Path to Recovery!

Went to the breast center yesterday to get my drain out - yay! No more carting the bulb around, looking like I've shoplifted something and put it under my sweater.

My surgeon is out of town, so I met with an RN to get the pathology results from the mastectomy. My tumor was 1.6cm with an 8mm satellite tumor. The margins are clean, so no cancer in the chest wall, thank you! No cancer in the nodes, which we already knew. Then she tells me that I'm triple negative and that's not good. Triple negative means that you don't respond to hormone blockers or herceptin and it's more aggressive. "Huh?" I say to her, "before I was Her2neu positive." I didn't really question it because she's reading the report, not me. I'm just happy to have the drain out and get the okay to go back to driving, working, etc. - I can even wear a bra! So, I get home and I'm getting ready to go to work when she calls me back and tells me she read the report wrong and I am Her2neu positive - yay! She also forgot to give me a copy of my pathology report, so now it's in the mail. I will not name her, but she seemed a little scattered. I know they are really busy, but jeez! Oh well, at least it was good news.

Next stop - Plastic Surgeon on the 5th!

Also, to all of you who have called, emailed, sent flowers, books, ipods, cards, dropped off food, and generally been there for me these last couple of weeks after surgery - THANK YOU!! I am overwhelmed by the generosity I've been shown. You are the wind beneath my wings!

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve and it's snowing again - aaargh! As you all know, I am not a fan of the white stuff, so this past week has been a bit torturous. We've been making the best of it by walking up to our local video store, coffee shop and watching the sledders go up and down our hill, but boy will I be glad when the snow is gone. We managed to get our Subaru out today, so we're gonna make the trek to Bothell for our annual family Christmas Eve - yay! I hope you are all able to make your holiday celebrations as well. I am looking forward to seeing all my friends soon! Being at home is for the birds.

I called a co-worker yesterday and got a ride into work. It was wonderful! I got lots done and was even able to do some final shopping at Fred Meyer. I can't wait to get back into my normal routine. After my visit to the breast surgeon on Monday, I'm hoping for an "all clear" to go back to work full-time and start driving. I haven't really needed my narcotics since I came home, so that should help. I'm also getting my drain out - can't wait to get this grenade off my body!
Anyway, that's the news for now. Back to watching Dora for the thousandth time with Connor!

Have a wonderful Christmas, everybody!!

I'm back!!

Hey all,

the surgery on Tuesday went really well. They found no cancer in the lymph nodes they took out. I will find out the final pathology on the 29th.

Since you're probably wondering what Righty looks like, I'll tell you. She's deflated, kind of like an underdone pancake. have to call and make an appointment with the plastic surgeon to see when they can start reconstruction, but if I have to stick in a cutlet for a while that's fine.
Amazingly enough, losing this boob hasn't bothered me. It's an interesting specimen now. I've been cleaning my drains myself and have almost normal use of my right arm. Doing the exercises really helps. I can't lift Connor, but so far that's the only downside to this experience, as yet. Percocet is lovely, but I am mostly relying on ibuprofen. My pain level is pretty minimal except when Connor accidentally elbows me or the cat jumps on me.
I am trying to take it as easy as possible, the snow actually helps since I can't go anywhere.
I feel like I could go into work right now for 8hrs, but I promised I'd slow down a bit.

Anyway, I'll continue to keep you all posted. If I don't see you, have great holiday!

Bye Bye, Righty

Barring a blizzard or something, tomorrow is the day I lose my friend Righty. It feels like I'm about to go on vacation - what clothes, what books, did I get all my work done? - that sort of thing. Maybe I'll freak out tomorrow, but today I'm calm. So, what will I miss about Righty? Well, she filled out my bra, but then so will my fake boob. She fed Connor, but I'm done with that. She's pretty much served her purpose. So, RIP, Righty. Coming soon, Righty 2.0!

By the way, thanks for all the emails and phone calls! I am really feeling the love and support.

Talk to you soon.

Shana

FIRST AND LAST IN THE FAMILY?

Bob Resta, genetic counselor and heck of a guy, called today. I do not have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Yay for all my female relatives - unless we've got some crazy cancer gene they don't know how to test for, they have no more chance than the next person of getting it. Bob says I can keep my ovaries, too. So, good news all around!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted to say how thankful I am that I have such supportive family and friends. Having breast cancer isn't something I would wish on anybody, but it has really brought out the best in people and I feel really lucky that I have you guys.

I am also thankful for Connor, who keeps me from dwelling on me too much; for my husband for cooking everyday and being such a great dad; that eggnog is out in the stores; that I will be eating my weight in mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie; that I get to have my annual viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life" and, last but not least, my Christmas tree goes up tomorrow!

