November 2009 - Breast Cancer No Cure - A lot to learn quickly!

The true fact is that there is no known cure for breast cancer. That is very unfortunate since current statistics show that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. That is a whole lot of wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, aunts and friends. It can almost boggle the mind when you really stop to think that 1 in 8 women you know will develop breast cancer at some time in their life. Personally, I can tell you that no one is ready to hear the words that they have breast cancer; however, once you do hear those words, there will be a lot of decisions that will have to be made and relatively quick.

Trying to learn everything at once about breast cancer from the tests, definitions, treatment options, and even the different types of reconstruction available to you is not easy to learn when you have just been diagnosed with it. So please learn all that you can now to either make the best decisions for yourself or for that someone you love in the future. According to the National Cancer Institute, Breast Cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the United States (other than skin cancer). Each year in the United States, more than 192,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Although more rare, breast cancer also develops in men and each year about 2,000 men in this country learn they have breast cancer.

My breast cancer was stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma and quite large at 3.7 cm which required a total mastectomy. There is a separate blog with the emails that I sent out to my family and friends, all the way from learning that I had breast cancer through to the final reconstruction, so you can walk all the way through my journey if you like. This blog contains an archive of some of the emails I found in my sent box that I sent out to family and friends during my journey. When I was diagnosed, I really wanted to find someone else that had been through it and what their experience was like. You will have to start from the bottom up on the headings to the right since the blogs stack on top of each other.

Eventually, when I have a little more time, I will come back and "clean up" the unnecesary information. Also, I plan to add more medical information from all of my notes, and will blog more on my 2nd reconstructive surgery (breast reduction and lift on the unaffected breast for symmetrical purposes - now I am not only "high and lifted up" spiritually but also physically, ha!). But until the next blog, if you have just been diagnosed, perhaps my journey with the timeline through the experience of finding out I had breast cancer, to learning that I must have a total mastectomy, through to my decisions on which reconstruction and the recovery will help you and hopefully bring you hope and peace.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer

If you have already been diagnosed with breast cancer – take a deep breath! It will definitely be a journey, but you will find a lot of support and as someone told me when I was first diagnosed, “You just joined an elite club you never planned on joining, but it is a great sisterhood.” There is a LOT to learn and a whole lot of decisions to make, but there is a great multitude of resources out there and best of all there are a ton of SURVIVORS! I know because praise God, I am one. Actually, I am still recovering from the second step of my own breast reconstruction. Let me say first of all that modern technology and reconstructive surgery are absolutely miraculous and magnificent. Anyone that does not know me would ever guess that I have had a mastectomy, even if I leaned over and they could accidentally see down my blouse. My breast cancer was stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma and quite large at 3.7 cm. There is a separate blog with the emails that I sent out to my family and friends, all the way from learning that I had breast cancer through to the final reconstruction, so you can walk all the way through my journey if you like.

In my case, I was able to be reconstructed immediately following my mastectomy and never had to know what it is like to wake up without a breast. I chose an immediate tram flap reconstruction so that it would be more natural and so that I would have a blood supply to the breast (meaning if there was to be an infection - it would respond to antibiotics). However, I have met women who are extremely happy with their implants and very happy they made that decision. Unfortunately, not all women can be immediately reconstructed and may have to wait. My dear friend Pam recently had reconstruction after waiting nearly two years because she had to have a lot of radiation. Nevertheless, she looks and feels great now. So whatever your case, have courage and hope, that there will be a better tomorrow!

If you have not yet been diagnosed with breast cancer

For those who have not been diagnosed with breast cancer, the National Cancer Institute states the best way to protect yourself against breast cancer is through early detection with self breast exams and regular screening mammograms. Treatment for breast cancer is more likely to work well when it is detected early. A mammogram can often show a lump before it can be felt. Women in their 40s and older should have mammograms every 1 or 2 years. Women who are younger than 40 and have risk factors for breast cancer should ask their health care provider whether to have mammograms and how often to have them.

If your mammogram shows an abnormal area of the breast, your doctor may order more detailed images of the area. Doctors use diagnostic mammograms to learn more about unusual breast changes, such as a lump, pain, changes in breast size or shape. There are also other imaging tests that may be ordered if an abnormal area is found. An ultrasound test may show whether a lump is solid, filled with fluid (a cyst), or a mixture of both. Cysts usually are not cancer but a solid lump may be cancer. An MRI is another way to get detailed pictures of breast tissue.

