last post found me lounging at the beach. Since then life has thrown me some unanticipated curve balls.
I left the beach on Nov 9 to go back to visit my oncologist and radiologist and by the time I drove home I ended up being very sick with an abcess in my sentinol node wound. Long story short I just finished 15 days of antibiotics had to have the wound reopened and drained twice. I can't thank my friend Helene enough for taking me in,driving me to all my appointments and becoming my dressing change nurse. I am blessed to have her an all my friends who have done so much for me.
I was suppose to go back to the beach and received a call from my best friend from high school and college and she tragically lost her husband so I spent several sad days with her and her wonderful daughters at the hospital and at home before leaving to go to Trisha's for her scheduled inducement of her first baby on Nov. 19.
I arrived at Trisha's on the 17th and we had a good day of getting last minute things done before she was suppose to go in for her delivery at 6 a.m. Wed. Trisha and I had just gone to lunch and were at Target shopping when she infromed me she thought she was having some Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions never went away so..... 12 hrs. later beautiful MIA JO entered our lives on her own timing. Trisha did wonderful and my new life changing granddaughter is a JOY. Her other grandmother and I got to be there for the miraculous birth (aren't they all). I love watching Marc and Trisha take care and learn about their little pride and answered prayer.
Bill was suppose to fly in Thurs. and he got the worst flu he has had in years and has not been able to come see Mia yet (and we wouldn't want to get what he has).
I think since Sept. I' ve experienced most fo life's major events: return of Julie from deployment,Julie and Matt's wedding, my breast cancer and surgery, death of a close friend, and joyous new life in Mia's birth. God's hand has been evident in each and every circumstance. HE is so good and more than enough!!!!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Praiseworhty news!!
Dear Friends,
Sorry I haven't posted myself since my surgery but I was waiting for the pathology and genetic testing results. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all the prayers and cards. This past Friday I went for a wound check (no infection just inflamation). My report had just come in that it was NEGATIVE for any involvement in the lymph nodes. PRAISE THE LORD HE IS SO GOOD!! Anyway my nurse gave the OK for me to go down to Destin for our annual month in the sun. I would need to make an appointment with the medical oncologist and radiologist to find out my final staging and subsequent course of treatment. Usually we drive 2 cars down with all the junk but piled into one as I won't be spending the whole month because of Drs. appointments and going for the birth of baby "M".
Just seeing the beach brought a smile to my face and the sunset displayed all God's glory and I just couldn't help but think of all He has blessed me with even during this cancer and surgery.
Today was another blessed day(aren't they all?). I called the oncologist (I see next Monday) and the radiologist (see on Wednesday ) . I heard from the genetic counselor and she had just gotten my results back and another PRAISE is that I don't carry the breast cancer gene that I was so worried about (because of my Ashkenazi Jewish heritage). I think that is the biggest relief and worry I had, not for myself ,but for my three lovely daughters and my other family members. My nurse feels that I might just be having radiation followed by hormonal adjunct therapy(tamoxifen or similar drug). It's all good.
The last huge blessing I received is from the best cheerleading,loving, praying ,family(Bill,Troy,Niki,Marc,Trisha,Matt and Julie),My brand new Breast Cancer Survivor PINK laptop!! I hadn't cried since the call about my diagnosis. Tears of JOY are always welcome.
I just want everyone to know that Bill has been so wonderful thru all of these last few weeks and God has provided the very best for me even before I asked Him to when Bill came into my life.(32 years in Dec.)
I have been led by my dear friend Nancy to Psalm 91 and have made to committment to pray this daily for myself and my loved ones. I believe and claim these promises from the Lord and know what a difference they have already made.
Trusting in Him Debbi
Sorry I haven't posted myself since my surgery but I was waiting for the pathology and genetic testing results. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all the prayers and cards. This past Friday I went for a wound check (no infection just inflamation). My report had just come in that it was NEGATIVE for any involvement in the lymph nodes. PRAISE THE LORD HE IS SO GOOD!! Anyway my nurse gave the OK for me to go down to Destin for our annual month in the sun. I would need to make an appointment with the medical oncologist and radiologist to find out my final staging and subsequent course of treatment. Usually we drive 2 cars down with all the junk but piled into one as I won't be spending the whole month because of Drs. appointments and going for the birth of baby "M".
Just seeing the beach brought a smile to my face and the sunset displayed all God's glory and I just couldn't help but think of all He has blessed me with even during this cancer and surgery.
