One of the gracious services offered by our local breast center was they had a nurse assigned to follow my case. The nurse, Nurse Lynn, would try to make it to most of our appointments to help or assist me through the breast cancer journey. They would be there for any questions, assist in scheduling the many appointments, and/or be available just for support.
Ted and I waited in the examining room, me sitting on the table in my pretty little gown, and Ted sitting in the chair looking around trying to keep my mind occupied with idle conversation. Our appointment was schedule for 2:00 pm, but our doctor was running a bit behind. Nurse Lynn came in to visit, and chatted a bit. My mind is going crazy, but I'm trying not to show it. I'm listening to Ted and Nurse Lynn chat, but I'm not really hearing anything they're saying. I wanted to see the doctor. Now!
Lynn left the room to check on our wait time, and came back to the room to let us know Dr. D was looking over my file and mammogram films. Her words to Lynn were, "This girl doesn't have cancer. She has pre-cancer!" Pre-Cancer? Was there such a thing? I thought either you had cancer or you didn't? I was confused, but I sure liked the sound of "pre-cancer."
Dr. D finally made her appearance. She was a sight. A very pretty lady wearing a very creative, artsy skirt, not "trendy", but one-of-a-kind type of style. I liked her right away. Not because of her pleasant appearance, but because of her confidence in herself. She was a straight shooter. She didn't talk fluff, but she had compassion when talking us, both of us.
We had my check-up, and she took the time explaining my options. My options were pretty simple right now. She recommended a Lumpectomy, and wanted to refer me to chat with a Radiologist. Mastectomy really wasn't a recommended option at the time, though I was ready to do it. She assured me that the Lumpectomy was the reasonable avenue to take for my early stage DCIS Breast Cancer. She took her time answering my list of questions. Note: Always bring a list of questions to all your doctor's visits. She stressed to me that this was not a rush. We could plan the surgery any time. The sooner the better was my thought. She also told me I'm not gonna die from this. I needed to hear that.
One visit checked off my list! 30 more visits to go!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Advice from a friend
Breast Cancer effects 1 out of 8 women.
When I found out I needed my biopsy I knew there was a co-worker I needed to speak to. I didn't know her very well, but I heard she had breast cancer years ago. I approached her and discreetly explained what was happening to me. She immediately understood we needed to talk. I will always appreciate her sincerity. She prepared me, and warned me not to look ahead, just deal with what I know. I asked her what kind of breast cancer that she had? I remember her stressing to me that everyone is unique, and there are so many different types of breast cancers, and not to compare hers or others to myself. That stuck in my mind. It was true. There are so many parts of it (cancer in general) to consider. She was a wonderful help to me before, during and after.
Her understanding me, her listening to me, helped me to deal more then she'll ever know.
When I found out I needed my biopsy I knew there was a co-worker I needed to speak to. I didn't know her very well, but I heard she had breast cancer years ago. I approached her and discreetly explained what was happening to me. She immediately understood we needed to talk. I will always appreciate her sincerity. She prepared me, and warned me not to look ahead, just deal with what I know. I asked her what kind of breast cancer that she had? I remember her stressing to me that everyone is unique, and there are so many different types of breast cancers, and not to compare hers or others to myself. That stuck in my mind. It was true. There are so many parts of it (cancer in general) to consider. She was a wonderful help to me before, during and after.
Her understanding me, her listening to me, helped me to deal more then she'll ever know.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Terror on the Web
Okay. I have my appointment scheduled with my surgeon. I'm waiting again. I have 3 weeks until my appointment. Now what do I do??? I have to do something! I was given 'Your Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook' book by Judy C. Kneece, RN, OCN from the the Breast Center. They highlighted a few areas to read over, like 'Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping and Surgery', 'Lumpectomy Procedures' and lasting 'Radiation Therapy.' Normally I'm ready to read over anything and dig in, but this was different. I didn't want to read about this. Not medical stuff! It made me weak in the knees, but I knew I had to be informed. Denial wasn't gonna help me.
