questions answered around my diagnosis.  I am realizing how little I know about breast cancer.  There are so many variables that go into a diagnosis and treatment. As these variables all come together from tests, MRIs, ultrasounds, etc.......you wait, and wait, and wait.  That has been my biggest challenge by far.  Patience is definitely not my best attribute.  And then there all the different physicians you begin to get scheduled with.  It can be completely overwhelming.

Here's where we are today.  I have Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma, which is the most common form of breast cancer. The tumor is  a small, Grade 1 (slow growing).  It's Estrogen and Progesterone positive.  Hormone receptor status is a main factor in planning treatment.  Another important variable is a protein that appears on the surface of breast cancer cells, HER2 status.  Mine is HER2 negative.  Prior to diagnosis, this was all foreign language to me.  Bottom line, my cancer has a very good prognosis.  

I have two options for surgical removal of the cancer.....lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation, or bilateral mastectomy.  After much thought and discussion with the breast surgeon, I've decided to go with the complete mastectomy.  Although, my chances of recurrence are low....I want to take all precautions to take that chance to as close to zero as possible.  

Because my breast cancer is hormone receptor positive, this tells us that further treatment can be done with hormone blocking therapy rather than chemotherapy.....thank goodness.

I've also submitted a sample for genetic testing because of my mom's cancer and the uncertainty of it's origin.  With the chance it started in her ovaries, there will be a possibility we'll need to look at more frequent screenings for ovarian health.  There is a direct relation between breast cancer and ovarian cancer.  Unlike breast cancer screenings, there are no annual screenings that test for ovarian cancer.  I am still waiting on the results from the BRCA tests.....but that will not impact my decision to move forward with the mastectomy. 

This week is full of appointments.  I'll meet with two reconstructive surgeons and should get an idea of what my "after picture" will be like.....aka, Cindy's Treasure Chest.  Should be interesting to say the least.   I'm also scheduled to have a sentinel node biopsy, which will determine if there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes.  So far since my diagnosis, all of my tests have come back very favorable and I pray this does as well. 

I know the road is not going to be a cake walk, but I know I'm going to be fine.  Within 3 days of my diagnosis, I was put in contact with 5-6 wonderful ladies....all who've recently gone through the same fears and emotions following their diagnosis.  I'm already looking forward to getting this all behind me so I can be supportive to other women who have been diagnosed and looking for someone just to listen and talk too.  It has been such a blessing to talk to such an inspirational  group of ladies.  

I'll continue to post as I find out new information.  A big thank you to everyone who has added me to their prayer lists and checked on me.

I do have to get on my soap box for just a moment.  Ladies....get your mammograms and get them regularly.  This was an absolute complete shock to me.  Just a year ago, I had a completely clear mammogram.  Just do it!!  If I had skipped my mammogram or put it off this year, we may have been looking at a completely different treatment plan.  Okay, I'm done now.  You're welcome.