Let the expansion begin

Revisited the pathology report with Dr. Dickler and Dr. King and talked about our plan of action. We are now moving into the expansion phase. Tomorrow morning is the first one... Should be interesting!

Pathology Report

I just got off the phone with Dr. King. There were two distinct caner tumors in my right breast. One tumor was killed by the chemo, while the second one wasn't. Dr. King is looking in to why that happened and if we need any other coarse of treatment because of that. She removed 24 lymph nodes under my right arm. 11 of them showed signs of cancer. Dr. King was able to get clear margins in all areas. Radiation is going to be an important part of my treatment, so we will discuss this in depth tomorrow with her and Dr. Dickler (the oncologist).My left breast was clear.
I guess I will have a better handle on this after we meet tomorrow.. I will keep you posted. You keep praying!

All is good

Just got off the phone with the plastic surgeon. After discussing the fluid output of my drains, he feels that it is time for them to come out! Hurray! Once again, bright and early tomorrow morning, Dan and I will going to NYC to do this. Everything is going better than expected.. Keep praying..

I'm Home

I'm home! What a wonderful feeling. Feeling good but moving slow.. Thank you for all the cards, flowers, fruit and calls. I love you all. I will write more when I am up and around!

Pray

Surgery is on for tomorrow at 7 am.
I will update the blog as soon as I can.

Feeling Great

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.I have been enjoying spending time with friends and getting outside. Yesterday we went to the St. Patrick's Day parade in Seaside. Not only did we get to spend time with Deb, Ken and their family, we also ran into Dan's cousin Don and his family. After the parade it was off to the rink for Travis' playoff hockey game. Although his team lost, I think he had a great season and really enjoyed the sport. While we were there, I was able to spend time with Karen Maxwell (a friend from work). It was so uplifting to see her.

Sean, Kate and Luke are also enjoying the nicer weather. Once again, "Hide and Go Seek" has become a daily activity in our yard.

Tomorrow is another day and it is back to business. I am busy trying to get all my "ducks is a row".

Keep the prayers coming as phase 2 is quickly approaching..

Love you all.

Cautiously Optomistic

Dan and I went to Sloan today to meet with the surgeon and the oncologist. What a great day. Both doctors said that by looking at the MRI with contrast they did a couple of weeks ago, it appears that the chemo killed all the cancer in my breast including the lymph node!! Of course nothing is 100% and we will not know for sure until the pathology report comes back from the surgery.Who could ask for anything more?!! I am going for surgery on Wednesday, March 18th instead of the 20th. No need to panic, it got moved up because of the doctors scheduling. I will still need radiation but we are not sure when that will take place. The doctors are leaning toward starting radiation after I am expanded from the first surgery. I also got up the courage to ask what stage my cancer was. Believe it or not, I never asked the doctors that, I was just going off what I read on an initial report. Anyway, I am stage two bordering on stage 3 due to the size and lymph nodes..Not that it really matters anyway..
I am feeling GREAT!! At this point, I am ready to tackle this next phase... As I refer to it, it is time for the clean up crew to go in and then build the new me!! Bring it on!!
Keep the prayers coming as the BIG GUY upstairs is definitely listening!!