Moved to a new platform

 I have moved the blog to WordPress since people couldn't sign up to follow by email here.  The new address is:

https://fromthesaucer.com/

Thanks!!

Seeing the oncologist

 Finally got home and settled in after seeing the oncologist and going to the pharmacy. Here's the schedule for Sep:

Sep 8 see the breast surgeon to discuss the new surgical plan

Sep 14 get labs and see my primary care physician 

Sep 15 First round of chemo at 10:00 am, should last 2.5 hours

Sep 16 get an injection to increase production of white blood cells (this will be done after every round of chemo)

Sep 19 bone density scan.

Thank you so much for all your support!! It means the world to me!!

Port Placement & more appointments

The port placement yesterday went very well.  I was awake the entire time but didn't feel any pain after the little pinch of the anesthesia. I rested at home most of the rest of the day.

I had only gotten 3 hours sleep the night before the procedure so we figured for sure I'd sleep during it. Nope. Nor was I able to sleep later that day, at least not until bedtime. Here's a couple of pictures:

This is what the area looked like when they were done. Not painful, but it has been sore since the anesthesia wore off.

I also got some beautiful flowers from my grandkids in Kansas

And a beautiful Survivor figurine from  my mom:

Today I had a CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis for baseline information. I expect to get those results over the weekend. I have chemo teaching on Aug 31. Hopefully I will start actual chemo shortly after that. I am hoping and praying I can get it done on a Thursday or Friday so I can recuperate over the weekend and be back to work on Monday. Then, 3 weeks later I will repeat the process, for a total of 6 cycles.

I see my surgeon on September 8 to discuss the new surgical plan and talk about scheduling. I need to know the date as soon as possible because my mom is planning to fly out here from Tennessee and my son also wants to be there. He lives in Kansas. September 14 I have my annual appointment with my primary care physician and September 19 I have a bone density scan. That's all the appointments for now.

Plot twist! Chemotherapy....

The MRI I had done on August 10 showed a second spot, as well as my first spot being 3.6 cm not 1.7 cm as the ultrasound had measured it. So, I had an ultrasound and a biopsy for the second spot. It came back showing cancer, measuring 1.3 cm. 

Because of the size change in the first spot, and the addition of the second spot, I am no longer a candidate for lumpectomy.  I have to have a mastectomy.  Because I want reconstruction to be done at the same time as the mastectomy,  it will take some time to arrange.

So, I will be doing chemo first.  I get a port placed this morning (in about 4 hours). I should start chemo soon, don't have a date yet. I will be doing 6 infusions of 4 different chemotherapy medications (TCHP : Taxotere® [docetaxel],  Carboplatin,  Herceptin® [trastuzumab], and Perjeta® [Pertuzumab]). I will have 1 infusion every 3 weeks and will be doing chemo for 4 1/2 months.

Not gonna lie, I'm starting to feel the gravity of the situation. The infusions will last for 4-7 hours each time. There are a ton of side effects. And then I have to face major, life altering surgery. I've only slept about 3 hours tonight. I know I'll sleep during the day today, both during the procedure and after I get home. 

My husband, mother and son have been my biggest supporters but I worry about them. I wonder how I would feel if my spouse, daughter or mom had cancer. This has been a bumpy ride so far and today marks exactly 2 months since my diagnosis. 

I have missed 6 days of work so far and had numerous appointments I scheduled around work. I am a behavioral counselor for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and am an independent contractor. If I don't see clients I don't get paid. Because of this and because I expect to be out a lot more days over the course of my treatment,  I started a Gofundme. Please give if you can and if you cannot, please share my link. To those who have already donated, I am eternally grateful!! Thank you!

https://gofund.me/4d057759

More tests

 I had my MRI 2 days ago.  It was fairly quick and definitely easy. I'm not sure when I'll get the results.  I think the results will be sent to the VA first.  I will have to check in Monday.

My Worship Playlist

 If anyone is interested, here is the ink to my Worship playlist on YouTube

Hallelujah Feeling

 I heard this song on the radio a few days ago and it really resonated with me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Hallelujah Feeling

Lyrics

Some days I climb the mountains
Some days I touch the clouds
Some days my best friend has been the cold, hard ground
But there's mercy new each morning
Comfort through the night
My eyes are fixed on Jesus
And I'm gonna be alright

I got that hallelujah feeling down in my soul
I got that hallelujah feeling and it won't let go
I've been born again
Yes and amen
No matter what comes I know
I got that hallelujah feeling down in my soul
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Oh just because it's raining
Doesn't mean the sun won't shine
There's a season for the struggle
And a season for the prize
But my hope is never fading
Cause it's anchored in the truth
My Father goes before me
And His joy will see me through

I got that hallelujah feeling down in my soul
I got that hallelujah feeling and it won't let go
I've been born again
Yes and amen
No matter what comes I know
I got that hallelujah feeling down in my soul
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

When everything is shaking
Got that solid rock like pavement
I may bend but I'm not breaking
I know who's on my side

When everything is shaking
Got that solid rock like pavement
I may bend but I'm not breaking
The Lord is on my side

I got that hallelujah feeling down in my soul
I got that hallelujah feeling and it won't let go
I've been born again
Yes and amen
No matter what comes I know
I got that hallelujah feeling down in my soul
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Jeff Pardo / Caleb Crino / Jake Henry / John Secker

Hallelujah Feeling lyrics © Be Essential Songs

and even more appointments....