The only way to be absolutely sure if cancer is present is to perform a biopsy. Your doctor may refer you to a surgeon or breast disease specialist for a biopsy. The surgeon or doctor will remove fluid or tissue from your breast in one of several ways:

• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: Your doctor uses a thin needle to remove cells or fluid from a breast lump.
• Core biopsy: Your doctor uses a wide needle to remove a sample of breast tissue
• Skin biopsy: If there are skin changes on your breast your doctor may take a small sample of skin.
• Surgical biopsy: Your surgeon removes a sample of tissue
  

A pathologist will check the tissue or fluid removed from your breast for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, the pathologist can tell what kind of cancer it is. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma. It begins in the cells that line the breast ducts. Lobular carcinoma is another type. It begins in the lobules of the breast.

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor may order special lab tests on the breast tissue that was removed. It may take several weeks to get the results of these tests. The test results help your doctor decide which cancer treatments may be options for you.

The National Cancer Institute provides a booklet about diagnosis, treatment choices by stage, breast reconstruction, and follow-up care. It also describes how to take part in research studies. Learning about medical care of breast cancer can help you take an active part in making the right choices about your care.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/breast/page1

The NCI provides publications about cancer, including the booklets and fact sheets mentioned in this booklet. You may order these publications by telephone, on the Internet, or by mail. You may also read them online and print your own copy.

• By telephone – People in the United States and its territories may order these and other NCI publications by calling the NCI Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
• On the Internet: Many NCI publications may be viewed, downloaded, and ordered from http://www.cancer.gov/publications
• On the internet. People in the United States and its territories may use their website to order printed copies. Their website also explains how people outside the United States can mail or fax their requests for NCI booklets.
• By mail: NCI publications may be ordered by writing to the address below:
  
  Publications Ordering Service National Cancer Institute
• P.O. Box 24128
  Baltimore, MD21227
  
  

May 26, 2009 No Chemo for me - Tamoxifen

Hello all,

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend and that some of you may have even remembered to dance in the rain! Yesterday marked my 7th week out from the mastectomy/reconstruction surgery and I pray this will be my last update for a while. The final answer is …. I will not be going forward with the chemotherapy treatments. The small benefit percentage (2-4%) was not high enough for me personally. I called my general surgeon last week to go over it all with him again and he said it like this: “Liz, if you don’t take the chemo and the cancer is back in 5 years, you are going to kick yourself for not taking the chemo.” I agreed; but then he said, “On the other hand, if you do take the chemo and the cancer is back in 5 years, you are really going to kick yourself!” I really like this surgeon and his dry humor. Please note that he has been very honest in his opinion, along with the rest of my doctors, that they really do not know what the right answer is for chemo in my category, and that it all comes down to my own personal decision.

Each person must face their own battles and decisions and this one was mine. I have held out making the decision hoping and praying to hear what I thought the Lord was leading me to do. To be honest, I did not receive any great revelation or the supernatural answer that I was hoping for. What I do feel, and have felt in my spirit since the beginning, is His supernatural peace in all of this. Truly, that is enough for me because I know that nothing is going to happen to me that He does not allow. Therefore, I really cannot make a “wrong” decision when I trust Him with my life. I feel that I have taken the best advice from the medical doctors to have a total mastectomy and there are no regrets. Also, the reconstruction is great to the point that no one would guess that I had undergone a total mastectomy if they passed me on the street. Thank the Lord for the miracles of modern surgery!

Friday, I called to tell the oncologist no to chemotherapy and he started me immediately on my hormone therapy Tamoxifen, which gives me the second highest percentage of no recurrence behind the mastectomy. So far, I am not having any problems with this medication, and I will see him back in 10 days for my blood work. Also, had my last appointment with the plastic surgeon until another 4 months as long as there are no problems.

Although I am doing really well, I do still have abdominal swelling, which they said could take another month or two to go down. Reclining and walking is relatively easy, but sitting straight up is the hardest for me and that is what I am working on trying to improve right now. It is hard not only on my abdomen but also hard on my back. So, please continue to pray for my recovery anytime you think of me.

