More pokes~

Headed to KU Tuesday for 2 separate biopsies. One on my right breast and one on my left breast. The right breast already has been diagnosed with cancer. So...I am having a stereotactic biopsy on my right and an MRI guided biopsy on my left because of what they found when they did the MRI last week. Both involve being numbed with lidocaine and the MRI biopsy requires and IV to administer dye for the images. This is only the beginning. :(

Martina McBride - I'm Gonna Love You Through It

Upcoming Appointments~

November 1st at 2pm - Stereotactic biopsy on right breast - KU Cancer Center
November 3rd at 11am - Dr. Punnuru, plastic surgeon - KU Hospital - Sutherland Building
November 3rd at 1pm - Genetic test for the BRCA genes - KU Cancer Center
November 8th at 3pm - MRI guided biopsy on left breast - KU Cancer Center
November 15th at 10am - Dr. Mcginness, breast surgeon - KU Cancer Center
November 15th at 12:00 pm - Pre-anesthesia testing - KU Main Hospital


Hopefully...surgery in NOVEMBER.

My trip to the dermatologist~

I returned for my 6 week check up with the dermatologist regarding my cancerous mole. They removed it 6 weeks ago from my right shoulder and told me it was basal cell carcinoma. Today he said the final pathology report said it was actually squamous cell. Squamous cell carcinoma is more aggressive, more likely to spread and more likely to reoccur than basal cell. The good news is that I had clear margins! But, now I have to go back to be checked every 6 months for the rest of my life. LOL

MRI Results..... GOOD NEWS AND SOME BAD BUT THANK GOD FOR THE GOOD NEWS~

I received a call from the nurse at my surgeon's office last night about 7pm.  She told me what the MRI showed. SO......the GOOD NEWS IS..... according to the images.....this cancer has NOT spread to my lymph nodes. THANK YOU GOD! Now....the bad news is.....I have to have 2 more biopsies that are scheduled for November 1st. The first biopsy (stereotactic, like the first biopsy) will look at the other spot of microcalcifications ( there is a good chance this is cancer) that they found on the previous images which also showed up on the MRI located on the right side of my right breast. The original biopsy which was cancerous in all 11 sections was on the left side of my right breast.  The second biopsy (MRI guided) will look at a spot the MRI found on my left breast. This spot is NOT a microcalcification and the nurse said it could be anything....they just want to look at it to find out what it is. So....I am taking it one day at a time and very thankful for at least SOME positive news. Keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming! :)

Pathology Report~

Since reviewing my pathology report.... I noticed that my type of DCIS is Comedo Nucelear grade 3+ which is a high grade of DCIS:

Comedo type DCIS. Comedo looks and acts differently from other in situ subtypes. Comedo tends to be slightly more aggressive than other forms of DCIS. These cells are closer to invasive breast cancer cells in how they look and behave than other forms of DCIS. Comedo cells look different under the microscope because the center of the duct is plugged with dead cellular debris, known as necrosis. Necrosis seen under a microscope in DCIS usually means that the cells are fast-growing and are generally more aggressive or high-grade. Also, microcalcifications (small abnormal calcium deposits) are frequently seen in the areas of necrosis.

Nuclear grade refers to the rate at which the cells are dividing to form more cells (called proliferation). Cancer cells that divide more often are faster growing and more aggressive than those that divide less often. The nuclear grade is determined by the percentage of cells that are dividing. Cells have different grades ranging from 1 to 3.

Remember, the lower the grade, the more normal the cell. While high-grade DCIS is more likely to become an invasive cancer, it is also the easiest to contain. It tends to grow in a continuous pattern within the duct and is more localized within the breast. Low grade lesions tend to have more gaps and can be more widespread.
All 11 sections removed during the biopsy were cancerous... Hopefully it is still contained.

The MRI~

The MRI went fantastic! I was really amazed at how easy it was...so I was scared for no reason.... The nurse did give me a valuim about 30 minutes prior to the test. They put an IV in my arm to inject dye for some of the  images. I had to lay face down which put you in the mind of a massage table....I never looked up...so I never realized or could see that I was enclosed! They took over 1500 images! Now just waiting for results. Hoping to get some news today....hoping it is good news!

