I'm Back!

     So sorry not to have posted for over a month. After school started not only my time, but especially my energy got away from me. Keeping up with lesson plans and grades is almost overwhelming me. My colleagues and students are amazing! Their patience and willingness to help are what keep me going.
   I'm working on tracking my responses and side effects to the chemotherapy. Doing this will help me not think the bad week will never end, and that there are good weeks to follow. I know it sounds strange, but when I'm in the throes of chemo nausea  and fatigue, it seems endless. I'm keeping a calendar so I can easily see where I've been.
   Once again, I want to thank my family and friends for their continued support.

Back to School and Thanks

  It's back to school (with students) tomorrow. Open House was last Monday, and it was so good to see my students, old and new. I will be teaching 10th grade literature this year. It is something of a two-sided coin. One side is that I'll be teaching, with a few exceptions, all my students from last year! The flip-side is that I've not taught World Literature before. I am very fortunate in that my colleagues are helping me with lesson plans and resources.
  I am working on keeping my thoughts positive and trying not to be overwhelmed. This year will be one of the most difficult, but with the amazing support I have from so many sources, I will make it!
   For those of you who are on Facebook, I apologize for the repetition, but I would like to recognize and thank those who have helped me: friends and family who have donated and continue to give to my fund at http://www.gofundme.com/yrfm0, my sister Kathy for sending me money every month for a year, and the Robles, (Pedro and Millie) who have offered to buy my gas for the weekly trips to Mayo. Not to mention the random gifts from my mom and Jarret's parents.
  With the help from friends and family, I will not only have a successful school year, I will beat this cancer, and conquer the chemo effects!

 
 

Phase Two! Chemo Therapy

  I'm at Mayo in a "well-patient" room getting my first treatment of chemo therapy. This room, on the eighth floor, overlooks a pond with huge fountain which I can't see from the bed. What I can see looks like a forest, trees to the horizon, and the blue sky with slow-moving fluffy clouds. Very peaceful.
   I was here yesterday getting blood work and more boobies. Let me state for the record that I am eternally grateful to be living in this day of modern science! After the fiasco with the last blood draw, I was a little apprehensive, but the nurse used the port and viola' all went well. The secret is to put lidocaine on the port site an hour before the needle stick. Didn't feel a thing! The nurse offered to leave the needle in so I wouldn't have to have another stick today. She covered the site with a bandage, and I was ready to go. I barely noticed it last night.
   Jarret came in the room with me to learn about how chemo therapy will affect me, which ultimately will affect him. Yadda yadda nausea, yadda yadda hair loss, yadda yadda fatigue etc. His mom Cathy came with us. He didn't need to sit with me the entire time. That way they can have some mother/son time. :)
   Before I got the cancer drugs, they gave me Tylenol, and through the IV I got nausea meds, Benedryl, and some steroids. The first drug is Docetaxel, next is Carboplatin, and last is Trastuzumab (Herceptin.) Each drug is given separately and comes with its own set of side affects I won't go into. My understanding is that I won't have many side affects today; they get worse as treatments progress. Yippee.
   I also found out that I will probably have to come back to Mayo every Friday to get the Herceptin. The other drugs will be on the twenty-one day cycle. Oh, and I just found out I have to (get to :)) receive a shot of Neulasta possibly every two weeks on Saturday. This shot reduces my chances of contracting infections due to the collateral damage caused by the chemo therapy. 
   We definitely need wisdom in finding finances for medical bills and trips to Mayo. Since I have only ten sick days left, I am going to check into the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act.) It can guarantee job security, but the leave is unpaid. The quest begins! 

I'm Back (kind of)

    I'm back to a somewhat normal life (as much as one can be) which is why I haven't posted. After my last post, I haven't been back to Mayo except for an (ahem) "expansion." I'm up to about a "B" again. Yay! People who don't know about my surgery have no clue that I've had a double mastectomy. Let's hear it for modern science!
    I still don't know when I'll be starting chemotherapy. I was hoping for this Friday, but unless I hear from them tomorrow, I doubt it. The only thing I know is that I will be on a 21 day cycle. The waiting is driving me  crazy! Not that I'm really looking forward to the first treatment, but I definitely want to get started.
    Wanting to get back in shape, I started back at the gym. Slowly at first, just riding the stationary bike, but yesterday I worked out for about an hour: 10 minutes on the elliptical, lunges and squats with a 3lb. weight, abductors, leg lifts, triceps and biceps. I'm feeling the triceps today! It's good to work out again.