Hey, everybody! Let's limbo!

So, now I have the surgery scheduled. The genetic testing is underway. My surgery follow-up is scheduled for Dec. 29th and January 9th is when I meet my oncologist (yay! I got Dr. Rinn) for the first time. Now what? Let's spend the time between now and my surgery on the 16th making up colorful nicknames for me ( I like "Lefty". Thanks, Larry at Pioneer) while I'm in my uni-boob state. I am also still looking for a good t-shirt. Found one on Cafe Press that says "I'm making cancer my bitch". Think my surgeon will let me wear that to the mastectomy? I also like one that says "yes, they're fake. the real ones tried to kill me" . Anything that will give me a laugh is good. Oh yeah, I guess I could also spend this down time Christmas shopping!

OH, HAPPY DAY!

I have a surgery date!! Yahoooooooo!! I know it's weird to be so happy, but it's such a load off my mind to actually have a plan. It's going to be Dec. 16th at the Swedish Hospital Main Campus.

OH, THE WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART....

Hi All,

Decisions have been made. And a surgery date is imminent - aargh, once again have to wait another day to get the exact date. Do these people not know that the all-important Holiday party season is almost upon us? I must know when to plan my functions after all!

First off, went for a visit with Bob Resta, genetic counselor and a heck of a guy! Genetic testing for the two breast cancer genes is recommended due to my young age (don't laugh!) and the lack of medical history from my late father's side of the family. If it comes back negative, peachy keen! If either gene comes back positive, I will have a dramatically increased chance of another breast cancer and ovarian cancer, plus my sister and aunts would have to be tested. Because of the risk, I have the choice of mastectomy on the other side or one mammogram and one MRI every year. I would also have to have a hysterectomy, which is fine as I was not planning on using my ovaries again anyway. I should find out in about 3 weeks whether I'm giving up more body parts.

After getting everybody lost going 4 blocks to a different Swedish Medical center, I met with Dr. Christine Lee, breast surgeon and heck of gal! The tumor has tendrils that make it 3 cm, not 2, but the absolutely great and fantastic news is that there is no evidence of cancer anywhere else in my body, so yayyyyyyyyyy!!!!!

As for Righty, well kids, her days are numbered. I tried to work it out with her, but she's just too toxic. Gotta cut her out of my life. I've been prepared for this, but it will be a little sad for me to lose one of my "perfect" boobs. Dr. Lee wants me to wait to have my reconstruction to see if there's cancer in my chest wall, so I'll be a little lopsided for a couple months. Heidi and I were discussing finding some t-shirts with slogans on the right side, maybe "Under Construction" or "Men at Work" or "Coming Groundhog Day 2009" - any suggestions?

By the way, were you all clapping like loons at 4pm? Thanks!! I'm still "technically" stage 1 until after surgery.

Ta Ta for now (seriously!)

IS THIS THE BEGINNING?

Today I will meet with a genetics counselor and with my breast surgeon. I am hoping that the MRI results are good and we can get my surgery scheduled. Once this happens, I will feel like I can call this the beginning of my cancer treatment.

Remember how everybody had to clap their hands at the end of Peter Pan to let Tinkerbell know they believed in fairies? Well, at 4:00 today, clap your hands if you believe in boobies! Then I want you all to chant Stage 1 under your breath until security comes to take you away. Just kidding, peeps!

Check back tonight for the 4-1-1 on Righty's prognosis.

Not booby related

I just had to say that I am so happy with last night's outcome. I am filled with excitement and hope for the future. It's nice to finally have the person I voted for win! I was very impressed with John McCain's concession speech and I hope he continues to distinguish himself as a "maverick" in the Senate. Now, Obama better give my Hillary some sort of cabinet position!

A VISIT TO THE BOOBY BEAUTIFIER

I had my consultation with a plastic surgeon today to go over my options regarding lumpectomy and mastectomy.
First of all, I need to share something that before now only Mike and I knew. Yes people, my boobs are perfect! Jen will verify as she was there when the plastic surgeon measured me and told me so - ha ha!

Anyway, besides discussing my fabulousness, the nurse and the surgeon filled me with all sorts of information, which is flying around my head in crazy fashion. Jen again took notes for me, so I can give you the skinny:

I'm not a candidate for reconstruction that involves tissue from my back or stomach because I don't have enough fat - I thought it would be great to get a tummy tuck and a boob job, but the nurse said "it ain't no tummy tuck" . This can affect your core abdominal muscles and I can't have those compromised because I lift Connor all the time. So, should I decide on the mastectomy, it will be silicone city. Fine by me. I was encouraged to only think in terms of one side as they said they could make sure both sides look symmetrical. If I decide on lumpectomy, my breast may shrink or become misshapen due to radiation. I can have something done to fix this 6 months to a year after radiation is completed.

