Doctors and Tests

Now comes the time when I'll be seeing doctors that I thought I'd NEVER see. Radiation Oncologist, Medical Oncologist, and Plastic Surgeon. This isn't something that I ever thought I'd be doing in a million years, but I am!

June 29, 2006, is my first appointment with Dr Richmond, Radiation Oncologist. He was very nice and informative. The only thing I didn't like was that if I had radiation, my chances of breast reconstruction were decreased. At that time I was bound and determined not to do radiation, if at all possible.

July 5, 2006 I had a PET Scan. I had no idea what a PET Scan was. I was injected with a glucose dye. After being injected I had to wait about a hour to make sure the dye was throughout my system. It was my turn and I was escorted to a mobile PET Scan trailer at Banner Baywood Medical Center. I was told to remove any clothing that had any metal on it and put on a gown. I enter another part of the trailer and I see this big machine, that is similar to a CT Scan machine and was told to lay down on the table. I had two options, have my arms strapped down by my side or have them above my head. There was no way I was going to be strapped down. I can get claustrophobic and being strapped down would have made me feel more confined than I already was. I closed my eyes throughout the test to keep me calm and from getting that anxious feeling. The test took about 45 minutes to an hour, which is a long time when you don't like confined spaces. The purpose of the test is to show where the cancer is located and if it has metastasized. The results of my PET Scan showed the cancer in only one spot, in my left breast. This is good news!

July 14, 2006 I went to Banner Baywood for Outpatient Pre-Op. Getting ready for my lumpectomy.

I knew that soon after my surgery, chemotherapy would be here and the thought of going bald was on my mind. I know that cancer is a scary thing, I know that for a fact. I've watched how my family has been affected by cancer and now I'm going through it myself. Sometimes it's difficult for some people to talk, let alone look at someone with cancer. They don't know what to say or what to do and it puts up walls between people. Well, I didn't want that to happen to me. I want people to ask how I am, I want them to have "normal" conversations with me. I don't want them shying away from me because I was diagnosed with cancer.

So, on Sunday, July 16, 2006, I decided to do something to involve the Sisters in my Ward in one of my major decisions. I had a survey made with different pictures of wigs for the Sisters in Relief Society to choose for me. Boy, did that break the ice. They loved it, and I loved it too! They became a part of my cancer experience and I love each of them for supporting me.

July 18,2006, my dear friend Nancy Garrett and I had pedicures. She treated me knowing in two days I was having my lumpectomy and beginning my journey through breast cancer. After our pedicures we went to Cracker & Co. for lunch. Little did I know that when I walked into the back of the restaurant that I would see a table of friends with pink balloons. There was Vicki Hunt, Loa Owens, Carla Morris, Vicki Lenkersdorfer, Geni Huston, Kim Berrett and Mandi Wilson. This meant everything in the world to me. To have my friends give me love and support during this time of my life. I love each of them to this very day.

July 20, 2006, Doug and I arrived at Banner Baywood hospital at 6:00 am. I had a lumpectomy and 6 sentinel lymph nodes were extracted and the results were benign. I also had a Bard chemo port implanted on the right upper breast area. This port will help me with my chemotherapy and blood draws. I wanted this because I knew I would get tired of being poked and that chemo also makes it more difficult to find good veins to draw blood or for treatment. The procedure went well and I came home with no problems. I thought, "This is a piece of cake, nothing to it."

On August 1, 2006, I had an appointment with Dr Johnson. He told me that the "margins" were not large enough. The margins were clean but he felt they needed to be larger. A re-excision surgery was scheduled to be in 9 days.

August 4, 2006 was my first visit with Dr Bachrach. I came in with a notebook of questions and taking notes. I already knew, before he told me that I was Stage 2A, I am triple negative, ER/PR negative, and HER2 neu negative. All lymph nodes came back negative. I was told that I would have six rounds of chemotherapy, in the third generation regimen, a round of treatment, for me, was every three weeks. I handed him my notebook and asked him to check off the chemo treatment that he recommended for me and he checked the ones that I marked They are, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and Taxotere, the "Three bad boys", as the nurse's called them! He explained how the chemo would affect me. He told me that week one, I would not want to do anything, week two - I would be able to do a little bit more and the third week, I'd be feeling a lot better. I asked Dr Bachrach if I could work during my treatment.  He asked me what kind of work I did and I told him that I'm a floral designer.  All he did was shake his head "no" and that was it.  My understanding as to why I could not work was because of the different molds and spores that come in the flowers.  Since I would be on chemo and my immune system being weakened by the treatment that I would be more susceptible to getting sick.  So no work for me.  Dr Bachrach also wanted me to be tested to see if my type of cancer was genetic, I already knew it was positive for the gene, but he needed medical confirmation. I told him the only way I would have the test was if the test was pre-approved by my insurance, because the test is $4000. To my amazement, my insurance company approved the test.

On August 9, 2006 I was back at Banner Baywood for a re-excision to make sure the margins were clean and clear.

The next day, August 10, 2006, I was scheduled for a MUGA Scan. This scan is required prior to receiving certain chemotherapy treatment. Some chemotherapy can damage your heart, so the MUGA Scan is to determine if your heart is strong enough to withstand the treatment. Even if your heart is healthy, the drugs can still cause damage. The scan was simple, nothing to it. The test results were favorable and the chemo treatment suggested for my regimen will go as planned.

August 16, 2006, I had my blood drawn to be tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2. The next day, August 17, 2006, I had a follow up appointment with Dr Bachrach. We went over more information and any other questions that I might have. I had another exam, kinda getting tired of bearing my breasts every time I see a doctor. I'm beginning to undress before they enter the room because I know the first thing they are going to do is examine me again! I feel numb and all modesty goes out the window. It's like, okay here they are again..take a look!

After all this...Doug and I decided to take a 7 day vacation before I began my chemotherapy. Once I begin, we can't go anywhere and I really needed this trip to take my mind off all the treatments and upcoming surgeries. We went to Utah and visited our good friends Dan and Linda Metcalf. It was nice to be on their farm, to enjoy the beautiful Utah weather, and to get away from the Arizona heat. We also took a day to visit with Doug's cousin RoseAnn Nielsen in Ogden, Utah. It was a relaxing trip and it helped me to get ready to face my upcoming challenges.

We came back from our trip and of course, August 31, 2006, the first thing I have to do is see Dr Richmond. At this point in time we still don't know if I need radiation therapy. He told me the results of my genetic testing. And yes, I am positive on BRCA1 and BRCA2 showing positive with "Uncertain Significance". Now, this puts a whole new light on things. At this moment I know, and no doctor has to tell me, that I must have bilateral mastectomies. The decision is made!

However, Doug is still has the view that a lumpectomy is sufficient. I know he's having a difficult time with all of this, what husband wouldn't? I think it's normal for a man to go through all kinds of emotions during this time and if anyone says different, they are lying! Please don't mistake love and concern for weakness. I know there are some that feel that way, I do not. Walk a mile in a husband's shoes then tell me he's weak when he's watching his wife go through this torment of breast cancer.

If you know someone who's going through this experience, do not forget the partner in their life. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family has cancer. And what I mean by that is, every one is effected. It touches everyone in the family and everyone copes differently. We should not judge a person's reactions because this is a form of grief or a death, if you will. We cannot tell someone how to grieve. How can we tell someone how to react when their loved one has cancer? Be mindful of those around you and love them through this time of their life. Be supportive not condemning.