Working on the triceps!

Biceps!

Water is essential!

Susan and the Terrible. Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day!

Whiner alert!    
 Getting up at 4:30 in the morning after not having slept very well is just the way to begin a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day. To make matters worse, I couldn't eat or have anything to drink, especially COFFEE!
  After driving for the now familiar hour and a half, we arrived at Mayo, and as usual, didn't have to wait long  for my first appointment at 7:00 - an EKG followed by an echo cardiogram. Piece of cake. The last piece of cake I'd be having that terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day!
   My next appointment was supposed to be the blood draw at 10:30, but because of a mix up, it didn't happen until around 11:00 which was when I was scheduled to register for my port insertion which was supposed to take place around 1:00. Needless to say, by the time they called me back to take my blood after not having anything to drink or eat since 9:00 the previous night my blood sugar was at an all time low and my anxiety level was off the chart.
   Unfortunately I inherited Dad's vascular system. When my veins hear the words "blood draw" you'd think they were playing dodge ball - DUCK, DODGE, DIVE, STOP -DROP - ROLL! Getting blood from me is like trying to stick wriggling snakes with a spear! Here's one! Nope! Over here! Got it! Uh, no, let's try again. I'll spare you the details; let's just say almost passing out will get you the best phlebotomist in the place.
    After that little incident, the nurses wouldn't let me walk, so Jarret had the pleasure of toodling me around in a wheel chair. Next stop - out-patient surgery for the putting in of the port. You'll have to pardon the prolific use of alliteration. It can't be avoided!
   For the insertion of the port, I'm in my jeans, a hospital gown, and a pair of those way cool hospital socks with the rubber things on the bottom. Still nothing to eat or drink, and after the previous fiasco I'm wishing for a Xanax! The thought of another needle stick was seriously freaking me out. I told the nurse about it, and he put the IV line in my hand instead of my arm. He was good!
   By this time Jarret was with me and we were introduced to everyone who was going to be involved in the procedure - Cheryl - the lady who explained the features of the "purple power port," Dr. ? - doing the actual surgery, and my favorite, Kim - my bartender, the awesome nurse in charge of making sure I felt NO PAIN!
Long story short: Surgery went well. Port is just under my left collar bone. It's subcutaneous, nothing sticking out of my skin. Now I can receive meds and they can take blood without sticking my arm! Let's hear it for modern science! I will, however, set off metal detectors, so I have a card for my wallet, an ID for my key chain, and a cool rubber bracelet for my arm that explains everything. 


And that is the end of Susan's terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day!
 

And Now for a Little Humor

     Being and English teacher and a lover of words makes my brain go in strange directions when it's not engaged in academic pursuits. The following is an example of what happens when Jarret and I have to wait for an extended period of time without reading materials.
     On one of our trips to Mayo to get my drains out, we had to wait much longer than usual. We were in the treatment room of the plastic surgeon, so there wasn't any reading material available except for the pamphlets about botox, face lifts, tummy tucks, and believe it or not "thigh lifts!" Having looked at more than my share of surgical procedures related to my condition, I abstained.
     After playing with the implants on display, we were running out of activities, so I suggested we come up with booby "hink pinks." For those of you who haven't been around me long enough to know, hink pinks are one of my favorite past times. A hink pink is a riddle whose answer is two rhyming words. The clue cannot include a word that is part of the answer. Ex. What do you call an overweight feline? A fat cat. Answering these hink pinks will test your knowledge of synonyms and breast terminology to the max.
     All right! Let's begin. I will list the clues, and the answers will be at the bottom of the page.  Since they all begin with "what do you call," I won't be redundant and type that phrase every time.

What do you call...
1. the top award at the boob contest?
2. a boob joke?
3. a prayed over boob?
4. an embrace from a well-endowed woman?
5. feeling sorry for someone with breast cancer?
6. a chastity bra?
7. it when gravity takes its toll on breasts?
8. rear boobies?
9. it when women store items in their bras?
10. Stevie Nick's boobs?
11. a Buttery Nipple substitute?
12. the boobs of the singer of "I was Born this Way?"
13. a large-breasted teacher?
14. breast lotion?
15. one who makes fun of breasts?




