Enjoying each day...

We are enjoying each day. January 3 I have my 1st Chemo treatment of 4, the treatments will be 21 days apart. I am thankful to have Christmas and David Alexanders 6th birthday without treatments. I will also be done before David and William's 4th birthdays. That is nice. Very nice.

David Alexander is starting to read and is very excited by it. He has his first loose tooth. David loves school so much. Today at the school cafeteria he told his friends while trying to lift my shirt " You have got to see what happened to my mom's breast." Boys !!- he thinks the stitches of my unboob are so cool.

William has gone to his new school since the 4th of December. He loves it so much. He is singing all kinds of songs and today he was weather watcher. So cool. He is funny, loving and so strong willed.

David Randall is doing good at work - new two year contract, bonuses etc. Still can be stressful. He has been busy fixing things around the house. I feel very blessed to have such a loving and committed man by my side. I only thought that I married well!!!!!

I am doing really good. I have great range of motion. I can not remember when I took a pain reliever last. I am also getting comfortable when I am sleeping. I do miss sleeping on my left side . I am attending two different support groups. Unfortunately, I am not alone. Pink Ribbon Cowgirls is a support group for women under 40 there are 60 members in the Austin area. The other group at the church has much older women but they are very maternal and nurturing.

All things considered we are doing well. I appreciate all the cards, phone calls and emails but especially the prayers. I feel so blessed by the fact that I have people and churches across the nation praying for me and my sweet boys. Thank you so much!

How I am feeling...

I am recovering wonderfully from the surgery. I do however get very tired by 4pm. I have been in bed by 9:00pm most nights if not earlier. Please feel free to call me in the daytime. I'll apologize ahead of time for seeming distracted - no I am not doing anything else- just tired.

Thank you for the cards and phone calls... love to you all

The Plan

I saw the oncologist today. She was so excited about my pathology report. It is truly the best situation it can be. If I were 50 or older she would not even recommend chemo but I am 36 - so we will do chemo. I will have four treatments that are twenty-one days apart. Then I will take a oral hormone therapy for five years. My first treatment will be January 3rd, 2008.

I'll be done by March!!! No chemo for all three of my boys birthdays!! December 21, March 27, April 4 .....Good news indeed!

Thank you for all the love, prayers and yummy dinners. Love to you all.....

Monday, Dec 3

Tomorrow, I have an appointment with Dr Patt my oncologist. We will be making a treatment plan. I am looking forward to moving on with my treatment .

I was blessed on Friday to be invited to a Breast Cancer Resource Center class called "Navigating through Breast Cancer". It was a wonderful experience for David, his parents and myself. We were given a binder full of resources and information. It was such a great evening - to meet people who have been through this and now are here to help us.

After I get the plan I will let you know what I need. I appreciate so much all of the prayers, cards, and kindness. Thank you so much!

Monday back to....

Today David Alexander had school today. He had a great day! William and I had a good day too! It was however hard to get back on schedule for us - early to bed for all of us tonight. I feel wonderful! Tomorrow, I see the surgeon and I'll get one or both of my drains out. December 3 I'll see the oncologist to make a plan of action. Right now the plan is rest, recover, and heal! Oh yes and have fun!
Thank you all for the prayers, friendship and kind words.

Great News from the Pathology Report

Dr. O'Farrell, the surgeon, called today with the pathology report. The lymph nodes were completely clear of an cancerous cells. So the cancer did not spread. He did not take any of the pectoral muscle but some of the tissue that envelopes around it. That and the breast cells were clear of any cancerous cells close to the muscle. All receptors were positive and therefore could be treated with hormone therapy. All wonderful news in a not so great situation. I do not understand all of this information now but will soon. Keep up all the good work- the prayers are helping!!!

Happy Thanksgving!

Today is Friday November 23, another new day, another great day. I am feeling pretty good and working hard to keep my spirits up. Thank you for all the prayers, phone calls, meals and flowers. I know this journey is not always going to be easy but together with the Lord we can do it.

Home, Sweet, Home

Hello everyone! Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts during my surgery and at the beginning of my recovery. I feel really great! I have some tender areas and get tired easily but that is to be expected. I was home around 2:00 this afternoon (11-20). It is good to be home!

Emotionally, I am also doing well. I am so delighted to be cancer free! Pathology reports should be in by Friday which will help us make our plan for the next course of action. It was a little unnerving to see the unveiling of my "unboob" this afternoon- all the pictures I saw were of nicely healed ones. But this to shall pass and it certainly beats having the big lump in my breast.

Meals- we are doing real well on meals. I am going to take November and December out of the loop. The timing is perfect because I can start radiation or chemo after the new year.

Thank you for all the delicious food and prayers.

Love and prayers to you all too! Laura

Resting Comfortably

Laura has had a very good day. She arrived at her hospital room about 2:00pm. She was alert and in good spirits. She is eating, drinking, walking and eager to get back home. The medical professionals at Seton Medical Center were pleased with the way that her procedures went and her progress thus far. We still seem to be on target to be discharged at some point on Tuesday. Thank you for all of the nice calls and well wishes.

Out of Surgery at 11:20am

Laura is breathing on her own again and on her way to recovery. She is in great spirits, but she will be spending the night at the hospital and heading home tomorrow. We will post again later when we have some more information to share.

