So, I am still kind of shell shocked about my news. After 10 years of being a Breast Cancer survivor, I found a mass and yes after tests and biopsies I have cancer...AGAIN! No no I am not angry or perplexed or stunned or (you fill in the rest). I know that alot of you already know that I had back problems earlier this year which ended with a discectomy/decompression, from which I have no more pain running down my leg or in my back. And to top it all off, Craig is living and working in Virginia (as he was laid off from BAE in early Jan).
I want to be able to communicate with everyone and let you all know what is going on, but honestly like anyone going through this process (AGAIN or even the first time) communication is one of the last, but most important, things on your mind! That is why I started this blog, to keep everyone up to date and try to answer any of your questions as I am able to. You are welcome to post anything you want, questions, comments, thoughts, prayers, I will accept and cherish each and everyone of them.
This new finding was found just 3 weeks ago, the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound found the "unspecified suspicious mass" and it was determined that a biopsy was needed. I was convinced it was going to be a staph infection, yeah right, and the immediate finding was Invasive Carcinoma. I met with the surgeon last Tues (5/5) where we discussed that we "found it early" so they think (although it is still growing) and that surgery was imminent but could be delayed due to chemotherapy FIRST. Yes we met with the Oncologist that same afternoon only to be told that it was a very nasty, agressive cancer (that being the bad news) and that hopefully, it will respond to treatment just as agressively (and that is yet to be seen). That being said, I will meet with the Chemo team tomorrow morning, get my Chemo training, meet with the Plastic surgeon and then a mammogram; how exciting! The next morning promptly at 7 I will have a PET Scan to see if there is any other site (more on that after reports are in). After that we (my team advocate) will have breakfast and then at 11, I will start the first of (4-6) sessions of chemotherapy. This treatment is to reduce the size and hopefully arrest/kill the tumor (which is the size of a half dollar) and then I can have surgery; this will be approximately mid to late August. Hey what a summer for me! The down side of the chemotherapy as most of you would know is hair loss, but I'm excited to see if I really do have a bowling ball for a head. I will let you know!
This has been quite a shock for most of you I know, but hey I'm optimisitc and faithful that all is in God's hands, and I'll come through this fire, more refined and...I'll still have this wild sense of humor!
Hugs and love, Debi
Dear Deb,
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the strongest women I have the honor of calling my friend for over 30 years....When you are not feeling strong and need help in anyway, please reach out to me, please.
God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow,
sun without rain, But he did promise strength for the day, comfort for the
tears, and light for the day.
If God brings you to it, He will bring you thru it.
A HUGE hug,
Bridget
You are one very strong, brave, funny, and extremely faith-full woman! Be strong in knowing that God will give you the strength you'll need to walk along this new road you must now follow through August. My prayers are with you always and I am here for you, whenever, wherever, or however you can use me!!! I know you will come through this strong Debi, as you have overcome many challenging obstacles before!!!! Love ya,
ReplyDeletewe'll talk later. xoxox Lu
Oh Aunt Debi--I had no idea. You will certainly be in our prayers and please let us know how else we can help. I love you! Thank you for creating this space to keep us updated. I will check back here often.
ReplyDeleteHi Debi!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say that we're thinking of you and wishing you well. Let us know how we can help!
Love,
Kelci (& Dave)
Debi:
ReplyDeleteNot sure why we're having trouble commenting, but trying again.....did email you at home. You are in our thoughts, Toni and Rog
Hello, Debi:
ReplyDeleteWe are, of course, very surprised and saddened to hear your cancer has returned. The "message" was a jolt we didn't expect when we signed in to your blog, but we do appreciate your openness and willingness to communicate and keep us in the loop.
You've had quite an overwhelming year, what with your back surgery, Craig relocating for work, and now this. It was reassuring to hear you are in good hands. It sounds like you have a strong medical team to support you through this latest challenge, and you, yourself, are a strong woman. That combination is good, especially with your keen sense of humor. We----echoing the prayers and love from your other friends and relatives---send you deep, positive, healing thoughts and energy as you go through this newest change. We will check your blog for updates as you progress through treatment.
Of course, any update from here right now would be, at best, trite. But, will tell you that we are having the nastiest Spring weather we've ever seen. It is cold, soggy, wet, snowy, and will get down to 30 degrees tonight! Have had to haul in all the perennials we finally put out last week, and batten down the hatches for more rain, hail, slush. Makes us long for southern California weather.........sigh.
Take good care of yourself, Debi. We, like you, are hopeful for you. So many new treatments, drugs, procedures, and as you noted, you have found it early. Be well, and love,
Toni and Rog