1. best breast
2. breast jest
3. blessed breast
4. jug hug
5. titty pity
6. knocker locker
7. slack rack
8. back rack
9. pack rack
10. rocker knockers
11. hooter shooter
12. Gaga's ta tas
13. hooter tutor
14. boob lube
15. knocker mocker

Scoring:
If you answered 12-15 correctly consider yourself a breast master!
9-12 - writer for a college frat paper
5-8 - reader of Harlequin romances
1-4 - you don't get out much, do you?

If you have any "best breast jests," please send them my way!

New Information

Three things:
* Released by my general surgeon, Dr. Bagaria (love him!)
* Met with my oncologist, Dr. Colon-Otero (love him too!)
* Received my first "expansion." 75 ml of saline in each side.

     Like all of my doctors, P.A.'s, and nurses at Mayo, Dr. Colon is very personable and professional. His quiet demeanor put me at ease immediately. He alternately asked me questions and consulted his computer screen to obtain the needed information. The cancer was HER2 positive which means I will need chemotherapy. I have agreed to participate in a double-blind study which, even if I don't benefit from it, others will. I will receive chemotherapy plus Trastuzumab (Herceptin) which is used to treat early-stage breast cancer that, in my case, has these risk factors: over 35 years old and stage 2 cancer. The other drug I may or may not get is Pertuzumab. (The P word and the T word sound like a spell from a Harry Potter book! "PERTUZUMAB!" Be gone cancer cells!)
     The treatments will be every three weeks for eighteen weeks! That's a year, folks! To get ready for all this, we head back to Mayo on Tuesday, June 19th for an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, a fasting blood draw, the insertion of the port, and another expansion. Whew! I think the surgery was the easiest part!
     The saline injections don't hurt terribly, just a little stick and then a lot of pressure. The image below is what the expander looks like. The gray area contains a magnet which is how the port is found because it's subcutaneous. The procedure is similar to how a woman's abdominal skin stretches to accommodate a baby.  It takes time, but the difference is, I get to say "when!"

These illustrations show how the expander works.

I promise- these images are as graphic as it gets!
Bottom line: Please keep me on your prayer lists, in your meditations, and in your thoughts. It's not over, yet! Much love!

The Journey to Recovery

     It has been said that the longest journey begins with one step. That wise person didn't say how slow the steps would be! For those of you who know me, sitting for long periods of time is not my forte. I'm learning it doesn't matter if that's not a strong point. When recovering from surgery, there is, inevitably, a whole lot of sitting going on.
     There's sitting, and then there's sitting comfortably. Let's just say I'm in love with my recliner.
 Oh you with the wide cushy arms
 that now house my little pillows, my cell phone, and my elbows!
 Let's not forget the foot rest, oh no!
 It's is you who allows me sleep well with my legs extended and supported.
 I'm safe in your loving embrace.
 Although, sometimes, mostly in the early morning hours,
 I do feel rather trapped, kind of like sinking, in a bog,
 not sure how I'll get out - HELP!
 Oh wait - it's better now that I can raise and lower the foot rest by myself.

    Here I am in my beloved recliner. I think Jarret took this picture on Friday. I look kind of loopy. We found a new use for the "boppy," the nursing mother's pillow. Instead of it holding the baby, it holds my tray, my laptop, a book, my kindle, and anything else I need to put in my lap. Thanks Emily!

Back Home!

     I am back home! Mayo is awesome, but as Dorothy says in The Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home!" Thanks to everyone who has been praying, meditating, chanting, sending good vibes. I posted on Facebook that I feel as if I'm floating in a bubble of peace. No negative thoughts can pierce it. It's an incredible feeling!
     No cancer in the lymph nodes! That means no radiation! Yay! Pain is manageable with the right meds. Definite owies in the chest area. Arms are definitely affected. Difficulty lifting them and cross-lateral movement is a BIG no no! Little pillows are my best friends right now - under my elbows. All those lunges and squats are coming in handy when I have to get up. Push up with the legs!
     Unwrapped the compression bandage around my chest this morning. I was apprehensive about my appearance, but guess what? Not that bad! I mean, no breasts, but hey, alive here! I am definitely more than a pair of boobs! And it only gets better. Reconstruction here I come!
     Who knew that taking a shower would be equivalent to an obstacle at Tough Mudder! Hooah!
Of course I couldn't do anything without Jarret! This is when the fine print on the marriage vows kicks in. He is totally amazing - from emptying my drains (eww) to fixing my food to keeping up my spirits. I love him! Lots!
     Our neighbors are the best in the world! They have mowed our lawn, brought us food, and given support when needed.
     I can't say enough about my family! Jarret and I come from good stock! Love you guys!
     Feeling the twinges that I've slightly over done it - who knew typing could be so exhausting!