Thank you again so much for all of the love shared with us during this time in our lives and especially for all the prayers sent to the throne room of God on my behalf.

Love to all,
Liz

P.S. Please remember that two weeks prior to my cancer diagnosis I was standing in the church parking lot talking to our Associate Pastor about the number of people on our prayer list that had cancer. Of course, I had absolutely no idea that cancer was sitting in my own body at the time and that I would be the new name at the top of the list 2 weeks later. Do not take anything for granted and stay on guard!

May 14, 2009 Oncologist Meeting on Chemo

Hi Everyone,

We met with the oncologist yesterday and he basically went over the same information that my general surgeon went over with us... that I was in the intermediate range, that it was a real toss up, and that no one really knows the answer on what is best. He said 5 years ago they would have definitely recommended chemo, but they are not so sure about this intermediate category anymore, which is why there is a new study being done on it by UAB. My general surgeon had also told us about the clinical study where they randomly divide the group of women in half. One half takes chemo and the other half does not and then they will study what happens to this group of women. Again, my general surgeon leaned against me doing the chemo. The oncologist said it was up to me, but felt chemo would probably give me a 3-4% improvement, but only I could decide if that percentage was worth it to me.

He then offered to call the doctor in charge of the UAB study to see if I could get into the study and also to see what she would advise for my circumstances. She advised chemo, because she said that I am in the higher end of the intermediate range, but if I did the study it would be randomly chosen as to who would and would not receive chemo. He again reminded me that no one really knows what is best in this particular group, proven by the fact that they are conducting this test and allowing 50% of the women in this group to not take chemo. In other words, if they knew chemo would help them, they would not allow 50% of the women not to take it.

I told him that I would let him know by the end of the week after I have had time to think and pray about it. Fortunately, Monica is in the same building and she is going to verify that we are correct in our understanding of what they are telling us. With our current understanding, John and I are leaning against having the chemo treatments. If this holds true, then I will give them the decision tomorrow (or I may wait until Monday to pray on it over the weekend) that we are ready to move forward with the hormonal therapy and forego the chemo treatments. Either way, I will let you all know when my "final answer" comes. A friend and I were talking last night and discussed that it would have been so easy if the test had come down on one side or the other; however, he reminded me that the intermediate range is what keeps me dependent on trusting God with my decision and future. We all know that everything is in His hands regardless, and that applies to all of us. That is a very comforting thought for which we can all be thankful! Thank you again for all of your prayers. God is hearing them and trust me that I know He is answering them. To God be the glory forever and ever! Love to all, Liz

May 12, 2009 - I've Gone Wireless!

Hello everyone,

Well, great news - I have finally gone WIRELESS!!!!!!!!! It has been a little over five weeks since my mastectomy/reconstruction surgery and I had the final drainage tube removed late this afternoon. It was still borderline on whether to take it out or not, but I think the length of time, in addition to having to begin a third round of antibiotics, is what made him lean towards pulling it out today. So, even though the drain is out - please pray that my body absorbs the fluid correctly. He said everything was healing nicely and he is happy with the progress that I have made. My concern to him was that for someone who was supposedly getting a tummy tuck out of the deal (since they use 2 of your stomach muscles, fat and all of your stomach skin to rebuild the new breast) I am now at least 4 inches WIDER in the waist than I was before surgery. What's up with that??? He said that I was still very swollen which is normal after this type major surgery and that it could take another month or two to go down. So, if you see me around town looking like a slob - it is because I do not have much to wear that fits me right now. I believe all the women can vouch for me that we are NOT going to buy a larger size for short term use!!!

The surgeon also said that we would schedule step 2 of the reconstructive surgery in 4 to 6 months. In that surgery they will do the finishing work on rebuilding the new breast and then do a breast reduction on the old breast so that it will match the new one. He said that I simply did not have enough material in the tummy to make it the same size as my original. Although, I will have to go down a size or two in bra size, the benefit will be that at least I will get a "lift" job while he's at it. Hey, we always have to be looking for that silver lining, right? Tomorrow (Wednesday) I will go to see the oncologist to find out what method of treatments he suggests. Chemo or no chemo - that is the question. So after I am able to process the information tomorrow, I will try to send out an update tomorrow night. Afterwards, I would value the opinion from anyone that is willing to offer one.