I would come home on my lunch break and the first thing I would do was Google "breast cancer", and the terror began. Oh. My. The stories. They were plain heart wrenching and down right scary. It seemed like every site I ended up on was doom and gloom! After about a week of this self inflicted emotional roller coaster I realized this scare tactic was not going to help me in anyway! I had to get a grip. Constant Googling was going to give me a heart attack before I died of Breast Cancer!!! It was like driving by a car accident, I HAD TO LOOK!
I had to start forcing myself daily to stick to the "official" Breast Cancer sites. You know, stick to the facts. I had to consciously force myself to only look at what I knew I had. I could NOT worry about what I MIGHT have! What good was that going to do for me?
I would come home on my lunch break and the first thing I would do was Google "breast cancer", and the terror began. Oh. My. The stories. They were plain heart wrenching and down right scary. It seemed like every site I ended up on was doom and gloom! After about a week of this self inflicted emotional roller coaster I realized this scare tactic was not going to help me in anyway! I had to get a grip. Constant Googling was going to give me a heart attack before I died of Breast Cancer!!! It was like driving by a car accident, I HAD TO LOOK!
I had to start forcing myself daily to stick to the "official" Breast Cancer sites. You know, stick to the facts. I had to consciously force myself to only look at what I knew I had. I could NOT worry about what I MIGHT have! What good was that going to do for me?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Chest X-Ray & My Little Brain
I went for my chest x-ray. The Tech was fast, in-and-out. But I still had to wait for the results. More waiting again.
I think it may have been a day or two later I receive a call the nurse from family doctor. The x-rays were clear! Yippee! It wasn't like, well, let's go celebrate, but it was a small relief. It did ease my mind.
It was amazing how many thoughts could pass though this little brain of mine! Calmness and positive thoughts one minute, then terror the next! AND this was JUST the beginning of my roller coaster ride. Oh. Mercy.
I think it may have been a day or two later I receive a call the nurse from family doctor. The x-rays were clear! Yippee! It wasn't like, well, let's go celebrate, but it was a small relief. It did ease my mind.
It was amazing how many thoughts could pass though this little brain of mine! Calmness and positive thoughts one minute, then terror the next! AND this was JUST the beginning of my roller coaster ride. Oh. Mercy.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The visit with my family doctor
This doctor's appointment wasn't because of Breast Cancer. It was actually a follow up from a previous visit. Guess what the previous visit appointment was for? Stress. I was so stressed with life. I wanted a family desperately. Our adoption plan was just creeping along, and we hadn't had a placement call for foster parenting yet. My sister-in-law just announced their pregnancy and it seemed like everyone around me was moving forward with happy lives, with babies showing up everywhere! Yeah, Ha. I thought my life was stressful then?! Wow! Now I really had something to be stressed and depressed about. This was something my family doctor knew all too much about. She too wanted children, but had none. Adoption was difficult , almost impossible when she was younger. She understood my pain. She also understood my fear of my breast cancer news. Her mother and and aunt died from breast cancer many years ago. This evil thing, breast cancer, effects so many lives.
Anyway, I was fortunate to have a caring and understanding doctor. She was super supportive! Anyone that gets diagnosed with cancer goes through the fear that it MUST be through their entire body! I was at the point. Every ache and pain I thought must be cancer growing and taking over my body. I didn't know enough about where my cancer was. Was it ONLY in my breast? Did it travel elsewhere? What kind was it? Aggressive? Slow growing? I had no clue. My doc understood this. My ribcage hurt at times, which I always assumed it was because of that stupid pulled muscle! Now. Well, now, I was fearing the worst. My doctor tried to assure me, it probably WAS just part of the pulled muscle issue, but hey, that's what I thought it was before! Yeah, right. Guess what it turned out to be? Breast Cancer. So, she did what she could to help, and what she could do to try to ease my mind. She sent me for chest x-rays. That would at least be able to tell me if I any "unusual" growths or something .
