The Journey

Friday, October 24, 2008

More Tests...

Next Tuesday I am scheduled to have my Muga Scan (for my heart) at 8am and then the biopsy of my lump at 9:30am. They will go ahead and draw my blood there in preparation for my Herceptin treatment that Thursday. That will at least save me a trip to Sonora Quest next week! Curt is planning on going in to work late that day so he will be home with the kids. I have an early check in time at 7am.

I am getting excited to meet with Dr. Boll (plastic surgeon) in a week and a half! I am sooo ready to get the rest of my reconstruction done. Plus, having surgery will give me a good excuse to take it easy and nap when I feel so inclined!

I also have an appointment to see Dr. Layton (OB/GYN) in December to have the ParaGard IUD put in. It is the one that doesn't release any hormones (it's copper) so it should be safe for me. I'm double checking with my oncologist next week, just to be sure.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Zoo Walk 2008

Last Saturday, the 18th,

our family participated in the 4th Annual Zoo Walk for Autism

(and Autism Spectrum Disorders) Research!

Here are the boys....ready to burn some pavement!

Curt's employer (Layton) generously donated $1000

this year to our team "Luke's Crew"

and also had these t-shirts made!

It felt pretty cool for Luke to have people wearing his name on their shirts!

We had a lot of fun and are grateful for those who donated to our team and came to walk with us. There were over 5,000 walkers this year, and so far, $130,000 has been raised!! Their goal is to reach $200,000...so they aren't too far off!

Friday, October 17, 2008

SOMEBODY PINCH ME!!!

I am GIDDY, AMAZED, GRATEFUL, and so STINKIN' EXCITED!

We just found out yesterday that we will be going on a cruise to the

Eastern Caribbean

with Curt's family (just the adults)!!!! This is only being made possible because of my awesome in-laws, and I was honestly emotional yesterday when I found out.

Curt laughed at me, of course.

It will be from March 7-15th and I cannot wait!

Of course, I'm reeeaaallly hoping that Debbie will be able to come and stay with the kids again. Dad is obviously invited as well... to "supervise" again and provide the transportation to his favorite "Water and Ice" store. If they aren't able to come, I'm sure some of my amazing friends will be willing to rotate having the boys at their houses....right???

This cruise is going to be pure bliss! Not only will the ship, food, and stops along the way be much nicer than our last cruise....but Curt and I are so excited to be able to spend so much time with his family (sans kids!). It will be a good time, for sure!!

I know. You're jealous.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Results Are In...

My genetic testing came back NEGATIVE!! I am still in shock! I think everyone was convinced it would be positive because of my sister's, my mom's, and my cancer.

Although Dr. Woo couldn't explain why we have such a strong family history of cancer, I am content with what I found out today. I didn't really ask him any questions because I was so numb. I was trying to wrap my brain around what he had just told me!

I have felt a lot of relief today, for sure. I am no longer considering having my ovaries removed, which never quite set well with me. I don't feel as worried about the cancer coming back, although it still could. I am not as worried about the future for my boys, my nieces (especially Ashlie), and my sister Christie.

YAY!! Today is an awesome day!

Monday, October 13, 2008

COME JOIN US!!

This Saturday,

our team "Luke's Crew",

will be walking at the Phoenix Zoo for

Autism Research!

Curt's company has generously donated $1000 and made t-shirts for us to wear! Quite a few of Curt's co-workers will be walking, too!

It always is a fun time, and you get to stay at the zoo all day for FREE! The weather is perfect for a trip to the zoo, don't ya think?

Friday, October 10, 2008

Update

I saw my oncologist yesterday and got another round of Herceptin. Apparently, I'm half-way through the Herceptin treatments. That means about another 6 months. Ugh. I was hoping I was closer to the end, but oh well.

Dr. Kellogg is supposed to be arranging a biopsy of a lump I've had ever since my mastectomy. This clump of fat (which is what my plastic surgeon said it was) has been on the left breast since about 2 days after I had the surgery. The plastic surgeon said it would soften over time, but it has not. It hasn't changed either....size, shape, location are all the same. When I have the rest of my reconstructive surgery, the surgeon is going to remove it for me because I hate having it there. It reminds me of the tumor I had. So I'll be able to say "audios" to it soon.

Anyway, Dr. Kellogg doesn't think it's anything to worry about, and he measures it every time I go in to see him. So he knows it has been there, but he's just taking every precaution and I am OK with that! I'm honestly not worried about it, but I'm sure some people will be getting nervous when they read this. So that procedure will be done soon. I don't have a date/time yet.

In a few weeks I will also be due for another Muga Scan to check the function of my heart. This scan has always come back "normal" for me, so, once again, I am not worried.

On another note...

Last week, a good friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. She's only 37 and has a husband and 3 kids. My stomach dropped when I heard the news, and I immediately wanted to call her. I feel so determined to do whatever I can to help her. We've been able to talk several times and I am SOOO glad she feels comfortable enough to ask me questions and get my advice. Even though our situations are a bit different, I am so happy to be able to give her some comfort during such a difficult time. She is an amazing person and has such a great attitude about all of this! Our ward and our circle of friends will pull together to do whatever we can to help.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Our Mexican Riviera Cruise

Curt and I had such a fun, relaxing time on our cruise! Some of the highlights for me were:

* Taking a nap EVERY.SINGLE.DAY

* Laying on the lounge chairs on the deck overlooking the ocean...while reading my books.

* Having the luxury to read whenever I wanted (I finished 2 books while we were there!)

* Being able to spend some much needed alone time with Curt

* Not having a single stress or worry for 5 SOLID DAYS!

* No cooking or cleaning for 5 SOLID DAYS!

* Soft-served ice cream every day (sometimes twice/day!)

* Sitting out on the deck while eating our breakfast and lunch

* Getting compliments from at least 5-6 people on my hair! (And none of them even knew WHY my hair was so short. One older guy told me my hair was "adorable" and he wished his wife would cut her hair like that!)

* Singing karaoke (YES!! I did!! Although I have no pictures to prove it...just take my word for it. I sang Dixie Chicks' "goodbye earl" and Curt sang sir mix a lot's "baby got back". HILARIOUS!!)

* The bed and pillows were soooo comfy

* Meryl Hobbs' comedy show (That was some funny stuff!)

* Listening to our cruise director Stuart and assistant director Wheezie talk (he's from Australia and she's from Scotland)

* Did I mention the naps??

* Snuba (It was fun, once I finally didn't panic anymore every time my mask would fill up with water. Salt water in the nose and eyes is not a pleasant feeling.)

* Walking around Cabo and Ensenada, Mexico.

* Playing cards with Curt (and beating him!)

* Participating in Carnival's fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. We walked 1 mile around the track with other survivors and supporters. It was so neat!

* Sleeping in

* Coming home to our boys! We missed them.

* Having Papa and Grandma Debbie take care of the kids while we were gone

* Loved the fact that Curt's company paid for this cruise!