Signing off.

Counting Down

    One more day until the surgery. Jarret and I went to a full day of pre-op appointments last Friday. Everything's a go. I check in at 9:00 on Thursday and get injected with dye and a radioactive isotope so they can track the path to the sentinel lymph node. So, will I glow in the dark?  :0  Then they will biopsy it, and hopefully, the cancer will not be in it.
    My surgery will begin at 12:00 and last approximately three hours. They will keep me overnight and possibly the next. Thanks to everyone who is praying for me, sending good thoughts, lifting me up. I feel prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally. Jarret is doing everything he can to encourage and support me.
    Tomorrow, the amazing women in my family and myself are going to get pedicures together. Mike is fixing us brunch, and then he and Jarret are going to have some "guy" time while the ladies get pampered. I'm thinking of getting pink ribbons on my big toes!
    Jarret and I went to the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs over the weekend. We enjoyed the music of Amy Carol Webb, Arlo Guthrie, and countless others as we meandered under the trees. We watched as artisans demonstrated their talents in jewelry-making, pottery, leather-crafting, and so much more. More than anything else, besides seeing Amy Carol Webb, I wanted to contra dance. It's like square dancing, but a little more complicated. Jarret was such a good sport and joined me. There's nothing like dancing when it's 95 degrees!
     While we were sitting listening to some Celtic music, I thought how wonderful it would be to have the presence of the strong women who have influenced me. Since Amy Carol Webb's music has inspired me, I asked her to sign my pink hat. Next, I asked Jarret's mom, Cathy, to sign it. I plan on having all the ladies in my family put their names on it tomorrow.
     I'll post again as soon as I can.


   

Ramblings

   I had the honor of being interviewed by Lindsey Adkinson of the Brunswick News last Tuesday. Fellow teacher and breast cancer survivor, Rhonda Barlow, arranged for Lindsey to do a story about how my students are supporting me at this time. The story ran in the May 16th edition. The reporter wrote a wonderful article mentioning how the students got together and created shirts, decorated my door, and brought gifts of all kinds.
   Tomorrow is the last day of school with the kids. It's bittersweet. Everyone is ready for summer, teachers and students alike. I'm hoping I will get my wish and be able to move up to tenth grade with this group of students. It will be much easier on me not having to explain my condition. I'll probably still be going through chemo when school starts. I may or may not lose my hair. It depends on the type of chemo and my reaction to it.
   Surgery in ten more days. I'm ready for the waiting to be over, but am a little anxious. Things are going to be challenging, but I have an amazing family and wonderful friends to help me through.

Mother's Day

   Jarret and I spent Saturday at Emily and Matt's with family. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by all those strong Von Balson and Teaster women! Emily made it that much more special by surprising me with shirts she created for Marshall and Maddox. Marshall said, "This shirt is for you, Zuzu." My littlest supporters!
I brought some paper pink ribbons and everyone decorated one for my door at school. I'll put them on tomorrow.
  Today we went to Altama Presbyterian with Cathy and Lew. What a sweet group of people! After church we went to Captain Joe's Seafood for lunch. Very crowded, but the food is excellent.

  I want to thank my mom, Pearl Von Balson, for being such a wonderful role model. She is truly my inspiration and source of strength. I've seen her overcome much hardship and grief in the 55 years I've known her. She supported the family financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Even though she worked full-time, she still found time to listen to my little girl prattle, adolescent rants, and young mother questions without judging. There was never a time Mom said, " I don't have time." On June 18, she will turn 84. I can only hope and pray that I am as loved and respected by my children and grandchildren as she is by hers. I love you Mom!

 

Decision Made!