Thank you all again for your prayers and we want you to know that we also pray for all of you. More bad news seems to reach all of our ears daily of terrible things that people are experiencing. Eleanor Roosevelt once made an excellent quote, "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on." While that is very good advice, please remember that our heavenly Father is aware of all of our troubles and that He will take care of us and see us all through. This life as we know it is very precious, but we must also keep on the forefront of our minds that it is only a very tiny little speck in time on the spectrum of eternity. Let's all run the race as best as we can and pray that we all finish well. Love to all, Liz

May 7, 2009 - Drainage Too High to Remove

Just a quick update to let you know the surgeon did cancel my appointment again today because of the high drainage amounts. We have now rescheduled for Tuesday. As a very wise friend reminded me, sometimes the best answers to our prayers are not the first one that we seek. That is a wonderful reminder because we have no doubt that God is working it all out for my good and this delay is for a good reason. This will be the last update until next Tuesday evening when I can hopefully give you all a good report that I have been liberated from this final drain. Hope you all have a wonderful and safe Mother's Day weekend!!! Love to all,Liz

May 6, 2009 - Chemo or No Chemo? Recurrence Score 25

Hello everyone,

We did get the test results from my general surgeon today and overall we feel pretty good with the results although it is a mixed bag. First of all, please note that this is an oncotype DX test that will need to be read by an oncologist, but my general surgeon is the one that ordered the test, and he is the one that went over the results with us today and gave us his personal opinions. The actual test results gave me a recurrence score of 25 which gives me an average rate of distant recurrence of 16% (10 years out). For my long term prognosis this places me at an intermediate risk. However, my surgeon explained some factors that could actually lower those numbers if it had been calculated 5 years out. The node negative, ER positive results of the test also placed me in an intermediate scale but it showed no real benefit to me having chemo and he said that it could even possibly cause me harm. Basically, if I had been low risk, it would be easy to say no chemo or if I had been high risk, it would be very easy to see the benefits of chemo. Unfortunately, I fall right in the middle which means you have to weigh the benefits vs. pitfalls of chemo to make the right decision. He then explained that the chemo comes with risks that are not factored into this test that I needed to think about. In other words, this test tells me the benefit of having chemo to keep the cancer from coming back - but it does not give me the statistics of what harm it could cause in and of itself.

He said aside from the obvious things that people think about such as getting sick and losing your hair, there can be much more serious side affects. He did inform me he has had patients my age die from the chemo treatments. He said that although rare, it can also increase your risk of lukemia and they have a lot of reports of getting "chemo brain" (memory loss, etc). After our discussion, we both agreed that we were on the same page of leaning against chemo. We do not feel the risks of chemo outweigh the benefit of chemo in my particular case. Of course, I have an appointment set up to see an oncologist next Wednesday and my surgeon warned me that the oncologist may very well not agree with us. We will just have to wait and see what he has to say about the results of the test and the risks.

Either way, I will follow my usual protocal to get a second opinion from another oncologist after that if needed. Right now, I am believing the Lord is providing me a means of escape that we have all been praying for and hopefully I will be able to just do the hormone therapy and forget the chemo! However, I ask you to join us in prayer for God to give us wisdom in making the right decision. Since I had some friends that are "in the know" to advise me that someone with my type cancer, size tumor, grade, etc. to not have to take chemo and/or radiation would take a genuine miracle from God - I did go buy a wig a couple of weeks ago. So please do not think that I am in denial or will not carry through with chemo if I am convinced it is a better decision.

