In the Beginning....

Post #1

Hello, welcome to my new blog. If you are here then you know by now that I have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Can you imagine? Well at least that cuts down on my anxiety about how I will ever find a job as a chaplain - at least for a little while. A few months ago in a routine breast self-exam I found a lump and a dimpling in my right breast. I went to see Dr. Canavan, the oncologist that I have been following up with for that "fake lymphoma" scare, and he sent me for a mammogram and an ultrasound. They were both negative but he told me that he was "unnerved" by what he had felt and wanted me to have an MRI and to see a breast surgeon. I went for the MRI (which was read as negative) and made an appointment with Dr. Jennifer Simmons (at Frankford Hospital - where Sue works - in Philadelphia). I am nothing if not a compliant patient. I saw Dr. Simmons on Tuesday August 19th and she did an exam and pulled out her ultasound machine. I felt her demeanor change and by the time she told me that she wanted to do a biopsy I pretty much knew what the results would show. On Friday, the 22nd, she called to tell me that I had breast cancer. It's interesting how time can actually stop for a few moments. Anyway, I had the weekend to sit with this information and today, Monday August 25th I had another appointment with Dr. Simmons. Susan and Colleen came with me. She could not have been nicer. She explained everything, all my options, and left whatever time we needed to ask questions. She showed us the MRI, which she did not read as negative and said that she would go over it with the radiologist...she has been working to have breast dedicated (specialists) radiologists reading these kinds of films for just this reason. I have what is called Invasive Lobular Carcinoma and we won't know the stage until after my surgery when we see if the lymph nodes are positive. Based on size alone it is between Stage I and Stage II. (I personally am thinking, "Exit, stage left...") One of the challenges to scheduling surgery is the fact that Dr. Simmons is pregnant and set to deliver her second child perhaps even as I am writing this. She is not comfortable planning any surgeries after next Wednesday so mine (mastectomy) will be scheduled sometime in that time frame. We have an appointment to see a plastic surgeon tomorrow to discuss reconstruction options (I didn't realize there were so many) and to set a date for the surgery. These two Drs. work together during surgery and when Dr. Simmons is done, Dr. Gottlieb will still have another 3-4 hours to go. So much for the facts up to this point. I got the idea for this blog from my friend Bev who said that it is an easier way to keep people up to date than having to field phone calls and repeat the same information. I agree. And it will also give me the opportunity to write about my experience. I would love to hear from people so please send your comments to this blog, e-mail, etc. I can use all the prayers and good energy I can get. The few people who do know this information already have asked me how I am feeling. I'm really feeling okay at this point. I think I will heal and do well. I have confidence in my doctor and wonderfully supportive friends/family. The only thing that I am a little anxious about is the staging. And I am sad that I might miss Sue's Graduation from nursing school. Oh, and I am scheduled to sit for my certification as a Clinical Chaplain on Sept 9th...so wish me luck...Thank you in advance for your support and for caring enough to read this. Just keeping you abreast (hee hee). More later......