My visit ended with a big hug, and she told me if I needed anything to call her anytime. That's a good doctor. I was glad to have her on my team.
Anyway, I was fortunate to have a caring and understanding doctor. She was super supportive! Anyone that gets diagnosed with cancer goes through the fear that it MUST be through their entire body! I was at the point. Every ache and pain I thought must be cancer growing and taking over my body. I didn't know enough about where my cancer was. Was it ONLY in my breast? Did it travel elsewhere? What kind was it? Aggressive? Slow growing? I had no clue. My doc understood this. My ribcage hurt at times, which I always assumed it was because of that stupid pulled muscle! Now. Well, now, I was fearing the worst. My doctor tried to assure me, it probably WAS just part of the pulled muscle issue, but hey, that's what I thought it was before! Yeah, right. Guess what it turned out to be? Breast Cancer. So, she did what she could to help, and what she could do to try to ease my mind. She sent me for chest x-rays. That would at least be able to tell me if I any "unusual" growths or something .
My visit ended with a big hug, and she told me if I needed anything to call her anytime. That's a good doctor. I was glad to have her on my team.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Scheduling my 1st surgical meeting w/Dr. D
I called nurse Lynn who scheduled my surgical appointment, explained that I would rather scheduled with Dr. D. She warned me that she is a very popular doctor, and there might be a long wait to see her. She also told me that my cancer actually was not a rush, so I don't need to rush into seeing any doctor. I could take my time. That was so difficult to hear, because I wanted this all behind me. Little did I know how long this journey really was going to be!
Anyway, I stuck with my gut feeling. I wanted to see Dr. D. It ended up there was a long wait. I was scheduled for November 6th, 2008. Okay. I'll wait. Let this all sink in, and prepare myself for what she's gonna say. Time to do research, and prepare.
I allowed myself to have good and bad days, but the thought of cancer was ALWAYS in my head. I was afraid it was never going to ever go away.
Anyway, I stuck with my gut feeling. I wanted to see Dr. D. It ended up there was a long wait. I was scheduled for November 6th, 2008. Okay. I'll wait. Let this all sink in, and prepare myself for what she's gonna say. Time to do research, and prepare.
I allowed myself to have good and bad days, but the thought of cancer was ALWAYS in my head. I was afraid it was never going to ever go away.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Day After "You've got Cancer"
I really was an emotional roller coaster the next day. Exhausted one minute, positive the next, and then moments when I felt like I could just plain faint from fright.
I liked that the breast center picked and prepared surgical consultation for me for first thing Monday morning. That was customer service plus 1! BUT I couldn't help think that maybe I should ask around to see if anyone else had gone through the same thing, and did they have a doctor they liked? This doctor who I was scheduled with was a man. I'm sure he was good at what he does, but I've always felt more comfortable with a women physician.
Anyway, I talked to a ton of people over the weekend, very, very helpful people. A big thanks to Tammi and Lisa! The same doctor's name kept coming up over and over! She was a women, everyone loved her, she had GREAT success rate at what she did, and plus I liked her last name!
Great. I have my surgeon. Now all I need to do is call and schedule an appointment!
I liked that the breast center picked and prepared surgical consultation for me for first thing Monday morning. That was customer service plus 1! BUT I couldn't help think that maybe I should ask around to see if anyone else had gone through the same thing, and did they have a doctor they liked? This doctor who I was scheduled with was a man. I'm sure he was good at what he does, but I've always felt more comfortable with a women physician.
Anyway, I talked to a ton of people over the weekend, very, very helpful people. A big thanks to Tammi and Lisa! The same doctor's name kept coming up over and over! She was a women, everyone loved her, she had GREAT success rate at what she did, and plus I liked her last name!
Great. I have my surgeon. Now all I need to do is call and schedule an appointment!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