Love to all,

Liz

May 5, 2009 - Must Keep the Drain a While Longer

Just a short update to let you know that I called the Doctor's office with my drainage amounts since my last visit and they have cancelled my appointment for today. The amount is still too high to have it removed today so they have rescheduled me for Thursday. Just another little set back but it is okay. I definitely do not want to have the drain removed before it is ready because then they have to stick NEEDLES in your stomach to get it out. No thank you! I will keep the drain a while longer. Please be in prayer that my body heals enough to have it removed by Thursday. Otherwise, I am doing great and still slowly improving. My appointment is still on for tomorrow with the general surgeon to find out the results of the onco test, so I will send out another update on that tomorrow evening. Thank you all so much for your love and prayers! Love to all,Liz

April 30, 2009 - Drain Remains - Lizards and Snakes

Hello friends and family, As always, thank you all so very much for always being concerned for us and for all the emails, cards, and prayers. Things have been going well since my last update, still healing little by little. Although the healing seems slow to me, my Mom and John said they can see definite improvements. I did finally go sit outside in the sun for the first time in over three weeks yesterday and it felt really good! The plans were to go sit outside the day before, but "something" came up that brought that to a halt. Yep, you guessed it, my funny story for the week. As you all may know, my Mom is staying with me every day while John goes to work. Her worst fear on planet earth is a lizard, and Lord help us all - one got into the house! She went straight into panic mode and was insistent that it be mutilated with the broom. I finally managed to convince her to give me the broom and I would sweep him out the back door with my good arm since she was about to have a heart attack. Since I have done this a time or two in my life of living on the river, I decided to open the back door first so it would be easier to sweep him out. When I opened the back door, I saw a four-foot snake merrily crossing my back yard. So, I yelled at Mom to come see something that she should really be afraid of instead of lizards. This mother of mine, who just had a major come apart over a tiny little lizard, now has zero fear of going and chasing down a 4-ft snake across the yard with a hoe. I am pleading with her to stop trying to kill the snake since I would be unable to drive her to the hospital and also that I would not have anyone to take care of me .... when the snake turned on her, she decided that I might be right and made a good decision to let him go about his way. Needless to say, it was difficult to make another effort to go outside the next day, but with brooms and hoes in hand - we made it a good 45 minutes at least!

Today, I went back to the plastic surgeon and had the bandages removed from the abdomen and breast. He also removed the stitches from my newly placed belly button. We were hoping to have the last drainage tube removed today, but unfortunately it is still draining too much, so I will have to keep it for a while longer. He said maybe it would be ready to come out next week. I also go back to the general surgeon next Wednesday to get the results of my Oncotype DX test that will tell us what the recommended chemo/treatments will be for my particular cancer. We will send you another update when we know more. Love to all,Liz

P.S. It has been so inspiring to me the number of people that are truly suffering with so much in their own lives that have taken the time to call, cook, send cards and check on me. I am also amazed by the Pastors and sunday school classes outside of my own church that have called to pray with me and send cards. There are so many Godly and amazing people and I am truly blessed to witness the generous love of God's people. Keep the faith!

April 23, 2009 Drain might come out next Thursday

Thank you so much for your very sweet email! We know that we have not been forgotten and are really looking forward to getting back to our balcony perches (at church) soon. My doctors visit dates have changed since my last update so the soonest I can possibly get the other drain out will be next Thursday, but we are feeling pretty confident it will be able to be removed then. Right now I am really doing pretty good and can do most things for myself other than showering and being able to get up and down out of a chair or sofa (can't sleep in a bed yet). My Mom comes every morning and stays with me all day until John gets home at night. John also worked last Saturday trying to catch up on things at the office so he stayed home with me last Sunday and let my Mom have a day off. So, for right now, John is needed as much as he can after he gets off work to relieve my Mom, but you can bet the first day I am able to stay by myself - I am going to suggest that he definitely go "catching" with Mike!!! John definitely deserves some fun in the very near future so I know he will be looking forward to the humbleness of the wonderful offer!!! Best Love to you both,Liz and John