Genetic Test Results

I am BRACA negative!!!!! Yahooooooo! With that said, Monday November 19th, I will have a mastectomy of my left breast at 10:00 at Seton on 38th Street. I should be home Tuesday evening. David will update the blog so you can get my latest medical information. I am so excited to get the cancer out and start the healing process. It is going to be a long journey but we can do it with God and all the loving family and friends at our side.

The next step begins in 4 - 6 weeks and depends on the pathology reports. Updates as soon as the cancer is reviewed for what to do and when.

I love you all and thank you so much for the prayers and support!

Waiting....

We are still waiting on the genetic test results. They were "Fed Ex"ed on Friday the 9th. So hopefully tomorrow. William and I have been busy looking for school like a MDO so I can get some extra help. We have found several nice places. Now I just need to decide. I had my
pre-operation appointment today - it took a loooooong time but now everything is in order for Monday. We are still waiting for the genetic test results.....

New Books

I am so excited I found two books written by an oncologist and a breast cancer survivor. One is a guide to treatment and feelings. The second is an guide for nutrition and exercise while you are beating breast cancer. I can not wait to read them.

Meals Calendar

I have been so blessed with loving family and friends. You have all lovingly offered meals and help with William and David. I have added a calendar if you would like to sign up to bring meals. Please do not feel obligated. Just email me and I'll add you to the calendar. I have a good friend who is a cancer survivor. She said it would be best for us to have 3 meals a week while I am going through chemo and radiation. Thank you again and in advance. I know that with your loving support this journey will be easier.

Surgery on 19th

I have scheduled the mastectomy on the 19th of November. I still do not have the results from the genetic test. I will if negative keep the right breast and if positive have both breast removed. Four weeks following surgery I will start radiation. Radiation will be 5 minutes a day, 7 days a week, for 7 weeks. Immediately following will be chemo. Chemo will be 1 time a week for 3 months or 6 months. Eighteen months to two years from initial surgery will be reconstructive surgery. That is a light at the end of a tunnel. Another bonus is reconstructive surgery will use tummy, behind and thigh tissue. The delay is that chemo and radiation kill fast growing new cells and reconstruction is just that.

The surgeon visit

We saw the surgeon yesterday. I will have the left breast completely removed, radiation, then chemo, and finally reconstructive surgery. If I am genetically predisposed to cancer then I will have both breast removed, radiation, then chemo, and finally reconstructive surgery. My huge dilemma is if I am not predisposed to cancer do I still then keep the right breast? What are my chances of getting breast cancer in it? The genetic results should be in on the 9th. Thank you again for all of your kind words, prayers and support!

Where we are....

Friday, we had an appointment with Dr. Patt, the oncologist. I will have surgery, radiation (because the cancer tumor is 1 cm from my pectoral muscle), chemo, and then reconstructive surgery. The type of surgery is a personal choice - and it is a difficult choice to make. I want to be healthy as quickly and simply as possible. We will continue to discuss it and of course follow the surgeon's advice. The results from the genetic testing should be back after the 9th. That will also play a huge part in what our final surgery decision is. We meet with the surgeon tomorrow. Thank you for the continued support, love and prayers!

Happy Halloween!

Darth Vader and Little Anikan Skywalker had a great time walking around our block Trick or Treating! Thank you for all of your prayers and kind words!

Feelings....

Well, I have given you all kinds of medical information but I have not told you how I feel. Before the diagnosis I was positive there was no way I could have breast cancer. Then I would feel angry. How could this happen? Of course, I was scared. Now that I have been diagnosed with breast cancer I am shocked! Once I caught my breath, I have tried to maintain a positive and faithful attitude. I am so grateful to my ob for finding my lump. I am so grateful that it is not a death sentence to have breast cancer. It does however change my life. I am so grateful for all the prayers, kind words and offers for help. I feel so blessed to have so many loving offers given and prayers said on my behalf. Thank you so much!

Upcoming appointments:

October 29th, 2007 - Meet with Cardiologist for echo cardiogram

November 2nd, 2007 - Follow up appointment with Oncologist

November 5th, 2007 - Follow up appointment with Surgeon

Surgery to be scheduled....

Chemo - to follow four weeks after surgery

Doctors

Dr. Debra Patt - oncologist
http://www.texasoncology.com/TopaSearch/physiciandetail.asp?id=352

Dr. Kevin O'Farrell - surgeon
http://www.austinregionalclinic.com/doctors/ofarrell.htm

How my walk began....

October 4th, 2007- Annual ob check up- Dr. found lump in my left breast.

October 4th, 2007- Mammogram - found additional mammogram was needed

October 16th, 2007- Mammogram and Ultrasound found biopsy was needed

October 18th, 2007- Biopsy- 9 samples of tissue were taken for evaluation

October 22nd, 2007- Results from biopsy- it is cancer

October 22nd, 2007- MRI- no other cancer cells in breast, lymp nodes clean, found spot on liver

October 24th, 2007- Meet with oncologist, Dr. Debra Patt

October 26th, 2007- MRI of the liver, CT Scan, Bone Scan- found spot on liver was not a concern, no other cancer was found