     Another busy week! Jarret and I spent all day Tuesday and Wednesday in Jacksonville. All day Tuesday at Mayo getting blood work, an MRI, and various consults. The MRI showed some more iffy spots on my right breast which just helped to confirm my decision to go ahead with the mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy. After talking with the surgeon and the plastic surgeon, I've decided to get a double mastectomy. It doesn't guarantee that the cancer won't return, but it does lesson the chances. The doctors were very supportive of my decision.
     The question I was asked by more than one physician was, "What will cause you the most anxiety? Losing your breasts, both of them, or living with the anxiety of the cancer coming back in the left breast?"
     My hope now is that the cancer is not in my lymph nodes. If it is not in my lymph nodes, I won't have to have radiation. Radiation damages the skin and makes reconstruction more difficult. They won't know until surgery about the lymph nodes, and I won't know until it's over.
     My surgery is set for May 31st. at 9:00. I'm supposed to be there at 9:00, so I'm not sure exactly what time they'll start. It's a relief to finally have the date set. Now I can kind of "see" the timeline as far as recovery goes. It's also made me a little anxious, OK, a LOT anxious! Just the thought of surgery scares me, but I have met so many women who have come through breast cancer surgery fine. They are so inspiring! It is truly a sisterhood.
    On another note, I'm so glad I can finish out the school year and attend graduation! The seniors of 2012 were the freshmen my first year at Brunswick High, so I am excited to be able to see them graduate. Every graduation ceremony at BHS I've done duty, but this year I am going to put on the robe and stole and process with the teachers. I will make sure to bring a box of tissue!  Many of those students have stopped by my classroom to give me hugs and their support. I'm very proud of the class of 2012!

Breast Cancer Awareness Pictures

 Shaved Heads for Susan!


Aaron Ratliff
                        Eddie Avila










Luke Parker   Ben Gordon


You guys rock!

A close-up of the shirts

The outside of my door is covered with pink ribbons
signed by students and staff!

The inside of my door is a laundry line of breast cancer
awareness slogans and well-wishes!

My shirt made and signed (on the back)  by my 4B  class!
Thanks Julia and Eliza!

     What a busy day! Two classes celebrating Shakespeare's 448th birthday complete with cookies, brownies, chips, and drinks. One more party tomorrow and the Bard of Avon will be aptly remembered. We actually combined Shakespeare's birthday and Breast Cancer Awareness. Strange combination, I agree, although Shakespeare does mention breasts and/or bosoms quite often!
     Two of my students, Mackenzie and Hailey, covered my classroom door with yellow paper and put up the pink paper ribbons the other students and teachers signed. It's looking great! My 4th B block designed and decorated T-shirts for Relay for Life this Friday. They look great. I'll post pictures soon.
     Special thanks to Mrs. Tindall, Natalie's mom for buying the T-shirts for the whole class. Thanks to Natalie for coming up with the idea. Also, thanks to Julia and Eliza for decorating a shirt for me and having the class sign the back.
     This post is actually a day late. I wrote the first part last night after helping Jarret with his school's Relay for Life banner. We didn't get home until after 8:00. I fell asleep before I posted.
     Today (Thursday) we finished up Shakespeare's birthday bash. No more cookies or brownies please! So far my students have cut out pink ribbons, boxing gloves, and very small shirts. We're hanging the boxing gloves on the ends of the ribbons and hanging the whole thing from the ceiling outside my door.
    Jarret and I will be at the Needwood Middle School tent site on Friday. We will have the heavy bag and some boxing gloves so people can "take the fight to cancer." Come by and see us.
    Rhonda Barlow, the Relay captain for Brunswick High encouraged me to walk the survivor's lap. I didn't feel right about it at first because technically I'm not a "survivor" as yet. But when I thought about it, I guess I am. I mean, cancer isn't winning. I am fighting it. So, yes, I'll be walking!

   Ahhhh, the weekend. A chance to relax and catch my breath. Nothing much going on, just the usual - laundry, housework, working out, watching some sci-fi on Netflix...
   I am cutting my hair a little shorter today. It's too hot on my neck when I work out and have one of those hot flashes from hell!
    My students continue to surprise me with their caring and support. Everyday I receive hugs, gifts, smiles, and jokes. I'm afraid I've unleashed the beast in my students! After making it OK to actually say the words "boobs" and "breast," they came up with "slogans!" Here is sample:

booby-dooby-do    stay perky   tit-tits-hooray!   no boobs? no problem!  I'm too sexy for my hair!