 There are a lot of things I have to have done!! Both to me and for me. Here's the current rundown:

August 9 

9:00 am - Video visit  to get the genetic testing started
11:00 am - IUD removal at the VAMC in Denver

August 10

4:30 pm - MRI

August 11

9:30 am - Dental check up

August 15

8:30 am - placement of a magnetic locater for the surgery (the size of a grain of rice)

Aug 16

7:30 am - meet with the oncologist

August 23

5:30 am - check in for a 7:30 am surgery

And even after all this, there is still one more procedure I have to schedule. The one where they use dye to locate my Sentinel nodes (the first lymph node that that area of the breast empties into).

Nationl Breast Cancer Foundation

My mom ordered me a HOPE box from the National Breast Cancer Foundation. I looked at their website, you can order one for yourself or for a loved one. Here are some pictures of all the great stuff in it. The silicone bracelet has a pink ribbon and says "Hope is stronger than fear. "

 

Appointments....

 Today I found out that my dental insurance will allow me to be seen earlier than my usual 6 months due to the cancer. So I was able to schedule a dentist's appointment for Friday August 11 at 930 am. I was supposed to get it done before the chemo starts but since I don't know that date yet, I just took the first appointment available. I also found out that the VA cannot accommodate me quick enough with respect to the removal of the IUD and the MRI that was ordered. I am looking forward to hearing from Community Care for both of those appointments. My nurse navigator at the VA also faxed my consult directly to the oncologist's scheduler, I should be hearing from them any time now. As far as dietary needs go, I can call and set up a video appointment with the VA and if there is not a dietician in Colorado Springs, I can do it by video.

In good news, my mom sent me a breast cancer awareness bracelet. Both her and some other people in my Facebook group are also ordering and they will all wear them throughout my journey. That really touches my heart!! 

Mom also sent a breast cancer care package with fuzzy socks, a personal fan, a pen and a little encouraging book.

Now I'm off to call the oncologist's office since it's getting close to closing time and I haven't heard from them. Have a blessed day!!

Beginning My Journey with Breast Cancer

On May 11, 2023 I had a routine mammogram. They said they needed more pictures so they (The Denver VAMC) sent me into the community for a diagnostic mammogram with a possible ultrasound to follow up. I did get the ultrasound after the mammogram, that was July 11. They scheduled me for a biopsy on July 18. I didn't think much about it because I had a biopsy on the left breast in July 2015 and it was negative. I was concerned that they wanted to do the biopsy so quickly but they assured me they always schedule people quickly for these. 

On July 24 I received a call from my primary care provider letting me know that the results were positive for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I was immediately scheduled for an appointment with the breast surgeon at the VA. We went there yesterday, July 27. She informed us that it is a Stage 1, HER2+, ERPR+ tumor that is about 1.7 cm in size. Because it is close to 2 cm in size, I am borderline for doing surgery before chemo. So, the doctor ordered a breast MRI to further evaluate the size of the tumor and see if there are any more spots that the ultrasound may have missed.

They are also sending a consult to the Community Care office so I can do most of my treatment here in the Springs. I will go to the Denver VA for the MRI but if all goes well, everything else will be done down here. They will also do genetic testing on me to see if I have any genes that predispose me to cancer. And the VA will cover the cost of everything, what a blessing!!

I came across this Scripture verse and am working on memorizing it. It will be my "theme" verse for the duration of my treatment. 

Be on your guard;
stand firm in the faith;
be courageous;
be strong.       

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)

That's all the news I have right now. I am just waiting for the MRI.

Drinking From The Saucer

Drinking From the Saucer
-Author unknown


I have never made a fortune and I’ll never make one now,
But it really doesn’t matter ‘cause I’m happy anyhow.
As I go along my journey I’m reaping better than I sowed.
I’m drinking from the saucer ‘cause my cup has overflowed.<br>
I don’t have a lot of riches and sometimes the goings rough,
But while I’ve got friends to love me I think I’m rich enough.
I’ll just thank God for the blessings that His mercy has bestowed.
I’m drinking from the saucer ‘cause my cup has overflowed.<br>
If God gives me strength and courage when the way grows steep and rough,
I’ll not ask for other blessings, I’m already blessed enough.
May I never be too busy to bear another’s load,
Then I’ll be drinking from the saucer ‘cause my cup has overflowed.