Slow to Heal

Every Monday we trudge to the plastic surgeon for follow up and every Monday we leave having to make another appointment for the next Monday!  Still having some healing issues and without giving "TMI Mom" as my kids tell me...I won't go into too much details.  The plastic surgeon is still not releasing me to return to work.  I am scheduled to return to work at LDS on the 11th.  I will know more at my appointment on the 7th whether or not I will be able to keep that date. 
I am feeling better but still not driving on my own yet.  I am a very blessed women to have a very patient and caring husband too!
I haven't felt any side effects from the Tamoxifen as of yet...although it is very early....
Becah is making all the grand girls crotchet hats for V-Day so I decided to give one a try...very addicting so I might have found a new hobby! 
Thanks to you all for your prayers and concerns!

GOOD PROGNOSIS

FINALLY the ONCOLOGIST appointment!
The DCIS tumors found in the tissue removed from the reduction are a low grade breast cancer. This is a very good prognosis. As the oncologist told us a year from now the picture would probably not have been so pretty!  
How very blessed I am that I listened to the promptings to have the reduction done!  
So...for now...since the tumors were low grade..NO radiation and no further imaging or surgery is needed.  
I have been placed on an oral medication called  Tamoxifen which I will take daily for the next 5 years! 
Tamoxifen is an antagonist of the estrogen receptor in breast tissue. It has been the standard endocrine (anti-estrogen) therapy for hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer. The side effects mostly include hot flashes but some people experience no side effects.

The oncologist will follow me every 3 months for a year and that will taper off over the next 5 years. 
He anticipates the next needed imaging will be in December where they will do a breast MRI instead of a mammogram.
How thankful I am for all the prayers and concerns in my behalf these past few weeks! 

Tender Mercies of Joy! 

HAPPY GRANDCHILDREN WEEK!

They will hold your hand only a little while, but will hold your

heart for a lifetime.

WE LOVE YOU ALL!

Trying To Keep My Mind Occupied!



KISS TO YOU!



Thanks to the R.S. for the call to re-stock the baby gift bags for the ward..I made about 20 of the cutest flannel burp cloths to put in the bags!  It was truly a blessing..Thanks Melony and Kristy for letting me do this...perfect timing! 

Also staying busy...working on some wood painting Valentine's Day projects..sooo cute!!  If my kids see this they can expect one of these soon!! 
Thanks for all the calls, food and well wishes too!
We are just hanging out, healing and waiting until Wednesday to meet with the oncologist. 
The Utah Breast Cancer network is amazing too! Have gotten calls from several people.  Have heard treatment could be observation to more surgery/radiation...I am sure each case is a bit different...We will see what is store for me!
Greg has been very sick this week with the respiratory flu...no flu shot dude...so we are pretty much hermits!!! 
We feel your love and prayers for us!
Love You All! 

Unbelievable But True

Last summer, my daughter-in-law Bethany's 2 sisters decided to have breast reductions. From the minute I heard about there adventure something kept telling me that is what I should do too. In October 2010 I took myself to the plastic surgeon to see if that would be something that would benefit me too as I have suffered from back, neck, and shoulder pain for many years. I scheduled the surgery for January 6, 2011. During that waiting time I have many doubts whether I should go thru with the surgery, not only from myself but others around me.

On January 6, 2011 I underwent surgery for breast reduction. They were able to take 605 gm off the right and 740 gm off the left. Although it wasn't a pleasant surgery the results were immediately impressive. Four days after my surgery I went to the plastic surgeon for a dressing change, much to my surprise he revealed to us that the tissue he removed from my left breast had signs of early breast cancer despite a normal mammogram 2 weeks before the surgery. He stated that he and the pathologist would go to the tumor board at the Huntsman Cancer Center and that we would have to wait a long week for more results.

During my follow up visit January 17, 2011 with the plastic surgeon I was told that in fact I have DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) localized in 2 tumors in my left breast. The tumors are very small, however since there are 2 of them the concerns are increased. Whether there are additional tumors in the remaining breast tissue is yet to be known. I will have an appointment with the oncologist next Wednesday (January 26, 2011) to determine my plan of care. Thankfully  at this stage, DCIS is a non-invasive, non-life threatening breast cancer but left untreated could certainly progress.

In retrospect I know that I was being inspired to have this surgery as it would have been a whole year before my next mammogram. I consider this a true tender mercy from my Heavenly Father. I plan to post things as they arise, so as to keep you all up to date on what is happening in my journey.

Grandma Jenny and Lauren. . .Cancer buds