April 21, 2009 Two Drains Removed 1 Left to Go

Hello all, We went to my 6:00 p.m. appointment with the plastic surgeon this evening and praise the Lord it was all good news!!! He removed two of the three drains!!! Even though I still have one abdominal drain left - I feel so free just having the other two gone!!! It has been very difficult having three drains over the last two weeks and they had to be stripped and drained every four hours. God bless my Mom and John... The doctor said that I was recovering well ahead of the game and that possibly next week I could have the naval stitches removed and hopefully the other abdonimal drain too. They took off all the bandages and checked the stitches (hip to hip) and around the new breast and they all looked very well too, he said. Fortunately, they were also able to do a lot of skin saving on the top of my breast during the mastectomy and said that one day I would eventually even regain feeling in that part again. The lab called today to verify that we wanted to go forward with the Oncotype DX test that my general surgeon had ordered this past Friday. John and I had discussed our concern that I had told the surgeon to go forward with the test because I wanted the additional test based on my own cancer, but we were concerned because we had not checked with our insurance company on what it would cover towards this test first. We became especially nervous when we discovered the test was almost $4,000.00. So, when they called to verify if we wanted to proceed with the test today, I inquired as to how much our insurance coverage would pay towards it. Praise the Lord, they said they had already checked and my insurance would pay 100% for this test!!! So they said my cancer would be sent overnight to LA California and that it would take 10-14 days to get the results back to my surgeon.

At any rate, I am now free from doctors the rest of this week (god willing) and go back to my general surgeon on Monday and plastic surgeon on Tuesday. I plan to try to become much more mobile this week and plan to try to get some sunshine too since I have been stuck indoors for so long. Well, way too long for me to be sitting in this chair - so I have to go now. Thank you all again so much for the prayers!!! I pray that God will show me His mercy yet again and let me escape the dreaded chemo treatments. However, as always - His will be done! Again, for anyone that has not listened to my nephew sing Holy is our King - here is a link. I had John rehit this 35 second soundbite over and over and over in the hospital and I can tell you it ministers to me like nothing else (except maybe Max Lucado's book The Cross) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiSYU8KS6gY

Angels gather round your throneAnd around your throne they bringPraises to the Living WordTo the awesome One they singYou are Holy... Is our King

Love to all,Liz

April 17, 2009 -3 Drains - Stage 2 - Oncotype DX

Hello Family and Friends, I am so sorry that it has taken so long for an update. It has been a rather long hard week, but hopefully and prayerfully I am now back on track for a more speedy recovery. I went back to the plastic surgeon yesterday and he said all is looking well and that I am doing well with that. I see him again next Tuesday. Unfortunately, I have to keep all three drainage tubes this week, but perhaps maybe I will be able to get one tube removed next week. The general surgeon called me again today to see if I had given any more thought to my course of chemo based on general studies. For those that may not know, my cancer was upgraded from a Nottingham grade 1 to a Nottingham grade 2. He had also previously discussed with us whether I wanted to have an Oncotype DX test done based on my own cancer rather than general studies based on other women. Based on case studies of other women, chemo would give me a 6% improvement survival rate based on 10 years and 13% overall improvement on having another occurrence within 10 years. I have chosen to have the study based on my own cancer and will do whatever it advises me to do. He said it will take approximately 10 days to get that done and then they would get me in within a day or two of receiving the results back. At that point we will meet with oncologists to see what the suggested treatment will involve. Right now, it is very hard to sit in a position for typing and since I am pretty much now a one-armed bandit on the computer, at least you will not have to read too much at one time. Thank you all so much for all the flowers, cards, food, love and PRAYERS!!! PLEASE keep the prayers going because you have no idea how much they really mean. I told John I could actually feel significant changes when I knew prayers were increasing on my behalf. God is awesome and I know that all that is happening he will use to his glory. Love to all,Liz

P.S. I am trying to keep a journal and even some photos of the process. I know that I would like to have been able to see the process from beginning to end (and all along the way) before I had mine done. That is one way that I know the Lord is doing a work in me through this because everyone that knows me KNOWS that I am a very PRIVATE person. Although we all wish that breast cancer and every other cancer could be wiped off the face of the earth, unfortunately there will be many more victims to follow. Therefore, I will make my notes and photos available to any women that I know or have friends that I know that ever have to face this surgery.