   I've received permission from my principal to make my classroom door the Breast Cancer Awareness Door. We will put ribbons, cartoons, pictures, and facts about breast cancer. Unfortunately, I can't use some of the above slogans. :( We may be using quite a few astericks! You know, like b**by-d**by-d*!

   For the last few days I've been all over Brunswick looking for breast cancer "stuff". Like shirts, stickers, ribbons, hats, etc. Nothing! I was so disappointed. Relay for Life is Friday, and I wanted to wear a cool shirt. Jarret and I went today and looked in the mall - nothing. We finally found a shirt, hat, key chain, and really cool pink boxing gloves in Dick's Sporting Goods. We then went to Michael's (where I had looked previously) and Jarret found quite a few items! I especially wanted some scrapbook pages and stickers. He must have had his radar on because he kept finding all kinds of things!
He is the most awesome husband and best friend in the world!

Shared Grief is Half the Grief

     Shared the news with my students yesterday. It was more difficult NOT to tell them. Since my students are a large part of my life, and breast cancer now IS my life, I needed to combine the two. It is still hard to let the words "breast cancer" out of my mouth because everytime I say it, I know it's true and not some horrible nightmare. Although it does get a little easier with the telling because I can feel the love. ( cue the sappy music!)
     I spoke with the sophmores first. Most of these students are on their second round of literature with me. We have a unique relationship! After the shock wore off, I told them about the specifics of the surgery and the after effects. They are an amazing group and the love and support they demonstrated will definitely carry me through. Love you guys! The slogans and "boob" jokes kept me laughing all day.
     My freshmen are very caring and supportive, too. I've recieved many emails to that effect. At least we have Romeo and Juliet to see us through to the end of school. 
     The crazy part is the number of students that raised their hands when I asked how many of them have someone in their family who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is the plague of our nation.
    
     Everything is at a standstill for now. My next appointments will begin May 1. We have to be at Mayo at the ungodly hour of  6:40am for lab work - 9:45 is the MRI - 1:40 is the meeting with the surgeon - 3:30 is the meeting with the plastic surgeon - and finally on May 2 at 3:00, we meet with the oncologist. Whew!
    Jarret and I are spending Monday and Tuesday nights in Jacksonville to save on gas and time. We'll get to spend time with the grand babies!
     It looks like my surgery will be sometime in the middle of June.

Have a great day everyone. Ya'll are like a good bra - very supportive! 

      Tough day today. It seems like every time I go to an appointment, I get more information that I have to deal with. Let me back up. Yesterday was my appointment at Mayo. I agreed to go and get a second opinion which is always a good idea. I had all intentions of keeping everything in Brunswick. It's convenient and I like my doctors. But after experiencing the caring atmosphere and professionalism of their breast cancer clinic, I am completely won over.
     I called them this morning and said. "Let's go." They called me back this afternoon with all the preliminary appointments. It's wonderful! I don't have to do anything except show up. They take care of everything!
     I met with Dr. Isley, who talked to me about my options. It looks like almost every decision I have to make is dependent on the sentinel lymph node. So far, I will have to take either Tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor which will block or prevent estrogen. It's a five year prescription.
     According to pathology report the tumor cells are ER (estrogen receptor) prostive (good), PR (progesterone receptor) positive (also good), but HER2 positive (bad.) Here is some info from the Mayo Clinic site:

HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about 1 of every 5 breast cancers, the cancer cells make an excess of HER2 due to a gene mutation. This gene mutation and the elevated levels of HER2 that it causes can occur in many types of cancer — not only breast cancer. This is a gene mutation that occurs only in the cancer cells and is not a type of mutation that you can inherit from a parent.

    Because the HER2 is positive, I will have to undergo chemo therapy. I'm thinking about cutting my hair shorter and shorter so by the time I lose it, it will have been a gradual change. Jarret says he will shave my head for me before it looks too ratty! :)  I'll have to get some cool "do-rags." Should I go with the pirate or thug look?

