Save the date….

I’m back……. so since we last spoke I picked a plastic surgeon and set a first surgery date. As long as I do not have any complications I will only need 3 surgeries. First surgery will be double mastectomy & a sentinel node biopsy (on the right side) from my surgical oncologist and expanders will be put in by my plastic surgeon. I will have periodic “fills” into my expanders until I reach the desired size but that is done in the doctor’s office. The final 2 surgeries will be for implants and rebuilding my foobies.   If I do not need chemo then I should be done with my first 2 surgeries in the next 6 months… if I need chemo that will push my reconstruction date back until after I finish chemotherapy (that could be up to a year).

My MRI did show an area that I need additional testing for before my surgery so I have to get a PET/CT scan done next Friday at Moffit, we are hoping that it’s a just a false positive reading that MRI’s sometimes give you. Not very excited about this scan but the more information I have the better. I also had blood drawn for genetic testing on Tuesday and we are hoping for those results in the next 2-3 weeks.

So only 3 weeks until my surgery date, Friday August 22^nd….. I told my mom we should have a going away party for my boobies lol… she didn’t think that was very funny.

Thanks again for all of the cards, emails, messages and phone calls.

XOXO, Lynn

Dear Cancer, you suck!

           First let me start with I am not a blogger or writer. Even though I love to read my friends and family’s blogs, I honestly never thought I would have a blog of my own. I am sorry in advance to my grammar police friends (A, G & B, you know who you are) they will have a small heart attack every time they read my blog and I have a feeling they will demand my username and password to edit it for me before long lol.   I figured this would be the easiest way to keep everyone updated on my cancer butt kicking status. If you want to know what’s up with me, you can just randomly check here or sign up to follow my blog and you will get an email when I post. Easy Peasy

Here is the DL on my diagnosis. June 2014 I asked for a mammogram referral at my yearly pap exam, JUST BECAUSE I AM NOW 35, no other reason, no signs, symptoms, lumps or bumps. I just thought that’s what you do when you turn 35, you start routine mammograms.  So I got one on June 16th, a few days later I received a phone call which led to, 2^nd mammogram and ultrasound, then on July 1st I had a needle biopsy and a 3^rd mammogram and on July 7, 2014 I was told I have breast cancer.  Needless to say it has not been a very fun month for me, or my immediate family.   I have two types of cancer in my right breast IDC & DCIU (Infiltrating ductal carcinoma, nuclear grade 3 associated with major component of high-grade ductal carcinoma in-situ).  After meeting with several doctors in Ocala, I went to Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa and found an awesome surgeon there.  I will have my surgery in Tampa at Moffit.  I will blog about my surgery after I have my follow-up with the surgeon next week and we review my recent tests she ordered ( lymph node ultrasound and chest MRI) and discuss surgery. I meet with a plastic surgeon next Tuesday at Moffit, and hopefully I like her and don’t feel the need to meet anymore plastic surgeons.  We do not know for certain if I will need chemotherapy yet, I will not know this until after I have surgery and get my lymph nodes and tumor tested. Please pray that the nodes are clear. 

I honestly don’t feel like this is real… I feel fine, it’s very surreal to be told you have cancer when you feel good and have no symptoms.  I would like to thank everyone for the sweet cards, well wishes and prayers we have received over the past 2 weeks. I have the best support system, such dear friends and a wonderful family to help with doctor’s appointments, driving, watching Ava and taking Tyson to and from school. Thank you again so very much! A super special thank you to Liz and Abby! Thank you ladies for sharing your stories, advice, knowledge and encouragement with me.  

So, that is my cancer sucks story so far. I will update the blog again next week after my doctor’s appointments.

Oh, and come to find out routine mammograms start at 40… not 35! That’s a scary thought… who knows where my cancer would be if I waited 5 years.

My family ~ this picture was taken on June 28, 2014 ~ 10 days before my cancer diagnosis

XOXO, Lynn