April 10, 2009 -Finally Home From Hospital

John for Liz - Home at last

Hey all, Just wanted to let you know that we are home. Liz is resting now and I am writing this for her. We will do a better update later this weekend. We just need to rest now. Thanks for all your prayers John and Liz

April 6, 2009 - Day of Surgery 8+ Hours

Hi everyone, I have John dictating for me tonight from his laptop. Just wanted to drop a note to say that everything went well with the surgery today. They tested three lymph nodes and did not find cancer in them - Praise the Lord!!! Also, I only have three drains instead of the expected six. The Lord has even blessed us with a beautiful suite at the hospital. Thank the Lord, He is good all the time!!! Tomorrow morning (Tuesday) I will have to get out of the bed, so please keep those prayers going before the Throne of God. Love to all, Liz and John

April 5, 2009 - Night before Surgery

Well, this will be my last update for a little while. It is after 8:30 Sunday night and I have had a wonderful day of worship and great fellowship with friends and family. We will be getting up at 3:30 - well, at least me so I can get in that one last good hair wash before surgery! We will be picking up Monica at 5:00 so we can be at the hospital by 6:00. I am the first patient scheduled and they expect to start around 7:30. The general surgeon said he expects his part of the surgery (the mastectomy) to take 1 1/2 -2 hours. The plastic surgeon will then take over to reconstruct, which he expects will take another 5-6 hours. So whenever you open this email - please say a prayer!

You all know I have to "tell a funny story" before I go ... I asked the surgeon if I would be able to wash my hair during my stay in the hospital. He hesitantly told me that I could, but that I would not feel like it. I told him that if I did not feel like washing my hair, I was dead. He said we were not allowed to use the "D" word in his office. I told him even if that did happen it would be okay because I am a Christian. He said, well, I am a Christian too, but that would not be okay! We all got a good laugh out of it anyway, but maybe you had to be there.

Thank you all again so much for all the love and support you have given me since this all began. I have told John that just the things that have already happened have made the journey worth going. God willing, he could still provide a miracle, but if not, it will be in His will that I go through this and I know that I will come out a better person for it.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Just wanted to let you all know that as I go to bed tonight, all is well with my soul. Thank you so very much for your prayers and please keep them up over the next few days. God bless you all and keep you safe in His care until our next update!

Love to all,
Liz

P.S. My nephew Trey won the competition! Thank you for voting for him and may God use him greatly to His glory! His youtube video has now had over 7,000 hits! He called me and sang the song in its entirety which was very uplifting and powerful but even this 35 second audition has ministered to me greatly in the last few days, may it do the same for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiSYU8KS6gY

Angels gather round your throne
And around your throne they bring
Praises to the Living Word
To the awesome One they sing

You are Holy... Is our King

April 2, 2009 - Pre-op & Marking for Surgery

Thank the Lord there is not a whole lot new to report to you. We will be at the Plastic Surgeons office at 9:30 in the morning to get marked for surgery. That will be a real drag to look at all weekend, but I guess there is no other way with an early Monday morning surgery. We are meeting a friend, Pam for lunch prior to my pre-op at 1:00 at Baptist South. Once we are finished with that, we are driving to B'ham to purchase the wig and meet up with Laura and Taylor. It will be a long day and I have a feeling that I may need a few more prayers going up once the actual marking takes place on my body. God wiling I will be in church this Sunday. Please continue for the Lord's supernatural peace to surround me and that I will be a solid witness to his peace. To my brother Daniel, who is sitting on ready to keep my arms lifted, I am holding out as long as I can but I will definitely let you know when the moment arrives that I will need you to exhaust your arms to hold mine up. Most likely the worst will come on Sunday. Thank you all so much! Best love to all, Liz

March 31, 2009 - Final Meeting w/ Surgeon

Thank you all for your prayers! Tomorrow we go to the final meeting with both the general surgeon that will be performing the mastectomy and the plastic surgeon that will be doing the reconstruction. This Friday is pre-op and then Monday will be surgery ... UNLESS God provides me a miracle between now and then. I absolutely believe in miracles and have witnessed them with my own eyes, so I have no doubt that He can do that, and I do pray for one. Nevertheless, there is a reason and purpose for everything, and He ultimately knows what is best. If I must walk through this, I know He is with me and I will trust Him to see me through yet another journey. There have not been too many butterflies lately, so you all have been doing a wonderful job in keeping me covered in prayer. Thank you and PLEASE do not let up! We also went to B'ham this past weekend and found a much better wig in case of chemo (hope for the best - prepare for the worst). John also bought me a new little sign that we found in Hobby Lobby that reads: FAITH - Start where you are then take the next step. A small corner reads: Grow old with me ... the best is yet to be. That John is a pretty sweet guy, isn't he? Our relationship far exceeds husband and wife because after all of these many years together, we are still also each other's best friend. Please keep him lifted in prayer too because he has to walk through this with me and it will be just as difficult on him. Thank you all again so much for everything and I will try to post one more update this weekend before surgery... or to let you know that miracle has occurred!!! Love to all, Liz