We saw lots of pictures of reconstructions and new nipples and nipple tattoos - overwhelming. Those of you who went to dinner with me a couple weeks ago will remember me talking about how they made nipples from labia skin. Well, you'll be happy to know that is old school. Now they usually use skin from your breast or eyelid skin. So, if you have droopy eyelids, you may find me looking at you enviously:) I don't have enough droop on mine yet.

So, now we wait until the 10th to see what the MRI results are and when surgery will happen.
If something comes up, I'll be sure to post.

SO THIS IS WHAT ALIEN ABDUCTION MUST FEE LIKE

Just got back from my first, and hopefully last, MRIs. Why was I so anxious to get one of these done? I don't like enclosed spaces and I have a hard time laying perfectly still. Add to that the lovely jackhammer noise and blue dye going through my veins and it's my idea of hell. I asked the tech about music, since people told me the best way to get through was to count the number of songs, but the music was broken! I toughed it out and made it through two, one on my back and one on my stomach, but I would gladly take a pap smear, mammogram, and teeth cleaning combo over that trauma. If there's a next time - Valium, baby.

MRI, What MRI?

aaargh!!

Well, I thought I was gonna have my MRI today after the consultation with the breast surgeon, but nooo, that was just a miscommunication. I am having the MRI this Wednesday. Oh well.

The breast surgeon was very nice. She called me young lady, which I thought was funny since we're about the same age. Anyway, Aunt Deb, Jen, and Mike got to be in the room with me, so at least one of us can remember some of the gobbleygook that was thrown out there. So here's the skinny so far:

My tumor is between 1 and 2cm . I have another small 5mm lump that may or may not be cancer, but the MRI will show that I guess. No cancer was seen in my lymph nodes, but they need to be investigated further. This will happen when I have the lumpectomy or mastectomy. I am hormone receptor negative, so won't be taking hormone blocking therapy, so I will have some sort of chemotherapy no matter what surgical course I take. Right now, without MRI, she is giving me a Stage of 1 - yay, me!

So, next step is an MRI on the 29th, a consultation with a plastic surgeon on the 30th, genetic testing (not sure when, they're supposed to call me), and then back to see my cancer surgeon on Nov. 10th.

Thanks for all the emails and phone calls, you guys! I feel really loved. Thanks Jen, for taking such good notes. I'm using them right now to do this.

So, Righty, the Bad Booby, is somewhat back in my good graces, but if she's gives me anymore trouble, it's curtains!

Will post again on the 29th.

Lovely Sentiment

I got this great email from Mike's cousin Cindy and I found it so inspiring I had to copy it.

"when Jesus asks a man, "do you want to be made well?" he explains that he has no one to help him down to the healing well. So Jesus tells him "stand up and take your mat" he was already well. You are too. You are already well, you just have to stand up, take your mat and walk to the well and get your treatments and then the whole process will be done. It was so happy for me to pass this on to you this morning. I think I read it just for you.Love,Cindy

So, I've got my "mat" and I'm going to the "well" today. I'm a little freaked about being in a tube - I don't like putting a tanning bed all the way down! I keep telling myself it's a big tube and I won't get stuck. Is it too early to start drinking?

Once upon a time...

This is the story of a bad booby named Righty. She was going along fine until her owner took her in for a mammogram. You see, Righty was hiding something and now Shana was gonna find out - yikes! Yes, dear reader, Righty had a little tumor. Like all boobs in trouble, she hid this for a long time, but knew one day it was going to come to light. Shana wasn't mad at Righty, but she was disappointed. "Okay, Righty, let's see how much trouble you're in" she said and took her in for a biopsy. The biopsy said cancer. "How could you do this to us, Righty!" Shana railed, " Why can't you be nice like Lefty?" That was Oct. 10th.
Don't worry, Shana's not mad at Righty anymore, and she promises not to talk in the third person or through her boob through this whole blog. Just thought I'd ease you into my whole 'woe is me' or 'hey, it's great to be alive' story, which I'm sure will go back and forth from time to time.

October 27th is my first MRI and they should be able to tell me what stage cancer I have. I know the tumor is a 9 out of 9 in aggressiveness, but that's a grade not a stage, so if it's still in one place - yay me!

So, tune in for the next installment of the Bad Booby Chronicles