Today was another blessed day(aren't they all?). I called the oncologist (I see next Monday) and the radiologist (see on Wednesday ) . I heard from the genetic counselor and she had just gotten my results back and another PRAISE is that I don't carry the breast cancer gene that I was so worried about (because of my Ashkenazi Jewish heritage). I think that is the biggest relief and worry I had, not for myself ,but for my three lovely daughters and my other family members. My nurse feels that I might just be having radiation followed by hormonal adjunct therapy(tamoxifen or similar drug). It's all good.
The last huge blessing I received is from the best cheerleading,loving, praying ,family(Bill,Troy,Niki,Marc,Trisha,Matt and Julie),My brand new Breast Cancer Survivor PINK laptop!! I hadn't cried since the call about my diagnosis. Tears of JOY are always welcome.
I just want everyone to know that Bill has been so wonderful thru all of these last few weeks and God has provided the very best for me even before I asked Him to when Bill came into my life.(32 years in Dec.)
I have been led by my dear friend Nancy to Psalm 91 and have made to committment to pray this daily for myself and my loved ones. I believe and claim these promises from the Lord and know what a difference they have already made.
Trusting in Him Debbi
Monday, October 27, 2008
Great News
We were really excited by the outcome of mom’s surgery today. The doctor said that as far as he could tell, from testings done today, that the cancer was not in her lymph nodes. What a praise!!! The doctor informed dad that he was really pleased with how everything went today and that mom’s treatment will be based on what the pathology report says.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your prayers and support today. Even though she is pretty out of it and feeling a little uncomfortable mom was able to come home tonight. She wanted to make sure that I was able to update the blog and let everyone know that God is good and that she truly appreciates all of your prayers and support.
Until she is able to tell you herself, THANKS again for loving our mom and our family the way you do.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your prayers and support today. Even though she is pretty out of it and feeling a little uncomfortable mom was able to come home tonight. She wanted to make sure that I was able to update the blog and let everyone know that God is good and that she truly appreciates all of your prayers and support.
Until she is able to tell you herself, THANKS again for loving our mom and our family the way you do.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The night before surgery
Dear Family and Friends,
I'm just getting ready to have my last sips of h2o before bed . Fortunately my surgery schedule is not early and Bill and I don't have to battle the Atlanta traffic or get up too early. This has been a another beautiful fall day and I've been so blessed with my pastor's sermon and prayer for me; to spending the day with Niki and Lainey.. You have all been so faithful to call and pray and as I go to bed I feel the Lord's peace surround me and I feel very positive about tomorrow whatever the results.
Bill will call, if not me, and let everyone know how things went .I'm planning on spending the night in my own bed.
Again thanks to all and I wouldn't want to go thru life without you. LOVE Debbi
I'm just getting ready to have my last sips of h2o before bed . Fortunately my surgery schedule is not early and Bill and I don't have to battle the Atlanta traffic or get up too early. This has been a another beautiful fall day and I've been so blessed with my pastor's sermon and prayer for me; to spending the day with Niki and Lainey.. You have all been so faithful to call and pray and as I go to bed I feel the Lord's peace surround me and I feel very positive about tomorrow whatever the results.
Bill will call, if not me, and let everyone know how things went .I'm planning on spending the night in my own bed.
Again thanks to all and I wouldn't want to go thru life without you. LOVE Debbi
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Hi everyone,
I am writing tonight from St. Louis where I am visiting Julie for the night. I am truly touched by all the quick comments to the blog and it really moves and comforts me. I've been very busy the last few days. I drove up to
Atlanta yesterday to have my genetic testing done. It will come back in 2-3 weeks. It is very scary to think of the outcome this test could have on all my family members and myself. Please continue to pray that we are negative for this gene. Today I went to do my preop for Monday's surgery and it made it all a little more "real".
I do have a big Praise and that is that my mother's PET scan came back negative for any new cancer cells in her lungs and she doesn't need to see her Dr. till nex
t spring... YEAH praise GOD. Any of you who saw her at the wedding saw how good she looks!
I would also like to ask for prayer for my fellow hospice nurse Marnie who underwent a double mastectomy today by the other Dr. in my group. She has exactly what I have but opted for this procedure...everyone is in a different place and there are many options, all with good results.
It has been great flying on Delta this month and seeing all the pink uniforms and support everywhere for the CURE. Thanks to ALL!! And again thanks to You all.
Back to eating bonbons and watching chick flicks with my baby girl. I got to be with Trisha earlier this week and we went and saw The Secret Life of Bees
(SOOOO Good) Then I got to see Niki and keep my Lainey overnight....so what can be more therapeutic than that?