March 27, 2009 - Week Before Mastectomy

Hello everyone,

Just thought that I would send out an update since I am just a little over a week away from my mastectomy surgery. The enemy has been stirring things up and is now roaring as loud as he can all of the time. I have started developing butterflies that I have not had up until now, so please help me pray them away because we all know that is not of the Lord. To date, there still have not been any come-aparts, although I have given it thought a time or two, but I just decided not to go there. Thankfully, God understands and forgives my occasional butterflies and has graciously given me confirmation after confirmation that He knows my situation and that He is in control. Since I have been taking all of you on this journey with me, I would like to share just a couple of them.

After picking up mastectomy camisoles, going to my dental appointment, and then going to try on wigs in case of chemo ... it was a long ride home. John kept asking me on the way home what I was thinking, and all I could tell him was "Mercy" - I need the Lord's mercy. Seriously, that was all I could think about and I was trying to recollect scriptures where people had begged the Lord for mercy. That very night when I got home I received a card from a friend reminding me of whom my Great Physician is and that by His stripes we are healed. I also received an email from another dear friend that said in part: "There are many days to receive God's mercy and this day will only prove to you that his mercy is endless. The one scripture that seems to sustain me through those endless days is; The Lord will not put more on you than you can handle (paraphrased)."

Okay, I said a couple, but I have to share one more confirmation about the surgery date of April 6th. Monica and Wylie told us they were going to clear their schedules so they could be there. However, when they went to clear them, they found out they had "both" already been regularly scheduled off on that date. God is so good!!! There have been so many wonderful calls, cards and emails that mean so much to me and I wish that I could address each and every one. They have all been a great comfort and each one has spoken to me more than you will ever know. Thank you all so very much for caring and especially for your prayers. Please keep them coming and help pray me through!!! Again, I know many of you are with your own troubles and please know that we are praying for you too. Remember to dance in all that rain we have been getting. John and I did actually go outside and dance in the rain, but you all know me - I didn't want to get my hair wet - so I wore a rain bonnet!!! Love to all, Liz

P.S. The surgery is expected to take 6-8 hours and my hospital stay should be four days. Just to reconfirm to everyone - I request no visitors during my hospital stay. Thank you in advance for understanding.

March 3, 2009 - Breast Cancer Confirmed

Hello all, I believe that most of you know that last week I went through the diagnostic mamogram, ultra sound and the core needle biopsy. They told me last Thursday that they held a very high level of certainty that it was breast cancer. The pathology results verified that fact on Monday. At this point I have an appointment with a surgeon in Montgomery recommended by the Breast Cancer Center. My visit with him will the at 10:45 tomorrow. Our fiends Monica and Wylie tracked down a surgeon they were impressed with at convention and I now have an appointment with her in B'ham on Thursday. After I have spoken to both surgeons, my husband and I will make a determination based on what each surgeons says, and a whole lot of prayer on which direction the Lord wants us to take. We will try to keep you posted through email as often as possible. Thank you for your prayers! Love, Liz and John

February 26, 2009 - Suspicious Mammogram

This begins a rough draft of emails I sent out to family and friends through the journey of discovering I had breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma, quite large at 3.7 cm., mastectomy and tram flap reconstruction. I hope this blog will help another woman (or man) that is walking down the same path.

Hello Family, Just wanted to tell you that I have just gotten home from having a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy on my breast today. I have had a history of cysts and felt certain they were going to tell me that is what it was. Unfortunately, the Dr. has said that she has a very serious degree of certainty that it is breast cancer. It is a rather large mass but she did not see it in my lymph nodes and if that holds true then at least it is contained. The official test results will not be back until late Monday. Please be in special prayer that the Lord's will be done in my life. My natural preference would be for them to be wrong about the cancer but if not, pray that it be used for God's glory. Best love to you all,Liz

P.S. Honestly, I am really doing okay with the news so far, but it is especially hard on my family so please remember them in your prayers too.