Bravery~

Today I have to go have an MRI of my breasts. For any ordinary individual this would be as easy as pie, but for me....I happen to be severely claustrophobic.... The nurse assured me that they would give me something to help relax me, so I am hoping I will get it done. If I ever need to have my bravery boosted...all I have to do is look at my amazing 10 year old son Trevor. He is the bravest kid I know. He has been through so much, but continues to live life to the fullest and fights CF all the way. So proud of him. He is my hero and I look up to him for strength.

Relying on TRUST and FAITH~

There comes a point in everyone's life when you have to put all your personal feelings aside....all of your neurotic idiosyncrasies and just rely on trust and faith. Trust and faith in God, trust and faith in the doctors and healthcare professionals, family and friends, but most of all...trust and faith in yourself. I am at that point in my life. It is funny....I used to never think about my boobs. Now....since I found out about the cancer....I can't stop thinking about them. I worry about how I am going to feel about myself after the surgery...and how long it is going to take me to heal up. I worry that the cancer may have spread or may come back after all I am going to have to go through to get rid of it. God must feel I am stronger than I think I am...... strong enough to make it through all this with flying colors and I am not about to let God down or anyone else for that matter. I have 3 amazing sons who are depending on me to be the strongest I can be. Will I make it through all of this without being down, or crying, or screaming and yelling?? Probably not, but I wont give up. Trust and faith is my master plan! I will get through it! I feel the love and support from all my friends and it makes me feel so good. Please continue praying. And to my brother Gary.... I promise I will be as strong as I can be. ♥

Love to all♥

Gail

GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH~

I had my consultation with the breast surgeon yesterday. Upon reviewing all of my pictures again with the radiologist....they discovered another spot of microcalcifications on the other side of my right breast. It would be impossible now to do a lumpectomy with spots on both sides. They took out 11 sections during the biopsy and all 11 were cancerous. They are still telling me it is not invasive, but wont know until they do the surgery. Looks like I will have a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction....I am scared out of my mind.

MY JOURNEY SO FAR~

Well the last month was quite a month.... Nothing like going in for a routine medical test and finding out you have cancer! Last week when I found out the results of my biopsy, I have to admit that I was scared out of my mind. The word CANCER in and of itself is intimidating and could make the strongest person break down.....I am by no means the strongest person. LOL I even had a panic attack in the middle of the night during which I woke my husband up who proceeded to calm me down. Anyway..... since then I have had the pleasure and the privilege of talking with several women who have had breast cancer. Man oh man.....these women are strong! No nonsense....just get it done! GET RID OF THE CANCER! I am so thankful to be able to talk with these women and still have several women that I have not had a chance to communicate with yet, but plan to talk with soon! I also need to mention all the kind words, prayers, and thoughts from my amazing friends! Thank you all so much! Keep the faith! I appreciate each and every one of you!!!  I have always believed that things happen for a reason..... Maybe this is God's way of telling me to wake up and smell the roses! Enjoy each and every moment because tomorrow is not promised.  Am I still scared?? YEP, but I intend to fight this and beat this and I am very blessed that it was found early. The treatment at this point is minimally invasive.  My advice to other women out there......GET A YEARLY MAMMAGRAM and ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE.....even the bad ones! Life can be taken away in a NEW YORK minute.... don't let that happen with a bunch of "I should haves" or " I was going tos" or " I wish I would haves". Life is happening right now and we all need to take advantage of that. We all have our loads to bear... our burdens, but they do not define our lives. Make the most of every situation, do something nice for someone else without expecting anything in return  and SMILE  and LOVE as much as you can!

NOT SO GREAT NEWS....Cancer at age 46~

My biopsy results are in... The nurse called from KU Cancer Center yesterday and said the results showed DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in situ). Cancer of the breast ducts. That is the bad news....now for the good news.... this was found very, very early so they say it is not life threatening at this point and is contained, it has not spread anywhere. I have another consultation with the breast surgeon on the 13th and we will discuss the treatment. I know the spot will have to be removed which involves a surgery. Anesthesia makes me violently ill. They also want to do an MRI and I am severely claustrophobic. So I am scared of the process it is going to take to get rid of this little spot of cancer, but willing to do what is necessary to get healthy again. They also don't know until they remove the spot...whether it is invasive or not. Lots to think about right now...alot to process all at once. Thankful that it was caught early...

For more information on DCIS....

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/dcis/