Until Monday, In His Hands Debbi
Monday, October 20, 2008
The "Call"
On the morning of Monday October 6th, 2008 two days after Julie's fabulous wedding I got the "call" nobody ever wants to get from their doctor's office. I had had a breast biopsy on Friday the 26th of Sept. and had instructed my Dr. not to inform me of the results until Monday after Julie's wedding either way. I was so busy traveling and getting the final details and decorations taken care of for the wedding that I really didn't think about what was waiting for me and that was God's protection to enjoy the celebration with all the family and friends who came all the way to Texas for the marriage of the third and last of our beautiful, lovely daughters!!
The "call" from the Dr's. was to inform that my biopsy had come back positive for IDC (invasive ductal carsinoma) and that I would need to come in for a MRI on that Friday and that Bill and I would need to see the Dr. the following Tues. Oct. 14th to discuss surgery options and treatment.
Even after being a hospice nurse for 22 years, it really does not prepare you for how you personally will take the news! Even though the Dr. told me he had felt it was suspicious when it is confirmed the FEAR of that word CANCER hits and you are in shock until you listen and the Lord tells you in that voice in your head that He is still with you and He is Faithful and He will never leave or forsake you even when you cry in disbelief and you can't protect your loved ones from the fear and worry either. I only let Bill and the girls know that Monday and then gradually called my family and friends. My daughters discussed starting this blog so communication would flow quicker and would be a way for me to share ,ask for prayer and just vent as needed. I love all the prayers and calls but sometimes it's hard to talk when I'm overwhelmed with decisions and just plain "foggy-brained". I've since my Dr's. appointment gone to a Breast Survivors Support Meeting (wonderful women,great sharing,even humor and great resourcing) and a forum at the University of Georgia hosted by keynote speaker Barbara Dooley and a panel of great doctors who answered so many good questions from women having survived cancer and those newly diagnosed.
This first post has become rather wordy so to cut to the chase or dirt.
1. My surgery is scheduled for Monday October 27th.
2. I'm going for genetic testing Wed. October 22 , my risk factors went up after discovering I'm of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and this could affect course of future treatment if I carry the breast cancer gene. All kinds of new great studies going on with this.
3. Depending on my lymph node involvement, pathology, and genetic study course of treament will be determined i.e. radiation, chemo, and adjunct hormone blocking therapy beginning anywhere from 2-6weeks after surgery
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. That I have no node involement which will be foundout 2 hrs. prior to my scheduled lumpectomy
2. That my genetic study shows that I am negative for the BRACA(breast gene mutation)
3. That I can recover and attend the birth of Trisha's baby before I begin my treatments
I Pray and thank My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for each and every one of you
in my life which has always been abundantly blessed and still is. Praise Him !!
The "call" from the Dr's. was to inform that my biopsy had come back positive for IDC (invasive ductal carsinoma) and that I would need to come in for a MRI on that Friday and that Bill and I would need to see the Dr. the following Tues. Oct. 14th to discuss surgery options and treatment.
Even after being a hospice nurse for 22 years, it really does not prepare you for how you personally will take the news! Even though the Dr. told me he had felt it was suspicious when it is confirmed the FEAR of that word CANCER hits and you are in shock until you listen and the Lord tells you in that voice in your head that He is still with you and He is Faithful and He will never leave or forsake you even when you cry in disbelief and you can't protect your loved ones from the fear and worry either. I only let Bill and the girls know that Monday and then gradually called my family and friends. My daughters discussed starting this blog so communication would flow quicker and would be a way for me to share ,ask for prayer and just vent as needed. I love all the prayers and calls but sometimes it's hard to talk when I'm overwhelmed with decisions and just plain "foggy-brained". I've since my Dr's. appointment gone to a Breast Survivors Support Meeting (wonderful women,great sharing,even humor and great resourcing) and a forum at the University of Georgia hosted by keynote speaker Barbara Dooley and a panel of great doctors who answered so many good questions from women having survived cancer and those newly diagnosed.
This first post has become rather wordy so to cut to the chase or dirt.
1. My surgery is scheduled for Monday October 27th.
2. I'm going for genetic testing Wed. October 22 , my risk factors went up after discovering I'm of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and this could affect course of future treatment if I carry the breast cancer gene. All kinds of new great studies going on with this.
3. Depending on my lymph node involvement, pathology, and genetic study course of treament will be determined i.e. radiation, chemo, and adjunct hormone blocking therapy beginning anywhere from 2-6weeks after surgery
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. That I have no node involement which will be foundout 2 hrs. prior to my scheduled lumpectomy
2. That my genetic study shows that I am negative for the BRACA(breast gene mutation)
3. That I can recover and attend the birth of Trisha's baby before I begin my treatments
I Pray and thank My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for each and every one of you
in my life which has always been abundantly blessed and still is. Praise Him !!
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