A very busy past 3 weeks! And... how I will spend my summer...

Here's the rundown so far...don't get dizzy, this is a fast ride!

March 15th - yearly routine mammogram...la di da, this is always a breeze

March 18th - call back for more films and ultrasound...OK, I've done this before; this time with not so great news afterwards though; breast biopsy scheduled

March 20th - sterotactic biopsy left breast (it hurt and my left breast was not happy)

March 22 -  AM phone call - I have DCIS 'ductal carcinoma in situ', high grade; non-invasive...start reading about DCIS on the internet which is a blessing and a curse, lots of conflicting info and opinions about treatment, DCIS is tricky that way...breast MRI in the afternoon

March 27th - first appointment with breast surgeon, all my options discussed

April 1st - Appt with reconstruction plastic surgeon, I'm considering a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction; then head downstairs for appt with the radiation oncologist to discuss possible radiation therapy.  At this point in the story I have to say that I could walk around topless now and not be self conscious.  Everyone has looked at my breasts, touched them and photographed them...and really, could they make the exam rooms any colder?!  

April 4th - decision made, meet with breast surgeon, scheduled for mastectomy on Monday the 8th; then head to a different building to the physical therapy department for consult on exercises for left arm; then back to original building to the plastic surgeons office for last meeting with her to finalize reconstruction decision. Head home and go out for a well deserved margarita and relax.   Whew

Now I have to say that all of this went like clockwork, like butter, smooth as silk, easy peasy etc.

All of the appointments were made for me by the various departments, everyone working in sync, I just needed to show up where they told me.  From the moment they detected something suspicious on the first mammogram they were not going to let me fall through the cracks.  I am so totally impressed with how everything has gone so far and I am at peace with my decisions.  All of my surgeons and their staff are women who are very nurturing.  

Emotionally I am doing OK, sort of a roller coaster ride, but I feel very positive about having a good outcome.  I've lost some sleep but have pampered myself with some nice afternoon naps.  My family is so very supportive, sister Kate and my niece Sarah will be here for the surgery.  Their job is to keep me laughing and cater to my every whim; my husband is amazing and will take great care of me as well...he too shall be catering to my every whim.  Do you see a pattern forming?  I'm liking it...

Heading into Seattle  - it will be a road well traveled when this is all finished

So many decisions...

Do nothing - not an option
Lumpectomy with radiation therapy and tamoxifen
Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction started - no radiation or tamoxifen needed with mastectomy
Mastectomy with delayed reconstruction
Mastectomy with no reconstruction
Then, all of the reconstruction options which I will not list here, some very complicated and confusing

I came home and took a nap because my anxiety level was rising again...woke up, sun came out and felt much better with more clarity.

Bibi is modeling what my face looked like when I got home from doctor's appointments today...a blank stare off into space.  Thank you Bibi, well done.  Now you can go take a nap.

Happiness is...

A 'good morning' chat with my sister

Sunny, 60 degree weather

A brisk walk around Green Lake(2.8 miles)

Enjoying a fine spring day 

The love and support of family and friends

Start of the path 

Fishing Green Lake

Beautiful reflections

Second grade is hard!! Or...Teachers are my heroes!

I volunteer in my friend's 2nd grade classroom on Monday mornings.  I usually help with reading and reading comprehension and sometimes simple writing exercises.  This past Monday was no different, except that it was.

My friend informs me as I get settled into the classroom yesterday.."we are going to be working on a persuasive paper today, they have their outlines finished and are ready to write".  Huh? I think my look of blank perplexity said it all.  Really??  Outlines? They write outlines in second grade?  A persuasive paper?  I don't think that I even knew what this was until I took Speech in college.  I almost didn't know what she meant until she refreshed my memory.  Now I am really nervous.  I don't know how to write a persuasive paper!

So off we went into the world of writing with 2nd graders.  What an adventure.

One little boy writes..."Dear Mrs W.  I demand that you teach more science.  Science is cool.  It is good for your brain and you get to learn about space and black holes and your body."  He goes on to say that he is her best student and deserves more science.  If I were her, I'd be doing up a science unit real soon. He really is one smart little dude.

Another little boy wants to persuade his mom to let him have a pickle before dinner because it will make him grow big and strong.  He had some very good facts to back himself up with as well.  He stated his case...pickles are vegetables and won't ruin his dinner, he loves them, and deserves them because he does his homework, cleans his room until it sparkles and because once again, he loves them.  I don't know about you but I am convinced that he deserves a pickle before dinner.  I hope his mom thinks so too.

After 2 hours of this I went home exhausted and wondered if it was too early for a glass of wine.

Hmmm....red or white

Happiness is...

the warmth of the sun on my face

blue sky

daffodils

pink and white blossoming trees

cadbury milk chocolate mini birds eggs

the aroma of fresh cut spring grass

every shade of green

Really?!

I will never underestimate the power of my yearly 'routine' mammogram again.  Two suspicious areas, an ultrasound, more films taken and a sterotactic left breast biopsy and MRI done this past week have uncovered DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) and a high risk papilloma.  My poor left breast is very unhappy.  The sterotactic biopsy was most unpleasant on several levels.

So now I am on a new journey of education and decisions.  Thank goodness for the internet!!  Easy to get information, some of it very good and some eye rollingly over the top for me.   I've started to make my long list of questions for my surgeon with the help of family and friends who have been wonderfully supportive, and we've only just begun.

I vow to keep my sense of humor, eat well, get plenty of sleep and at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, as well as a goodly amount of time knitting/crocheting/spinning or quilting because that is good for my soul.  Oh, and reading.  Can't forget that.

And laugh!!  This photo was taken on our last night in Porto Portugal...I had just set the timer on my camera, ran to sit back down, and this seagull runs up to the camera, pecks at the lens, and steals the scene.  I know, you had to be there to appreciate the humor but we were in hysterics, fueled by copious amounts of wine, over this photo.

Dish Rags

Everyone needs them right?  Unless you are a sponge person which I have never been.  My mother thought sponges were carriers of evil bacteria and would not allow them in her kitchen.  Hence, dish rags.  This batch is for the Sons of Norway pancake breakfast craft sale tomorrow.