     Back to my day. With all this information running around in my head, I'm having a difficult time keeping up with my job. Being a school teacher is tough enough without the added stress. I really care about my classes and giving them the best education possible. Let's just say I'm glad there's only five weeks left!
     On another note, Jarret is making sure I'm working off my stress and building my muscles at the same time. Two hours in the gym this evening working on triceps, quads, calves,  and chest. Plus 25 minutes on the treadmill. I should be in tip top shape by surgery time!
     One more thing, and then I'll go. Everyone knows I chose the butterfly as my totem a few years ago when I was going through many life changes. One of the first gifts Jarret gave me was a necklace with a silver butterfly on it bearing this inscription: "Just when the catapillar thought her life was over, she changed into a beautiful butterfly." Now, more than ever, the symbol of the butterfly stands to remind me how changes can be painful, but they bring beauty and strength.
     Here is a picture from the lobby of the Mayo Clinic. I took it as a sign.

Happy weekend to eveyone!
Tomorrow is my appointment with the doctor at the Mayo Clinic. Hopefully, he will just confirm what Dr. Arlauskas has already said. Elizabeth, my daughter from another mother, is going with me. We can have some girl time!
Jarret and I went to the second plastic surgeon on Friday. Every time we go to another doctor we get more information that both encourages  and scares us. There's much more to this surgery than implants; it's taking stuff out and reconstructing. What we're really hoping is that the sentinel node comes back negative. That means I won't have to have radiation or chemo. I found the following information about my particular type of cancer on www.breastcancer.org :


       Mucinous carcinoma of the breast — sometimes called colloid carcinoma — is a rare form of invasive ductal carcinoma (cancer that begins in the milk duct and spreads beyond it into nearby healthy tissue). In this type of cancer, the tumor is made up of abnormal cells that “float” in pools of mucin, a key ingredient in the slimy, slippery substance known as mucus.
Normally, mucus lines most of the inner surface of our bodies, such as our digestive tract, lungs, liver, and other vital organs. Many types of cancer cells — including most breast cancer cells — produce some mucus. In mucinous carcinoma, however, mucin becomes part of the tumor and surrounds the breast cancer cells. Under a microscope, it looks like the cancer cells are scattered throughout pools of mucus.
Research suggests that only about 2-3% of invasive breast cancers are “pure” mucinous carcinomas — meaning that this is the only type of cancer present within the tumor. About 5% of invasive breast cancers appear to have a mucinous component within them, with other types of cancer cells present as well. Mucinous carcinoma is extremely rare in men.
Although mucinous carcinoma can be diagnosed at any age, it tends to affect women after they’ve gone through menopause. Some studies have found that the average age at diagnosis is in the 60s or early 70s.
Even though mucinous carcinoma is an invasive breast cancer, it tends to be a less aggressive type that responds well to treatment. Mucinous carcinoma is less likely to spread to the lymph nodes than other types of breast cancer.

I may be young at heart, but I must have old boobies!

So, to get me in the best possible condition for the upcoming surgery, I am taking extra vitamins and supplements prescribed by Dr. Cabeca my "lady" doctor to help build up my immune system. Coach Jarret is getting me in physical shape. And I thought I trained hard for Tough Mudder! Check out the pics from today's training!

♥ Breast Cancer Awareness ♥

Humor!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to see the humor in everything, even things that aren't supposed to be funny. I think that's why Jarret and I get along so well; we share a quirky sense of humor!
I realize breast cancer isn't exactly a laughing matter, but come on, who can resist a good boob joke?!
My friend and colleague, Phyllis Sartin, told me about a shirt she wants to get for me after my surgery. It says:

Ladies, get your mammogram!

Catching Up!

To get everyone up to speed, here is what's been happening for the last month:


February 11 - Jarret and I completed the Tough Mudder course - 11 miles and 25 military obstacles!
February 22 - went to my regularly scheduled mammogram - cam back "iffy."
February 27 - had an ultrasound on the "iffy" area of my right breast.
March 13 - met with Dr. Arlauskas about the results - wanted a biopsy.
March 20 - biopsy and interestingly enough, mine and Jarret's 2nd anniversary!
March 23 - results- mucinous carcinoma
March 30 - Dr. A. went over options- suggested plastic surgeons
April 5 - Dr. Bowen, plastic surgeon goes over options of which there are many!
April 13 - appointment with another plastic surgeon, Dr. Easterling
April 16 - Mayo clinic for a second opinion -
Whew!